Monday 5th January 2026
Daily Market Update: 6 January 2026
Australian market steadies amid geopolitical tensions
The Australian sharemarket closed flat on Monday, with the S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) inching up by less than one point to 8728.6, reflecting subdued investor sentiment ahead of key inflation data. The All Ordinaries Index (ASX: XAO) also showed minimal movement, with trading volumes dampened by the holiday lull. Despite heightened global geopolitical tensions, local investors remained cautious, particularly in light of possible interest rate hikes. Only two of the market’s eleven sectors ended in positive territory, a muted start following the index’s 6.8 per cent gain in 2025.
Miners lift ASX while tech and energy stocks retreat
Resource stocks led gains as commodity prices rallied on safe-haven demand. Paladin Energy Limited (ASX: PDN) surged 7.1 per cent, with strong performances also from IperionX Limited (ASX: IPX), Silex Systems Limited (ASX: SLX), and NexGen Energy Limited (ASX: NXG). Gold miners Northern Star Resources Limited (ASX: NST) and Newmont Corporation (ASX: NEM) benefited from rising gold prices, while majors BHP Group Limited (ASX: BHP) and Rio Tinto Limited (ASX: RIO) also advanced. In contrast, weaker oil prices weighed on energy stocks, with Santos Limited (ASX: STO), Woodside Energy Group Ltd (ASX: WDS), and Beach Energy Limited (ASX: BPT) all declining. Technology names like Zip Co Limited (ASX: ZIP) and WiseTech Global Limited (ASX: WTC) dragged the index lower, while Coronado Global Resources Inc. (ASX: CRN) fell sharply after a fatal incident halted operations. Investor attention now turns to November’s inflation data, with rising expectations of a February rate hike by the Reserve Bank of Australia.
Wall Street gains on oil optimism and rate outlook
US markets rallied on Monday, driven by optimism that the capture of Venezuela’s leader could pave the way for future investment in the country’s oil sector. The Dow Jones Industrial Average (INDEXDJX: DJI) rose 1.4 per cent to a record high, while the S&P 500 Index (INDEXSP: INX) gained 0.8 per cent and the Nasdaq Composite Index (INDEXNASDAQ: IXIC) added 0.9 per cent. Energy giant Chevron Corporation (NYSE: CVX) soared 5.3 per cent on hopes of renewed access to Venezuelan crude. Financials also outperformed, with JPMorgan Chase & Co. (NYSE: JPM), Citigroup Inc. (NYSE: C), and Bank of New York Mellon Corporation (NYSE: BK) posting solid gains. Investors continue to price in potential Federal Reserve rate cuts this year, with the December jobs report due Friday likely to influence the outlook.
| Australian Indices | Daily % | Weekly % | 1 Month % | 3 Month % | 1 Year % |
| ASX 200 | 0.0 | 0.2 | 1.3 | -2.3 | 9.2 |
| Financials | -0.1 | -1.2 | 1.8 | -4.7 | 8.7 |
| Resources | 1.1 | -1.3 | 1.0 | 8.4 | 32.3 |
| Information Technology | -2.3 | -2.0 | -5.8 | -23.0 | -13.2 |
| Global Indices | Daily % | Weekly % | 1 Month % | 3 Month % | 1 Year % |
| US 500 | 0.8 | -0.6 | -1.1 | 0.8 | 8.0 |
| Europe | 1.3 | 1.2 | 2.0 | 2.2 | 24.3 |
| Japan | 1.5 | -0.8 | -4.1 | -2.7 | 12.4 |
| China top 50 | 0.8 | 3.2 | -1.3 | -5.9 | 24.7 |
| India top 50 | 0.9 | 1.3 | -0.5 | 2.2 | -2.0 |
| Fixed Interest | Daily % | Weekly % | 1 Month % | 3 Month % | 1 Year % |
| Australian Treasury Bond | 0.1 | 0.0 | -0.1 | -1.4 | 2.7 |
| Australian Corporate Bond | 0.1 | 0.0 | 0.0 | -1.2 | 3.5 |
| US Treasury | -0.1 | -0.2 | -0.1 | 0.3 | 5.7 |
| Cash | 0.0 | 0.1 | 0.3 | 1.0 | 4.0 |
| Commodities & Crypto | Daily % | Weekly % | 1 Month % | 3 Month % | 1 Year % |
| Gold | 1.2 | 0.5 | 1.8 | 10.5 | 53.8 |
| Silver | 3.0 | -0.5 | 26.8 | 53.7 | 127.9 |
| Crude Oil | -1.0 | -1.3 | -4.1 | -4.3 | -11.5 |
| Bitcoin | 4.7 | 7.0 | 2.8 | -23.7 | -14.8 |
