Aug 4, 2026 – 4.20amKey Posts12 mins ago — 4.20AMBefore the Bell: Magnificent seven surge to life27 mins ago — 4.05AMAstraZeneca investors question Bristol deal27 mins ago — 4.05AMGood morningGo to latestPinned post – 4.20AMBefore the Bell: Magnificent seven surge to lifeTimothy MooreAustralian share futures are pointing to a muted start to Tuesday’s trading session, though US equities pressed higher as oil fell and data showed US manufacturing expanded at its fastest pace in more than four years in July.ASX 200 futures were down 2 points to 8968 near 4am AEST. The S&P 500 was 1.5 per cent higher as communication services leapt more than 4 per cent, pacing the advance of seven of 11 industry sectors.Among the S&P 500’s biggest advancers were Oracle, Meta Platforms and Boeing.It was a stellar start to the week in New York for the magnificent seven megacap techs with six of the seven at least 3 per cent higher. Meta and Microsoft each were more than 5 per cent higher. Amazon and Google parent Alphabet each gained more than 4 per cent.The Roundhill Magnificent Seven ETF rallied 3.9 per cent, extending its five-day rise to more than 8 per cent.Market highlightsASX 200 futures are pointing down 2 points to 8968.All US prices near 2pm New York time.AUD -0.4% to US69.92¢Bitcoin +1% to $US63,857On Wall St: Dow +1.2% S&P +1.5% Nasdaq +2.3%VIX -0.20 to 15.79Gold -0.4% to $US4031.05 an ounceBrent oil -4.6% to $US83.89 a barrelIron ore -2.1% to $US93.90 a tonne10-year yield: US 4.68% Australia 4.93%Today’s agendaReporting results on Tuesday: Credit Corp, Charter Hall Social Infrastructure.June household spending and ANZ-Indeed July jobs ads are set for release at 11.30am AEST. Later, the US will release June trade balance data and job openings data.Top storiesChalmers urged to fix widow tax as ‘devastated’ casualty seeks help | The Albanese government faces demands to quickly abolish the tax amid reports of people being caught out, including a domestic violence victim.Chanticleer: This hasn’t happened in markets in 28 years. It could mark a new era | An extraordinary co-ordinated intervention in currency markets by the US and Japan could have huge ramifications for investors – including Australian super fund members.Jarden probes bankers’ relationship amid Barrenjoey defection stoush | The investment bank confirmed it had launched an investigation into Daniel Reynolds and Silvana Schenone following their decision to jump ship to a major rival.Kissing, touching, grabbing: Alan Jones’s day in court arrives | The criminal trial of the once almighty broadcaster heard allegations of non-consensual kissing and grabbing a man’s penis. It is just beginning.Canada’s TMX throws down the gauntlet to ASX on trading, tech | After buying Cboe Australia, TMX’s Luc Fortin has big plans for Australia and says the exchange could capture greater listings and more than a 30 per cent share.Fetching latest articles