Why is the ASX 200 falling when so many stocks are rising?

ASX board.

The S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) is heading south on Friday.

At the time of writing, the benchmark index is down 0.62% to 8,632 points.

The index has fallen from a day high of 8,705 points and is now trading near its session low of 8,613.6 points.

That follows Thursday’s 1.13% fall, which left the ASX 200 at 8,686.1 points.

But here’s the interesting part.

The market is not falling because every part of the ASX 200 is being sold off.

At the latest check, 91 stocks were lower, 99 were higher, and 10 were unchanged.

So why is the index still in the red?

The big end of the market is doing the damage

The weakness is coming from some of the largest names on the ASX.

BHP Group Ltd (ASX: BHP) shares are down 1.93% to $61.59, while Rio Tinto Ltd (ASX: RIO) shares are down 1.24% to $185.74.

Fortescue Ltd (ASX: FMG) is also under pressure, with its shares down 2.24% to $20.55.

Energy stocks are not helping either.

Woodside Energy Group Ltd (ASX: WDS) shares are down 1.69% to $30.80.

Commodity prices are adding to the pressure. Gold is down 0.83% to US$4,437 an ounce, copper is off 1.61% to US$6.40 per pound, and iron ore has fallen 1.69% to US$101.96 a tonne.

Commonwealth Bank of Australia (ASX: CBA) shares are slipping 1.56% to $161.17, while Westpac Banking Corp (ASX: WBC) shares are 1.39% lower at $34.75.

The banks are also weighing on the index.

National Australia Bank Ltd (ASX: NAB) shares are shedding 0.73% to $36.74, and ANZ Group Holdings Ltd (ASX: ANZ) shares are drifting 1.04% lower to $34.12.

Healthcare and tech are helping limit the fall

The other side of today’s session is more positive.

Healthcare shares are among the better performers, with CSL Ltd (ASX: CSL) up 4.59% to $96.84.

Cochlear Ltd (ASX: COH) shares are also higher, rising 5% to $99.85.

ResMed Inc (ASX: RMD) shares are lifting 3.47% to $27.42, while Pro Medicus Ltd (ASX: PME) shares are 3.66% higher at $165.06.

There are also some strong moves in tech and growth names.

Megaport Ltd (ASX: MP1) shares are soaring 10.36% to $18.33, making it one of the standout names on the ASX.

Telix Pharmaceuticals Ltd (ASX: TLX) shares are also higher, rising 5.35% to $13.58.

These gains are helping stop the ASX 200 from looking worse, but they’re not enough to offset pressure from the larger index heavyweights.

The post Why is the ASX 200 falling when so many stocks are rising? appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

Wondering where you should invest $1,000 right now?

When investing expert Scott Phillips has a stock tip, it can pay to listen. After all, the flagship Motley Fool Share Advisor newsletter he has run for over ten years has provided thousands of paying members with stock picks that have doubled, tripled or even more.*

Scott just revealed what he believes could be the ‘five best ASX stocks’ for investors to buy right now. We believe these stocks are trading at attractive prices and Scott thinks they could be great buys right now…

* Returns as of 20 Feb 2026

.custom-cta-button p {
margin-bottom: 0 !important;
}

More reading

Motley Fool contributor Aaron Teboneras has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool Australia’s parent company Motley Fool Holdings Inc. has positions in and has recommended CSL, Cochlear, Megaport, ResMed, and Telix Pharmaceuticals. The Motley Fool Australia’s parent company Motley Fool Holdings Inc. has recommended Pro Medicus. The Motley Fool Australia has positions in and has recommended ResMed. The Motley Fool Australia has recommended BHP Group, CSL, Cochlear, Pro Medicus, and Telix Pharmaceuticals. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. This article contains general investment advice only (under AFSL 400691). Authorised by Scott Phillips.