Australian Stock Market News & Analysis

Global Markets Report - 20 December
20 December 2024

Australian shares are set to open lower, after U.S. benchmarks ended mostly flat.

ASX futures were down 0.62% or 51 points as of 9:00am on Friday, suggesting a lower open.

U.S. stocks were little changed, following Wednesday's steep losses, as investors prepared for fewer rate cuts over the next year. The latest reading on 3Q GDP rose more than expected and initial jobless claims slipped, showing the economy remained resilient.

Utilities and financials were the best performing sectors while real estate stocks fell over 1.5% as mortgage rates were likely to remain elevated. Energy stocks slipped with oil prices. Central banks in the U.K, and Japan held rates steady, while others, including Sweden's Riksbank, cut rates.

DJIA gained 15 points to 42342, while the S&P 500 and Nasdaq fell about 0.1% to 5867 and 19372, respectively.

In commodity markets, Brent crude oil was down 1.06% to US$72.61 a barrel, while gold was up 0.40% to US$2,595.62.

The Australian dollar was at 62.41 US cents, up from its previous close of 62.16.


Price/fair value

Country
Current
1 year ago
Australia1.061.00
New Zealand1.060.95

Markets

Index
Last price
Change
% Change
All Ordinaries8,316.7098.30-1.17%
CAC 407,274.4819.89-0.27%
DAX 4019,884.7585.11-0.43%
Dow JONES (US)42,840.26498.021.18%
FTSE 1008,084.6120.71-0.26%
HKSE19,720.7031.81-0.16%
NASDAQ19,572.60199.831.03%
Nikkei 22538,701.90111.68-0.29%
NZX 50 Index12,904.11149.961.18%
S&P 5005,930.8563.771.09%
S&P/ASX 2008,067.00101.20-1.24%
SSE Composite Index3,368.071.96-0.06%