Morning traders. Thanks loungers, especially @Ravgnome.
Outlook for the day: Negative following mild falls in most European markets during last night's US public holiday.
ASX futures: down 18 points or 0.23%
Overnight themes:
European stocks retreated during the Juneteenth US market holiday as declines in tech and property stocks outweighed gains in miners.
The pan-European Stoxx 600 dipped 0.17%. Germany's DAX index gave up 0.35%, France's CAC 40 lost 0.77% and Italy's FTSE MIB index 0.29%.
European stocks slumped last week after France's president called a snap election following broad gains for right-wing parties in European elections. Investors have been unsettled by polls showing the populist far-right National Rally party is leading going into the election.
The tech sector declined 1.15% after inflation ticked higher in the euro-zone. Annual headline inflation rose to 2.6% last month from 2.4% in April.
UK stocks overcame early losses as UK inflation figures met expectations and miners outperformed. The FTSE 100 edged up 0.17%. BHP and Rio Tinto both rose in UK trade as copper rebounded and iron ore finished mixed in China and Singapore.
Iron ore eased in daytime Chinese trade as authorities continued to discuss production cuts with steel-makers. Benchmark prices on the Dalian Commodity Exchange dipped 0.36% to US$113.55 a metric ton, reversing early gains. Singapore ore gained 0.5%.
Oil backed off a seven-week high in thin, holiday-affected trade. Brent crude dipped six cents or 0.1% to US$85.33 a barrel.
Key events today:
China loan rate decision - 11.15 am AEST
Rate decisions UK & Switzerland - tonight
US unemployment claims, building permits, housing starts - tonight
Stoxx 600: down 0.17%
S&P 500: closed
Dow: closed
Nasdaq: closed
Dollar: up 0.15% to 66.71 US cents
Iron ore (Dalian): down 0.36% to US$113.55
Brent crude: down 6 US cents or 0.1% to US$85.33
Natural gas (US futures): up 0.1% to US$2.91
Gold: down US$4.30 or 0.18% to US$2,342.60
Silver: up 23 US cents or 0.79% to US$29.76
NYSE Arca Gold Bugs: US markets closed
Bitcoin: up 0.47% to US$64,778
Copper (LME): up 1.17% to US$9,785
Nickel (LME): down 0.14% to US$17,325
Uranium (spot price): up 0.58% to US$87
Lithium carbonate (China spot): down 1.8% to US$13,127
Global X Lithium & Battery Tech ETF (UK): down 0.8%
