ASX 200 turns higher after a rocky start. Is a recovery on the table?

The S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) has been seesawing for most of Wednesday.

After climbing as high as 8,791 points earlier in the session, the benchmark gave up its gains and slipped into negative territory.

But the selling didn’t last, with the ASX 200 recovering to 8,769 points in late afternoon trade, putting it 0.13% higher for the day.

That’s a recovery of around 26 points from today’s low of 8,742, with mining shares helping offset weakness across several other sectors.

The index is now up approximately 1.1% over the past week, although it remains 3.2% lower over the past month.

So, is a recovery finally getting underway?

A mixed finish on Wall Street

Investors didn’t get much direction from Wall Street overnight, with the major US indices finishing Tuesday’s session mixed.

The Dow Jones Industrial Average Index (DJX: .DJI) slipped 0.36%, while the S&P 500 Index (SP: .INX) finished basically flat.

Meanwhile, the Nasdaq Composite Index (NASDAQ: .IXIC) gained 0.45%, reaching another record close as tech shares continued to attract buyers.

US banking shares struggled, with the financial sector falling almost 2% and weighing on the wider market.

Oil prices also moved lower, with Brent crude falling below US$100 a barrel amid hopes of improved supply from the Middle East.

Miners are keeping the ASX 200 afloat

Mining shares are providing much of the support today, with several major resource companies trading higher.

BHP Group Ltd (ASX: BHP) has climbed 1.54% to $62.16, while Rio Tinto Ltd (ASX: RIO) is up 0.95% to $167.88.

BHP is also paying its final dividend of US$0.99 per share today, following its ex-dividend date on 3 September.

The buying has extended to gold miners, with several of the larger producers also moving higher.

Northern Star Resources Ltd (ASX: NST) has gained 4.17% to $22.85, and Evolution Mining Ltd (ASX: EVN) is trading 2.89% higher at $14.05.

Banks and energy shares head lower

The major banks are heading in the opposite direction, with Commonwealth Bank of Australia (ASX: CBA) slipping 0.81% to $151.09.

ANZ Group Holdings Ltd (ASX: ANZ) has fallen 1.21% to $37.69, while Westpac Banking Corp (ASX: WBC) is down 0.97% to $34.57.

Energy shares are also struggling following the overnight decline in oil prices, with Woodside Energy Group Ltd (ASX: WDS) falling 2.07% to $31.02.

Elsewhere, Insurance Australia Group Ltd (ASX: IAG) has dropped 2.11% to $7.90 after the ACCC blocked its proposed $1.35 billion acquisition of RAC Insurance.

The ACCC said the proposed acquisition would substantially lessen competition in Western Australia’s motor vehicle and home insurance markets.

Is a recovery on the table?

The ASX 200 has now recovered more than 100 points from its 15 September low of 8,657 points.

However, the benchmark remains well below its August high of 9,220 points, which means there’s still considerable ground to make up.

Investors are also looking ahead to the Reserve Bank’s next interest rate decision on 29 September.

The cash rate currently stands at 4.35%, with Governor Michele Bullock warning that upside risks to inflation may be materialising.

The post ASX 200 turns higher after a rocky start. Is a recovery on the table? appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

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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 no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool Australia has recommended BHP Group. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. This article contains general investment advice only (under AFSL 400691). Authorised by Scott Phillips.