Market Close 19 Dec 25: The year draws to a close

Steve and Laura reflect on the final trading session of 2025, which saw the Aussie market push higher to cap off a third consecutive year of gains. While the final week of trade was relatively subdued, a boost from the Technology and Financial sectors helped the benchmark index finish the year up n…

Morning Report 19 Dec 25: Wall Street gains as inflation hits a four-year low

US stocks climbed while Treasury yields eased after inflation came in lower than expected. Micron surged on an upbeat outlook as the AI boom fuels demand for memory chips, while activist investor Elliott is reportedly building a $1 billion stake in Lululemon. In central bank news, the Bank of Engla…

Market Close 18 Dec 25: Energy stocks weigh as the ASX treads water

A subdued and underwhelming session for the Aussie market, with stocks hovering around flat levels late in the day as energy names did most of the damage. Steve and Laura unpack weakness in Woodside after CEO Meg O’Neill announced her departure to take the top job at BP, mixed moves across the bank…

Morning Report 18 Dec 25: Wall Street hit by tech rout as AI winners tumble

Wall Street fell as technology stocks retreated, with the Oracle–Blue Owl decoupling unsettling markets ahead of a looming wave of debt issuance. US Treasuries also slipped after dovish remarks from Fed Governor Christopher Waller. In commodities, silver surged to a record high above US$66 an ounce…

Market Close 17 Dec 25: Third straight day of declines

The ASX200 slipped about 0.2% for a third straight session, leaving the week down roughly 1.3%. Materials led gains, up 1.6% driven by Liontown (+12%) and IGO, while gold rose 4% on strong prices. Energy fell 1.4% as oil hit a five‑year low. US job growth slowed and unemployment hit 4.6%, trimming …

Morning Report 17 Dec 25: US equities and Treasury yields fall after jobs data

US share markets slipped on Tuesday, with the S&P 500 weighed down by healthcare stocks as investors digested distorted economic data. The US dollar fell after delayed data pointed to softer jobs growth, while energy stocks sank as oil slipped below $60 a barrel amid Russia–Ukraine talks. European …

Market Close 16 Dec 25: Investors await key US job data

The ASX200 closed down 0.4% for a second straight session, led by energy off 2.3% and tech off 2.5% for a seventh day. DroneShield surged 22% after winning a €50 million European contract, while Orica rose 2.5% on strong explosives demand. Investors look ahead to US retail, jobs, manufacturing and …

Morning Report 16 Dec 25: Wall Street subdued as investors brace for busy week of data

Wall Street was subdued as investors brace for a busy week of jobs data, with US stocks edging lower while Treasuries firmed as the Fed rate debate continued. In company news, Tesla shares pushed toward a record high for the first time this year, while ServiceNow fell as analysts weighed the merits…

Market Close 15 Dec 25: Worst ASX day in three weeks

The ASX200 fell 62 points, about 0.7%, its worst day in three weeks. The materials sector led losses, down 2.2% on dropping copper and iron ore prices and weaker Chinese data, with BHP and Rio pulling the market down. DroneShield bucked the trend, up roughly 10.5%. Investors now focus on US manufac…

Morning Report 15 Dec 25: US stocks drop as AI exuberance worries linger

US stocks fell as concerns over AI exuberance resurfaced, with Broadcom sliding amid margin worries, while Lululemon rallied after raising its annual profit outlook. Meanwhile, US government bond yields rose after Fed officials warned of lingering inflation pressures. Elsewhere, European shares als…