Historic AFLW match against Ireland sells out in a matter of weeks
Plus: Australia's track and field athletes chase Commonwealth medals in Glasgow, and ASX reporting season kicks off with strong July gains.
TL;DR
- AFLW Australia v Ireland match sold out at North Sydney Oval with over 8,000 fans, marking the first women's international AFL representative fixture.
- Jessica Hull and Oliver Hoare compete in the Commonwealth Games women's and men's mile finals in Glasgow on August 1.
- ASX 200 gained 2.3% over July as miners rallied on copper prices, with reporting season now underway across 250+ listed companies.
Politics
RBA prepares for pivotal rate decision as inflation pressures persist
The Reserve Bank meets on August 11 facing mixed signals from economists on whether to hold or hike rates again as inflation remains the key risk.
The Reserve Bank of Australia meets on August 10–11 to decide on monetary policy, with economists deeply divided on whether Governor Michele Bullock will hold the cash rate at 4.35% or push ahead with another hike. Commonwealth Bank, NAB, and ANZ expect rates to stay steady through year end, while Westpac forecasts one more increase, likely at the August meeting. Bullock delivered a speech to the Anika Foundation on July 30 discussing how global developments are shaping monetary policy as the RBA weighs inflation pressures against labour market conditions. (via Finder)
Business and economy
ASX closes July with 2.3% gain as miners rally ahead of earnings season
The Australian stock market finished the month stronger on copper strength and U.S. tech optimism, setting up a busy August with 250+ companies reporting results.
The ASX 200 finished Friday 0.1% firmer at 8,976.80, capping a 2.3% July gain for the month as miners rallied on higher copper prices and sentiment lifted from U.S. tech rebounds. Rio Tinto gained 1.0% and Evolution Mining rose 1.8% on commodity strength, while the big four banks fell between 0.1% and 0.4%. The market's move follows Amazon's upbeat earnings and a rebound in chip stocks on Wall Street Thursday. (via Motley Fool)
Reporting season now underway. August marks one of the year's most consequential periods as hundreds of ASX-listed companies deliver earnings updates, with investors scrutinising results amid a multi-speed economy and shifting tax settings that could trigger sharp share price reactions. (via Finimize)
Technology
August tech outlook: reporting season and regulatory shifts
As ASX companies report earnings, tech investors eye software and hardware plays amid ongoing government AI and digital policy reviews.
August marks a critical month for Australian technology stocks as the ASX reporting season gathers pace, with investors scrutinising earnings from software firms, digital infrastructure plays, and hardware makers under a cloud of shifting regulatory expectations. The Albanese government's Office of AI and world-first artist copyright frameworks, announced in July, are now feeding into boardroom discussions as tech companies assess their compliance obligations. Government funding commitments in the 2026 budget, including $21.7 million for the Australian Space Agency and support for AI research hubs, remain drivers of sentiment in the sector. (via Australian Financial Review)
Sports
Historic AFLW clash and Commonwealth track final sprints
Australia's women footballers and track stars headline the day with a sold-out international debut and medal races in Glasgow.
The NAB AFLW becomes an international stage on Saturday when Australia's best women footballers face Ireland at North Sydney Oval in a historic first. The match sold out with more than 8,000 fans set to pack the ground at 4:15pm AEST, marking the first AFLW representative fixture since 2017 and the first professional-level international clash of the sport. Broadcast on Fox Footy, Kayo Sports, and Binge, the fixture celebrates a decade of Irish players shaping the competition—46 currently play across AFLW clubs, with more than 30 others having done so before. (via AFL.com.au)
Track stars chase Commonwealth medals. Jessica Hull and Oliver Hoare lead Australia's charge in Glasgow's final athletics sessions on Saturday, competing in the inaugural Commonwealth Games women's and men's mile finals respectively. Hull, the Olympic silver medallist, is doubling the mile and 5,000m, while Hoare defends his 1500m Commonwealth title from Birmingham 2022 in the new event. Australia fields 86 athletes across track and field, the largest athletics contingent of any nation at the Games. (via Olympics.com)