The Market Online - At The Bell

Join our daily newsletter At The Bell to receive exclusive market insights

Australian shares are expected to climb back to over 8,000 points today, with a tipped 0.7% gain to open Week 11. Monday’s bounceback could mark a possible return to the mostly-upward rally we’ve seen through 2025 to date.

Listen to the HotCopper podcast for in-depth discussions and insights on all the biggest headlines from throughout the week. On Spotify, Apple, and more.

After a tumultuous Week 10, the ASX 200 ended Friday’s trade under 8,000 points to ring in a six-month low; now buying seems to be on the menu at cheaper prices.

One to watch closely: Trump has refused to rule out a U.S. recession, saying he “hates to predict things” during a Sunday interview with Fox News.

His fence-sitting comes as possible Oz steel and aluminium tariffs loom from this week.

Albanese and his government are still trying to change Trump’s mind on that front, lobbying the State-based powerbrokers up to today. Should nothing change, expect the trade levies (to be around 25%, at this stage) to start from Wednesday.

Also back home, Labor has just won the Western Australian election; the party promised to help WA mining “flourish” in a HotCopper interview before voting began.

Also in politics, the Queensland government must this week make a call on the Star Entertainment (ASX:SGR) and the sale of its $3.9 billion casino precinct to its Hong Kong allies – Chow Tai Fook and the Far East Consortium, who already own 50%, will be speaking to the gov’t to gain necessary approvals.

A second buyer is lurking too, with US casino operator Bally’s Corporation still interested in picking up a chunk of the Star with a $250 million bailout.

Cobre Ltd (ASX:CBE) has signed an earn-in agreement with BHP Group (ASX:BHP) which will see A$40 million injected into the copper-silver explorer’s Botswana projects. In return, BHP gets an option to take 75% interest in the mines.

Also in mining investments, billionaire Gerry Harvey has funneled another $3 million into Papua New Guinea-based explorer Mayur Resources (ASX:MRL) in recent days.

More market news

Together: The U.S. has suspended aid to Ukraine. Will Europe step into the breach?

Meet GeoGeorge: The HotCopper poster so accurate he got hired as an analyst

Looking at forex, the Aussie dollar is buying 63 US cents.

To commodities, which are in the greenback,

  • Iron Ore has crept up 0.3% to $100.70 a tonne in Singapore,
  • Brent Crude is trading at $70.36,
  • Gold is trading at $2,936 per ounce, and, 
  • US natgas futures are at $4.39 per gigajoule.

That’s Market Open, I’m Isaac McIntyre, stick with us for HotCopper’s Market Update.

More From The Market Online
The Market Online Video

HotCopper Highlights, Week 50: 4DX above $2/sh, Nanoveu, Ovanti & more

Good Afternoon and welcome to HotCopper Highlights wrapping up Week 50 of the year, I’m Jon Davidson.

‘Potential is enormous’: GreenX likes what it’s found in Tannenberg, is activating acquisition option

GreenX Metals has activated an option to secure control of the Tannenberg Copper Project in Germany,…
The Market Online Video

ASX Market Open: Oz shares heading for W50 weekly gains with Friday rally | Dec 12

ASX today – The third-last week of CY25 may actually end on gains, with a late-on…

Listen: HotCopper Wire CY25 Wrapped – Looking back at Invictus, Kaili, DRO, and more

In the first half of the HotCopper Wire‘s CY25 end-of-year special, Isaac McIntyre and Jonathon Davidson look back over the year that was