Wesfarmers (ASX:WES) up while ASX fell; Bunnings in focus
Wesfarmers Ltd finished higher on Wednesday, closing at A$90.18, up 0.47%, even as the S&P/ASX 200 slipped 0.21% to 8,785.10. The stock carried that gain into Thursday’s pre-open. Wesfarmers’ move stood out with Australia’s main index in the red. Normal trading on the ASX cash market runs from 09:59:45 to 16:00 Sydney time. That stood out since Wednesday didn’t see much risk appetite. Stockhead said the benchmark clawed back from a 1.44% drop during the day to end off just 0.21%. Miners, telecoms and tech names were under pressure, and investors moved toward defensive sectors — names viewed as steadier when growth gets shaky.