This article was automatically generated by Dow Jones using technology from Automated Insights.

Stocks in Australia rose during early trading Friday, as the S&P/ASX 200 Benchmark Index gained 0.4% to 8658.30.

Among local companies with a market cap of at least 15 billion Australian dollars ($10.72 billion), South32 is the biggest leader this morning, gaining 3.4%, and Evolution Mining rose 3.1%. Lynas Rare Earths rounds out the top three movers, as shares added 2.5%.

Insurance Australia Grp is the biggest early laggard, declining 3.7%, followed by shares of Goodman Group, which dropped 1.7%. Shares of Woodside Energy Group slipped 1.0%.

The U.S dollar weakened 0.1% against the Australian dollar to 1.40 Australian dollars.

In the bond markets, the 10-year Australian government bond yield fell 3.58 basis points to 4.941%.

Data source: Dow Jones Market Data, FactSet

(END) Dow Jones Newswires

May 21, 2026 20:33 ET (00:33 GMT)

Copyright (c) 2026 Dow Jones & Company, Inc.