Australia's S&P/ASX 200 closed up 22.30 points, or 0.25%, at 9,076.10 on Thursday, Aug. 20.

OPEC said on the 20th it expects global natural gas demand to exceed 91.0 mln barrels of oil equivalent per day by 2050, an increase of more than 19.0 mln boe/d versus 2025. Gas will further consolidate its share in the primary energy mix, largely substituting coal and supporting power generation alongside intermittent renewables; growth will be concentrated in non‑OECD markets driven by gas-fired power, expanded petrochemical feedstock use and higher residential consumption. OECD gas demand is projected to flatten and then edge down after 2040 due to efficiency improvements and tighter emissions policies.

Reserve Bank of India released minutes of its August MPC meeting.