All Ords finishes tough week on positive note, Orica reports strong finish to the year

The Australian share market closed the week with a 0.5 per cent gain on Friday, led by technology, gold miners and real estate, after weaker US economic data bolstered hopes of rate cuts. Despite the day’s rebound, the S&P/ASX All Ordinaries Index (ASX: XAO) ended the week down 0.9 per cent, breaking a four-week winning streak. Growth names bounced, with Life360 Inc (ASX: 360) and Zip Co Limited (ASX: ZIP) rising 3.1 and 4.7 per cent respectively. Property stocks also rallied, with Charter Hall Group (ASX: CHC) up 2.6 per cent on hopes of falling rates. The gold price extended its rally, further supporting the sector. SiteMinder Limited (ASX: SDR) was queried by the ASX after its shares surged 21 per cent in a single session, with management confirming no undisclosed information. Orica Limited (ASX: ORI) added 1.2 per cent, flagging stronger second-half earnings on the back of resilient demand for its core blasting products.

S&P 500 pulls back from all-time highs, Tesla rallies, Intel looks to 2026

US markets eased from record highs, with the S&P 500 Index (NYSE: SPX) down 0.3 per cent and the Dow Jones Industrial Average (INDEXDJX: DJI) off 0.5 per cent. Tariff risks resurfaced as President Trump warned semiconductor import tariffs would be introduced sooner than expected, though exemptions could apply to groups like Apple Inc (NASDAQ: AAPL) given its US investment commitments. NVIDIA Corporation (NASDAQ: NVDA) fell 2.7 per cent on the news. In contrast, Tesla Inc (NASDAQ: TSLA) rallied more than 3 per cent after the board confirmed a new pay package for CEO Elon Musk that could exceed 1 trillion US dollars in value. Intel Corporation (NASDAQ: INTC) slipped 0.5 per cent while stressing that 2026 will be pivotal for regaining competitiveness in chip manufacturing, now backed by US government ownership. Broadcom Inc (NASDAQ: AVGO) announced a partnership with OpenAI to develop AI accelerators.