Markets

Insights on global financial markets, including stocks, currencies, and more.

Markets
ASX 200 ticks higher as healthcare and financials rise
The Australian sharemarket closed slightly higher on Tuesday as investors took comfort in United States President Donald Trump's recent tariff reprieves. The S&P/ASX 200 rose 13.1 points, or 0.2%, to finish at 7,761.7, extending Monday’s 1.3% gain. Optimism was supported by a rebound on Wall Street as investors cheered news that some electronics, including iPhones, would be temporarily exempt from U.S. import tariffs. President Trump added to market confidence after revealing he was considering temporary exemptions on tariffs targeting imported vehicles. The announcement sent Japanese carmakers, including Toyota, Nissan and Honda up 4.2%, 1.9%, and 3.9%, respectively. On the ASX, four of the 11 sectors finished in positive territory, with healthcare leading the advance. Notable gains came from CSL and ResMed, adding 2.6% and 0.6%, respectively. Clarity Pharmaceuticals also climbed 4.9% after reporting that the first patient had been dosed in the cohort expansion phase of its secure trial for prostate cancer. Financial stocks also rose, with Commonwealth Bank up 0.5%, National Australia Bank adding 0.7%, Westpac up 0.8%, and ANZ gaining 0.7%. However, the technology sector lagged behind as Appen lost 4.6%
Markets
Gold returns to records; tariffs lift safe-haven demand
Gold prices pushed higher during Tuesday's Asian session, challenging record highs once again as investor caution around United States trade policy and expectations for Federal Reserve rate cuts continued to support demand. By 4 pm AEST (6 am GMT) spot gold had added $12.95 or 0.4% to US$3,223.90 per ounce. The U.S. dollar regained some footing overnight after hitting three-year lows, helped by a mild risk reset in global markets. On Monday, Trump said he was considering easing the 25% tariffs on foreign auto and auto parts imports from Mexico, Canada, and other countries, stating that automakers “need a little bit of time because they're going to make 'em here”. The comments came on the heels of the administration’s announcement that certain technology imports - including smartphones, laptops, and disc drives - would be exempt from the newly announced “reciprocal” tariffs on China. However, Trump clarified that these products would still be subject to the existing 20% tariffs rather than the proposed 145% rate, adding that he “will announce the tariff rate for semiconductors over the next week”. Meanwhile, physical gold-backed exchange-traded funds (ETFs) in China have seen a marked uptick in inflows so far in A
Markets
Oil gains on tariff hopes, China demand rebound
Oil prices ticked higher during Tuesday's Asian trade, driven by fresh optimism around easing tariff policies and signs of strengthening crude oil demand from China. By 3 pm AEST (5 am GMT), Brent crude futures had risen by US$0.19, or 0.3%, to US$65.07 per barrel, while U.S. West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude advanced US$0.20, or 0.3%, to US$61.25 per barrel. The gains followed remarks by President Donald Trump, who signalled a willingness to ease certain auto tariffs. Speaking at the White House on Monday, Trump said he was exploring changes to the 25% tariffs on foreign cars and parts imported from countries like Mexico and Canada. He acknowledged the pressure on carmakers, noting that they “need a little bit of time because they're going to make 'em here”. Analysts at ANZ noted recent downgrades to U.S. oil production forecasts and uneven compliance with OPEC’s output quotas. “This follows the U.S. government’s Energy Information Administration downgrading its 2025 growth forecast by 30% to 900kb/d,” ANZ noted. The report also highlighted that “Kazakhstan increased its production again, with output rising by 37kb/d last month to average 1.852mb/d. That is 422kb/d more than the level it pledged to pump”. China a
Markets
Blue skies for APAC markets; tech tariffs paused
Asia-Pacific markets traded higher on Tuesday, following a strong performance on Wall Street as market participants bought into tech companies as risk sentiment improved. The gains came after United States President Donald Trump temporarily paused tariffs on key consumer electronics, easing investor concerns. By 11 am AEST (1 am GMT), Australia’s S&P/ASX 200 rose 0.3%, South Korea’s Kospi 200 advanced 0.6%, and Japan’s Nikkei 225 gained 1.2%. Despite the market optimism, data showed that consumer confidence in Australia weakened. The ANZ-Roy Morgan Consumer Confidence index fell 2.6 points last week to 84.2. ANZ Economist Sophia Angala attributed the decline to a “more pessimistic global backdrop following U.S. tariff announcements”. Meanwhile, the U.S. Commerce Department issued notices overnight indicating it would launch investigations into the national security implications of imports of semiconductors, semiconductor manufacturing equipment, pharmaceuticals, and pharmaceutical ingredients, including finished drug products. Among U.S. markets, the Dow Jones Industrial Average added 312.1 points, or 0.8%, to close at 40,524.8. The S&P 500 rose 42.6 points, also up 0.8%, finishing at 5,406.0. The Nasdaq Composit
Markets
Wall Street gains set to sustain ASX winning streak
The Australian sharemarket is poised for more gains after good news on the trade front boosted stocks in New York. At 9.30 am AEST (10.30 pm GMT Monday) the S&P/ASX 200 index June share price index futures contract was trading 18 points (0.23%) higher at 7,792. The direction was set on Wall Street where investors finished in front after President Donald Trump boosted technology stocks by exempting smartphones and computers from new tariffs. The index gains in the United States were 0.8% by the Dow Jones Industrial Average, 0.8% by the S&P 500 and 0.6% by the Nasdaq Composite, but they finished below their day’s peaks due to continued nervousness about tariffs. "Really what we have is just continued uncertainty and inability for consumers and businesses and investors to plan much going forward or have reason to commit to long-term spending plans," Argent Capital Advisors portfolio manager Jed Ellerbroek was quoted by Reuters as saying. The Australian sharemarket finished higher on Monday with the S&P/ASX 200 rising 1.3% to 7,748.6. ASX-listed companies to keep an eye on include Collins Foods (ASX: CKF), which has announced a strategic review and management changes. CommSec said the Reserve Bank of Australia would

Markets
Markets: US futures ease as focus shifts to earnings
United States stock futures eased during Monday's evening deals (Tuesday AEST) as investors shifted focus to a fresh round of corporate earnings. By 8:50 am AEST (10:50 pm GMT), futures tied to the Dow Jones Industrial Average and the S&P 500 were down 0.3%, while Nasdaq 100 futures dropped 0.4%. The losses in overnight trading followed a positive regular session on Monday, where major benchmarks climbed on the back of strength in the technology sector. The gains were driven by the Trump administration’s announcement of tariff exemptions for a range of electronic products, including smartphones, computers, and semiconductors. During Monday's session, the Dow Jones Industrial Average rose 312.1 points, or 0.8%, to finish at 40,524.8. The S&P 500 added 42.6 points, also up 0.8%, ending at 5,406.0. Meanwhile, the Nasdaq Composite climbed 107.0 points, or 0.6%, to close at 16,831.5. Investors now turn their attention to what is expected to be a pivotal week in the first-quarter earnings season. Several major companies, including Bank of America, Citigroup, Johnson & Johnson, and PNC Financial, are scheduled to report their results in the coming days. In addition to earnings, traders will be watching closely for new e
Markets
US benchmarks march higher, tariff reprieve boosts tech
Major United States benchmark averages posted a positive session on Monday (Tuesday AEST), led by a strong rebound in technology shares after President Donald Trump unexpectedly exempted a range of consumer electronics from newly proposed tariffs. The Dow Jones Industrial Average rose 312.1 points or 0.8% to 40,524.8, the S&P 500 gained 42.6 points or 0.8% to finish at 5,406.0, while the Nasdaq Composite added 107.0 or 0.6% to end at 16,831.48. The gains came after the Trump administration suspended a tariff increase of 125% on smartphones, computers, semiconductors, and related components would be excluded from the new "reciprocal" tariffs unveiled by President Trump earlier this month. However, uncertainty remained after both Trump and Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick suggested on Sunday that the exemptions could be temporary. In a post on Truth Social, Trump stated that these products are still “subject to the existing 20% Fentanyl Tariffs, and they are just moving to a different Tariff ‘bucket’”. The market welcomed the exemptions, particularly as major technology companies had faced selling pressure in recent sessions. Apple shares climbed 2.2% on the news, while Dell Technologies rose 4%. Automakers also g
Markets
Australian shares start week higher; tech in the lead
The Australian sharemarket finished Monday's session on a positive note, with technology and real estate stocks driving broad-based gains following the temporary easing of United States tariffs on Chinese consumer electronics. The S&P/ASX 200 climbed 102.1 points, or 1.3%, to 7,748.6, with 10 of 11 sectors trading higher. The market rally was supported by a boost in risk appetite after the Trump administration announced on Friday (Saturday AEST) that it would temporarily exclude a range of electronics - including computer hardware and smartphones - from new import tariffs. While the move was seen as a reprieve for major tech firms such as Apple and Nvidia, the White House later clarified that the exclusion was temporary, with a new tariff on semiconductors expected to be introduced in the coming months. Technology stocks on the ASX saw renewed investor interest, with WiseTech Global gaining 3.1%, Xero adding 2.3%, and TechnologyOne advancing 2.8%. Real estate stocks also performed well, with Goodman Group up 2.4%, Stockland gaining 2%, Charter Hall up 1.1%, and Mirvac gaining 1.9%. Miners added momentum through the session as iron ore prices rose amid optimism over progress in U.S.-China trade talks. BHP, Rio
Markets
Gold trades below record highs; risk sentiment improves
Gold prices declined slightly during Asian trade on Monday, pulling back from fresh record highs last week as improving risk sentiment and a rebound in the United States dollar reduced the appeal of the precious metal as a safe-haven asset. By 3:15 pm AEST (5:15 am GMT), spot gold was down US$11.78, or 0.4%, trading at US$3,226.41 per ounce. The decline ends a three-day rally that had pushed prices to a new all-time high of US$3,245 per ounce on Friday. Traders attributed the drop to easing safe-haven flows during Asian trading, following a turnaround in U.S. equities on Friday and a de-escalation in U.S.-China tariff tensions. The positive shift in market sentiment has temporarily softened the bullish momentum in gold. Over the weekend, U.S. President Donald Trump granted tariff exclusions on smartphones, computers, and other consumer electronics, providing a degree of relief to markets. These developments lifted global sentiment and supported a modest recovery in the U.S. dollar from near three-year lows, further weighing on gold. A stronger dollar typically dampens demand for dollar-denominated assets like gold. Meanwhile, Goldman Sachs has once again raised its year-end gold price forecast, now projecting $3,700