Market Reports

• Australian Market Report: The S&P/ASX 200 ended down 38.5 points, or 0.5 per cent, at 8585.90. The local bourse edged down 0.1 per cent on Monday. The Australian dollar strengthened 0.3 per cent to US66.46¢ as of 4.30pm AEDT..... [more]

• U.S. Market Report: Wall Street's main stock indexes were mixed on Tuesday as investors awaited the Federal Reserve's policy decision and assessed conflicting signals over the future of U.S. AI chip exports to China..... [more]

• European Market Report: European stocks struggled for direction on Tuesday as caution prevailed ahead of the Federal Reserve's interest-rate decision, due on Wednesday..... [more]

• Asian Market Report: Asian stocks declined on Tuesday ahead of the Federal Reserve's interest rate decision on Wednesday, when the U.S. central bank is broadly expected to deliver a 25 basis point rate cut despite existing divisions with the committee..... [more]

Australian Business News

• The RBA holds rates and warns of rate hikes if needed. The question now is where interest rates will head next year as the economy recovers but consumer spending remains fragile..... [more]

• Hopes for rate cuts dashed as eight banks move to lift loans.... [more]

• The corporate regulator is suing superannuation trustee Diversa over the collapse of First Guardian Master Fund, alleging it failed investors who invested $300 million through its super platforms..... [more]

• The Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC) has reinforced the legislative reforms it wants the Government to deliver out of the collapse of the Shield and First Guardian funds..... [more]

• After smashing 50 record highs in 2025, what's ahead for the gold price and ASX gold shares like Northern Star in 2026?.... [more]

• Rio2 transforms into dual producer with Peru copper mine deal.... [more]

• Pilot Energy is in the final stages of a farm-out process for its wholly-owned WA-481-P gas exploration permit, with offers from short-listed parties due to close before the end of the month..... [more]

• TMK Energy tracks record gas flow rates in Mongolia.... [more]

• Ariana Resources PLC's (AIM:AAU, ASX:AA2) shares rose 5% at 1.61p after the company struck a funding term sheet that brings a major Chinese partner into its Dokwe gold project in Zimbabwe and injects A$8 million of fresh capital..... [more]

• The Northern Territory government is hailing a new agreement which will see fracked gas flow into the NT energy market as a deal that will "save the territory"..... [more]

• Elevra Lithium Shares (ASX:ELV) Hit High, In 2025 of Two Halves.... [more]

• Farmers and innovators say there is potential in Australia's untapped biofuel sector.... [more]

• Race Oncology (ASX:RAC) has issued news of the completion of its recent A$3.2M placement – something that shareholders on the HotCopper forums typically don’t like, but.... [more]

• Immutep shares fizz on $530m cancer drug partnering deal.... [more]

• Shares in Autobarn owner Bapcor take a hammering on gloomy profit outlook.... [more]

• Second death linked to triple-zero connection failure revealed as explosive inquiry hears minister was not informed. TPG chief executive says he has ‘no idea’ why his telco only learned of its customer’s death on Monday.... [more]

• Senators accuse telcos of Triple Zero ‘cover-up’ over system failures.... [more]

• Opinion - Stella Huangfu: The RBA is stuck in a tug-of-war, as it holds rates steady.... [more]

• Comment - Clancy Yeates and Millie Muroi: The winners and losers of an RBA rate hike.... [more]

• Opinion -Shani Jayamanne: The best Christmas gift for an investor. Give yourself the best gift - use the time to get 2026 off on the right foot..... [more]

World Business News

• The Federal Reserve faces an unusually contentious meeting this week that will test Chair Jerome Powell’s ability to corral the necessary support from fellow policymakers for a third straight interest rate cut..... [more]

• There's a 'super glut' of oil coming in 2026 on weak demand and booming supply, top commodities firm says.... [more]

• Trump threatens Mexico with even higher tariffs.... [more]

• Wall Street Is Shaking Off Fears of an A.I. Bubble. For Now. The valuations of some artificial intelligence companies are approaching those of the dot-com boom. But investors worry that pulling money from today’s market risks future gains..... [more]

• The United States will allow Nvidia's H200 processors, its second-best artificial intelligence chips, to be exported to China and collect a 25% fee on such sales, President Donald Trump said..... [more]

• Why Nvidia’s stock is now shrugging off Trump’s approval of chip sales to China. Some analysts see ample opportunity now that the U.S. plans to allow chip sales to China again, but others worry.... [more]

• What the market is saying about the red-hot bidding war over Warner Bros. Discovery.... [more]

• Berkshire has problems brewing after Buffett leaves, but losing stock picker Todd Combs isn’t one of them. Leadership turnover and losing the Buffett premium could weigh on the stock,.... [more]

• Microsoft unveils $23 billion in new AI investments with big focus on India.... [more]

• Renault and Ford will jointly develop small, cheaper Ford-branded electric vehicles for the European market to fend off rising competition from Chinese rivals, the companies said Tuesday..... [more]

• PepsiCo outlines new plan, but analysts want clearer proof of a turnaround.... [more]

• South Carolina’s stalled nuclear power project could finally finish construction as a private company has offered to pay $2.7 billion to the state-owned utility and a small share of the power if they can reach an agreement.... [more]

• Mexico's inflation accelerates more than expected, central bank notes further risks.... [more]

• Bank of England sees budget cutting inflation by around 0.4-0.5 percentage points.... [more]

• Google faces EU antitrust investigation over AI Overviews, YouTube.... [more]

• Billionaire Porsche Clan’s Thirst for Cash Collides With VW’s Woes. The family that controls Volkswagen risks delaying the carmaker's recovery by pushing for dividends during an overhaul..... [more]

• Starbucks workers and union members in England, Scotland and eight other countries are protesting on Wednesday in support of striking US employees, the company's US union told the BBC..... [more]

• China Reveals Unease Over Trade in Next Year’s Economic Roadmap.... [more]

• International and Chinese consumer brands will be forced to maintain a low-price strategy in mainland China amid persistent deflationary pressures, while looking to lower-tier cities and emerging sales channels for growth,.... [more]

• Hong Kong eyes international info sharing on crypto assets to combat tax fraud, evasion.... [more]

• Nepal charges 55 people and a Chinese company with alleged inflation of airport costs by $74M.... [more]

• Opinion - Andy Mukherjee: India’s Aviation Crisis Is All About Too Big to Tame.... [more]