Trump Calls Off Iran Attack, Share Market Slumps
Australia's share market started the week lower despite oil prices easing after US President Donald Trump opted not to follow through with a major attack on Iran over the weekend.
The S&P/ASX200 fell 17.1 points by midday, down 0.19 per cent, to 8,959.7, as the broader All Ordinaries dipped 13.9 points, or 0.15 per cent, to 9,123.1.
The market's response was cautious, with IG market analyst Tony Sycamore saying that President Trump had called off a major planned attack on Iran after Iran and other Middle Eastern countries asked him to hold off, citing the need for a deal that includes the immediate, complete, and total opening of the Strait of Hormuz plus an end to Iran's nuclear threat.
Easing tensions in the Middle East cooled energy prices, with Brent crude easing to $US83.81 a barrel.