ASX 200 Market Brief: February 16, 2026 The Australian share market opened the week on a firm footing, with the **S&P/ASX 200 index** rising **19.5 points** or **0.22%** to close at **8,937.1**. This recovery follows a sharp sell-off on Friday and reflects a resilient local sentiment even as global markets navigate mixed signals from Wall Street. Technology Sector Surge The Information Technology sector was the standout performer, soaring **5.65%** during the session. This dramatic rebound was fueled by bargain hunters moving into high-growth software stocks following recent price dips. Leading the charge, companies like Wisetech and NextDC saw renewed interest as investors pivoted back into tech. Gold and Healthcare Strength Gold miners enjoyed a robust session as the **All Ordinaries Gold Index** tracked a spike in bullion prices. Gold futures jumped to **US$5,063.8 per ounce**, driven by softer-than-expected inflation data. Nationally, 24k gold was quoted at **$241.90 per gram**. Major producers such as Newmont Corporation saw gains of **2.8%**. Healthcare stocks also provided a significant lift, with the sector index rising **1.07%**. Defensive buying and steady demand for large-cap medical providers like CSL, which climbed **1.36%** to **$152.05**, supported the broader index. Retail and Corporate Earnings Retail giant JB Hi-Fi surged **7.5%** to **$86.45** after reporting a **7%** increase in sales, while A2 Milk climbed **6.8%** following a strong half-year profit of **$112 million**. These results provided a much-needed boost to the consumer discretionary segment, which finished the day **1.64%** higher. Mining and Financials Lag In contrast, the Materials index fell **1.04%** as iron ore giants BHP and Rio Tinto faced downward pressure, with BHP sliding **1.7%** to **$50.26**. The Financials sector also struggled, ending the day down **0.05%**. While Commonwealth Bank managed a **0.78%** gain to **$177.58**, ANZ dropped **3.06%** and Bendigo & Adelaide Bank fell **2.8%** following their respective earnings updates. Economic Context The market is currently pricing in the Reserve Bank of Australia’s interest rate at **3.85%**, with investors closely watching for the RBA's meeting minutes due Tuesday. The Australian Dollar showed strength, trading around **US$0.7086**, as it benefited from a weakening US Dollar and stable commodity demand.