14:30 Thu 08 Jul 2021
S&P/ASX 200 trades near flatline as NSW reports highest number of new COVID-19 cases in 14 months
Brent crude oil futures fell for a third straight day on Thursday to US$73 a barrel amid anxiety that supply may rise after the collapse of this week’s talks among OPEC+. Top gainers
S&P/ASX 200 (INDEXASX:XJO) gained 0.08% to 7,334.6 points by about 2.30 pm as NSW reported 38 new COVID-19 cases on Thursday, the highest number of daily cases recorded in more than 14 months.
NSW Premier said the latest case numbers are too high and pleaded with people to stop visiting extended family, and to limit compassionate care visits to a single person.
Brent crude oil prices jumped 3.2% to US$64.95 a barrel, driven by the expected slow return of U.S. crude output after last week’s deep freeze in Texas.
S&P/ASX 200 breaks above 6,800 for the first time since late February 2020
Brent crude oil price gained 40 cents to US$56.30 a barrel on expectations that U.S. President Joe Biden’s administration will deliver a massive stimulus spending that will lift fuel demand. Australia’s unemployment rate came in at 6.6% in December.
S&P/ASX 200 (INDEXASX:XJO) is rising for a third consecutive day with the index 0.68% higher at 6,816 points by 1.51 pm and breaking above the 6,800 point mark for the first time since late February 2020.
This followed a positive lead from Wall Street where the S&P 500 and the Nasdaq hit all-time highs on Wednesday after the inauguration of Joe Biden as 46th President of the United States.