The Australian sharemarket opened weaker after a selling wave washed through the tech sector after a report of an unexpected financing turn regarding an Oracle data centre.

The S&P/ASX 200 index was down 12.80 points, or by 0.2% to 8572.40 at 10.20am AEDT, with eight of the 11 sectors off. Blue Owl, a longtime partner in Oracle’s rapid AI infrastructure build-out, has opted not to contribute equity for a data centre in Michigan, Bloomberg reported. This saw the Nasdaq drop by 1.8% and the S&P 500 by 1.2%.

On the ASX, technology was the weakest as it tacked the Nasdaq. Data centre operator NextDC dived 4.7%, TechnologyOne 2% and WiseTech Global by 0.9%.

Energy was lower as Woodside dropped 2.1% as it announced the unexpected departure of chief executive Meg O’Neill, who will become the boss of oil giant BP. Liz Westcott will become acting CEO while a replacement is found.

This offset a 2% gain in crude prices after geopolitical tensions escalated sharply, with ANZ pointing to increased pressure by the US on Venezuela’s oil exports as the key catalyst. Santos added 1% as it received $1.073 billion from Fluor Australia after the Queensland Supreme Court upheld a judgment in the company’s favour.

Real estate was the best performing sector as Scentre and GPT Group both firmed 1% and Charter Hall by 0.6%.

In company news, Bendigo Bank fell 0.9% as it was slapped with actions from both the prudential regulator and financial crimes watchdog after revelations four people were arrested over suspicious activity at one of its branches.

ANZ was flat at $36.10 as its board was hit with a ‘second strike’ on the bank’s remuneration report, according to a filing with the ASX of proxy votes cast ahead of the ANZ annual meeting in Sydney.

Bapcor chief executive Angus McKay resigned after less than 18 months in the role. The resignation followed his demotion from a dual role of being the group’s executive chairman and chief executive. Shares rose 1.4%.

BetMakers soared 5.7% after it secured a multi-year agreement with Stake to supply its RaceOdds+ platform as the online wagering operator expands its global horse racing offering.

APA Group added 1% after it agreed to sell its 20% equity interest in GDI (EII), the owner of the Allgas gas distribution network, to affiliates of Stonepeak, as part of a broader transaction that will see Stonepeak acquire 100% of GDI.