Australian shares slump: ASX 200 ends lower as Trump’s extra tariff threat to European countries over Greenland looms large; banks, tech stocks drop, check top gainers and losers

Australian Share Market: Australian stocks ended lower on Monday (January 19, 2026) as investors piled into safe-haven assets fearing the extra tariff threat from US President Donald Trump. The threats are linked to some European countries and will probably continue to loom until the United States was allowed to buy Greenland.

The S&P/ASX 200 closed lower on Monday, dropping 29.40 points or 0.33% to 8,874.50 after setting a new 50-day high. It marked the steepest one-day decline for the index in nearly two weeks. According to the ASX website, the bottom performing stocks in this index were THE A2 MILK COMPANY LIMITED and LIFE360 INC., down 11.70% and 7.49% respectively.

Over the last five days, the index has gained 1.31% and is currently 2.64% off of its 52-week high. The benchmark gained 2.1% last week, its best week since late November.

ASX 200: Top gainers and losers

Australian shares recorded a mixed session, with notable gains led by Silex Systems Limited (SLX), which last traded at $7.120, up $0.620 or 9.538 per cent. Catalyst Metals Limited (CYL) followed, rising $0.640 or 7.111 per cent to $9.640. Paladin Energy Ltd (PDN) advanced to $11.840, gaining $0.730 or 6.570 per cent, while Lynas Rare Earths Limited (LYC) climbed $0.800 or 5.168 per cent to $16.280. Bellevue Gold Limited (BGL) also finished higher, up $0.075 or 4.629 per cent at $1.695.

On the downside, The A2 Milk Company Limited (A2M) recorded the steepest fall, dropping $1.100 or 11.703 per cent to $8.300. Life360 Inc. (360) declined $2.190 or 7.493 per cent to $27.040, while Pro Medicus Limited (PME) slid $13.800 or 6.802 per cent to $189.100. Alcoa Corporation (AAI) fell $4.980 or 5.227 per cent to $90.300, and Reliance Worldwide Corporation Limited (RWC) eased $0.190 or 4.692 per cent to $3.860

S&P/ASX 200: Top and low performing sectors

Sectors ended mixed. 8 of 11 sectors were lower along with the S&P/ASX 200 Index, according to ASX website. Utilities was the best performing sector, gaining +0.99% and rebounding from its recent decline. This sector is off -0.28% for the past five days.

Financials, which are on track for their weakest January since 2022, lost 0.6%, with the "big four" banks slipping between 0.4% and 1.1%, according to news agency Reuters. Technology stocks fell 2.5% to a nine-month low, while the healthcare sector slid 0.6%. Discretionary and consumer staple firms slipped 0.8% and 0.6%, respectively.

Gold miners see record high jump

Gold miners surged 2.9% to a record high, with bullion prices notching a fresh peak as investors rushed into the assets with exposure to gold following a fresh wave of tariff-related risks. Trump ‌ threatened eight ‍European nations with additional tariffs until the United States ‍is allowed to buy Greenland.

The ‍broader mining index ended 0.6% higher, largely driven by gold miners. BHP fell 0.5% and Fortescue lost around 2%, while ‍Rio Tinto gained ⁠0.8%. Gold miners Northern ⁠Star Resources and Evolution Mining climbed over 3% each.