ASX 200 Holds Steady Amid Miner Gains and Bank Pressure

Australian stocks ended almost flat on Wednesday as miners rose due to firmer commodity prices.

The benchmark S&P/ASX 200 inched up 0.1%, signaling investors were cautious before Thursday's August jobs report.

Miners like BHP and Rio Tinto gained as iron ore prices firmed on supply disruptions in Brazil, while financials fell due to pressure from soft housing conditions and intense mortgage competition affecting Australia's 'Big Four' banks.

The Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA) is closely watching the unemployment rate, with Governor Michele Bullock stating that a 4.5%-5.0% range could help bring inflation under control.