The S&P/ASX 200 dropped 0.7% to close at 8,635 on Monday, reversing gains from the previous week, as sharp declines in materials stocks weighed heavily on the index. Mining heavyweights BHP Group slid 2.6%, while Rio Tinto declined 2.1%. Gold producers also came under pressure, with Newmont Corporation down 1.2%, Northern Star Resources falling 3.1%, and Evolution Mining shedding 3.1%. Losses in the sector came amid softer commodity prices, particularly copper and silver. Elsewhere, ASX Ltd plunged 5.7% to its lowest level since February 2018 after Australia’s corporate regulator imposed an additional A$150 million (US$99.7 million) charge, causing 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.