Markets Live

• The ASX is projected to reach a new record high, with an expected opening rise of approximately 0.4%. • This positive momentum follows a record close for Wall Street's S&P 500, driven by strong corporate earnings and reduced fears regarding interest rate hikes. • The market outlook remains critical as investors await a key interest rate decision from the Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA).

• The Australian Securities Exchange (ASX) extended its gains following a positive rally on Wall Street. • Economist Louise Southall from Xero noted surprising Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) data showing discretionary spending grew at a faster rate than spending on essential items. • The market activity coincides with a drop in global oil prices, contributing to the shifting financial landscape.

• Indian stock markets ended slightly higher, with the Sensex gaining 166 points and the Nifty closing above 24,380. • Financial stocks drove the growth, highlighted by a significant surge in Bajaj Finance (+8.32%) and Bajaj Finserv (+6.37%) following June-quarter earnings. • Gains were tempered by selling pressure in the IT sector, where TCS fell 2.71%, followed by declines in Infosys and Eternal.

• European markets saw major indices reach new highs during the morning session on July 31, 2026. • The USD/JPY pair extended its rebound above 160 following a Bank of Japan decision and speculation regarding market intervention. • Eurozone inflation experienced a slight uptick in July, adding volatility to currency and bond markets.

• Indian benchmark indices, the Sensex and Nifty 50, traded largely flat or slightly lower on July 28, with the Sensex down 49.60 points (0.06%) to 76,786.18 by 1:31 p.m. • The range-bound movement follows a previous session's rebound sparked by a significant drop in crude oil prices. • Investors remain cautious due to upcoming Q1 earnings reports and the U.S. Federal Reserve's policy decision, as markets price in a potential rate hike.

• South Korea's stock markets experienced a severe rout, with the Kospi index declining by more than 10% in a single day. • Major semiconductor companies Samsung and SK Hynix both saw double-digit losses, contributing to a broader 30% market drop over the last six weeks. • The crash is driven by growing investor fears that the memory chip bubble is bursting, threatening the sector's recent sensational growth.

• The Indian stock market declined on July 21, with the Sensex sliding 316 points and the Nifty 50 falling 65 points to close at 24,172. • The downturn was primarily driven by losses in the banking and IT sectors, pulling the benchmark gauges lower. • In contrast, Asian markets saw gains, with the MSCI Asia Pacific Index rising 1.5% fueled by chip giants Samsung Electronics and TSMC.

• European equity markets recovered from a shaky start on July 20, 2026, with major indices ending the morning session slightly higher. • Oil prices retreated during the session as Iran indicated a willingness to consider mediation proposals. • The shift in sentiment reflects a cautious optimism among investors regarding geopolitical tensions and energy stability.

• Wall Street experienced a downturn on Friday as investors shifted away from the artificial intelligence sector due to growing concerns over frontier AI development. • In contrast to the U.S. market retreat, the Australian Securities Exchange (ASX) managed to edge slightly higher. • Global markets are reacting to volatility in tech valuations and a simultaneous jump in oil prices.

• US stock futures remained steady or climbed slightly, with the Nasdaq 100 leading gains by 186 points (0.7%) and the Dow Jones rising by 79 points (0.2%). • Market stability was supported by record earnings from TSMC and a generally resilient US corporate earnings season, which helped offset concerns over geopolitical tensions near the Strait of Hormuz. • This trend is significant as investors gauge the ability of major companies to withstand economic uncertainty linked to conflicts involving Iran.

• European markets remained volatile on July 13, 2026, with oil prices holding higher as investors focused on escalating tensions between the US and Iran. • Chip stocks surged by 10% while gold prices plunged, a shift driven by a strengthening US dollar that some traders suggest signals a potential regime change. • Concerns are mounting over US fiscal health, as national debt has now exceeded the size of the economy and the Treasury is borrowing $155 billion per month.

• The FTSE 100 dropped 5 points to 10,492 as global stocks struggled for direction following new US-Iran strikes. • Oil prices surged to a three-week high due to geopolitical tensions, while Asian markets saw significant declines, including a 1.9% drop in Japan's Nikkei and a 7.6% fall in Korea's Kospi. • Corporate updates were released by Plus500, PageGroup, and Oxford Nanopore, adding to the market volatility.

• Indian stock markets recovered from an early slump on July 13, 2026, with IT stocks showing strength while the realty and metal sectors dragged. • Global sentiment remained cautious as Japan’s Nikkei and South Korea’s KOSPI fell sharply due to geopolitical uncertainty and rising energy costs. • Brent crude prices climbed above $78 a barrel, sparking concerns regarding inflation, corporate margins, and India's import bill.

• The ASX opened higher despite geopolitical tensions and flaring hostilities between the US and Iran, which have caused oil prices to jump. • Market sentiment was bolstered by the Nasdaq debut of South Korea's SK Hynix, which saw shares rise 14% after raising approximately $US26.5 billion. • Investors are anticipating a strong second-quarter earnings season on Wall Street, with LSEG analysts forecasting a 24% surge in S&P 500 earnings driven largely by technology firms.

• European markets remained tentative with light changes across major indices during the morning session on July 6, 2026. • US equities are positioning for a rebound as Wall Street reopens, with a specific focus on a recovery in technology shares. • Market indicators show positive momentum for US futures, with the S&P 500 up 0.4% and the Nasdaq rising by 1.0%.

• Asia-Pacific stock markets traded broadly higher on Friday, with South Korea's Kospi leading the surge with a 4.65% increase. • Other notable gains included Japan's Nikkei 225 rising 1.36%, Hong Kong's Hang Seng Index climbing 1.57%, and Australia's S&P/ASX 200 adding 1.39%. • The upward trend occurred despite a broader rotation out of technology stocks, mirroring recent declines seen in U.S. markets and a slump in the chip sector.

• The ASX opened higher following the release of weaker US jobs data, which has reduced market expectations for further interest rate hikes. • Commonwealth Bank's John Oh highlighted the significant impact of emerging markets on global growth, noting that China alone drove 42% of net global growth. • Other key contributors to this growth include Bangladesh, India, Indonesia, Malaysia, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, and Vietnam.

• Asia-Pacific markets showed mixed performance on Friday as investors rotated away from technology stocks, mirroring a recent slump in U.S. chip sectors. • Gains were seen in Hong Kong's Hang Seng index (+1.72%), South Korea's Kospi (+0.97%), and Japan's Nikkei 225 (+0.37%), while Taiwan's Taiex fell 0.91%. • The divergence highlights a shift in investor sentiment, where broader market gains are being offset by specific declines in semiconductor and tech-heavy indices.

• The Dow Jones reached a record high for the second consecutive day, driven by a significant buying frenzy in artificial intelligence (AI) stocks. • The Australian share market is expected to have a cautious start to the new financial year, with ASX futures indicating a slight rise of 0.1%. • Economists warn that housing conditions will likely remain soft in the coming months due to high interest rates, weak consumer sentiment, and changes in tax policy.

• U.S. stock futures are rising following a mixed week on Wall Street marked by a rotation of investments away from technology stocks. • Diplomatic talks between Washington and Tehran have been temporarily paused, according to a Pakistani source. • Representatives from the U.S., Iran, Pakistan, and Qatar remain stationed in Switzerland to restart discussions upon instruction.

Chief secretary to PM rules out leadership bid as he says he has received reassurances from BurnhamGood morning. There are very few upsides for Keir Starmer for his current situation, but one of them is that soon he will no longer have to worry about taking PMQs. In his memoir, Tony Blair described PMQs as “the most nerve-racking, discombobulating, nail-biting, bowel-moving, terror-inspiring, courage draining experience in my prime ministerial life, without question”. Today’s could be Starmer’s third last. Including today, there are four Wednesdays between now and Friday 17 July, when Andy Burnham is due to become PMQs, but one of them coincides with the Nato summit, and Starmer should be away for that.While we will hear from Starmer at PMQs, interest in what he has to say may be limited. Power is like water on a surface with a slope; it very quickly heads in one direction and, despite only being sworn in as an MP on Monday afternoon, Andy Burnham is already the most powerful figure in Westminster, and most of the political class is focused on what sort of administration he might lead. There have been three developments overnight.It has emerged that Burnham will appoint James Purnell, who served in cabinet with him under Gordon Brown, as his chief of staff. Here is our story, by Kiran Stacey and Jessica Elgot.Darren Jones, the chief secretary to the PM, has announced that he will not stand as a leadership candidate against Burnham. He had been refusing to rule this out, and some Starmer loyalists were urging him to run. Ben Quinn has the story. Continue reading...

• European stock indices remained largely flat or recovered slight losses during the morning session on June 8, 2026. • Market activity was characterized by light changes across major indices, while U.S. futures showed an upward trend. • Investors are reacting to developments regarding a potential ceasefire, though uncertainty remains about the long-term stability of the agreement.