Rise and Shine: Everything you need to know before the ASX opens

Good morning everyone and welcome to Rise and Shine on Thursday, June 19, 2025. Here’s what you should know before the ASX opens today…

The ASX is tipped to open in the red on Thursday, with futures down 0.1%.

Wall Street starts strong, ends flat

It was looking like a green day on Wall Street. At one point, all three major indexes were up around 0.6%.

But at the close,  the S&P 500 ended down 0.03%, the Dow shaved off 0.1%, and the Nasdaq scraped in a 0.13% gain.

The Fed Reserve played statue on rates for the fourth straight time, keeping them steady at 4.25%–4.5%.

Meanwhile, oil prices fluttered as the Israel-Iran saga lingered. Brent held just above US$76 a barrel, while WTI stayed shy of US$75.

In US corporate news, Boeing got heat from US safety watchdogs over a new issue on the 737 Max, this time, a glitch that could fill the cockpit with smoke.

Elsewhere, Alphabet’s Waymo is asking to test its robotaxis in NYC, despite no clear rules yet.

Powell hits pause

Fed officials released their updated “dot plot”, essentially a mood board showing where they think rates might head.

The majority are still pencilling in two cuts this year. But it’s clear not everyone’s singing from the same hymn sheet.  A few reckon rates might just stay where they are.

Fed Chair Jerome Powell stepped up to the mic and did what he does best: say not much, and very carefully.

“What we are waiting for to reduce rates is to understand what will happen with the tariff inflation. There is a lot of uncertainty about that,” Powell said.

“Ultimately, the cost of the tariffs has to be paid.”

Translation: We’re watching. We’re waiting. And we’re not cutting until we’re sure inflation’s not about to boomerang.

Trump talks bombs and rates

Pressed on whether he’ll back Israel with airstrikes on Iran, Trump gave his classic hedge: “I may do it. I may not do it. I mean, nobody knows what I’m going to do.”

He also floated the idea of replacing Powell again, but this time with himself:

“Maybe I should go to the Fed.

“Am I allowed to appoint myself at the Fed? I’d do a much better job than these people.”

And finally …

Back on Aussie turf, we’ll get the nation’s unemployment data at 11:30am AEST.

Over in New Zealand, GDP lands at 8:45am. Both could set the tone for local trading.

Meanwhile, Wall Street will be taking the day off for Juneteenth. Stock and bond markets are shut and will reopen Friday morning US time.

Commodity/forex/crypto market prices

What got you talking

Also in the news…

Buying ETFs feels easy, until the tax man comes knocking. Check out which pitfalls you should be on the lookout for.

More and more miners and explorers are partnering with universities to find innovative solutions and new ways of extracting and processing valuable minerals.

Health Check: Mayne Pharma shareholders back $600m ‘phantom’ takeover offer.

TRADING HALTS

Adveritas (ASX:AV1) – cap raise
Cygnus Metals (ASX:CY5) – cap raise
Lode Resources (ASX:LDR) – correction of Webbs Consol announcement
Odyssey Gold (ASX:ODY) – cap raise
Riedel Resources (ASX:RIE) – cap raise

This article does not constitute financial product advice. You should consider obtaining independent advice before making any financial decisions.