In New York overnight, equities were higher after the large banks gained, following the Federal Reserve’s annual stress test. This is a test that ensures the large banks are capitalised and can lend to businesses and households even in a severe recession. All 23 of the US banks that were included in the Fed’s annual stress test weathered a severe recession scenario while continuing to lend to consumers and corporations. 

The banks lifted the Dow Jones to close 0.8% higher, while the S&P500 gained 0.45% and the Nasdaq closed flat. 

European equity markets were mixed as investors assessed commentary from major central bankers on the need to continue to fight inflation. The STOXX600 ended slightly higher, with retail stocks advancing the most on the back of robust earnings from H&M, while travel and leisure stocks declined. 

What to watch today:

• The SPI futures are suggesting the Australian share market will rise 0.17% at the open this morning. 
• Looking at commodities, 
  • Crude oil has rebounded above US$70 a barrel, as investors assessed a larger-than-expected decrease in US inventories and weighed the impact of rising interest rates on global growth and fuel demand. The latest Energy Information Administration report saw a significant drop of 9.6 million barrels in crude inventories last week, when the market expected a 1.8 million barrel draw. So, keep watch of energy producers today. 
  • Gold stocks will also be on watch after the gold price fell overnight. So watch gold miners such as St Barbara (ASX:SBM) and Newcrest Mining (ASX:NCM). 
  • And iron ore has advanced, trading at US$116.50 per tonne, very close the two-month high of US$117 touched mid-June. Markets are assessing concerns of lower demand against the possibility that the Chinese government will provide stimulus measures for its construction sector. 

Trading Ideas:

• Bell Potter maintains a Buy rating on Telix Pharmaceuticals (ASX:TLX) after recently completing a site tour of the company’s US Head Office and attended an investor day targeted at US investors and the annual SNMMI conference. Their price target remains unchanged at $14, and at TLX’s current share price of $11.44, this implies 22.4% share price growth in a year. 
• And Trading Central have identified a bullish signal in Viva Energy (ASX:VEA) indicating that the stock price may rise from the close of $2.98 to the range of $3.29 to $3.37 over 18 days, according to the standard principles of technical analysis.