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ASX 200 closes in on record territory as BHP and Woolworths surge

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The S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) is pushing higher again on Wednesday, extending the gains seen at the start of the week.

At the time of writing, the ASX 200 is up 0.56% to 9,215 points.

This puts the index at its highest level in 2 weeks and less than 1% below the record high of 9,296 points reached earlier this month.

Wall Street also gave a positive lead overnight, with the Nasdaq Composite Index (NASDAQ: .IXIC) rising 0.66%, while the S&P 500 Index (SP: .INX) and Dow Jones Industrial Average (DJX: .DJI) added around 0.3%.

The move is relatively broad as well, with 104 shares trading higher, 86 lower and 10 unchanged.

So, what’s driving the market today?

BHP and Woolworths lead the way

Mining shares are giving the index plenty of support, led by another record high from BHP Group Ltd (ASX: BHP).

The BHP share price is up 1.18% to $68.47 after touching a new all-time high of $68.77 earlier this morning. Rio Tinto Ltd (ASX: RIO) is also up 1.37% to $181.75, with copper prices remaining close to record levels.

BHP has been on a strong run since releasing its FY26 results last week, when the miner reported record underlying EBITDA of US$32.9 billion and underlying attributable profit of US$13.2 billion.

Woolworths Group Ltd (ASX: WOW) is another major contributor today, with its shares jumping 5.59% to $41.02 following the release of its FY26 results.

The supermarket giant reported a 3.6% increase in group sales to $71.54 billion, while underlying net profit after tax (NPAT) rose 15.4% to $1.6 billion. Woolworths also lifted its final fully franked dividend by 15.6% to 52 cents per share.

Energy and tech stocks head lower

Not every part of the market is enjoying today’s gains, with lower oil prices weighing on the energy sector.

Woodside Energy Group Ltd (ASX: WDS) shares are down 4.27% to $31.59, while Santos Ltd (ASX: STO) has fallen 2.45% to $7.95.

Oil prices moved lower overnight, with brent crude falling 3.9% to US$88.58 per barrel as concerns around supply disruptions eased.

Tech shares are also having a tougher session, with the S&P/ASX All Technology Index (ASX: XTX) down roughly 1.25%.

WiseTech Global Ltd (ASX: WTC) shares are sinking 7.8% to $41.92 after releasing its FY26 results this morning, despite reporting a 79% jump in revenue to US$1.40 billion.

According to The Australian, the fall appears to be driven by weaker than expected CargoWise growth and a softer outlook for e2open.

Xero Ltd (ASX: XRO) shares have also dropped 4.99% to $84.51.

The post ASX 200 closes in on record territory as BHP and Woolworths surge 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 positions in and has recommended WiseTech Global and Xero. The Motley Fool Australia has positions in and has recommended WiseTech Global and Xero. 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.

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