
Closing Bell 13th August: Challenger rallies on good results. XJO edges higher in low volatility session
Australian shares edged higher in early afternoon trade, with the S&P/ASX 200 Index up 0.3% or 21.5 points to 7835.2, extending gains for a fifth consecutive day. Real estate and mining sectors led the advance, while healthcare lagged, falling 2.6%. CSL shares dropped 4%, despite projecting double-digit earnings growth, marking one of its largest daily declines this year. Seek was the biggest laggard, plunging nearly 10% after weaker regional job ads impacted earnings.