Australian energy firms climb to highest level in over 3 months as crude firms

Woodside Energy

19/08/2026 05:17

** Shares of Australian energy firms .AXEJ rise as much as 1.4%, hitting their highest level since May 1
** Benchmark S&P ASX 200 .AXJO down 0.3%
** Sub-index tracks oil prices, which gain on supply uncertainty as investors weighed conflicting messages from Tehran and Washington on whether the Strait of Hormuz is open to ships O/R
** Among sector heavyweights, Woodside Energy WDS.AX gains 1.4%, while Santos STO.AX rises over 2%
** Separately, STO reports a smaller-than-expected drop in its first-half profit and forecast higher production in the second half
** YTD, including day's move, .AXEJ up over 30% vs .AXJO's 4% gain

(Reporting by Rajasik Mukherjee in Bengaluru)
((Rajasik.Mukherjee@thomsonreuters.com))