It's the first day of the new month, and Wall Street is on track to post its first monthly decline since April. AI investments by major tech companies like Meta and Microsoft have raised investor concerns, while chip growth faces bottlenecks. Meanwhile the U.S. inflation gauge and consumer spending show strength in a solid economy with oil rising on increased fuel demand and gold easing from record highs. Closer to home, Sydney housing prices have fallen for the first time in two years, and the Aussie market is expected to start the month on the back foot.

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