CommSec Market Update

The Australian share market closed slightly lower on Friday as mining stocks and gold miners provided support amid broader weakness. With Middle East tensions persisting and inflation concerns elevated, markets are pricing in a potential rate hike at the Reserve Bank's late September meeting. Over twelve and a half billion dollars in dividends are set to be paid next week as investors digest upcom...

Wall Street rebounded overnight as easing oil prices and bond yields helped investors move beyond the Federal Reserve’s latest interest rate hike. The ASX is poised for a stronger open, while attention turns to RBA Governor Michele Bullock and other officials appearing before a parliamentary committee today. Plus, why expectations for Australian interest rates have shifted sharply in just a...

The Australian share market edged higher on Thursday as gains from the big four banks offset weakness in mining and energy. US markets fell overnight following the Federal Reserve's first rate hike in years, with further increases flagged. Gold miners struggled while defence stocks surged. Key catalysts loom including the Bank of Japan decision and the Reserve Bank's September meeting. Steve Daghl...

The US Federal Reserve raised interest rates by 25 basis points overnight, with signals of at least one more hike this year sending Wall Street mostly lower. The ASX is poised to follow with a sharp fall at the open, while oil prices retreated on easing concerns about Middle East supply disruptions. Plus, why some investors are starting to see better value in Australian bonds compared with shares....

The Australian share market edged higher in afternoon trade, lifted by a surge in energy stocks as oil prices climbed to four-month highs amid supply concerns. Materials also bounced back after days of decline, though financials and consumer staples weighed on sentiment. Investors remain cautious ahead of tonight's critical US interest rate decision, with significant market catalysts expected in c...

Oil prices surged again overnight as fresh disruptions to Middle East supplies fuelled inflation concerns and pushed US bond yields higher, sending Wall Street lower. The ASX is poised to buck the trend with a stronger open, with energy stocks likely to benefit from higher crude prices. Plus, why a key economic indicator suggests US bond yields could have further to rise. James Gruber, Equity Mark...

The Australian share market fell sharply on Tuesday, tracking weakness across materials and financials as investors awaited major central bank decisions. China's soft domestic demand data pressured commodity stocks, while global bond yields reached multi-year highs. Key catalysts ahead include the US Federal Reserve decision and RBA rate call later this month. Laura Besarati is a Market Analy...

AI stocks led Wall Street lower overnight after top industry executives raised safety concerns and called for a slowdown in the development of the technology. The ASX is poised to open slightly lower as oil prices remain elevated and most commodities retreat. Plus, why slowing AI development could spell trouble for the heavily indebted firms powering the boom. James Gruber, Equity Market Strategis...

The Australian share market finished almost flat on Monday as investors held their breath ahead of a crucial US interest rate decision later this week. Oil prices surged again on Middle East tensions, intensifying inflation concerns and raising the prospect of rate hikes both domestically and abroad. Key RBA speakers and central bank meetings dominate the agenda. Laura Besarati is a Market Analyst...

A big week for central banks is underway, with markets increasingly expecting the US Federal Reserve to raise interest rates after the latest inflation figures. Wall Street still finished higher on Friday as oil prices retreated, while the ASX is poised for a slightly stronger open. Plus, a closer look at where Australian government spending increased over the past financial year. Join James Grube...

The Australian share market endured its second worst week of the year, falling for four straight days as geopolitical tensions, surging oil prices, and rising bond yields weighed heavily on sentiment. Materials and energy stocks were particularly hard hit, while financials provided some offset. Key catalysts ahead include US inflation data tonight, Fed and RBA rate decisions next week, and major C...

Oil prices surged above US$107 a barrel overnight as escalating attacks on shipping fuelled fears of further supply disruptions, pushing bond yields higher and global share markets lower. The ASX is poised to extend yesterday’s losses with another sharp fall at the open. Plus, why all eyes are on the US Treasury Secretary as tensions build in the American bond market. Join James Gruber, Equi...

The Australian share market fell to its worst level in three months as Middle East tensions drove oil prices higher and spooked investors globally. All 11 sectors declined, with materials and financials leading losses. Gold miners and tech stocks bucked the trend with individual company wins, while upcoming US inflation data and central bank decisions loom as key catalysts this month. Laura Besara...

Escalating tensions in the Middle East rattled global markets overnight after US and Iranian attacks on tankers pushed oil above US$100 a barrel for the first time since late July. Wall Street fell as inflation concerns sent bond yields higher, with the ASX poised to follow with a sharp drop at the open. Plus, what the US bond market is signalling about the path for interest rates. James Gruber, E...

The Australian share market extended declines for a second consecutive session as Middle East tensions escalate and oil prices surge toward key levels. Energy and materials stocks provided support, while financials and healthcare weighted on the index. Key economic data and central bank decisions loom large in coming weeks. Laura Besarati is a Market Analysts at CommSec. Each episode, she bre...

Wall Street returned from the long weekend on the back foot as escalating tensions in the Middle East pushed oil prices closer to US$100 a barrel and reignited inflation concerns. The ASX is poised to buck the trend with a slightly stronger open after yesterday’s sharp fall. Plus, why Australian shopping centres continue to thrive despite the rise of online retail. James Gruber, Equity Marke...

The Australian share market fell to a six-week low on Tuesday as renewed rate hike concerns rattled investors. An RBA official's comments about potential rate rises spooked markets, with all four major banks now forecasting another hike this year. Broad-based selling hit financials, tech, and consumer stocks, while energy benefited from rising oil prices. Confidence surveys showed households and b...

Middle East tensions escalated overnight as Iran threatened energy infrastructure across the region, pushing oil prices to their highest levels in six weeks and fuelling fresh inflation concerns. The ASX is poised to edge lower after directionless trade in Europe and a public holiday in the US. Plus, why soaring commodity prices are driving a surge in Australian mineral and petroleum exploration....

The Australian share market finished flat on Monday, hovering near the psychologically important 9,000 point level after an early rally faded. Energy and materials stocks led gains, while tech underperformed. Key catalysts ahead include RBA speeches and critical US inflation data later in the week, with rate hike expectations intensifying. Steve Daghlian and Laura Besarati are Market Analysts at C...

A stronger-than-expected US jobs report rattled Wall Street on Friday, fuelling expectations of another Federal Reserve rate hike and pushing bond yields higher. The ASX is poised for a steady open as attention turns to the RBA, with several officials speaking this week. Plus, besides inflation, what else is driving bond yields higher around the world? Join James Gruber, Equity Market Strategist,...

The Australian share market finished Friday lower as investors grapple with rising interest rate expectations following stronger than expected economic growth and inflation data. The ASX 200 remains near the key nine thousand point level after declining for three of the month's four sessions. Global bond yields surging, US debt concerns, and upcoming inflation data from both the US and Australia a...

Rate hike fears eased overnight after comments from Fed Governor Christopher Waller, helping send US stocks sharply higher and bond yields lower. The ASX is poised to rise at the open, while a softer US dollar helped lift most commodities. Plus, which ASX stock has been the best performer of the past decade? Join James Gruber, Equity Market Strategist, and Gillian Bowen, Head of Media and Markets...

The Australian share market recovered from three straight sessions of losses, closing higher on Thursday as China's services sector data exceeded expectations. Financials led gains with major banks rising strongly, while miners bounced back sharply from Wednesday's heavy selloff. Energy stocks retreated on oil price softness, and several large names traded ex-dividend. Upcoming US jobs data and lo...

A sense of calm returned to Wall Street overnight, with US stocks snapping a three-day losing streak as bond yields eased from recent highs. The ASX is poised to open higher following yesterday’s sharp fall, while oil prices remain elevated amid renewed fighting between the US and Iran. Plus, a closer look at the quiet bull market taking hold across agricultural commodities. James Gruber, Eq...

The Australian share market fell for a third consecutive session, breaking below the key 9000 point level for the first time since late July. Stronger than expected economic growth data ramped up expectations for an RBA rate hike in September, while escalating Middle East tensions and a US bond market sell-off added pressure. Materials and gold stocks led declines, though energy remained the year'...