12 December 2024

NameDaily CloseDaily ChangeDaily Change (%)
Dow44148.56-99.27-0.22%
S&P 5006084.1949.280.82%
Nasdaq20034.89347.651.77%
VIX13.58-0.60-4.23%
Gold2753.8035.401.30%
Oil70.381.792.61%

US MARKET

Big Tech stocks led the US market higher on Wednesday as investors responded to inflation data that met expectations and reinforced prospects for a Federal Reserve rate cut next week. The Nasdaq Composite rose 1.7%, powered by a strong rally in the “Magnificent Seven” tech giants.

Alphabet shares surged over 5% to a record high, while Tesla, Meta, and Amazon also hit new highs, with Tesla achieving its first record close in more than three years.

The S&P 500 gained 0.8%, while the Dow Jones Industrial Average edged down 0.2%.

Inflation data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics showed the Consumer Price Index rose 2.7% annually in November, up slightly from October’s 2.6%, aligning with forecasts. Core inflation, excluding food and energy, rose 0.3% month-over-month and held steady at an annual rate of 3.3% for the fourth consecutive month.

These figures maintain the Federal Reserve’s trajectory for a December rate cut, boosting sentiment across equities and crypto markets.

LOCAL MARKET

The Australian share market is set to open higher, with ASX futures up 41 points, or 0.5%, at 7:45 am AEDT, driven by optimism following US inflation data that reinforced expectations of a Federal Reserve rate cut next week. The Australian dollar continued its decline, hitting a one-year low at US63.70¢.

Gold surged above $US2700 ($4238) an ounce, oil regained $US73 a barrel, while iron ore slipped below $US105 a ton. Domestically, Fortescue Metals Group remains in the spotlight as scrutiny mounts over internal challenges and scaled-back hydrogen ambitions, following executive departures.