The ASX will likely follow US markets higher today, with ASX Futures indicating a 49.6-point or 0.64% increase as of 8:30 am (AEST) this morning.
The S&P 500 and Nasdaq indexes closed at record highs.
Technology stocks led the gains as markets processed softer US private payroll data, potentially supporting the anticipated start of the US Federal Reserve's policy easing cycle.
Hewlett Packard Enterprise saw a 10.7% jump after forecasting third-quarter revenue above market expectations due to strong demand for its AI servers.
Intel (NASDAQ:INTC) gained 2.5% following Apollo Global Management (NYSE:APO)'s agreement to purchase a 49% equity interest for US$11 billion in a joint venture related to Intel's Ireland manufacturing unit.
Nvidia continued its AI-driven momentum, adding 5.2% to reach a US$3 trillion market value.
The Dow Jones index rose 96 points or 0.3%, the S&P 500 index increased by 1.2% and the Nasdaq index jumped 331 points or 2%.
European markets and the ECB
European share markets also gained with investors focusing on the European Central Bank's key interest rate decision expected on Thursday.
The ECB is anticipated to reduce borrowing costs by 25 basis points from the current record level of 4%.
“The ECB was criticised for being late to the party two years ago when the world’s major central banks began raising interest rates to combat the fiercest inflation surge in a generation,” Moneyfarm chief investment officer Richard Flax wrote.
“But it looks like it won’t be late when it comes to cutting them. The ECB is expected to bring the bloc’s key rate down to 3.75% when it meets on Thursday, down from its all-time high of 4%.
“The move would echo similar decisions made by smaller banks in the Czech Republic, Hungary, Sweden and Switzerland but would be a first among the world’s biggest economies.
“These cuts make some sense: the eurozone got the sharp end of the stick in the energy crisis sparked by Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
“This shock pushed the region’s economy aggressively lower, eventually dragging inflation down with it as consumer demand dried up.
“Europe is recovering now, but not vigorously. And the region’s sluggish growth suggests the eurozone could benefit from the economic stimulus that lower rates would bring.
“What happens next is far from certain and the ECB won’t want to take its eye off the ball. After all, inflation is already proving bumpier than expected.
“Data released on Friday showed that headline and core inflation (which excludes volatile food and energy prices) both accelerated more than expected in May.
“And there could be even more inflationary forces ahead – a strengthening economy, for one, and a lower exchange rate, for another. See, with Europe cutting its rates and the US Federal Reserve standing still, that’s likely to weaken the euro and strengthen the greenback, making imports pricier across the bloc.
“So, the ECB is likely to take a go-slow approach, watching the economy of its 27 member states, while also keeping an eye on what’s happening in the US.”
Tech stocks led the gains today in Europe, rising 3.7%, with Dutch chip firm ASML (AS:ASML) up 8.1%. Inditex (BME:ITX) rose 3.7% after reporting an increase in recent sales from its spring and summer collections.
The FTSEurofirst 300 index gained 0.9%, while the UK FTSE 100 index lifted 0.2%.
Currencies and commodities
Currencies weakened against the US dollar in European and US trade.
The Euro dropped from US$1.0889 to near US$1.0870 at the US close. The Australian dollar decreased from US66.61 cents, closing near US66.45 cents. The Japanese yen fell from 155.61 yen per US dollar to near JPY156.15.
Global oil prices rose by 1% on Wednesday, rebounding from four-month lows.
The increase was driven by hopes of a US interest rate cut in September, despite data showing a build in US inventories.
Crude stocks increased by 1.2 million barrels in the week ending May 31, against expectations of a 2.3-million-barrel draw. Brent crude rose by US89 cents or 1.1% to US$78.41 per barrel, while US Nymex crude gained US82 cents or 1.1% to US$74.07 per barrel.
Base metal prices were mixed; copper futures rose by 1.6%, while aluminium futures fell by 1.6%.
Gold futures increased by US$28.10 or 1.2% to US$2,375.50 an ounce, with spot gold trading near US$2,354 an ounce at the US close.
Iron ore futures declined by US67 cents or 0.6% to US$107.02 a tonne, hitting a seven-week low due to weak steel demand and expected higher shipments to China in June.
On the small cap front
The ASX Small Ordinaries shed 0.04% yesterday, slipping slightly as the ASX gained 0.29%.
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