AU Stocks Lower at Close of Trade; S&P/ASX 200 Fall 0.86%

Australia stocks dipped after the close on Tuesday, with losses in the A-REITs, Utilities, and Industrials sectors.

The S&P/ASX 200 lost 0.86% at the close in Sydney.

The outperformers of the session on the S&P/ASX 200 were Macquarie Group Ltd (ASX:MQG). They rose 6.62% or 8.890 points to trade at 143.140 at the close. 

Moreover, GrainCorp Ltd (ASX:GNC) added 4.74% or 0.20 points to end at 4.42. In late trade, the AP Eagers Ltd (ASX:APE) climbed 4.25% or 0.59 points to 14.47. 

The session’s worst performers were Challenger Ltd (ASX:CGF). They fell 14.82% or 1.070 points to trade at 6.150 at the close. 

Boral Ltd. (ASX:BLD) fell 7.39% or 0.400 points to end at 5.010. Also down was Adelaide Brighton Ltd (ASX:ABC) 5.90% or 0.190 points to 3.030.

Falling stocks on the Sydney Stock Exchange exceeded advancing ones by 723 to 618, and 353 ended unchanged.

AP Eagers Ltd (ASX:APE) shares rose to 5-year highs. They rose 4.25% or 0.59 to 14.47.

The S&P/ASX 200 VIX was up 3.31% to 14.457.

EU Shares Dip, Total Rises

European shares fell on Tuesday as a recent rally showed signs of cooling. Hopes of a swifter global economic recovery and vaccine roll-outs powered the rally. Meanwhile, shares in French oil major Total rose after its earnings recovered in Q4.

Total SE rose 1.1% after the company said its earnings recovered in Q4 as oil prices stabilized. However, a hit from write-downs on assets due to the pandemic plunged it to a $7.2 billion net loss. That was for 2020 as a whole.

After gaining nearly 4% so far this month, the STOXX 600 index fell 0.2%. This was against the backdrop of steady vaccine roll-outs globally against expectations that U.S. lawmakers will soon pass a massive stimulus package.

In Germany, the DAX index was down 0.2%. Despite data showing German exports rose in December, as robust trade with China and the United States helped.

Elsewhere, Japan stocks were higher after the close on Tuesday. Gains in the Paper & Pulp, Railway & Bus, and Real Estate sectors led shares higher.

The Nikkei 225 rose 0.40% to hit a new 5-year high at the close in Tokyo.

The outperformers of the session on the Nikkei 225 were Chiyoda Corp. (T:6366). They rose 19.90% or 80.0 points to trade at 482.0 at the close. 

Moreover, Unitika, Ltd. (T:3103) added 4.41% or 20.0 points to end at 474.0. In late trade, Nomura Holdings Inc (T:8604) was up 3.92% or 23.6 points to 626.3.