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  • Here are the top 10 ASX 200 shares today

    A neon sign says 'Top Ten'.

    It was a rather unpleasant day to be an ASX investor this Thursday, wth the Australian markets suffering a significant sell-off over the session. After a reprieve from the selling that we saw earlier in the week yesterday, the bears were back on the ASX today, with the S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) staying in red territory all day and closing down a chunky 0.68%.

    That leaves the ASX 200 at 8,748.7 points.

    This lacklustre session on the ASX comes after a mixed night up on Wall Street.

    The Dow Jones Industrial Average Index (DJX: .DJI) was in an accommodating mood, rising 0.35%.

    However, the tech-heavy Nasdaq Composite Index (NASDAQ: .IXIC) wasn’t so lucky, dropping 0.43%.

    But let’s return to the local markets now and dig down into what was happening with the various ASX sectors over today’s trading.

    Winners and losers

    Despite the broader market’s drop, we still had a few sectors that advanced this Thursday.

    But first, it was again gold shares that were the scourge of the market. The All Ordinaries Gold Index (ASX: XGD) had another shocker, crashing 4.35%.

    Energy stocks were also in the firing line, with the S&P/ASX 200 Energy Index (ASX: XEJ) cratering 2.48%.

    Mining shares found themselves on the nose as well. The S&P/ASX 200 Materials Index (ASX: XMJ) plunged down 2.28%.

    We could say the same for financial stocks, as you can see from the S&P/ASX 200 Financials Index (ASX: XFJ)’s 1.22% dive.

    Tech shares were unpopular as well. The S&P/ASX 200 Information Technology Index (ASX: XIJ) gave up some of yesterday’s gains, tanking 0.82%.

    That’s it for the losers, though, so let’s turn to the winners now.

    Leading said winners were, fittingly,  healthcare stocks, with the S&P/ASX 200 Healthcare Index (ASX: XHJ) roaring 2.56% higher.

    Consumer discretionary shares also ran hot. The S&P/ASX 200 Consumer Discretionary Index (ASX: XDJ) enjoyed a 2.11% surge this Thursday.

    Its consumer staples counterpart was also in demand, evidenced by the S&P/ASX 200 Consumer Staples Index (ASX: XSJ)’s 1.41% jump.

    Next came real estate investment trusts (REITs). The S&P/ASX 200 A-REIT Index (ASX: XPJ) enjoyed a 1.07% boost this Thursday.

    Utilities shares didn’t miss out either, with the S&P/ASX 200 Utilities Index (ASX: XUJ) bouncing up 0.71%.

    Communications stocks were a little more muted. The S&P/ASX 200 Communication Services Index (ASX: XTJ) advanced 0.27% today.

    Finally, industrial shares got across the finish line, illustrated by the S&P/ASX 200 Industrials Index (ASX: XNJ)’s 0.24% uptick.

    Top 10 ASX 200 shares countdown

    ASX REIT LendLease Group (ASX: LLC) took out today’s top spot. LendLease units rocketed 8.93% higher today to close at $3.17 each.

    This great leap higher followed LendLease revealing the details of a major asset sale today.

    Here’s how the other winners landed their planes this Thursday:

    ASX-listed company Share price Price change
    LendLease Group (ASX: LLC) $3.17 8.93%
    Reece Ltd (ASX: REH) $16.80 7.28%
    James Hardie Industries plc (ASX: JHX) $36.85 5.23%
    Lovisa Holdings Ltd (ASX: LOV) $23.09 5.05%
    ResMed Inc (ASX: RMD) $29.20 4.55%
    Block Inc (ASX: XYZ) $109.88 4.40%
    Insurance Australia Group Ltd (ASX: IAG) $8.21 4.32%
    Premier Investments Ltd (ASX: PMV) $14.79 4.23%
    JB Hi-Fi Ltd (ASX: JBH) $81.60 4.08%
    Qantas Airways Ltd (ASX: QAN) $10.71 4.08%

    Our top 10 shares countdown is a recurring end-of-day summary that shows which companies made big moves on the day. Check in at Fool.com.au after the weekday market closes to see which stocks make the countdown.

    The post Here are the top 10 ASX 200 shares today appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

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

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    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…

    See the 5 Stocks

    * Returns as of 16 June 2026

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    Motley Fool contributor Sebastian Bowen 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 Block, Lovisa, and ResMed. The Motley Fool Australia has positions in and has recommended ResMed. The Motley Fool Australia has recommended Lovisa and Premier Investments. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. This article contains general investment advice only (under AFSL 400691). Authorised by Scott Phillips.

  • Age pension income and asset test limits to rise next week

    Four senior friends laugh together with arms around each other

    The income you can earn and the value of assets you can own in retirement, while still qualifying for the age pension, will rise next week.

    The Department of Social Services has just announced the next lot of indexation changes to means testing for the pension.

    These indexation changes are made twice per year to reflect the impact of inflation.

    Pension amounts will remain as they are today. All that is changing next Wednesday, 1 July, is the parameters for means testing.

    The full age pension $1,200.90 per fortnight for singles and $905.20 per person, per fortnight, for couples.

    Let’s review.

    When can I get the age pension?

    Australians born on or after 1 January 1957 are eligible for the pension at age 67, whether retired or not.

    The pension is subject to an assets test and an income test. You have to pass both to receive the full pension.

    If you own too much in assets, or earn too much income, you may only qualify for a part-pension, or no support at all.

    What are the new pension thresholds for asset values?

    The first thing to know is that your home is excluded from the pension assets test if you own your residence.

    If you rent your home, you are allowed to own more assets (and earn more income) while still qualifying for the pension.

    Assessable assets include ASX shares, international shares, superannuation, bonds, managed funds, rental properties, and cash.

    Single homeowners

    Under next week’s changes, single homeowners will be able to own up to $333,000 in assets and still qualify for the full age pension.

    Single homeowners with assets worth between $333,001 and $733,500 will qualify for a part-payment.

    Single non-homeowners

    Single renters will be able to own up to $600,000 in assets and still qualify for the full age pension.

    Single non-homeowners with assets worth between $600,001 and $1,000,500 will be eligible for a part-pension.

    Couple homeowners

    Couple homeowners will be able to own up to $499,000 in assets and still qualify for the full age pension.

    Couple homeowners with assets worth between $499,001 and $1,102,500 will still be eligible for a part-payment.

    Couples who are renting in retirement

    Couple non-homeowners will be able to own up to $766,00 in assets and still be eligible for the full pension.

    Renters who own assets worth between $766,001 and $1,369,500 will qualify for a part-payment.

    How much income can you earn and still get the age pension?

    Under next week’s changes, singles will be able to earn up to $226 per fortnight and still qualify for the full pension.

    If they earn between $227 and $2,627.80 per fortnight, they will qualify for a part-payment.

    Couples will be able to earn up to $396 per fortnight and still receive the full age pension.

    Couples who earn between $397 and $4,016.80 per fortnight will be eligible for a part-payment.

    Assessable income includes wages and investment income.

    To make things easier, Centrelink relies on deeming rates to determine a pensioner’s investment income.

    (The only exception is rent from investment properties. Pensioners must report actual net rental income each year.)

    Deeming rates have been well below market average returns for many years.

    The Albanese Government has been gradually increasing deeming rates and the asset value thresholds.

    Under next week’s changes, the lower deeming rate will remain at 1.25% and the upper deeming rate will remain 3.25%.

    However, the thresholds will lift.

    The lower deeming rate will apply if a single pensioner’s assets are worth less than $66,800. For couples, the new threshold is $110,600.

    If your investments are worth more than that, the upper deeming rate will apply.

    The post Age pension income and asset test limits to rise next week 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…

    See the 5 Stocks

    * Returns as of 16 June 2026

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

  • ASX 200 drops again as investors dump banks and miners

    ASX board.

    The S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) is having another rough session on Thursday.

    At the time of writing, the ASX 200 is down 0.47% to 8,766 points.

    That leaves the benchmark on track for another disappointing session. The market is struggling to build on a more positive lead from Wall Street futures.

    At the latest check, 103 ASX 200 shares are rising, while 92 are falling and 5 are unchanged.

    Let’s take a closer look at what’s putting the index in the red.

    Banks and resources weigh on the ASX 200

    The big miners are doing a fair bit of damage today as commodity prices fall across the board.

    At the time of writing, BHP Group Ltd (ASX: BHP) is down 1.93% to $58.35, Rio Tinto Ltd (ASX: RIO) is down 2.61% to $169.38, and Fortescue Ltd (ASX: FMG) is down 1.09% to $19.04.

    Energy shares are also under pressure after oil prices dropped back toward pre-war levels.

    Woodside Energy Group Ltd (ASX: WDS) shares are down 3.10% to $27.37 as crude oil trades below US$70 a barrel.

    Oil had rallied earlier this month on Middle East supply fears, but that support has quickly faded as tanker traffic through the Strait of Hormuz improves.

    And looking at the banks, they aren’t offering much help either.

    National Australia Bank Ltd (ASX: NAB) is down 3.07% to $37.56, Westpac Banking Corp (ASX: WBC) is down 0.59% to $35.57, and ANZ Group Holdings Ltd (ASX: ANZ) is down 0.70% to $35.39.

    Commonwealth Bank of Australia (ASX: CBA) is only slightly lower, down 0.03% to $164.75.

    Not everything is falling

    But while the heavyweights are in the red, there are still some winners on the ASX 200 today.

    Wesfarmers Ltd (ASX: WES) is up 2.25% to $89.23, while Woolworths Group Ltd (ASX: WOW) is up 1.73% to $40.05.

    CSL Ltd (ASX: CSL) is also having a positive session, rising 2.91% to $118.34.

    The S&P/ASX All Technology Index (ASX: XTX) is 0.1% higher, helped by a solid lead from US tech futures after Micron Technology Inc (NASDAQ: MU)’s strong update.

    What investors are watching now

    The jobs data has added another wrinkle to today’s session.

    Australia’s unemployment rate fell to 4.4% in May, with employment rising by 40,300 jobs.

    That’s good news for the economy, but it may also keep the Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA) cautious if the labour market stays firm.

    Despite today’s fall, the ASX 200 remains up about 0.6% since the start of 2026.

    The post ASX 200 drops again as investors dump banks and miners 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…

    See the 5 Stocks

    * Returns as of 16 June 2026

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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 CSL, Micron Technology, and Wesfarmers. The Motley Fool Australia has recommended BHP Group, CSL, and Wesfarmers. 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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