The Aussie market is poised to open higher after strong gains on Wall Street overnight following a surge in oil and other commodity prices.

The SPI is up 33 points at 4,994.

In local economic news today, the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission chairman Rod Sims is slated to deliver an enforcement and compliance policy update at Committee for Economic Development of Australian lunch in Sydney, while Reserve Bank of Australia Payment Policy Department head Tony Richards is scheduled to speak at the Payments Innovation 2016 Conference, also in Sydney.

Meanwhile, the ANZ-Roy Morgan weekly consumer confidence survey is due out.

In equities news, BHP Billiton, Qantas, Seven Group, Specialty Fashion, Healthscope, Virtus Health, Ainsworth Game Technology, McMillan Shakespeare, Hills, Senex and Cedar Woods are expected to post half year results.

Meanwhile QBE, Caltex Australia, Scentre Group, Oil Search and Petsec Energy are slated to release full year results.

Key Numbers:

• SPI futures +33 points or -0.7% to 4994
• AUD +1.2% to 72.35 US cents, ¥81.59, €65.54 and £51.09
• On Wall Street late, Dow +1.3%, S&P +1.2%, Nasdaq +1.4%
• In Europe, Stoxx 50 +2.2%, FTSE +1.5%, CAC 1.8%, DAX 2%
• In London, BHP +8.55%, Rio +8.43%
• Spot gold -1.5% to $US1208.28 at 1.550m New York time
• Brent crude +5.2% to $US34.73 at 1.30pm New York time
• US oil +6.9% to $US31.68 at 1.28pm New York time
• Iron ore +6.2% to $US51.52

What’s on today

Local earnings: BHP Billiton, Caltex, Cardno, Qantas, QBE, Oil Search.

Overseas earnings: Macy’s, Home Depot, Swiss Re, Standard Chartered, Danone.

Economy: US previously owned homes January, US consumer confidence February, US S&P/Case-Shiller home price index December, Richmond Fed manufacturing February, German 4th-Qtr GDP, German Feb Ifo business confidence.

BoE governor Mark Carney testifies to UK lawmakers on economy and monetary policy. Swiss National Bank president Thomas Jordan speaks in Frankfurt. The Global Women’s Forum takes place in Dubai. Saudi Arabia’s oil minister speaks at a Houston energy conference. JPMorgan hosts annual investor day.

Stocks in focus

BHP Billiton. Investors await the miner’s latest results and a decision on its dividend policy

The post Morning market update 23 February, 2016 appeared first on Market Pulse.