The S&P/ASX 200 was little changed on Monday, closing around 8,953 following weakness in the prior two sessions, with gains in consumer durables, retail trade, and logistics offsetting declines in energy minerals and healthcare. Traders continued to follow rapid geopolitical developments in the Middle East, following the U.S. move to seize an Iranian-flagged cargo ship in the Gulf of Oman after it reportedly attempted to breach a naval blockade. In top trading partner China, the central bank kept its benchmark loan prime rates unchanged for an 11th straight month in April, in line with estimates. On the corporate front, Viva Energy said it aims to lift production of diesel, jet fuel, and gasoline to over 90% of capacity within weeks after a fire damaged part of its Geelong refinery in southeastern Australia last week. Genesis Minerals (2.3%), Regis Resources (1.9%), and Bluescope Steel (1.3%) advanced while South32 Ltd. (-3.5%), Woodside Energy (-2.8%), and pro Medicus (-2.4%) lagged.