Markets

Commodity prices are climbing again on Friday as traders watched new attacks on shipping and ports in the Middle East.

Investor nerves over just how long the US-Israeli war with Iran will last and growing fears over global oil supply is driving the Australian share market back deep into the red.

Shares in Australia’s biggest KFC operator, Collins Foods, have jumped after announcing it will ramp up its push into Germany to capitalise on the country’s growing appetite for fried chicken.

NAB and Westpac are now forecasting a rate hike next week. Benchmark cash rate futures traders lifted the chance of a rise to 61 per cent after RBA Deputy Governor Andrew Hauser spoke on Tuesday afternoon.

The Australian stock market has staged a cautious comeback after Donald Trump signalled overnight that the US and Israel’s campaign of attacks against Iran could soon be at an end.

The TACO trade was born last April after US President Donald Trump quickly folded on his aggressive tariff plans and it has proved profitable for investors ever since.

Shares are set to jump after US President Donald Trump suggested the Middle East war may be near an end, bond yields also tumbled this morning.

Australian shares have crashed 3.8 per cent on Monday in one of the worst days of the past year, with investors fretting about the impact of soaring oil prices on global economic growth.

Bets about the Iran war made on Polymarket highlight how its tech could revolutionise sports betting, with one large regulatory obstacle to overcome.

Australia’s share market has been smashed in the opening minutes of trade this morning, led by a rout in mining stocks.

Rising inflation and the threat of further interest rate hikes by the Reserve Bank are keeping a lid on a return to form for Dan Murphy’s and BWS owner Endeavour Group.

A mysterious Chinese investor has abruptly aborted attempts to overthrow Northern Minerals’ leadership.

Reserve Bank chief Michele Bullock has suggested the Middle East conflict could worsen Australia’s inflation crisis and even spark another rate rise this month. But she also hinted at something very unexpected.

The market’s energy sector cushioned losses elsewhere, storming 5.5 per cent higher as the spot price of Brent crude oil leapt to as high as $US82.37 a barrel.

Australia’s gold mining majors collectively gained about $7 billion on Monday as the US-Israel war on Iran gives the precious metal yet another price boost.