Australian stocks fell 150 points, or 1.7%, to 8,761 in early Thursday trading, extending their decline to a third session and leaving the market at a six-week low. Sentiment weakened after Wall Street recorded its third consecutive drop overnight, while escalating U.S.–Iran tensions pushed Brent crude above USD100/bbl and increased concerns about inflation. U.S. Treasury yields also rose ahead of key CPI data, a major measure of consumer-price growth. Domestic rate worries intensified after Deputy Governor Andrew Hauser said the RBA (Australia’s central bank) would debate further tightening at its September meeting because of persistent inflation risks. Assistant Governor Sarah Hunter separately warned that tolerance for stronger price pressures was limited. Every sector declined, led by healthcare, non-energy minerals, retail and logistics. The four major banks lost between 1.4% and 1.8%, while BHP Group dropped 3.2%. PLS Group fell 3.6%, Lynas Rare Earths declined 3.0%, Nextdc slid 2.9% and Regis Resources shed 2.3%.