Full Breakdown
Australian Shares Poised for Modest Rise as U.S. Markets Hold Steady and Oil Prices Slip
By Drooid · · How we work
Market Outlook for September 23, 2026
Futures for the S&P/ASX 200 were up 18 points, or 0.2 per cent, to 8,822 at the start of trading on September 23, 2026, indicating a modest opening gain. The Australian dollar was quoted at US 0.7112. In New York, the Dow Jones Industrial Average fell 185 points (-0.4 per cent) while the Nasdaq Composite advanced 0.5 per cent; the S&P 500 closed flat, remaining 0.4 per cent below its recent all-time high.
Key Drivers: Oil Prices and Federal Reserve Policy
Brent crude briefly traded below US $98 a barrel amid speculation that the United States and Iran may negotiate an end to their conflict, before rebounding to US $99.66. The dip in crude prices helped temper energy-sector losses on both sides of the Pacific. At the same time, the Federal Reserve’s restart of its rate-hiking cycle last week was noted but not seen as a major influence on market positioning through year-end.
Official Commentary
He added that growth-oriented momentum stocks—semiconductors, hardware and memory—are expected to regain leadership heading into the final months of the year.
Data Snapshot
- ASX 200 futures: +0.2 % to 8,822 (source 1)
- ASX index: +0.3 % at open (source 2)
- Dow Jones: –0.4 % (-185 points) (source 2)
- Nasdaq Composite: +0.5 % (source 1 & 2)
- Brent crude: briefly < US $98, later US $99.66 (source 1 & 2)
- 10-year U.S. Treasury yield: 4.96 % (source 4)
Verbatim Quotes
- “While the Fed restarted its rate-hiking cycle last week, it doesn’t significantly impact our positioning recommendations through year-end as tech remains our favourite sector,” — Wolfe Research’s Chris Senyek (q1)