Ether Holds Near $1,950 Amid NFT Utility Shift and Prediction Market Scrutiny
Crypto Sarah Chen

Ether Holds Near $1,950 Amid NFT Utility Shift and Prediction Market Scrutiny

Ether traded around $1,955 on Friday, down 0.73%, with $18 billion in volume. The focus shifts to utility NFTs as prediction markets face criticism from Ethereum co-founder Vitalik Buterin.

IBIT
Fortescue Shares Dip Ahead of Key Earnings and Mine Decision
Earnings James Calloway

Fortescue Shares Dip Ahead of Key Earnings and Mine Decision

Fortescue Metals shares declined 1.3% to close at A$20.04, with trading volume reaching 6.4 million shares. The market now focuses on the company's upcoming earnings report and the environmental review for its proposed Wyloo North iron ore mine.

BHP RIO GLD XLE
WiseTech Global Shares Drop Ahead of Key Earnings Report
Earnings James Calloway

WiseTech Global Shares Drop Ahead of Key Earnings Report

WiseTech Global shares declined 3.8% to A$47.10 in Sydney trading as markets positioned for the company's upcoming half-year earnings report on February 25.

EWA
ANZ Leads Banking Rally Ahead of Key Inflation Data
Markets Daniel Marsh

ANZ Leads Banking Rally Ahead of Key Inflation Data

ANZ Group Holdings Ltd closed at A$40.70, gaining 1.6% and outperforming a flat broader market. Investor focus now shifts to upcoming inflation data for clues on the interest rate trajectory.

ANZBY BHP CBAUF XLF
Wesfarmers Shares Slip Despite Profit Beat as Investors Eye Consumer Outlook
Earnings James Calloway

Wesfarmers Shares Slip Despite Profit Beat as Investors Eye Consumer Outlook

Wesfarmers reported higher first-half earnings and raised its dividend, but shares declined as management warned of patchy consumer demand and outlined price investment plans funded by productivity gains.

Zip Co Launches $50M Buyback Amid Investor Jitters Over Flat Outlook
Earnings James Calloway

Zip Co Launches $50M Buyback Amid Investor Jitters Over Flat Outlook

Zip Co plans a $50 million share buyback after its stock plunged 37% in two days. The move comes despite management forecasting flat second-half earnings and increased credit losses.

ZIP AFRM SQ
Woodside Energy Gains on Oil Price Strength, Eyes Annual Report
Markets Daniel Marsh

Woodside Energy Gains on Oil Price Strength, Eyes Annual Report

Woodside Energy Group's stock advanced alongside rising crude prices, driven by geopolitical tensions. The market's focus now shifts to the company's upcoming annual report and production outlook.

USO XLE
Northern Star Dips as Gold Awaits U.S. Inflation Data
Commodities Rebecca Torres

Northern Star Dips as Gold Awaits U.S. Inflation Data

Northern Star Resources shares declined slightly as gold markets held steady but faced weekly losses. Investors focused on upcoming U.S. inflation figures and currency movements affecting miner margins.

GLD
Telstra Retreats After Earnings Surge, Boosts Buyback to A$1.25B
Earnings James Calloway

Telstra Retreats After Earnings Surge, Boosts Buyback to A$1.25B

Telstra Group shares declined 0.6% to A$5.11 Friday, giving back some of Thursday's post-earnings surge. The company expanded its share repurchase program to A$1.25 billion and tightened its full-year earnings forecast.

TLS
CSL Shares Dip Amid Buyback Activity; Eli Lilly Partnership in Focus
Markets Daniel Marsh

CSL Shares Dip Amid Buyback Activity; Eli Lilly Partnership in Focus

CSL shares retreated 0.6% on Friday, ending a two-day advance. The company reported additional buyback activity and confirmed a new licensing agreement with Eli Lilly.

CSL LLY
Macquarie Shares Dip Following $1.25 Billion Capital Raise Amid Market Caution
Markets Daniel Marsh

Macquarie Shares Dip Following $1.25 Billion Capital Raise Amid Market Caution

Macquarie Group shares declined 1.6% to A$219.39 on Friday following a A$1.25 billion subordinated notes issuance. The broader S&P/ASX 200 edged lower by 0.05% as financials weakened amid geopolitical and liquidity worries.

EWA
BHP Shares Edge Higher on Strong Earnings, Dividend in Focus
Earnings James Calloway

BHP Shares Edge Higher on Strong Earnings, Dividend in Focus

BHP shares closed slightly higher following better-than-expected half-year earnings and a dividend declaration. Analysts are divided on the outlook amid concerns over capital expenditure and iron ore prices.

BHP