CommSec Market Update

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'...

Renewed US attacks on Iran rattled global markets overnight, sending oil prices surging and fuelling another rise in bond yields as inflation concerns intensified. Wall Street tumbled and the ASX is poised to follow with a sharp fall at the open. Plus, what Australian 10-year bond yields reaching 15-year highs could mean for investors and the economy. James Gruber, Equity Market Strategist at Comm...

The Australian share market edged lower on the opening day of spring, pulling back slightly after a five month winning streak. Energy stocks led gains amid geopolitical tensions, while consumer discretionary stocks struggled as property price declines sparked concerns about household spending. Upcoming economic growth data and interest rate decisions will shape September's outlook. Steve Daghlian...

Renewed fighting between the US and Iran rattled global markets overnight, pushing oil back above US$90 a barrel and reigniting inflation and interest rate concerns. Wall Street finished lower as a result, with the ASX poised to follow. Plus, a closer look at new figures showing Australia’s housing downturn is deepening. James Gruber, Equity Market Strategist at CommSec takes you through all...

The Australian share market finished August mixed but on track for a fifth consecutive month of gains. Financials led while miners and tech retreated following hawkish commentary from US Fed Chair Jerome Powell at Jackson Hole, raising odds of a September rate hike. Gold prices fell sharply, pressuring the gold subsector. Key catalysts ahead include the US Fed meeting on September 16 and the RBA d...

The ASX is set to open lower as August reporting season wraps up, with a handful of companies still due to report today. Wall Street edged lower after Fed Chair Kevin Warsh’s hawkish speech fuelled expectations of another rate hike, pushing bond yields higher and weighing on commodities. Plus, why France is increasingly being viewed as the weak link in Europe. Join James Gruber, Equity Marke...

The Australian share market rebounded Friday after posting its worst session in three months, with the ASX 200 rising as tech stocks surged following NVIDIA's blockbuster results. Reporting season nears completion with mixed performances: Virgin Australia and Dicker Data impressed investors, while PEXA Group and Cobram Estate disappointed. Fed Chair Kevin Warsh speaks tonight at Jackson Hole, with...

The ASX is set to edge higher as August reporting season winds down, with another round of company results due today. Wall Street rallied overnight after Nvidia’s latest results reinforced confidence in the AI boom and fuelled a surge in tech stocks. Plus, the controversy surrounding a hedge fund legend who used AI to write an op-ed for The Wall Street Journal. Join James Gruber, Equity Mark...

The Australian share market posted its largest fall in nearly three months as household spending data sparked expectations of potential interest rate hikes. Strong consumer spending, particularly on discretionary items, raised concerns about inflation persistence, with markets now pricing in elevated odds of RBA action. Key earnings results, including NVIDIA's record outlook, also influenced inves...