Daily Market Update: 30 September 2025

ASX rallies ahead of RBA decision

The Australian sharemarket kicked off the week with a strong performance, as the S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) climbed 0.9 per cent, or 75.1 points, to close at 8862.8, marking its second-largest gain this month. Gains were led by a surge in financials and healthcare, with investors showing confidence ahead of Tuesday’s Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA) policy meeting. Commonwealth Bank of Australia (ASX: CBA) rose 2.2 per cent to $168.43, while Westpac Banking Corporation (ASX: WBC), Australia and New Zealand Banking Group Limited (ASX: ANZ), and National Australia Bank Limited (ASX: NAB) all posted notable gains. A modest rebound in healthcare also supported the index, with CSL Limited (ASX: CSL) up 2.5 per cent and Telix Pharmaceuticals Limited (ASX: TLX) gaining 1.4 per cent.

DroneShield leads standout performers

The standout performer of the day was defence technology company DroneShield Limited (ASX: DRO), which soared 18 per cent to an all-time high of $4.59 amid heightened geopolitical tensions and NATO’s increased air-defence measures. The stock has surged 388 per cent year-to-date. Fellow defence stock Electro Optic Systems Holdings Limited (ASX: EOS) also advanced after reiterating a strong second-half outlook. In the resources space, iron ore-exposed miners such as Rio Tinto Limited (ASX: RIO) and BHP Group Limited (ASX: BHP) slipped due to weaker demand from China, while gold miners gained with Evolution Mining Limited (ASX: EVN) and Newmont Corporation (ASX: NEM) both rising over 4 per cent as gold prices surged past $US3800 an ounce. Other notable movers included Brisbane Broncos Limited (ASX: BBL) and Novonix Limited (ASX: NVX), both up over 15 per cent, and Synlait Milk Limited (ASX: SM1), which jumped 10 per cent on asset sale news.

Global markets stabilise after tariff concerns

Global equity markets posted modest gains as investors regained confidence following recent selloffs. In the US, the S&P 500 Index (NYSEARCA: SPY) rose 0.3 per cent, the Nasdaq 100 Index (NASDAQ: NDX) gained 0.4 per cent, and the Dow Jones Industrial Average (INDEXDJX: DJI) advanced 69 points. Tech and AI-linked stocks such as NVIDIA Corporation (NASDAQ: NVDA), Advanced Micro Devices, Inc. (NASDAQ: AMD), and Micron Technology, Inc. (NASDAQ: MU) led the recovery. Electronic Arts Inc. (NASDAQ: EA) jumped 4.5 per cent after confirming a $55 billion take-private deal. Despite looming risks from a potential US government shutdown that may delay key economic data, markets are heading for modest September gains, buoyed by strong tech sector performance and hopes for Federal Reserve easing.