Australia – sharp rebound in equities
The S&P/ASX 200 Index surged by 91.5 points (1 per cent) to 8,990.9, marking its best session in nearly two weeks, with ten of eleven sectors in the green.
Strength in the financials and materials sectors propelled the rally. Commonwealth Bank of Australia (ASX: CBA) rose 1.5 per cent, National Australia Bank (ASX: NAB) 1.9 per cent, and Westpac Banking Corporation (ASX: WBC) jumped 2 per cent after the prudential regulator withdrew a A$500 million capital penalty. In the resources space, BHP Group (ASX: BHP) gained 1.8 per cent, Fortescue Metals Group (ASX: FMG) 2.1 per cent, and Rio Tinto (ASX: RIO) 1.8 per cent, while gold producers like Newmont Resources and Perseus Mining also rallied. Gold hit a fresh record near US 4,185 per ounce amid geopolitical tensions and expectations of further U.S. rate cuts. UBS upgraded its long‑term gold forecast, citing macro and de‑dollarisation risks.
Australia – corporate highlights & sector rotation
In corporate news, Telix Pharmaceuticals (ASX: TLX) jumped 16.3 per cent after boosting its FY2025 revenue guidance to A$800–820 million. The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission initiated a probe into Seven West Media (ASX: SWM)’s takeover by Southern Cross Media (ASX: SXL). Meanwhile DroneShield (ASX: DRO) fell 9.6 per cent despite unveiling a new software platform, and Evolution Mining (ASX: EVN) retreated 2.9 per cent despite reaffirming its production outlook. The rebound also reflects growing signs of a rotation from banks into miners, as banking valuations become more stretched and commodity names offer greater upside potential.
Global – U.S. markets firm on earnings, dovish tilt
U.S. equities closed mostly higher despite ongoing trade tensions and a partial government shutdown. The S&P 500 Index advanced 0.4 per cent, boosted by strong earnings at Morgan Stanley (+4.7 per cent) and Bank of America (+4.4 per cent). The Nasdaq‑100 Index rose 0.7 per cent, helped by gains in the semiconductor space following upbeat orders for ASML Holding. Meanwhile, the Dow Jones Industrial Average ended slightly lower amid volatility.
| Australian Indices | Daily % | Weekly % | 1 Month % | 3 Month % | 1 Year % |
| ASX 200 | 1.0 | 0.5 | 1.6 | 5.3 | 12.0 |
| Financials | 1.2 | -1.8 | -1.2 | 1.4 | 17.1 |
| Resources | 1.3 | 1.6 | 8.3 | 18.8 | 14.7 |
| Information Technology | 0.5 | -0.8 | -1.4 | 3.2 | 17.9 |
| Global Indices | Daily % | Weekly % | 1 Month % | 3 Month % | 1 Year % |
| US 500 | 0.4 | -0.1 | 3.2 | 7.3 | 18.2 |
| Europe | 0.3 | -0.6 | 2.5 | 4.5 | 21.2 |
| Japan | 1.6 | -1.5 | 0.1 | 11.2 | 18.7 |
| China top 50 | 0.0 | -2.8 | -0.9 | 5.7 | 32.0 |
| India top 50 | 0.5 | 1.8 | 2.1 | -3.5 | -2.3 |
| Fixed Interest | Daily % | Weekly % | 1 Month % | 3 Month % | 1 Year % |
| Australian Treasury Bond | 0.0 | 0.7 | 0.6 | 1.7 | 4.7 |
| Australian Corporate Bond | 0.0 | 0.6 | 0.6 | 1.8 | 5.5 |
| US Treasury | 0.0 | 0.7 | 0.6 | 3.3 | 3.5 |
| Cash | 0.0 | 0.1 | 0.3 | 1.0 | 4.2 |
| Commodities & Crypto | Daily % | Weekly % | 1 Month % | 3 Month % | 1 Year % |
| Gold | -0.4 | 3.7 | 15.8 | 23.9 | 58.0 |
| Silver | -1.2 | 6.7 | 25.3 | 35.2 | 65.8 |
| Crude Oil | -1.4 | -4.8 | -5.4 | -6.7 | -3.6 |
| Bitcoin | -1.6 | -8.2 | -1.0 | -4.2 | 67.2 |