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Highlights
ASX futures signal a soft open amid flat Wall Street close
Commodities trade mixed with minor shifts in energy and metals
Investors await Australian unemployment and NZ GDP updates
Australian equities within the ASX 200 and All Ordinaries may start Thursday’s session on a cautious note, following a flat performance across major global indices. Market participants are closely tracking geopolitical developments and the upcoming domestic jobs report due mid-morning.
US stocks initially surged before fading into the close, with all three major Wall Street benchmarks ending mostly unchanged. Mixed signals from Federal Reserve communications and commodity price movements contributed to subdued sentiment heading into the local open.
Wall Street Shows Early Enthusiasm Before Flat Finish
Equity markets in the United States opened higher, responding to a temporary easing in inflation fears and a neutral stance on interest rates by the Federal Reserve. However, early gains were not sustained, with the S&P 500 and Dow Jones both ending slightly lower, while the Nasdaq registered a narrow rise.
Fed Chair Jerome Powell delivered a reserved statement, noting that decisions on future rate adjustments remain dependent on inflation data and evolving tariff impacts. A newly released “dot plot” indicated internal divergence among committee members, reinforcing expectations of minimal near-term changes.
Commodity Prices Signal Cautious Optimism
Commodities reflected a balanced tone overnight. While industrial metals like copper and nickel recorded modest increases, gold and silver eased slightly. Oil prices remained stable, hovering just under key psychological thresholds amid persistent geopolitical unease linked to Middle East tensions.
The local mining sector could be influenced by price movements in iron ore and lithium, which held steady during offshore trade. Energy names may see selective activity driven by oil market dynamics and any spillover from Santos Ltd (ASX:STO) developments following takeover news earlier this week.
Currency and Crypto Update Ahead of Juneteenth Holiday
Currency markets remained calm, with the Australian dollar maintaining its position against the US dollar. Meanwhile, Bitcoin hovered near recent levels, reflecting quiet trade ahead of the Juneteenth public holiday in the United States, which has temporarily halted Wall Street activity.
The pause may contribute to reduced volumes and thinner liquidity in today’s Australian session, especially as investors look toward key macroeconomic prints scheduled for release during local trading hours.
Economic Reports to Steer Local Sentiment
The Australian Bureau of Statistics will release national unemployment figures today, a data point likely to influence short-term equity market positioning. Across the Tasman, New Zealand’s GDP reading is due earlier in the morning, adding another layer of regional economic insight.
These announcements are expected to shape investor sentiment across sectors within the ASX 100 and ASX 300, particularly those with sensitivity to macroeconomic indicators such as financials, consumer discretionary, and construction-related stocks.
Other Notable Headlines and Market Developments
Back home, attention remains on trading halts linked to capital raising activities. Adveritas Ltd (ASX:AV1), Cygnus Metals Ltd (ASX:CY5), Lode Resources Ltd (ASX:LDR), and Odyssey Gold Ltd (ASX:ODY) are currently on pause for corporate actions.
In broader headlines, ongoing discussions around artificial intelligence, automation in transport, and regulatory scrutiny in aviation and defense sectors continue to circulate within global corporate news. The developments are prompting careful watch across related stocks and themes within Australian exchanges.
