Australian shares are expected to open relatively flat on Monday after another mixed session on Wall Street, where renewed selling in technology stocks weighed on the broader market.

ASX 200 futures were pointing to a near-flat start at around 9,114 points, following Friday’s 0.71% decline in the benchmark to 9,082.2.

The selling was more pronounced among smaller companies, with the Small Ordinaries falling 1.75% and the Emerging Companies Index losing 1.11%. That suggests investors remain selective, particularly towards smaller and more speculative stocks.

On Wall Street, the Dow Jones managed a 0.1% gain to 52,347.55, while the S&P 500 fell 0.4% to 7,561.67 and the Nasdaq dropped 0.9% to 25,136.27.

Technology stocks remained under pressure amid concerns about the sustainability of AI-related investment and renewed weakness in major chipmakers. Nvidia was again among the stocks weighing on sentiment.

The broader picture was not entirely negative, however, with all four major US indexes finishing the week higher, their first positive weekly performance since early October.

An issue investors will continue watching is the rise in US bond yields. The 10-year Treasury yield reached 5.15% on Friday, its highest level in several weeks, as stronger inflation readings reinforced expectations that US interest rates could remain higher for longer.

For the local market, the immediate question is whether Friday’s weakness in miners, technology and smaller companies carries into the new week, or whether bargain hunters emerge around current levels.

• China’s economic data: October retail sales, industrial production and fixed asset investment figures could influence sentiment towards Australian miners and resources stocks.

• Technology stocks: Another weak session on Nasdaq could keep pressure on Australian technology companies.

• Bond yields: Rising US yields remain a potential headwind for growth stocks and rate-sensitive sectors.

• The Australian dollar: The currency’s weakness reflects the widening pressure from higher US yields.

• Smaller companies: Friday’s sharper decline in the Small Ordinaries highlights the importance of company-specific news and funding positions.

China takes centre stage today, with October industrial production, retail sales and fixed asset investment figures due at approximately 1pm AEDT (10am Perth time).

Markets are looking for industrial production growth of 5.3%, down from 5.5%, while retail sales growth is expected to ease to 0.8% from 1.1%. Fixed asset investment is forecast to improve slightly to -7.0%, from -7.2%.

The figures will provide another indication of whether China’s domestic economy is gaining traction, particularly consumer spending and investment.

Japan also releases its preliminary third-quarter GDP figures, with quarterly growth expected to slow from 0.4% to 0.1%.

Locally, the week ahead becomes more important for interest rate expectations, with the RBA minutes due Tuesday, the Wage Price Index on Wednesday and October employment figures on Thursday.

Several company developments are worth keeping on the radar following Friday’s announcements.

Paladin Energy (ASX: PDN) successfully completed its $525 million equity raising, comprising an institutional placement and Canadian financing. The stock fell sharply on Friday, closing at $7.17, below the $7.80 placement price. Investors will be watching its return to normal trading and the market’s response to the capital raising.

Big River Industries (ASX: BRI) agreed to a $1.62-a-share cash takeover proposal from CTL, representing a 45.9% premium to its previous closing price and valuing the company at approximately $156 million.

Tamboran Resources (ASX: TBN) announced its first Beetaloo gas sales, marking an operational milestone for the Northern Territory gas developer.

Lendlease (ASX: LLC) announced plans to redeem approximately $1.22 billion of outstanding bonds, an important balance-sheet development as the group continues to reshape its business.

The softer iron ore and copper prices will be worth watching for the major miners, while gold stocks will be looking for a more sustained recovery after last week’s weakness.

Oil remains elevated, with geopolitical developments and supply concerns continuing to influence prices.

A relatively quiet start to the Australian trading week on the domestic economic front, but China’s economic releases could provide an important catalyst for resources stocks.

With Wall Street’s technology sector still under pressure, rising bond yields and commodities moving in different directions, investors may remain selective.

The focus will be on whether the ASX can find its footing after Friday’s broad-based decline, particularly among smaller companies where selling was more pronounced.

TruScreen (ASX: TRU) has receives product registration in Kenya;

DPM Metals (ASX: DPM) has declared a Q4 2026 dividend;

Southern Cross Electrical Engineering (ASX: SXE) has landed over $300m in Data Centre and buildings awards;

Vulcan Energy Resources (ASX: VUL) has commenced civil construction works at LEP site; and

Tungsten Mining (ASX: TGN) has obtained outstanding economics from Watershed DFS.

Digital asset markets remain under pressure, despite a modest bounce in Bitcoin over the past 24 hours.

Bitcoin was trading around US$64,700, up approximately 0.8% over the day, although it remains substantially lower over the past week.

Ethereum was trading around US$1,813, with the broader cryptocurrency market still showing signs of risk aversion.

The weakness comes amid a wider pullback across risk-sensitive assets, with investors reassessing valuations and positioning as bond yields rise.

For investors, the focus will be on whether Bitcoin can stabilise and whether the recent weakness spreads further across the broader digital asset market.

That’s HotCopper’s Market Open, I’m Colin Sandell-Hay – happy trading.

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