S&P/ASX 200 falls ahead of rate decision meeting as Middle East hostilities keep investors cautious; check top gainers and losers

Australian shares dipped on Monday, March 16, 2026, as weaker commodity prices hit miners. Investors grew cautious ahead of an anticipated central bank rate hike and ongoing Middle East tensions. Despite this, rate-sensitive financials and energy stocks saw gains. IperionX Limited and Deep Yellow Limited were among the day's biggest decliners.