Markets Today (12 December 2025) at Open: Key Trends from Wall Street to ASX

Source: Kapitales Research

1. ASX 200 Snapshot – A Positive Start

The ASX 200 index is currently at 8,677 points, up +85.7 points or +1.0%. The market is open and trading strongly, supported by a very positive lead from the US overnight.

2. Global Markets –

Overall supportive global lead, with small caps strongest.

1. S&P 500: +0.21% (hit a fresh high)
2. Dow Jones: +1.34% (strong gain, also a fresh high)
3. Russell 2000: +1.23% (small companies performed well)
4. NASDAQ: -0.25% (tech stocks were weaker)

Even though US tech was slightly down, strong gains in banks, industrials, and mining-related stocks supported global confidence. This is particularly positive for the ASX, which has a heavy weighting in financials and materials.

3. US Sector Performance –

Strongest US sectors:

Materials: +2.23%, Financials: +1.84%, Industrials: +1.06%, Health Care: +0.95%

Weak US Sector:

Communication Services: -1.01%, Information Technology: -0.55%, Energy: -0.42%.

4. Commodities – Strong Gains (Good News for ASX Miners & Energy)

1. Gold: US$4,272.82, up +1.12%
2. Silver: US$63.60, up +3.08%
3. Copper: US$5.41, up +1.54%
4. WTI Oil: US$57.78, down -1.02%

Rising metals prices are very positive for ASX mining stocks like BHP, Rio Tinto, Fortescue, and gold miners.

5. ASX Company News (What’s Happening Today)

Key ASX Announcements:

Amcor (AMC):

• Proceeding with a 1-for-5 reverse stock split
• This does not change the value of your investment, just the number of shares and price per share.

Civmec (CVL):

• Executives sold 28.4 million shares at $1.33 each
• Sellers include:
  • Chairman James Fitzgerald (13.5m shares)
  • CEO Patrick Tallon (13.5m shares)
  • COO Kevin Deery (1.4m shares)
• The sale was done due to interest from new institutional investors

Insider selling isn’t always negative, but it can create short-term price volatility.

6. What to Watch Today – Key Theme: Commodities:

• Materials was the best-performing US sector, up 2.23%.
• Commodities had a very strong session across copper, gold, and silver.
• Cyclical stocks (like miners and industrials) are on a record 13-session winning streak, according to Goldman Sachs.
• Goldman Sachs notes that returns over the next 3–9 months are almost always positive after such a run

7. Stocks Trading Ex-Dividend Today

These stocks are trading ex-dividend today (Friday 12 Dec)

• Dalrymple Bay Infrastructure (DBI): $0.061
• Metcash (MTS): $0.085
• Sandon Capital (SNC): $0.005

8. Kapitales Research Summary:

• The ASX is rallying strongly, up 1%.
• US markets were supportive, especially for banks and miners.
• Commodities are the main driver today, especially copper and gold.
• ASX mining stocks are likely to be active and in focus.
• Energy stocks may lag due to falling oil prices.
• Be aware of ex-dividend stocks, as price drops are normal.
• Company-specific news like Amcor’s share split and Civmec’s share sale may drive individual stock moves.

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