Markets Overview
- ASX SPI 200 futures up 0.1% to 7,395.00
- Dow Average down 0.3% to 33,190.47
- Aussie down 0.4% to 0.6918 per US$
- U.S. 10-year yield rose 2.5bps to 3.3969%
- Australia 3-year bond yield fell 21 bps to 2.96%
- Australia 10-year bond yield fell 22 bps to 3.32%
- Gold spot up 1.4% to $1,929.86
- Brent futures up 1.5% to $86.28/bbl
Economic Events
New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern’s shock decision to resign is seen denting the Labour Party’s election chances. Potential contenders to replace her may include Education Minister Chris Hipkins, Housing Minister Megan Woods, Foreign Minister Nanaia Mahuta, Justice Minister Kiritapu Allan and Immigration Minister Michael Wood.
US stocks fell for a third day as risks from rising interest rates to economic growth and earnings kept a grip on sentiment.
Still, bulls can take some solace in the selloff in equities showing signs of easing, with the S&P 500 ending down 0.8%, less than the 1.6% slide a day earlier. Despite some selling into the close, dip buyers emerged in some big tech names while traders digested the latest Fedspeak.
Treasuries stayed lower throughout the session, with the 10-year yield rising 3 basis points, mirroring moves in German bunds after the head of the European Central Bank reaffirmed her aggressive stance. The dollar fell, while the euro and yen gained.
Other News
A chihuahua mix “su-paw-star” from Ohio has now claimed the Guinness World Record as the world’s oldest living dog.
Spike, who turned 23 years old and 26 days Thursday, hails from Camden, a small town with a population of just over 2,000 people in the Dayton area.
Guinness World Records North America said Spike, the new record-holding pooch, stands at 9 inches tall and weighs just under 13 pounds
The world’s oldest dog title can change hands while title holders are still living when canny humans catch wind of the Guinness World Records, get their pets verified and stake a claim to the title.
