The S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) is starting the week with a whimper.
The Aussie benchmark index closed on Friday at 8,958.3 points, just 0.7% below its all-time closing high of 9019.1 points, set on 21 August.
Today, that record high is slipping further away, with the ASX 200 down 0.4% at 8,922.0 points.
As for the three biggest ASX-listed companies, Commonwealth Bank of Australia (ASX: CBA) shares are down 0.1% at $168.14; the BHP Group Ltd (ASX: BHP) share price is down 0.8% at $41.89; and shares in Aussie biotech giant CSL Ltd (ASX: CSL) are bucking the selling trend to be up 0.5% at $210.29.
Here's what's got most investors favouring their sell buttons today.
Image source: Getty Images
Why is the ASX 200 slipping on Monday?
The finger of blame for today's slipping ASX 200 stocks points directly at Chinese President Xi Jinping and United States President Donald Trump.
Both leaders look to be channelling their own versions of 'America first' and 'China first' amid the latest salvos in their ongoing trade war.
Following China's new restrictions on rare earths exports, announced last week, Trump said on Friday that the US will slap 100% tariffs on China commencing on 1 November. The US will also institute export controls on "any and all critical software".
Today, the ASX 200 is following the lead of US markets lower in response to that news.
On Friday, the S&P 500 Index (SP: .INX) closed down 2.7%, and the tech-heavy Nasdaq Composite Index (NASDAQ: .IXIC) plunged 3.6% on fears of the US software restrictions.
Tech stocks are also taking a bigger hit on the Aussie market today, with the S&P/ASX All Technology Index (ASX: XTX) down 2.5% at the time of writing.
What are the experts saying?
Commenting on the latest global trade ructions hampering US stock markets and the ASX 200 alike, Interactive Brokers' Steve Sosnick said (quoted by Bloomberg):
That was clearly not something traders wanted to hear. Things got ugly quickly. The reactions may say as much about recent market complacency as they do about the policy ramifications.
JonesTrading's Michael O'Rourke noted:
Throughout the summer, greed has far outpaced fear in the US equity market, and the high level of complacency leaves investors vulnerable. The selloff has the potential to evolve into a larger correction, especially if the US-China trade truce is over."
22V Research's Michael Hirson and Houze Song added that Xi and Trump may well still step back from the brink (from Bloomberg). "This is a very dangerous moment for global supply chains, including those powering AI, but it is important to note that neither side has yet implemented its threatened measures," they said.
"There is still a window to back down, and Trump faces significant political risks if he follows through on his threats," they concluded.
And Chris Zaccarelli at Northlight Asset Management indicated that the pullback in US stocks, and by connection the ASX 200, may present a buying opportunity.
"More volatility is possible in the coming weeks, but absent a true hit to the economy, the market should stage a rebound later this year, and October dip-buyers could be vindicated by year-end," he said.
