Asian Currencies Edge Higher as Dollar Retreats Ahead of Key U.S. Data 
Australian Central Bank Signals Tough Stance as Inflation Pressures Persist 
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Oil Prices Edge Higher as US-Iran Tensions and Strong Payroll Data Shape Market Sentiment 
Oil Prices Dip as Hormuz Tensions, Iran Talks, and Russia Sanctions Shape Market Outlook 
Yen Strengthens as Japan Election Boosts Confidence, Dollar Wavers Ahead of U.S. Jobs Data 
U.S. Stock Futures Steady as Strong Jobs Data Clouds Fed Rate Cut Outlook 
India–US Trade Deal: Digital Tax Removal and $500 Billion Purchase Commitment Signal Major Policy Shift 
Asian Stock Markets Rise as Australian Shares Rally; Investors Eye U.S. Jobs Data and China Inflation 
British Retail Sales See Strong Start to 2026 as Food and In-Store Spending Rise 
RBA Signals Further Interest Rate Hikes if Inflation Persists, Says Governor Michele Bullock 
Russia Condemns U.S. Sanctions as Cuba Faces Critical Fuel Crisis 
Singapore GDP Surges in Q4 2025 as Government Raises 2026 Growth Outlook 
Dollar Slips Ahead of Key U.S. Data as Yen Holds Post-Election Gains 
Australian Business Conditions Ease Slightly in January as Cost Pressures Hit Post-Pandemic Lows 
ASX Ltd shares fell sharply after the Australian Securities Exchange warned that fiscal 2026 costs will rise far more than previously expected, overshadowing a modest increase in first-half profit. The exchange operator now forecasts total expenses to climb between 20% and 23% this financial year, up from earlier guidance of 14% to 19%, as it absorbs mounting costs linked to system outages, regulatory scrutiny, and an ongoing ASIC investigation.
The update triggered a sell-off, with ASX shares dropping as much as 2.6% to A$53.92, extending the prior session’s 6.2% decline. The stock underperformed the broader benchmark index, which gained 0.5%, reflecting investor concerns over rising operational risk and governance challenges.
For the six months ended December 31, ASX reported underlying net profit after tax of A$263.6 million, up from A$253.7 million a year earlier. Stronger trading volumes supported earnings growth, but escalating expenses weighed heavily on overall performance. Total costs surged 20% to A$264.3 million, driven by regulatory probe expenses, business transformation initiatives, ageing technology infrastructure, and intangible asset write-offs.
Leadership uncertainty has added to pressure on the exchange, with CEO Helen Lofthouse planning her departure. The transition comes as ASX faces intensified regulatory attention following a CHESS batch settlement failure in late 2024. The company has since released an incident review and pledged a A$1 million credit disbursement to affected settlement participants through fee rebates.
Further operational setbacks, including an August 2025 name mix-up and a December outage on its announcements platform, have drawn additional scrutiny. Meanwhile, the Australian Securities and Investments Commission is conducting a sweeping review of ASX’s governance and operational risk management framework, with a final report expected by March 31, 2026. ASIC inquiry costs are projected to reach the top end of the A$25 million to A$35 million range.
Despite cost pressures, ASX declared a fully franked interim dividend of 101.8 Australian cents per share, down 8.5% year-on-year, reflecting a 75% payout ratio at the lower end of its revised guidance.
