Headline

• ASX 200 futures point to a positive start, rising 17 points (+0.19%).
• Dow Jones tumbles 628 points as healthcare stocks lead Wall Street lower.
• S&P 500 and Nasdaq also retreat as risk sentiment weakens.
• Investors turn attention to key US PPI and CPI inflation releases.
• Brent crude briefly pushes above US$99, approaching the US$100 threshold.
• Houthi missile and drone attacks disrupt operations at Saudi energy facilities.
• Escalating Middle East tensions intensify concerns over global oil supply.

Global Markets Overview

Global equity markets traded lower as risk sentiment weakened across major regions. Wall Street returned from the Labor Day break under pressure, with the Dow Jones recording the steepest decline among the major US benchmarks. The S&P 500 also retreated, while the technology-heavy Nasdaq Composite posted a comparatively modest fall. Rising oil prices and renewed inflation concerns weighed on investor confidence, with markets also looking ahead to key US inflation releases.European equities were relatively more resilient, with the UK’s FTSE 100 registering only a marginal decline. Canadian equities endured heavier selling, with the S&P/TSX Composite falling sharply. Japan’s Nikkei recorded a significant decline as heightened risk aversion weighed on investor sentiment and prompted a pullback across equities. New Zealand’s NZX 50 also recorded a steep decline, reflecting weaker market sentiment. Indian equities remained firmly under pressure, as elevated crude oil prices and weakness across banking and insurance stocks intensified the sell-off. Overall, global markets reflected cautious positioning amid geopolitical tensions, inflation concerns and elevated energy prices.Commodities & Crypto

Commodity markets delivered mixed performance, with energy and industrial metals strengthening while precious metals moved lower. WTI crude oil surged, emerging as the strongest performer as escalating geopolitical tensions and concerns over potential supply disruptions drove renewed buying. Copper also advanced firmly, supported by positive momentum across industrial metals.Precious metals faced notable selling pressure. Silver recorded the sharper decline, while gold also retreated as investors booked gains following its recent strength. Uranium remained virtually unchanged, showing limited movement during the session. In the digital asset market, Bitcoin traded lower as softer risk appetite weighed on cryptocurrency demand. Overall, the session was dominated by strength in crude oil and copper, while gold, silver and Bitcoin remained under pressure.Bond Yields

Government bond yields moved lower across Australia and the US during the session. Australia’s 10-year government bond yield declined, reflecting firmer demand for sovereign debt. Japan’s 10-year government bond yield remained elevated, holding near recent multi-decade highs as investors continued to assess the country’s monetary policy and inflation outlook.In the US Treasury market, both long-term yields eased, with the 10-year and 30-year yields moving lower. The decline came as investors remained cautious ahead of key US inflation data and continued to assess the implications of elevated energy prices for the inflation and interest-rate outlook. Despite the session’s moderation, longer-term yields remained elevated, keeping borrowing costs and monetary policy expectations firmly in focus.Key Drivers

• Wall Street extends losses, with all three major US benchmarks finishing at session lows.
• Market breadth remains weak, as only Energy, Utilities and Real Estate sectors advance.
• Brent crude settles at US$99.23 a barrel, extending its gain since late August.
• Global energy equities reach a record high as elevated oil prices support the sector.
• LME copper hits a fresh record of US$14,703 a tonne amid tight supply and weak mine output.
• Qualcomm signs Amazon as a data-centre chip customer, with commitments potentially reaching US$60 billion.
• GE Aerospace agrees to acquire Consolidated Precision Products for US$11.75 billion.
• Houthi attacks hit Saudi energy and industrial sites, escalating concerns over regional energy infrastructure.
• US strikes near key Iranian oil infrastructure add further pressure to global energy markets.
• Canada imposes retaliatory tariffs on about US$20 billion of US goods.
• Fed futures price a 59% probability of a September quarter-point rate hike, ahead of US inflation data.
• BoJ rate-hike expectations strengthen, with markets largely anticipating a move to 1.25%.
• China’s exports and imports post strong annual growth, widening the monthly trade surplus.
• Japan’s wage growth accelerates sharply, while Australia’s consumer sentiment deteriorates in September.

ASX Company News

• Forrestania Resources Limited (ASX: FRS) secured a suite of commercial agreements to advance restart readiness at its Lake Johnston and Edna May processing hubs. The company signed laboratory, haulage and sodium cyanide supply agreements, including a five-year Orica contract from 2027 covering approximately 1,000 tonnes annually. Forrestania also entered an ore purchase agreement with First Au Limited for processing up to 2 million tonnes of third-party ore over 24 months.
• Viridis Mining and Minerals Limited (ASX: VMM) received approval for a R$77.5 million, approximately US$15 million, financing facility from Brazil’s BNDES to support its Rare Earths Research and Processing Centre and Colossus Rare Earth Project. The facility carries a 16-year tenor and an indicative financing cost of approximately 4.8% per annum. Combined with US$154 million of identified equity funding, the financing reduces Colossus’ remaining senior debt requirement to approximately US$280 million.
• DPM Metals Inc. (ASX: DPM) reported strong copper-gold-silver drilling results from Dumitru Potok and Rakita North, extending mineralisation beyond the existing resource footprint. Key results included 246 metres grading 1.36% CuEq and 50 metres grading 3.68% CuEq, including 21 metres at 5.44% CuEq. DPM increased its 2026 drilling program by 12,000–15,000 metres to approximately 32,000–35,000 metres, with an updated resource estimate targeted for the first quarter of 2027.

Stocks trading ex-dividend today

• Bhagwan Marine Limited (ASX: BWN) – AU$0.003
• Brambles Limited (ASX: BXB) – AU$0.328
• CSL Limited (ASX: CSL) – AU$2.277
• Evolution Mining Limited (ASX: EVN) – AU$0.21
• EVT Limited (ASX: EVT) – AU$0.23
• Genesis Minerals Limited (ASX: GMD) – AU$0.05
• Hearts and Minds Investments Limited (ASX: HM1) – AU$0.10
• IDP Education Limited (ASX: IEL) – AU$0.06
• IGO Limited (ASX: IGO) – AU$0.05
• IVE Group Limited (ASX: IGL) – AU$0.09
• LGI Limited (ASX: LGI) – AU$0.014
• Netwealth Group Limited (ASX: NWL) – AU$0.21
• Northern Star Resources Limited (ASX: NST) – AU$0.30
• Summerset Group Holdings Limited (ASX: SNZ) – AU$0.027

Key Economic Drivers (What to Watch Today)

• Chinese inflation in focus: August inflation data is due at 11:30 am AEST, providing fresh signals on pricing pressures and domestic demand.
• Oil nears US$100: Brent remains close to the key US$100 level, keeping energy stocks and inflation risks firmly in focus.
• Copper extends strong run: Copper remains near record highs amid tight mine supply, tariff concerns and robust structural demand.

Summary 

• ASX 200 futures point higher, signalling a positive start for the Australian market.
• Wall Street closes lower, with the Dow Jones tumbling 628 points and leading US market losses.
• Brent crude approaches US$100, heightening global inflation and energy-supply concerns.
• LME copper hits a record US$14,703 a tonne amid tight supply and weak mine output.
• Global energy equities reach record highs, supported by elevated crude oil prices.
• Houthi attacks hit Saudi energy facilities, increasing concerns over regional supply disruptions.
• US strikes near Iranian oil infrastructure add further pressure to global energy markets.
• Fed rate expectations turn more hawkish, with futures pricing a 59% probability of a September quarter-point hike.
• Gold and silver retreat, while copper advances strongly amid continued strength in industrial metals.
• BoJ rate-hike expectations strengthen, with markets anticipating a move to 1.25%.
• Qualcomm secures Amazon as a data-centre chip customer, with potential commitments reaching US$60 billion.
• China’s trade activity remains strong, with exports and imports recording solid annual growth.

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