Index Update: The S&P/ASX 200 closed 0.75% higher on Monday, adding 66.20 points to finish at 8,835.90, as local shares tracked U.S. futures higher amid optimism over a potential resolution to the U.S. government shutdown. Nine of eleven sectors advanced, led by Information Technology, which gained 2.36% after recent losses. Despite Monday’s rebound, the tech sector remains down 3.44% over the past five days. The benchmark index is still 0.66% lower for the week and sits 3.06% below its 52-week high.

Macro Update: Australia’s monthly business turnover rose 2.2% in September (seasonally adjusted), led by a record 7.0% surge in Manufacturing, data from the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) showed. Turnover was 6.9% higher than a year earlier, with 12 industries reporting annual increases. The biggest gains came from Manufacturing (+14.2%), Professional, scientific and technical services (+9.9%), and Information media and telecommunications (+8.0%). In trend terms, business turnover rose 0.5% in September, marking continued growth across most industries.

Top Market Movers: Liontown Resources Ltd (ASX:LTR) led the gains on Monday, rising 12.75% to close at AUD 1.15. Monadelphous Group Ltd (ASX:MND) climbed 11.01% to AUD 25.00, while Deep Yellow Ltd (ASX:DYL) advanced 9.60% to AUD 1.66. On the downside, Pexa Group Ltd (ASX:PXA) fell 4.27% to AUD 14.58, followed by Centuria Capital Group (ASX:CNI) down 2.18%, and Seek Ltd (ASX:SEK) slipping 2.15% to AUD 25.90.

Commodity Update: A mild pullback in the U.S. dollar and uncertainty over the prolonged U.S. government shutdown supported market sentiment on Friday. Gold rose 0.26% to USD 4,001.10 per ounce, while silver advanced 0.34% to USD 48.10. Copper added 0.37% to USD 10,715.00. Brent crude inched up 0.40% to USD 63.65 after three days of losses tied to oversupply and weakening U.S. demand, though it remained on track for a second weekly decline.

Our Stance: The ASX 200’s 0.75% rise reflects improved risk sentiment amid easing concerns over the U.S. shutdown, with tech stocks rebounding strongly. However, weakness in key sector still suggest lingering caution. Positive macro data, including record manufacturing turnover, underlines resilience in Australia’s industrial and services sectors. While commodity gains and stable turnover growth support near-term momentum, sustained performance will likely depend on U.S. policy clarity and ongoing strength in domestic manufacturing activity.

In its latest session, the S&P/ASX 200 Index gained 66.20 points to close at 8,835.90, forming a bullish candlestick pattern accompanied by strong trading volumes clear indicators of sustained investor confidence. On the daily chart, the index remains above its 50-period Simple Moving Average (SMA), which continues to act as dynamic support and reinforces the prevailing uptrend. A key support level is seen near 8,790, and maintaining this zone will be critical to preserving the current bullish structure. Holding above this level could allow the index to consolidate recent gains while sustaining positive sentiment in the broader upward trajectory. From a weekly perspective, the index also trades above its 21-period SMA, underscoring a constructive longer-term outlook and suggesting the potential for continued momentum as long as near-term support levels remain intact.