Australian shares are poised for a mixed performance on Friday as US oil prices rose amid growing tensions between the US and Iran, raising fears of possible supply disruptions and increasing market uncertainty ahead of important nuclear negotiations.
Recurring US unemployment claims hit their highest since late 2021, highlighting slower hiring and tougher job prospects for the unemployed.
Overnight, the Nasdaq Composite and the Dow Jones Industrial Average both rose 0.2%, while the S&P 500 increased 0.4%.
In macroeconomy, Australia's expected inflation rate rose by 0.9 percentage points to 5% in June, according to a Thursday report from the Melbourne Institute.
In corporate news, Challenger (ASX:CGF) welcomed a proposal by the Australian Prudential Regulation Authority (APRA) to ease capital requirements for life insurers, saying it would reduce pressure during market downturns and support annuity market growth.
PointsBet Holdings (ASX:PBH) confirmed that Mixi Australia received formal clearance from the Australian Commonwealth Government under the Foreign Acquisitions and Takeovers Act 1975, satisfying the Foreign Investment Review Board (FIRB) approval condition of the scheme implementation deed, according to a Thursday filing with the Australian bourse.
Australia's benchmark index fell 0.3% or 27 points, to close at 8,565.10 on Thursday.
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