**Good Morning! Here’s What You Need to Know Before the ASX Opens – Monday, October 6, 2025**

Happy Monday! It’s October 6, and we’re kicking off the week with a positive vibe for the Aussie market. ASX futures were up 0.3% at 7am AEST, hinting at a decent start to the trading day.

**What Happened on Wall Street Last Friday**

Wall Street had a mixed finish to the week, but there’s still plenty of momentum—especially in sectors riding the AI wave.

– The **Dow Jones** shot past 47,000 for the first time ever, ending the day up 0.51% and setting yet another all-time high.
– The **S&P 500** barely moved but still managed to squeeze out a new record high.
– The **Nasdaq** dipped slightly by 0.28%, showing a bit of weakness in tech stocks.

One major hiccup? The US government shutdown has delayed the release of the critical jobs report (non-farm payrolls). With the Bureau of Labor Statistics out of action, the Federal Reserve is now making decisions without that key data. Still, investors didn’t seem too bothered. Hopes for interest rate cuts are keeping markets afloat, and traders are relying on private surveys instead.

**AI Hype Still Driving Markets**

Artificial intelligence continues to be the hottest theme on Wall Street. OpenAI is now officially the world’s most valuable startup, hitting a massive US$500 billion valuation.

Even traditionally boring sectors like **utilities** and **industrials** hit new highs. The **pharma sector** also had its best week in over 10 years.

At Italian Tech Week, Amazon’s Jeff Bezos added fuel to the AI fire, saying, “The AI bubble is real, but so is the technology.” Translation? Investors might be overly excited, but at least there’s real potential behind the hype.

**Musk vs Netflix**

Netflix had a rough week, falling 5%. Not because of its earnings, but because Elon Musk told his 190 million followers to cancel their subscriptions. He accused Netflix of pushing “woke” content and called for a boycott.

**Bitcoin Acting Like a Safe Haven?**

Bitcoin surged past US$123,000 before settling just below that level. Ether also spiked above US$4,500 briefly.

With the U.S. government shutdown and no jobs data in sight, crypto suddenly looks like a safe place for money. It’s a bit ironic—Wall Street says it’s “flying blind,” yet many are turning to digital assets that don’t even have financial statements. Still, momentum keeps building.

**Looking Ahead This Week**

Here’s what’s coming up:

– **Tuesday:** Westpac Consumer Confidence data
– **Wednesday:** NAB Business Confidence figures
– **Mid-week:** RBNZ interest rate decision – big one for New Zealand markets
– **Monday:** China trade data drops
– **Thursday night:** Fed Chair Jerome Powell speaks about U.S. policy—without jobs data to guide him

**Market Snapshot: Commodities / Forex / Crypto**

Keep an eye on prices across commodities, currency exchange rates, and crypto markets—they’re shifting quickly as uncertainty lingers globally.

**Top Stories Around the ASX**

– **ASX September Recap:** The ASX ended its five-month winning streak, though small cap stocks held their ground.
– **Critical Minerals in Focus:** Australia may sell part of its strategic minerals reserve to allies—watch this space.
– **Tech Sector Update:** The ASX tech sector took a hit last month, but iSynergy stood out as it pushes into Web3.
– **Mineral Sands:** Companies making progress in development are seeing more value unlocked in this space.

**Trading Halts to Note**

Several companies are on trading halt today due to key developments:

– **Falcon Metals (ASX:FAL):** Awaiting exploration results from Blue Moon project
– **Koba Resources (ASX:KOB):** Asset acquisition and capital raise underway
– **St Barbara (ASX:SBM), Stakk (ASX:SKK), Western Gold Resources (ASX:WGR):** All halted due to capital raising activities

Stay informed and be cautious—especially in volatile markets. Always consider seeking professional advice before making financial decisions.