ASX 200 rises for second day as Trump’s Iran comments ease oil fears ahead of inflation data

Australia’s S&P/ASX 200 rose 54 points, or 0.6%, to 8,948 on Tuesday, recovering from early weakness to post a second straight gain as lower oil prices improved risk sentiment. The move followed comments from U.S. President Trump that Washington was having “good talks” with Iran and that a deal was possible, easing concerns about supply disruptions tied to Middle East tensions. Gains were broad across the local market, led by commercial services, healthcare, transport and financials. The big four banks advanced between 0.7% and 1.2%, while Sonic Healthcare climbed 2.2%, Sigma Healthcare added 1.8% and Ramsay Health rose 1.2%. Origin Energy was among the laggards after warning of possible data exposure affecting about 900,000 customers in a cybersecurity incident. Separately, Australia is weighing its first new oil refinery in more than six decades as the Middle East war squeezes supplies. Investor attention is now turning to Australia’s June and second-quarter inflation readings due Wednesday, with sticky price pressures remaining in focus despite three rate hikes by the Reserve Bank this year.