AU Morning Wrap: ASX edged higher after Wall Street extended its advance

The $S&P 500 Index (.SPX.US)$ 500 rose 63.92 points, or 1.4%, to 4520.16, the technology-focused $Nasdaq Composite Index (.IXIC.US)$ climbed 269.23 points, or 1.9%, to 14191.84, and the $Dow Jones Industrial Average (.DJI.US)$ gained 349.44 points, or 1%, to 34707.94. All three indexes declined in the previous session as concerns about rising energy prices and supply shortages again rattled investors.

AU Market Watch
Australia's $S&P/ASX 200 (.XJO.AU)$ looks likely to rise at the open following a positive lead from U.S. stocks, potentially setting up the benchmark index for a fourth straight gain. ASX futures are up by 0.5%, suggesting the ASX 200 should add to its 1.3% rise since Monday and potentially complete a consecutive weekly gain.

Australia shares opened higher this morning. The $S&P/ASX 200 (.XJO.AU)$ gained 0.37 per cent to 7414 as of 10:31 pm.

Stocks to Watch
Singtel Optus has urged the competition regulator to block a major infrastructure deal between its two major rivals - $Telstra Group Ltd (TLS.AU)$ and $TPG Telecom Ltd (TPG.AU)$ - warning it risks creating a 5G monopoly in regional areas.

Dividends up at $Premier Investments Ltd (PMV.AU)$ after record PJs sales | Premier Investments group shareholders will receive a record interim dividend of 46 cents as the company emerges from Omicron shutdowns with online sales up 27.3 per cent.

Ex-dividend Companies: $Adbri Ltd (ABC.AU)$

Dividends Paid Companies: $Reckon Ltd (RKN.AU)$, $Origin Energy Ltd (ORG.AU)$, $Evolution Mining Ltd (EVN.AU)$, $Sonic Healthcare Ltd (SHL.AU)$, $Pro Medicus Ltd (PME.AU)$, $McMillan Shakespeare Ltd (MMS.AU)$

Commodities
• Iron ore prices remained largely flat.
• Oil prices fell after the European leaders decided not to sanction Russian energy.
• Gold prices are surging again in response to more Russian sanctions and the Fed’s more aggressive stance on interest rates.

Source: Dow Jones Newswires, Market Index