Company Interview / the open: ASX to begin first 2026 trading week higher

The local market is set to open modestly higher to begin the first full week of trading for the year with ASX futures up 0.13%. This comes as global stocks rose on Friday to begin the new year. European shares began the new year at record highs, with a boost from technology and defense stocks.

On Wall Street the Dow and S&P 500 ended higher on Friday, snapping a four-day losing streak. There was no Santa rally for the S&P 500 with it falling to a monthly loss in December. But the index still climbed more than 16% in 2025, its third straight year of double-digit percentage gains. 

The capture by the United States President of Venezuela's President Nicolas Maduro has sparked deep uncertainty about the future of the oil-rich South American nation. Analysts expect the oil market to easily absorb any possible halt to production from Venezuela, which accounts for less than 1% of global supplies. 

The US dollar began 2026 stronger on Friday, and the Australian dollar is trading at US66.8 cents.