Wall St closed higher overnight as investors get ready for the rollout of President, Donald Trump’s reciprocal tariff plans. The Dow Jones gained over half a percent, the S&P500 rose by 0.67% and the tech-heavy Nasdaq jumped 0.87%.

Over in Europe, markets closed lower as traders digest news of Trump’s tariff plans. The STOXX600 fell half a percent with most sectors closing Wednesday’s trading session in the red. Germany’s DAX lost 0.66%, the French CAC dropped 0.22% and over in the UK, the FTSE100 ended the day 0.3% down.

Locally yesterday, the ASX200 rose by 0.12% with half of the major sectors closing in the green. Gains were led by the real estate and communication services sectors which rose by 1.63% and 0.8% respectively. This was offset by the materials sector which fell by 1.61% by the closing bell.

What to watch today:

• The Australian share market is set to open higher, with the SPI futures suggesting a rise of 0.53% at market open this morning.
• On the commodities front this morning,
  • Oil is trading 0.66% down to 70 US dollars and 65 cents a barrel as Trump’s tariff announcement increases uncertainty on oil demand.
  • Gold is trading up 0.47% at 3129 US dollars an ounce and iron ore is trading 0.29% lower at 102 US dollars and 21 cents a tonne.

Trading Ideas:

• Bell Potter maintains a buy rating on HUB24 (ASX:HUB), despite reducing its 12-month price target to $78. With a current share price of $68.11, this indicates a share price growth of 14.5% over the next 12-months, hence the buy rating is maintained.
• And Bell Potter maintains a hold rating on Netwealth Group (ASX:NWL) and has a 12-month price target of $25.80. Bell Potter maintains a hold rating as they see emerging upside risk to flows with longer-term growth already captured and implied in discounted cashflows through their valuation approach. Other providers have delivered impactful new technology enhancements during the last 12-months, limiting the balance of growth and margins, hence the hold rating is maintained.