CommSec Market Update

Wall Street consolidated overnight as investors weighed the potential impact of the so-called 'big beautiful bill' on the U.S. deficit. Economic data added pressure, pushing interest rate expectations higher. Big tech stocks came under pressure, with Nvidia down 3%, as investors rotated into small caps. Meanwhile, Tesla shares slumped as markets braced for a sharp decline in upcoming sales figures, while Macau’s gambling revenue surged 19% year-on-year. Despite recent gains, the U.S. dollar remains near a three-year low, reflecting ongoing uncertainty around fiscal policy. Back home, Aussie shares are poised to open with modest gains on Wednesday.

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It has been a decent start to the new financial year for the Aussie market with the ASX managing gains through the session which ultimately relaxed as the day went on. Steve reflects on the financial year to deep dive on the best and worst performers across the 12-month window, unpacks how the sectors performed with materials, industrials, healthcare and the telcos seeing declines, and he calls out the standout stocks including Insignia Financial and MesoBlast.

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Wall Street wrapped up the month, quarter, and financial year at record highs, posting double-digit gains over the past 12 months, fueled by progress on trade and growing expectations of lower interest rates. Financial stocks led the charge as major lenders passed the Federal Reserve’s stress tests, while Meta shares hit an all-time high amid an AI hiring blitz. However, energy stocks lagged as oil prices eased. In Europe, markets finished the month lower, weighed down by trade developments. Closer to home, the Australian share market closed out its best quarter since 2021, and home prices jumped in June to fr...

It was a solid end to the financial year for Aussie stocks but the record high was again just out of reach.  Steve reflects on what was a ‘choppy’ session and reflects on the past financial year.  Some declines across the resource space stopped the market from reaching that record high today and Steve discusses this, the performance of international markets with the US seeing improvements, and data out of China being seen as a positive.  Mining and energy underperformed today, and a number of ex dividend stocks could impact market performance as the week continues.

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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 expected to open flat on Monday as investors await key economic data out of China.

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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 the week ahead.

The content in this podcast is prepared, approved and distributed in Australia by Commonwealth Securities Limited ABN 60 067 254 399 AFSL 238814. The information does not take into account your ob...

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 rallied as investors ramped up bets on potential rate cuts. Elsewhere, Nike shares rose ahead of its earnings release, while copper climbed to a three-month high on improved global demand. Closer to home, Aussie shares are...

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 the biggest loser with Xero seeing losses.  Virgin reversed some of the recent gains, while DroneShield continued to climb higher.

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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 guidance due to uncertainty, while Tesla reported a fifth consecutive monthly decline in European sales. Bumble shares surged following news of significant job cuts, and speculation swirled around a potential acquisition of BP by Shell. Locally, the ASX is set to...

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 continuing the gains of yesterday, and DroneShield was another standout performer.  Xero is in a trading halt, Steve discusses inflation numbers with rate cuts looking more likely, and he looks to the day ahead.

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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 Carnival raised its profit outlook, with the sector shrugging off recent jitters, while Uber launched its self-driving taxi service. Meanwhile, Coinbase shares soared as bitcoin hit a one-week high. Closer to home, Aussie shares are expected to...

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 the Aussie market.  Adairs continued to gain attention, and Steve looks to the day ahead.

The content in this podcast is prepared, approved and distributed in Australia by Commonwealth Securities Limited ABN 60 067 254 399 AFSL 238814. The inf...

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 rollout of its long-awaited Robotaxi, while Virgin moved closer to take-off with preparations for its IPO. Closer to home, Aussie shares are poised to snap a five-day losing streak on Tuesday.

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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, and Stevie speaks through the key risks around this.  Gold continues to improve, Metcash, and Adairs caught attention, and Stevie looks to what may lie ahead for the week.

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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 gold firmly in focus as regional trade begins. Closer to home, Australian shares are set to extend their losses when markets open on Monday.

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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 hit today, Pointsbet continues to gain attention and Stevie looks to the week ahead.

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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 escalate between Israel and Iran. Back home, Aussie shares are expected to open lower on Friday after a surprise dip in May employment figures.

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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 Global gaining attention, and the banking sector continuing to keep the market afloat.

The content in this podcast is prepared, approved and distributed in Australia by Commonwealth Securities Limited ABN 60 067 254 399 AFSL 238814. The...

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 open lower on Thursday, with investors eyeing the Australian jobs report for clues on the RBA’s next move.

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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 has been a weight on the market with iron ore prices remaining sluggish.  They look to the upcoming market moving events, and Nintendo hit a record high.

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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 hold but place greater emphasis on future economic forecasts. Closer to home, Aussie shares are expected to open lower on Wednesday, as investors continue to assess the potential fallout from rising Middle East risks.

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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, Virgin Australia has announced some details about their IPO, and Laura and Stevie look to the night ahead.

The content in this podcast is prepared, approved and distributed in Australia by Commonwealth Securities Limited ABN 60 067 254 399 AFSL 238814. The information doe...

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, Estee Lauder and Coty jumped amid takeover speculation. Meanwhile, oil prices fell on signs the Middle East conflict may not impact crude production as initially feared and gold slipped 1%, with investors taking profits after recent gains. Closer to...

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 through the stocks that saw the largest movements including Santos, and look to the week ahead.

The content in this podcast is prepared, approved and distributed in Australia by Commonwealth Securities Limited ABN 60 067 254 399 AFSL 238814. The...

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 home, Aussie shares are expected to open lower following five consecutive weeks of gains.

The content in this podcast is prepared, approved and distributed in Australia by Commonwealth Securities Limited ABN 60 067 254 399 AFSL 238814. The information does not...

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 the sectors saw declines.

The content in this podcast is prepared, approved and distributed in Australia by Commonwealth Securities Limited ABN 60 067 254 399 AFSL 238814. The information does not take into account your objectives, financial situation or needs. Co...

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 crash, weighing on the industrials sector. In commodities, oil prices dipped as traders assessed ongoing tensions in the Middle East, while gold jumped on heightened geopolitical risks. Closer to home, the ASX is on track to end the week...

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 again today after news of a resignation, and Cochlear recovered most of the losses that it saw early in the session.

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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 signs of progress in Sino–US trade relations. Closer to home, Aussie shares are tipped to hit a fresh record high, buoyed by rising energy prices.

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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 one to watch.

The content in this podcast is prepared, approved and distributed in Australia by Commonwealth Securities Limited ABN 60 067 254 399 AFSL 238814. The information does not take into account your ob...

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 steepest drop in nearly 40 years as tariffs weighed heavily on profits. Across Europe, markets were mixed, though UK shares edged closer to record highs despite a slowdown in wage growth. Closer to home, the...

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.  Metcash and Zip caught attention today, and Stevie looks at what could move markets in the days ahead.

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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 session for commodities, though iron ore stood out with a decline amid renewed deflation concerns in China. Closer to home, Aussie shares are poised to open modestly lower on Tuesday following the long weekend and the Aussie dollar has...

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 that caught attention including Iluka Resources Ltd and Skycity Entertainment Group.

The content in this podcast is prepared, approved and distributed in Australia by Commonwealth Securities Limited ABN 60 067 254 399 AFSL 238814. The information does not take into ac...

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 announced plans to cut 7,000 jobs as part of a restructuring effort. Across the Atlantic, the European Central Bank cut interest rates once again but signaled a possible pause in future easing. Oil prices climbed on renewed hopes surrounding U.S.-China trade negotiations. Back hom...

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 continued to gain attention amid news out of the US, and they look to the day ahead.

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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 declined after weak sales data in Germany and China. In Europe, markets ended higher, with German stocks boosted by a newly announced tax relief package. Closer to home, Aussie shares are expected to open fl...

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 look at the stocks that gained attention including Commonwealth Bank which continues to set records.

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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 commodities, oil rose 1.5% on rising geopolitical tensions, while gold eased from a four-week high. Closer to home, Aussie shares are expected to open higher on Wednesday ahead of the release of key economic growth figures.

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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 Estates, and Bluescope, and they look to the days ahead.

The content in this podcast is prepared, approved and distributed in Australia by Commonwealth Securities Limited ABN 60 067 254 399 AFSL 238814. The information does not take into account yo...