Markets

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

Markets
ASX 200 gains as trade optimism lifts health, telcos
The Australian share market closed modestly higher on Monday, supported by trade optimism and sectoral strength in healthcare and communication services, while losses in energy and mining stocks capped broader gains. The benchmark S&P/ASX 200 Index rose 30.8 points or 0.4% to 8,697.7, with eight of the 11 industry sectors finishing in positive territory. The market tracked gains in U.S. equity futures after Washington finalised a trade deal with the European Union and appeared poised to extend a tariff truce with China. Telecommunications Services led the gains as Telstra lifted 0.8%, while Health Care companies, including CSL, ResMed, and Ramsay Healthcare, also advanced. Financials added 0.9% overall, with Macquarie Group rising 1% as buyers returned following last week’s sharp decline. Commonwealth Bank, Westpac, National Australia Bank, and ANZ lifted 1.2%, 0.5%, 0.7%, and 0.4%, respectively. However, these advances were partially offset as coal companies retreated following a court decision last week overturning the 2022 approval of a Hunter Valley coal project. Whitehaven Coal fell 4.2%, while Yancoal dropped 2.6%. Boss Energy plunged 44% after warning it might face difficulties reaching nameplate pro
Markets
Markets: Gold little changed amid growing trade hopes
Gold prices traded within a tight range during Monday's Asian deals as improved sentiment around global trade and a softer U.S. dollar encouraged light buying, though gains remained limited amid looming U.S. economic risks. By 3:30 pm AEST (5:30 am GMT), spot gold had risen $2.80, or 0.1%, to US$3,340.07 per ounce. Market attention is now firmly on a wave of key economic releases beginning Tuesday, including the second-quarter U.S. gross domestic product (GDP) report and the Federal Reserve’s upcoming policy decision. Any indication of tighter monetary policy could weigh further on non-yielding assets like gold. The U.S. dollar remained under pressure on Monday, helping buoy gold, as the euro strengthened following Sunday’s announcement of a U.S.-EU trade agreement. President Donald Trump confirmed the framework deal, which imposes a blanket 15% levy on EU imports, half the originally proposed rate, easing fears of a deeper trade conflict between major economic blocs. Further optimism was fuelled by reports that the U.S. and China may extend their trade truce by 90 days. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent and Chinese Vice Premier He Lifeng are scheduled to meet Monday in Stockholm to finalise an agreement. Wh
Markets
Oil rises on US-EU trade deal, hopes of China truce
Oil prices rose on Monday as optimism around global trade improved following a new trade deal between the United States and the European Union, while hopes for an extended truce in U.S.-China tariff tensions also supported sentiment. By 3 pm AEST (5 am GMT), Brent crude futures were up 36 cents, or 0.5%, at US$68.78 per barrel. U.S. West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude added 31 cents, or 0.5%, to US$65.48. The U.S.-E.U. trade agreement, reached on Sunday, imposes a 15% tariff on most European imports, half the level previously threatened. The deal helped avert an escalation between two of the world's largest trading blocs, which together account for nearly one-third of global trade. Investors had feared a breakdown in talks could slow economic growth and dampen fuel demand. Attention now turns to a meeting in Stockholm scheduled for later Monday, where senior U.S. and Chinese negotiators are expected to discuss extending a truce on tariff hikes before the 12 August deadline. Oil had settled lower on Friday, marking a three-week low amid trade uncertainties and expectations of additional supply entering the market from Venezuela. Venezuelan state oil firm PDVSA is reportedly preparing to restart operations at its j
Markets
APAC markets mixed as US-China trade talks begin
Asia-Pacific markets started the week in a mixed fashion as investors awaited further clarity on trade discussions between the United States and China, set to commence later in the day in Stockholm. As of 11:35 am AEST (1:35 am GMT), Australia’s S&P/ASX 200 edged 0.3% higher, Japan’s Nikkei 225 slipped 0.7%, while South Korea’s Kospi 200 declined 0.2%. The upcoming negotiations will be led by U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent and Chinese Vice Premier He Lifeng. Speaking to Fox Business, Bessent said he expects the talks to result in an extension of the current trade truce. He also noted that the agenda will include a broader range of issues, including China’s purchases of oil from Russia and Iran. The high-stakes talks follow U.S. President Donald Trump’s announcement over the weekend of a separate trade agreement between the United States and the European Union, which featured reciprocal tariff reductions and substantial investment pledges. On Wall Street, major benchmarks finished higher on Friday, with the S&P 500 and Nasdaq Composite notching fresh record highs. The Dow Jones Industrial Average climbed 0.5%, while the S&P 500 added 0.4% and the Nasdaq Composite rose 0.2%, rounding out a positive week for
Markets
ASX to open flat despite higher Wall Street close
Australian share prices are expected to open barely changed on Monday when trading resumes at 10 am AEST (12 pm GMT Sunday) at the start of a crucial week for financial markets. Futures trading on the Australian Securities Exchange (ASX) indicates the benchmark index will defy a higher close on Wall Street on Friday (Saturday AEST) to begin just five points below the previous settlement at 8626.00 points. Positive company profit results and optimism about trade negotiations help to drive stock prices in New York higher on Friday as all three major United States indices closed the week with gains. The Dow Jones Industrial Average rose 0.5% while the S&P 500 added 0.4% and the Nasdaq Composite put on 0.2% to finish at new highs. “There’s increasing confidence that the economy won't be derailed by tariffs," GLOBALT Senior Portfolio Manager Thomas Martin was quoted in a Reuters story as saying. "In the meantime, companies are reporting good earnings, the economic numbers are coming in within the range and people want to own stocks. They don't want to miss out." This week includes the 1 August deadline for new higher U.S. tariffs to begin unless new agreements are reached, while four of the so-called Magnificent Seven

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Markets: US futures eclipse records on trade deals
United States equity futures advanced in Sunday evening trade (Monday AEST) as investors braced for a high-impact week filled with corporate earnings, a critical Federal Reserve meeting, key inflation data, and President Donald Trump’s 1 August tariff deadline. By 9:25 am AEST (11:25 pm GMT), futures tied to the Dow Jones Industrial Average and the S&P 500 were up 0.3%, while Nasdaq 100 futures rose 0.4%. The optimism followed President Donald Trump’s announcement that the United States had reached a new trade agreement with the European Union to lower tariffs up to 15%. The deal marks a sharp shift from Trump’s earlier threat of imposing 30% duties on most EU imports, signalling a major de-escalation in transatlantic trade tensions. ANZ analysts noted: "The EU faces a 15% tariff on exports to the U.S. It was initially described as applying to all goods, but President Trump said later that pharmaceuticals and metals were excluded. "In exchange, the EU is reported to have agreed to zero tariffs on U.S. exports to the EU, USD600bn of investments in the US, USD750bn of energy purchases and 'vast' purchases of military equipment. "Trump described it as 'the biggest of all the deals'. Trump said he is looking at deals
Markets
FX Week Ahead: DXY stabilises; Fed, tariffs in focus
The United States dollar index (DXY) started with minimal movement following a 0.8% decline last week, snapping a two weeks of consecutive gains as market participants looked ahead to a pivotal Federal Reserve interest rate decision and the 1 August tariff deadline. Stronger-than-expected initial jobless claims and stable PMI readings supported sentiment around the U.S. economy, reinforcing the narrative of resilience and reducing immediate recession fears. Meanwhile, recent progress in U.S. trade diplomacy - with deals or frameworks reached with the European Union, Japan, Indonesia, and the Philippines - boosted risk appetite and tempered downside pressure on the greenback. Political tension briefly entered centre stage as President Donald Trump made a rare visit to the Federal Reserve headquarters last week, accompanying Chair Jerome Powell on a tour of the Fed’s US$2.5 billion renovation. Trump used the opportunity to again criticise the central bank’s pace of rate cuts, though he stated he had “no plans” to remove Powell. Following the meeting, Trump claimed Powell “might be ready to cut rates”, further fuelling speculation. According to the CME FedWatch Tool, markets are widely expecting the Fed to leave rat
Markets
US benchmarks finish higher amid earnings, trade hopes
Wall Street ended higher on Friday, with all three major United States indices closing the week in positive territory, driven by upbeat corporate earnings and growing optimism surrounding international trade deals. The Dow Jones Industrial Average gained 208 points, or 0.5%, to end at 44,901.9, the S&P 500 climbed 25.3 points, or 0.4%, to a record close of 6,388.64, its fifth straight record finish and 14th of the year, while the Nasdaq Composite added 50.4 points, or 0.2%, to settle at 21,108.3, marking its 15th record close in 2025. For the week, the S&P 500 advanced 1.5%, while the Nasdaq gained 1% and the Dow rose 1.3%. Equities have been buoyed by a strong second-quarter earnings season. Alphabet delivered better-than-expected results, while Verizon also outperformed forecasts, lifting sentiment across the tech and telecom sectors. Trade developments have also provided support. Early last week, President Donald Trump announced a "massive" trade agreement with Japan, including 15% reciprocal tariffs. He further revealed that the U.S. and Indonesia had agreed on the framework for a trade accord. On Friday, Trump said he had anticipated additional agreements ahead of the 1 August tariff deadline. Over the weekend,
Markets
ASX 200 ends week in the red as miners, banks drag
The Australian share market closed lower on Friday as major iron ore miners and banks declined, while Energy companies and robust company updates helped limit broader losses. The benchmark S&P/ASX 200 Index ended the day down 42.5 points, or 0.5%, at 8,666.9, finishing the week 1% lower as seven of the 11 industry sectors declined. A 1.9% fall in iron ore futures to US$103.10 a tonne in Singapore - driven by mounting concerns over oversupply - hit the Materials sector. BHP fell 1.9%, Rio Tinto lost 0.8%, Fortescue Metals dipped 3.4%, and Champion Iron shed 4.9%. The Financial sector extended its recent retreat, as investors continued to lock in profits following a strong run-up in Commonwealth Bank shares. Commonwealth Bank and NAB dipped 0.4% apiece, Westpac lost 0.8%, and ANZ fell 0.7%. Real estate stocks also came under pressure, with Goodman Group down 0.4%, while Mirvac and Charter Hall dipped 0.5% each. Gold miners fell as traders grew more confident the U.S. Federal Reserve would hold rates steady for the time being, dampening gold prices. Northern Star dropped 2.8%, and Evolution Mining fell 3.2%. However, Newmont bucked the trend, climbing 3.7% after reporting a record US$1.7 billion in cash flo