Australian shares faced a downturn on Monday, marking the fifth consecutive session of losses. The S&P/ASX 200 index fell 0.2% to 8,766.40 points, following a 1.8% drop last week. The decline was primarily driven by concerns over stalled U.S.-Iran peace talks, which could extend disruptions to energy supplies in the Middle East. Market analyst Hebe Chen from Vantage Markets noted that this situation, combined with persistent inflation and monetary policy uncertainty, has created a challenging environment for investors. Financials were the largest contributors to the decline, with a 0.5% drop as banks brace for a potentially softer earnings season. Energy stocks also suffered, shedding 1.9%, despite crude prices rising nearly 2% due to profit-taking after a recent surge. Conversely, the mining sector saw gains, up 0.7%, with Rio Tinto increasing by 0.6%. Investors are now focused on Australia's March consumer price index, set to be released on Wednesday, as it will inform the central bank's policy decisions in May.