CommSec Market Update

Encouraging signs of easing inflation have lifted rate cut hopes and sent US markets to fresh record highs. Investors were further buoyed by comments from the US Treasury Secretary highlighting progress on rare earth mineral agreements. Meanwhile, a tentative ceasefire in the Middle East has kept gold prices subdued, while oil stabilised after recent sharp declines. Closer to home, the ASX 200 is...

The market has not managed to crack the record high today with the session starting strong but ultimately dropping slightly as the day went on.  Steve is solo today to unpack the session and to reflect on a week that has been dominated by international news.  Materials gained ground today with Pilbara Minerals being one of the big winners, property stocks took a hit, and Steve looks to t...

Hopes for lower interest rates pushed US stocks to record highs overnight, with falling yields providing a particular boost to technology shares. Economic data added to the dovish outlook, as first-quarter GDP was revised lower on soft consumer spending, while durable goods orders unexpectedly soared in May. The US dollar fell to a three-year low against the euro and sterling, and bond markets ral...

It has been another quiet day for the ASX today with this being the second day where the market has paused for breath with investors likely monitoring the current ceasefire.  Steve is solo today to discuss tweaks and modernisation to the ASX system bringing it more in line with international markets, to unpack how the sectors performed with energy and mining seeing minor gains, and tech being...

Wall Street ended broadly flat overnight, supported by strength in tech stocks and optimism over potential rate cuts. Nvidia hit a fresh record high, reinforcing its status among the world’s most valuable companies. Gains were capped after Fed Chair Jerome Powell flagged signs of rising inflation, keeping markets cautious. Meanwhile, FedEx shares dropped after the company withheld full-year...

Off the back of a session yesterday where the market saw gains and neared a record high the session today has been more reserved and remained mostly flat, ultimately floated by the banks.  Mining and energy have seen drops today with commodity prices falling heavily, and Steve reflects on how international markets have performed.  Virgin Australia shares continued to surge today continui...

Global markets rallied and investors celebrated after news of a ceasefire between Iran and Israel. The Dow Jones jumped 500 points, the S&P 500 edged near record highs, and the NASDAQ 100 hit an all-time high, helped by falling bond yields following comments from Jerome Powell. Oil prices tumbled 6% on the ceasefire news, and gold dropped 2% as demand for safe havens faded. Cruise operator Car...

The Aussie market has pushed higher today recouping the modest losses of the past five sessions.  Steve discusses this session and the part that geopolitical tension de-escalation may have played in this boost that sent most of the sectors higher.  He discusses the winners and losers with energy stocks seeing some declines amid oil price movements, and the return of Virgin Australia to t...

Global equity markets seesawed as investors weighed the latest geopolitical developments, with some relief following Iran’s measured response easing immediate tensions. Adding to the positive tone, a growing chorus of dovish signals from the Federal Reserve raised hopes of potential interest rate cuts, helping the broader U.S. markets rebound. In corporate news, Tesla shares surged on the ro...

The Aussie market has followed the recent losing streak and entered the fifth day of declines today, but the declines have been modest.  Stevie is solo today to unpack this recent performance following the US attack on Iran and discuss the uncertainty surrounding what could happen next.  Most of the sectors are in the red today, but energy stocks have lifted today amid a higher oil price...

Global markets are bracing for volatility following U.S. military strikes on Iranian nuclear facilities, prompting a flight to safe-haven assets such as gold and the U.S. dollar. Elsewhere, cryptocurrency markets are also under pressure, with Ether experiencing a sharp decline in early trading. Meanwhile, oil prices are expected to surge in response to escalating tensions, placing both oil and gol...

The market has remained mostly flat for over a week now as war continues in the Middle East.  Stevie is solo to reflect on this cautious market sentiment and recap the events and data that have kept markets flat.  Energy stocks were some of the best performers today with mining some of the worst, and Steve unpacks the sectors which locally were a mixed bag.  Uranium miners took a hi...

Both US and European markets ended lower amid rising geopolitical concerns, with US financial markets closed for a public holiday. In Europe, central bank actions drove sentiment: the Swiss National Bank surprised markets by cutting rates to zero, while the Bank of England held steady as Norway’s central bank also delivered a rate cut. Meanwhile, oil prices surged nearly 3% as tensions escal...

The market has remained completely flat today following seven days of almost no moves at all.  Stevie is solo to reflect on the cautious week and this sluggish session, likely fuelled following a flat US session and ongoing tensions in the Middle East.  Many sectors are in the red today and energy was an underperformer.  He talks through the stocks that moved the most with WiseTech...

U.S. equity markets dipped as the Federal Reserve struck a cautious tone, warning that inflation may worsen—despite still projecting two rate cuts in 2025. Meanwhile, crypto stocks surged following the passage of the Genius Act, and bank shares rallied on signs of regulatory relief. Oil prices rose as the Iran-Israel conflict stretched into a sixth day. Closer to home, the ASX is poised to o...

The market has continued the week in the way that it started with only small movements in either direction across each session.  Laura and Stevie discuss this session, and the recent performance unpacking the role that global tensions are playing in this cautiousness.  Energy stocks remained in focus with oil prices surging once more and uranium stocks also seeing gains, and materials ha...

Global equity markets retreated as investors weighed the prospect of U.S. intervention in the escalating Israel-Iran conflict. Oil prices surged more than 4% on heightened geopolitical fears, while iron ore slumped to its lowest level since September. Meanwhile, weak U.S. retail sales data pointed to a softening economy, reinforcing expectations that the Federal Reserve will keep interest rates on...

Tensions in the Middle East have kept markets cautious today with the session remaining mostly flat.  Laura and Stevie discuss what marks five days of cautious sessions and unpack how international markets have performed.  Oil prices have dipped slightly today following the recent high, and gold and uranium stocks are once again gaining attention.  They discuss the biggest movers, V...

Global markets recovered overnight as investors responded to easing tensions in the Middle East. Defensive stocks retreated as concerns eased, while risk appetite returned across sectors. Tech led the charge, with AMD shares surging on expectations of a sharp rebound for the chipmaker. Meta Platforms also rallied, buoyed by news it will finally introduce ads on WhatsApp. In the consumer space, Est...

The market has remained largely flat today with the past four sessions now seeing very little movement.  Laura and Stevie discuss the session, reflect on the recent high, and what could be keeping markets cautious.  Mixed data out of China could have been a possible influence, international tensions have seen oil and energy stocks rally, and gold miners lost some ground.  They talk...

Global stock markets plunged as escalating tensions in the Middle East rattled investor confidence. Concerns over inflation are growing, driven by a sharp rise in energy prices. Oil surged to its highest level in three years on supply fears, while gold gained as investors flocked to traditional safe havens. Elsewhere, defence stocks rallied in response to the geopolitical uncertainty. Closer to ho...

The market has declined slightly today but overall, the week has finished with a gain marking five weeks of improvements.  Laura is solo today to reflect on the recent modest improvements and discuss the trade talks and geopolitical tensions which have kept investors cautious.  Oil prices soared today with the energy sector being a beneficiary, Origin Energy gained attention, and most of...

Wall Street showed resilience overnight, recovering from early losses to close higher. Oracle shares soared to a record high after reporting dramatically stronger sales, helping to lift overall market sentiment. Meanwhile, US Treasury yields edged higher following a strong auction and signs of easing inflation. Boeing shares, however, slipped amid renewed scrutiny in the wake of a tragic Air India...

Following the record high of yesterday and the strong performances over the week the market has paused for breath today and lost some steam as the day went on.  Laura and Stevie discuss the slight dip in US markets overnight despite positive trade talks and consumer inflation data that was heading in the right direction, and what could be keeping markets cautious.  Monash was in focus ag...

US stocks closed lower, dragged down by technology names and despite stronger-than-expected inflation data. Interest rates also eased, supported by progress on reducing the budget deficit. In company news, Starbucks shares surged after reports it may sell a minority stake in its Chinese operations. Meanwhile, oil prices jumped 4% to a two-month high, while iron ore rallied as traders welcomed sign...