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Australian shares end flat as budget targets negative gearing and global risks squeeze volatile week
Economy
Published on 15 May 2026
Negative gearing curbs could slow mortgage demand, startling banks
Australian shares ended little changed on Friday, finishing a volatile week where investors weighed a federal budget proposal to curb negative gearing. The change raised fears of weaker mortgage demand, clouding banks’ outlook even as financials gained 1% after earlier losses. Real estate stocks rose on expectations that first-home buyer support could offset the impact. Outside Australia, investors tracked US China talks and Middle East tensions, while miners slipped 3.1% on softer iron ore and copper prices.
- S&P/ASX 200 closed 0.1% lower at 8,630.8
- Index fell 1.2% for the week, weakest stretch in over three weeks
- Budget proposed curbing negative gearing to boost new housing investment
- Banks gained 1% after a sharp earlier selloff, CBA up 1.9%
- Real estate stocks rose 0.4% as first-home buyer support gained attention
- Miners dropped 3.1% on softer iron ore and copper prices
Read the full story at The Economic Times
This summarization was done by Beige for a story published on 
The Economic Times