CommSec Market Update

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...

It has been a solid session today as the Aussie market has cracked a fresh record high once again.  Laura and Stevie discuss the session where most of the sectors have seen gains and discuss the big winners with Zip continuing to forge ahead following the growth that it saw yesterday.  Qantas gained attention as did Pilbara, and they look to the days ahead with upcoming inflation data on...

Global markets saw a mix of optimism and caution on Tuesday. The S&P 500 rose for a third consecutive session, buoyed by renewed hopes for progress in US-China trade talks, while US small business sentiment improved for the first time this year. In Asia, Taiwan semiconductor stocks surged, driven by a strong revenue boost. Meanwhile, in the US, J.M. Smucker shares tumbled, marking their steepe...

The market has closed in on a record high once again today kicking off the holiday shortened week with a strong performance.  Stevie is solo to reflect on what we saw over the long weekend including data out of China and further trade discussions, and he discusses the sectors that saw sizable gains, with the banks, consumer discretionary, and tech home to some of the big winners.  Metcas...

Cautious optimism prevails on Wall Street as trade talks between the US and China progress. In corporate news, Apple disappointed investors with its recent event, dragging its shares down, while Qualcomm announced a $2.4 billion deal to acquire chipmaker Alphawave. Topgolf Callaway saw its stock jump 11%, and Tesla shares edged higher, clawing back last week's losses. Meanwhile, it was a mixed ses...

Following a flat performance yesterday the market has again had an underwhelming day today despite somehow managing to hold onto the overall weekly winning streak.  Laura and Stevie reflect on this holiday shortened week, this choppy session, and the part that President Trump may be playing in markets remining cautious.  Only two sectors saw gains today and they talk through the stocks t...

US stocks ended lower despite a wave of early optimism, sparked by news that U.S. President Donald Trump and China’s Xi Jinping have agreed to resume trade talks. In corporate news, Brown-Forman — the maker of Jack Daniel’s — suffered its steepest share price drop since 2008 following weaker-than-expected earnings. Meanwhile, consumer goods giant Procter & Gamble announ...

Most sectors have fallen back today despite a positive start to the session.  Laura and Stevie discuss this session which saw the market fading following the gains of yesterday, reflect on international news with Trump introducing travel bans, and they look at the stocks that moved the most.  The materials sector did see some stand outs today as did the tech space, lithium stocks continu...

US stocks struggled to advance as fresh data pointed to a slowing economy, with sentiment dented by a soft US jobs report that snapped the Dow Jones’ four-day winning streak. Interest rates fell as investors bet on potential Fed rate cuts, fueling a surge in home builder stocks. Meanwhile, DollarTree has warned of a looming profit hit tied to possible Trump tariffs, while Tesla shares declin...

The market has neared record levels once again today as it cracked through a three-month high.  Laura and Stevie unpack the local session and discuss international markets with the US having seen a bounce back from recent lows.  Interest rate cuts could be on the cards sooner than expected amid data out today, most of the sectors gained ground with energy being an outperformer, and they...

Wall Street was boosted by gains in technology stocks, with Nvidia reclaiming its title as the world’s most valuable company. Chipmakers also rallied on renewed hopes around US-China trade talks. Meanwhile, US job openings rebounded in April, suggesting resilience in the labour market. In corporate news, shares in dating app Bumble fell amid growing concerns over its market share. In commodi...

The local market has had the largest lift in a month today.  Laura and Stevie discuss the recent performance where the market has largely remained stagnant despite the session today, unpack the likeliness of further rate cuts following the release of the RBA minutes, and discuss the latest in tariff headlines.  A number of stocks caught attention including IDP Education, Treasury Wine Es...

US stocks have posted modest gains to start June, as investors largely shrugged off renewed global trade tensions. Steel and aluminium shares jumped after President Trump pledged to double tariffs on the metals, though the move is expected to raise production costs for automakers. Elsewhere, European markets stumbled in response to the latest tariff threats, while energy shares in North America ro...

The Aussie market has had a slow start to the month remaining mostly flat.  Stevie is back for the podcast today (even though his voice may not be) to discuss the last month’s performance with Laura, and the mixed news around tariffs which could have kept markets cautious.  Commodity prices were in focus today on the back of rising geopolitical tensions, they look at how the sector...

Wall Street wrapped up the month on a high note, with both the NASDAQ and S&P 500 posting their best May gains since the 1990s. Investor sentiment was lifted by encouraging inflation data and moderating interest rates. Elsewhere, Costco shares climbed after the retail giant reported earnings that surpassed expectations, while commodities eased as investors turned their focus to upcoming key ma...