Morning Report 18 Feb 25: ASX to edge higher ahead of expected RBA rate cut

The Presidents’ Day public holiday has Wall Street offline yet it ended higher in afternoon trade. In Europe, stocks hit record highs, with defense stocks surging amid ongoing geopolitical tensions. In commodities, oil prices lifted on speculation that OPEC may delay planned output hikes, while gold gained on a softer U.S. dollar. Meanwhile, iron ore slid as supply fears eased following cyclone concerns, putting iron miners on track for their weakest results since 2019. Closer to home, BHP is set to report its half-year results, with investors watching closely for insights into the mining giant’s performance. Looking ahead, Aussie shares are expected to open higher on Tuesday ahead of the RBA’s interest rate decision, while the Aussie dollar has climbed to a two-month high against the greenback. The content in this podcast is prepared, approved and distributed in Australia by Commonwealth Securities Limited ABN 60 067 254 399 AFSL 238814. The information does not take into account your objectives, financial situation or needs. Consider the appropriateness of the information before acting and if necessary, seek appropriate professional advice.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.