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A new day, new Trump tariffs – though this time the U.S. President’s latest reciprocal order is pushing global markets higher, including Down Under.
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Heading into Valentine’s Day trade, ASX futures are pointing to a 0.95% rise.
This would put the bourse at more than 8,620 points; a record start to the trading day.
Considering the S&P 500 nearly breached its own latest record (it came in three points short) and the Dow Jones has added nearly 1% for the third day in a row, it makes sense that Aussie traders would be rather bullish.
There is, of course, a whole bucket of questions about what Trump’s latest tariff suggestions actually mean for most countries – but investors today assume good news.
The rip-roaring Friday will also be governed somewhat by reporting seasons, which still has plenty of steam. Charter Hall Retail (ASX:CQR), GQG (ASX:GQG), HealthCo Healthcare (ASX:HCW), Mirvac (ASX:MGR), and more report today.
Cochlear Limited (ASX:COH) has already jumped out the gate this morning, increasing its interim dividend by 8% to $2.15 a share after banking strong cash flow.
The battle at Global Lithium Resources (ASX:GL1) seems to have wrapped up against the critical minerals producer, with the courts failing to rule that a group of shareholders with alleged Chinese interests was taking over.
Following that news, Global’s executive chair Ron Mitchell tendered his resignation. Matthew Allen also withdrew his nomination to be elected as next director.
Read on: Global Lithium boardroom brawl spills into new year – and is only escalating
In mining, Sipa Resources (ASX:SPI) has picked up 100% interest in four advanced gold exploration projects in South Australia and Western Australia.
Everest Metals (ASX:EMC) has also started its gold recovery at Revere today.
Looking at forex, the Aussie dollar is slowing building towards a one-month high and this morning is buying 63.1 US cents.
To commodities, which are in the greenback,
Iron Ore has dropped 1% to 106.65 a tonne in Singapore,
Brent Crude is trading at $75.14,
Gold keeps trucking higher, trading at a lofty $2,935 per ounce, and,
US natgas futures are at $3.63 per gigajoule.
That’s Market Open, I’m Isaac McIntyre, stick with us for HotCopper’s Market Update.
