Company Interview / the open: ASX to fall, jobs data in focus

The local market looks set to open lower with ASX futures down 0.4%, following mixed results on Wall Street. 

Global equities edged higher overnight, whilst bond yields and the US dollar rose as markets continued to digest the easing of trade tensions between China and the United States. 

On Wall Street, the Nasdaq was the best performing index with the megacap growth stocks leading the way. Nvidia shares rose along with AMD and Qualcomm as they announced artificial intelligence deals in the Middle East as President Trump secured $600 billion in commitments from Saudi Arabia to US companies. 

Oil prices have eased, following data highlighting that US crude oil stockpiles rose unexpectedly last week, prompting concerns of excess supplies. Brent crude futures settled around 1% lower at $66 a barrel, alongside copper which also fell 1.8%, whilst iron ore rose 3.1% to $103 a ton. 

The US dollar has edged higher as investors await fresh signals that global trade battles will continue to ease. The Australian dollar is trading at US64.3c, and Bitcoin has eased to $103,000. 

Ahead locally today we get jobs data for April, while CBA (ASX: CBA) releases its household spending insights for the month. And on the corporate side, Xero (ASX: XRO) and Graincorp (ASX: GNC) will report results, whilst Ampol (ASX: ALD), oOh!media (ASX: OML) and Resolute Mining will host Annual General Meetings.