Markets Overview

  • ASX SPI 200 futures down 0.6% to 6,674.00
  • Dow Average down 0.7% to 31,761.54
  • Aussie down 0.3% to 0.6937 per US$
  • U.S. 10-year yield rose 1.1bps to 2.8068%
  • Australia 3-year bond yield rose 1.7 bps to 3.04%
  • Australia 10-year bond yield fell 1.4 bps to 3.34%
  • Gold spot down 0.1% to $1,717.45
  • Brent futures down 0.5% to $104.62/bbl

Economic Events

  • 11:30: (AU) 2Q CPI Weighted Median YoY, est. 4.3%, prior 3.2%
  • 11:30: (AU) 2Q CPI Trimmed Mean QoQ, est. 1.5%, prior 1.4%
  • 11:30: (AU) 2Q CPI Trimmed Mean YoY, est. 4.7%, prior 3.7%
  • 11:30: (AU) 2Q CPI Weighted Median QoQ, est. 1.5%, prior 1.0%
  • 11:30: (AU) 2Q CPI QoQ, est. 1.9%, prior 2.1%
  • 11:30: (AU) 2Q CPI YoY, est. 6.3%, prior 5.1%

Stocks slumped after paltry economic figures and a weaker outlook from the world’s largest retailer underscored the impacts of inflation pressures on consumer spending, with recession fears running rampant as the Federal Reserve gets ready to deliver another jumbo-sized hike.

Traders also braced for another 75-basis-point hike by Fed officials on Wednesday, with a combined increase of 150 basis points over June and July representing the steepest rise in rates since the early 1980s when then chairman Paul Volcker was battling sky-high inflation. Dimming views on the economy sank US consumer confidence to the lowest level since February 2021, while a gauge of new home sales fell for the fifth time this year.

Other News

Footy fans have been left puzzled and delighted by a spectator who brought their cat to Saturday night’s AFL grand final rematch between the Western Bulldogs and the Melbourne Demons at Marvel Stadium.

The well-behaved Burmese was photographed in the stands during the Dogs’ thrilling come-from-behind win, and quickly went viral as supporters were startled by the pics.

While its owner watched the action, the kitty – which appeared to have rocked up to the ground in a carrier – was seen dozing off when it wasn’t glaring at other spectators or looking at anything but the action on the field.

And just to make sure the moggy didn’t stage a pitch invasion, its owner kept it on a leash – which matched the vest it was wearing to keep warm as it saw the Bulldogs pull back Melbourne’s lead to run out 10-point winners with a thrilling late charge.

Fans and pundits had a field day with the images once they started to spread like wildfire on social media.

It would’ve been the only spectator to have a snooze during the grand final rematch as the Dogs pulled off a win their coach Luke Beveridge described as the club’s best of recent times.

The victory – which lifted the side back into the top eight – saw former No.1 draft pick Jamarra Ugle-Hagan kick five goals including the crucial match-sealer.

Beveridge’s team trailed for the vast majority of the match and only hit the front with four minutes remaining.

(Daily Mail)