Local Markets Commentary

The Australian market commences today’s trade on positive international equities and commodities leads.

In overnight commodities trade, oil swung and rallied. US gold futures, copper and iron ore also turned higher.

The $A surpassed US76.05c after approaching ~US75.95c yesterday evening.

Locally today, housing finance figures are due 11.30am AEDST. The NAB monthly business conditions report is also published this morning. Pre-trade, a weekly consumer sentiment reading will be released.

Regionally, Japan’s august trade figures are anticipated 10.50am AEDST.

Overseas Market Commentary

US equities markets did not waver after opening higher overnight, helping major European indices to rally after faltering early trade.

The British pound continued much lower against the $US, and further comments regarding expectations of robust UK-European Union negotiations as the two separate emerged from the sidelines of the weekend’s IMF and World Bank meetings.

Meanwhile, investors weighed perceived impacts from the second of three US presidential candidate debates.

Germany’s, August trade surplus came in at €22.2B on 5% higher exports (by value) for the month and a 3% increase in imports.

A Sentix investor sentiment index for the euro zone was estimated at 5.6 however, following forecasts of 6.3.

Norway’s year-on-year September core CPI growth was reported at 2.9%, against expectations of the 3.3% reported for August.

Tonight in the US, a small business optimism index and a Federal Reserve labour market conditions report are due.

Alcoa is due to report results.