Current Oceania Market Highlights

1. ASX Stark Valuation Raises Concerns
Despite the ASX 200 hitting a record high at 9054.5 before pulling back, analysts warn of elevated valuations—currently two standard deviations above average—with earnings forecasts for FY26 slashed from 7.5% to 3.4%. Small-caps led August gains, while large-cap industrials underperformed

2. ASX Slumps After Trump’s Inflation Comments
Following U.S. President Trump’s statement downplaying inflation, the ASX200 dropped ~0.5% (~45 points). Tech and banking stocks led losses; meanwhile, gold and silver miners surged—gold hit $3,477/oz, silver jumped to a 15-year high of $40.54.3. Surge in Rural Exports Helps Economic Resilience

3. Surge in Rural Exports Helps Economic Resilience

Australia’s rural goods exports reached a record $19.2 billion, buoyed by cereal, grain (+22.6%), and meat (+7%) exports. Tourism helped too, narrowing the current account deficit. U.S. tariff threats loom, but biosecurity relaxations on American beef lifted trade.

4. Harvey Norman Reports Record-Breaking Profit

Harvey Norman posted a net profit of $518 million, up 47% year-on-year, driven by strong domestic sales, global expansion, and a $154M property revaluation. Shares jumped 11.5% to a record high; a boosted dividend of 14.5 cents per share signals confidence.

5. NZ House Prices Slide Sharply

New Zealand's housing market is cooling rapidly: average prices are down 13% since 2021, with even deeper declines in Auckland (–20%) and Wellington (–30%). Rising interest rates (now 7–8%), emigration, and policy shifts drive affordability concerns.

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