AUS
NZ
UK
CA
USA
IND
Highlights
- ASX futures point to a strong open
- Gold and oil prices surge overnight
- Judo Capital and Whitehaven Coal reaffirm guidance
The Australian share market is gearing up for a positive start today, with ASX 200 futures rising 69 points or 0.81% ahead of the opening bell. This potential rebound comes on the back of a robust rally in global commodities and technology shares, which has helped ease concerns around renewed trade tensions between the US and China.
Overnight, Wall Street closed in positive territory despite geopolitical jitters. The S&P 500 added 0.41%, the Nasdaq advanced 0.67%, and the Dow Jones edged up by 0.08%. Strong gains in large-cap tech, led by semiconductor and AI-focused companies like Nvidia, helped buoy investor sentiment. This resilience came despite escalating friction between Washington and Beijing, including fresh threats to tariffs and countermeasures.
Back home, attention turns to a busy economic schedule. Markets will digest the Reserve Bank of Australia’s meeting minutes and key wage data from the Fair Work Commission, which may provide further insight into inflation expectations. Also due are quarterly corporate profit results, adding another layer to today’s domestic market narrative.
On the corporate front, several ASX-listed companies are in focus. Judo Capital (ASX:JDO) reaffirmed its FY25 outlook, anticipating a 15% profit increase and guiding its net interest margin toward the upper range of 2.9–3%. Whitehaven Coal (ASX:WHC) reconfirmed production guidance, with volumes tracking towards the top end of its 35–39.5 million tonne target. Meanwhile, Treasury Wine Estates (ASX:TWE) slightly revised its FY25 EBIT guidance to $770 million due to changes in US distribution.
In the small-cap space, International Graphite Ltd (ASX:IG6) is advancing development of its Collie Graphite Micronising Facility, backed by a $4.5 million WA government grant. Leeuwin Metals Ltd (ASX:LM1) has also begun Phase 2 drilling at its Marda Gold Project, following encouraging early results.
Commodity markets surged overnight. Gold jumped 2.8% to US$3,380.68/oz and silver climbed 5.3% as investors sought safe-haven assets amid mounting geopolitical risks. Oil (WTI) soared 3.7% to US$63.04/barrel, while copper rose 3.41%. However, iron ore retreated 3.2% to US$95.95/tonne.
The Australian dollar strengthened 1% to US$0.649, supported by a softer US dollar and falling bond yields.
With global uncertainties lingering, investors continue to eye opportunities in sectors tied to commodities, technology, and inflation hedges, including popular ASX dividend stocks and ASX200 stocks.
As the trading day unfolds, market participants will closely monitor both domestic data and any fresh developments from the US-China trade front, particularly a possible call between leaders Trump and Xi Jinping.
