US Stocks Rise, ASX Futures Down Amid Apple's $154b Investment Pledge

The Australian share market is expected to fall, while Wall Street has gained as Apple pledged a $154b US investment. ASX futures are down 27 points or 0.3% to 8,779. The Australian dollar is flat at 65.02 US cents, Brent crude oil is down 1.2% to $US66.84 a barrel, and spot gold has dropped 0.4% to $US3368.80. Iron ore has shed 0.5% to $US101.95 a tonne.

The Australian share market is expected to fall today, with ASX futures down 27 points or 0.3% to 8,779, according to the latest market updates [1]. This decline comes despite the strong performance of the Australian market earlier this week, which saw the ASX 200 reach a new record high of 8,814 points [1].

In contrast, Wall Street has gained, with Apple pledging a $154 billion US investment in the United States [2]. This investment is expected to create thousands of new jobs and boost the economy, contributing to the overall positive sentiment on Wall Street.

The Australian dollar remains flat at 65.02 US cents, while Brent crude oil has dropped 1.2% to $US66.84 a barrel, and spot gold has fallen 0.4% to $US3368.80 [1]. Iron ore has also decreased by 0.5% to $US101.95 a tonne [1].

The Australian market's recent performance has been driven by strong earnings reports from companies such as REA Group and News Corp, which reported significant profit increases [1]. REA Group's net profit from core operations rose 23% to $564.4 million, while its revenue lifted 15% to $1.67 billion [1]. The company's real estate listings business, which is majority-owned by News Corp, is expected to continue its growth trajectory despite the current market conditions.

However, the Australian market faces challenges, including potential tariffs on pharmaceuticals and semiconductors announced by US President Donald Trump [2]. These tariffs could have a significant impact on the global economy and potentially affect Australian companies that rely on US imports.

The Australian market's performance will be closely watched in the coming days as investors assess the potential impact of these tariffs and other geopolitical risks. The market's resilience in the face of these challenges will be a key indicator of its overall health and stability.

References:
[1] https://www.abc.net.au/news/2025-08-06/asx-markets-business-live-news/105618066
[2] https://www.abc.net.au/news/2025-08-06/asx-markets-business-live-news/105618066