The ASX looks set to rise this morning after four days of gains and a rally on Wall Street overnight. ASX futures are trading 0.42%, or 30 points, higher this morning.
In the US, the S&P 500 logged its third straight gain with a 0.5% gain with all sectors advancing, while the Dow lifted 0.4% and the Nasdaq added 0.6%.
The US market strength came from Federal Reserve officials who suggested that the Fed might be done raising rates.
Atlanta Federal Reserve Bank President Raphael Bostic said there was no need to raise borrowing costs any further, as he sees no recession ahead. The sentiment pushed bond yields lower.
However, in contrast, Federal Reserve governor Christopher Waller said the Fed would “stay on the job” to reduce inflation back to its 2% target.
European markets were also in the green on Tuesday, after European Central Bank policymaker François Villeroy de Galhau’s dovish comments. He said despite the Middle East conflict, inflation should still land at the central bank’s target of around 2% by the end of 2025.
Commodities
The oil price steadied after logging its biggest jump in six months in a reaction to Hamas’ attack on Israel. Concerns eased about potential supply disruptions from the battle as Israel and the Gaza Strip play a minor role in oil markets.
The Brent crude price fell by 0.6% to US$87.65 a barrel, and the US Nymex crude price lost 0.5% to US$85.97 a barrel.
Base metal prices also slid amid concerns around China’s property market turmoil. Chinese property giant Country Garden said that it faced "significant challenges" in meeting its offshore debt obligations.
All six major base metals fell on the London Metal Exchange — zinc lost as much as 2.5% to US$2,449 a metric tonne, while copper futures lost 0.3% and the aluminium futures price shed 1.2%.
Gold futures gained US$11 or 0.6% to US$1,875.30 an ounce, while spot gold was trading near US$1,859 an ounce at the US close.
Iron ore futures fell 0.7% to near 7-week lows of US$117.40 a tonne as steel markets felt China's property market pain.
What’s on today?
CBA household spending indicator is released today, RBA official Christopher Kent delivers a speech, and the monthly business turnover indicator is scheduled. The Bank of Queensland issues earnings while CSL, Commonwealth Bank and Insurance Australia Group host AGMs.
On the small cap front
The S&P ASX Small Ordinaries gained 1.33% yesterday.
You can read more about the following throughout the day: