CommSec Market Update

The ASX200 lifted about half of one percent in afternoon trade today, with the market up roughly three‑quarters of one percent at its peak. US equities posted a 1.8 % YTD gain and new‑record highs, while gold miners such as Newmont and Remelius rose over five percent on firm metal prices. Consumer discretionary led sector gains, up more than two percent, as the market looks ahead to February&rsquo...

US shares finished the first week of the year higher, led by gains in materials and chipmaker stocks, while US Treasuries ended mixed following the latest jobs data. Elsewhere, European markets closed at record highs after Glencore surged on takeover interest from Rio Tinto. In commodities, oil prices rose as traders assessed potential supply risks from Iran and Russia, while gold prices advanced...

Steve and Laura reflect on the final trading session of 2025, which saw the Aussie market push higher to cap off a third consecutive year of gains. While the final week of trade was relatively subdued, a boost from the Technology and Financial sectors helped the benchmark index finish the year up nearly 6%. Reflecting on 2025, it was a massive year for the Materials sector, which surged 28% behind...

US stocks climbed while Treasury yields eased after inflation came in lower than expected. Micron surged on an upbeat outlook as the AI boom fuels demand for memory chips, while activist investor Elliott is reportedly building a $1 billion stake in Lululemon. In central bank news, the Bank of England cut interest rates following a tight vote. In the commodities market, gold hovered near record hig...

A subdued and underwhelming session for the Aussie market, with stocks hovering around flat levels late in the day as energy names did most of the damage. Steve and Laura unpack weakness in Woodside after CEO Meg O’Neill announced her departure to take the top job at BP, mixed moves across the banks with CBA providing some support, and sharp falls among uranium stocks following a shock updat...

Wall Street fell as technology stocks retreated, with the Oracle–Blue Owl decoupling unsettling markets ahead of a looming wave of debt issuance. US Treasuries also slipped after dovish remarks from Fed Governor Christopher Waller. In commodities, silver surged to a record high above US$66 an ounce, while lithium prices jumped in China on plans to revoke mining licences. Back home, Aussie sh...

The ASX200 slipped about 0.2% for a third straight session, leaving the week down roughly 1.3%. Materials led gains, up 1.6% driven by Liontown (+12%) and IGO, while gold rose 4% on strong prices. Energy fell 1.4% as oil hit a five‑year low. US job growth slowed and unemployment hit 4.6%, trimming market expectations for an early Fed rate cut. Upcoming data includes US crude inventories, US jobs a...

US share markets slipped on Tuesday, with the S&P 500 weighed down by healthcare stocks as investors digested distorted economic data. The US dollar fell after delayed data pointed to softer jobs growth, while energy stocks sank as oil slipped below $60 a barrel amid Russia–Ukraine talks. European equities also retreated, led by sharp declines in defence stocks. Back home, Aussie shares...

The ASX200 closed down 0.4% for a second straight session, led by energy off 2.3% and tech off 2.5% for a seventh day. DroneShield surged 22% after winning a €50 million European contract, while Orica rose 2.5% on strong explosives demand. Investors look ahead to US retail, jobs, manufacturing and inflation data, plus upcoming dividend payouts. The content in this podcast is prepared, approve...

Wall Street was subdued as investors brace for a busy week of jobs data, with US stocks edging lower while Treasuries firmed as the Fed rate debate continued. In company news, Tesla shares pushed toward a record high for the first time this year, while ServiceNow fell as analysts weighed the merits of its Armis acquisition. In commodities, oil prices slipped as the broader supply outlook offset di...

The ASX200 fell 62 points, about 0.7%, its worst day in three weeks. The materials sector led losses, down 2.2% on dropping copper and iron ore prices and weaker Chinese data, with BHP and Rio pulling the market down. DroneShield bucked the trend, up roughly 10.5%. Investors now focus on US manufacturing, jobs and inflation releases, upcoming Fed speeches and the RBA’s Brad Jones address lat...

US stocks fell as concerns over AI exuberance resurfaced, with Broadcom sliding amid margin worries, while Lululemon rallied after raising its annual profit outlook. Meanwhile, US government bond yields rose after Fed officials warned of lingering inflation pressures. Elsewhere, European shares also retreated as a risk-off mood spilled into commodities. Back home, Aussie shares are expected to ope...

The Aussie market posted its best gain in three weeks, making it a third consecutive positive week, as global rate cut expectations and soaring commodity prices drove strong performance. Stevie and Laura review a volatile week that ended on a high note, with the benchmark index up 1.2% for the day. The Materials sector was the clear standout, lifting 2% to hit an all-time high, driven by gold and...

The Dow Jones jumped 600 points to a record high as an Oracle-led slide in AI names triggered a broader rotation out of the trade. Elsewhere, Walt Disney announced a $1 billion investment in OpenAI while fertiliser stocks climbed as Ukraine struck Russian fertiliser plants. At the same time, US Treasuries fell for a second straight session following the Fed’s statement and jobless claims pos...

Stevie and Laura unpack a busy Thursday where the ASX jumped early on a US Fed rate cut, only to lose steam after a mixed local jobs report. The market still closed slightly higher, helped by gains in materials and real estate, while tech and healthcare dragged. Scentre Group was one of the standout performers after interest emerged in a potential stake sale at Westfield Sydney, Flight Center jump...

The US Federal Reserve has cut interest rates and has signalled one more reduction in 2026. In company news, GE Vernova surged as AI-driven demand supported higher dividends and buybacks, while Amazon’s growing grocery momentum pressured shares of Instacart and DoorDash. In commodities, oil rose after the Trump administration seized oil tankers off the Venezuelan coast, and copper and iron o...

The ASX200 edged lower, about 0.1% down, marking a 0.6% weekly decline. The RBA left rates unchanged and the US Fed decides tomorrow, keeping markets cautious. Materials rose 1.3% while tech fell 1.5% and financials slipped 0.4%. Silver hit $60/oz and gold gained, lifting their sub‑indexes. Investors watch the Fed announcement, Australian Job Standard data and China’s upcoming policy meeting...

Wall Street opened cautiously, with US stocks and bonds fluctuating ahead of the Federal Reserve’s policy decision, while Treasury yields pared earlier declines after stronger-than-expected jobs data. In corporate news, Ray-Ban maker EssilorLuxottica closed lower as Google revealed plans for AI-powered glasses, and Donald Trump has approved Nvidia’s shipment of H200 chips to China. In...

The ASX200 slipped about 0.5 % to under 8 600 points, with every sector in the red. Tech off 1.3 %, mining down 0.5 % and energy down 1 % after oil fell. The RBA left rates unchanged, shifting market focus to a 2026 hike. Look out for Thursday’s jobs numbers, January CPI and US Fed cut, plus quarterly ASX index rebalance. The content in this podcast is prepared, approved and distributed in A...

Wall Street slipped overnight as U.S. Treasury yields climbed to multi-month highs, with investors sharpening their focus on the Federal Reserve. In corporate news, Paramount ratcheted up its battle for Warner Bros. with a hostile bid. In commodities, oil eased as Iraqi oilfield production returned to service, gold edged lower as traders grew cautious ahead of the FOMC meeting, and iron ore declin...

The ASX200 opened flat, slipping about 0.1 % as investors await the RBA’s rate decision and the Fed’s expected cut. Mining and energy retreated after last week’s gains, while telecom led the market up 1 %. China’s export data and upcoming policy meeting add further focus, and lithium miners remain a bright spot. The content in this podcast is prepared, approved and distribu...

US stocks held onto gains as the Fed countdown began, with the S&P 500 quietly rebounding to near a record high. In company news, Netflix slipped on a bumper deal with Warner Bros, while Ulta Beauty beat expectations ahead of the holiday sales period. Meanwhile, US Treasury yields edged higher following cooler PCE inflation data. In commodities, silver hit a record high on Fed rate-cut optimis...

Stevie and Laura wrap up a quiet first week of December, with the ASX managing a small lift to notch its fourth straight day of gains. Investors worked through mixed local data, including softer GDP but a surprisingly strong jump in household spending has kept rate expectations in focus. Lithium miners were standouts on upgraded demand forecasts, Premier Investments weighed on consumer discretiona...

Wall St was little changed overnight as traders absorbed mixed US labour data and strengthened expectations for a Fed rate cut next week, while small caps hit new highs and nuclear energy stocks rallied. Industrials and communication services helped keep the S&P 500 near record levels, bond yields ticked higher, and European markets rose on improved risk appetite. Locally, the ASX is set to op...

The Aussie market scraped out a third straight day of gains, but only just, with materials once again doing all the heavy lifting as copper hit another record and pushed BHP, Rio Tinto and South32 higher. A stronger than expected jump in October spending kept rate chatter alive, knocking property trusts and retailers lower as markets briefly toyed with the chance of an extra hike next year. Energy...