Australian Shares Dip as Miners Fall Amid Inflation Concerns and RBA Rate Hike Expectations

Australian shares edged slightly lower on March 13, 2026, as declines in mining stocks outweighed gains in financials. The S&P ASX 200 closed at 8,617.10 points, down 0.1%, marking its worst monthly performance since September 2022 with a 6.3% drop in March. Inflation concerns driven by the Middle East conflict have increased expectations of a Reserve Bank of Australia rate hike next week. Major banks rose modestly, while miners, including Northern Star Resources, saw significant losses amid production warnings and fuel price surges.