S&P 500 — US Large Cap Index
FTSE 100 — UK Blue Chips
Euro Stoxx 50 — Eurozone Leaders
DAX 40 — German Equities
CAC 40 — French Market Index
Nikkei 225 — Japan Benchmark
Hang Seng — Hong Kong Index
Shanghai Composite — China Mainland
ASX 200 — Australian Market
TSX Composite — Canada Index
Nifty 50 — India Large Cap
STI Index — Singapore Market
KOSPI — South Korea Index
Bovespa — Brazil Equities
JSE Top 40 — South Africa Index
IPC Index — Mexico MarketThe Australian dollar held its recent losses below $0.70 on Friday, pulling back from three-year highs, as broad-based selling across global stocks and risk-sensitive assets weighed on the currency. The commodity-linked Aussie, often used as a liquid proxy for global risk appetite, came under pressure after a tech-led equity rout, fuelled by concerns over massive AI spending, unsettled investors. The retreat also unwound gains from earlier in the week, when the Reserve Bank of Australia lifted its cash rate by 25 basis points to 3.85% and signaled it could tighten further if inflation proves persistent. RBA Governor Michele Bullock reiterated that restrictive policy remains necessary to cool demand and ease price pressures. Markets are pricing about a 70% chance of a May hike to 4.10%, while assigning only a 50% probability of a further increase to 4.35% by year-end. Focus now turns to upcoming household spending figures next week for further cues on the policy outlook.
