Aussie Markets Set to Rise, RBA Meets

0:00This is Sydney News today, every story, every city, every day. Australian stocks are set to open higher today, riding the way from a strong Wall Street rally overnight. The Reserve Bank of Australia wraps up its meeting this afternoon with a decision at 2.30 pm, Australian Eastern Daylight Time, and nearly. Everyone expects another interest rate hike, the second one in just two months. Wall Street saw solid gains, with the Dow Jones of 0.8%, the S&P 500 rising 1% and the NASDAQ composite, climbing 1.2%. That momentum pushed ASX futures of 66 points or 0.8% to 8,646 by 7 am. The Australian dollar strengthened too, gaining 1.3% to 70.68 US cents. Meanwhile, Brent Crude Oil fell 3% to 100 US dollars a barrel. Spot gold dipped 0.1% to 5,015 US dollars, an iron ore held steady at $107.70 a ton.

1:04Since the bank's last meeting in February, global tensions have ramped up, including strikes by the US and Israel on Iran, adding to economic pressures. Governor Michelle Bullock follows the decision with the speech at 3.30 pm, where she'll likely face questions on whether inflation will ease or stick around. We'll keep tracking market moves all day, so stay tuned for the latest as things unfold after the announcement. This episode is supported by our sponsor. Some people meditate. I just lay down and press play. S-O-L-L-I, solelypillow.com