2148 GMT - Australian equities look set to tumble in early trade after President Trump and Iran traded threats to hit key infrastructure. Local stock futures are down by 1.8% ahead of Monday's session, suggesting the S&P/ASX 200 will add to the hefty losses compiled across three consecutive weekly declines. The benchmark index is 8.4% lower in March. It hasn't lost that much across a full month since June 2022. Ten of the ASX 200's 11 sectors are down so far this month, with the heavyweight materials sector 19% in the red. The outlier is the energy sector, which is up by 16% and could be poised for further gains on tight fuel supply and higher oil prices. (stuart.condie@wsj.com)
(END) Dow Jones Newswires
March 22, 2026 17:48 ET (21:48 GMT)
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