The S&P/ASX 200 dropped 0.8% to 8,628 on Monday, reversing gains from the previous week, as sharp declines in materials stocks weighed heavily on the index. Mining heavyweights BHP Group slid 2.5%, while Rio Tinto declined 1.4%. Gold producers also came under pressure, with Newmont Corporation down 2.1%, Northern Star Resources falling 2.2%, and Evolution Mining shedding 2%. Losses in the sector came amid softer commodity prices, particularly copper and silver. Elsewhere, ASX Ltd plunged 4.8% to its lowest level since October 2023 after Australia’s corporate regulator imposed an additional A$150 million (US$99.7 million) charge, prompting the company to cut its dividend payout. Meanwhile, investors are looking ahead to key economic data later in the week, including flash PMI readings, inflation expectations, and housing indicators.