The Aussie stock market will flirt with another record high at open, with ASX 200 futures pointing to a 0.34% gain up to a lofty 8,529 points.

The local bourse has been quite nicely green all through Week 5 as dovish sentiments continue to grow globally. Impending rate cuts everywhere – though not in the U.S. – have been a leading factor in the upward push.

On that note, Europe’s Central Bank cut its key rate to 2.75% as expected; the first of several tipped trims that should eventually bring things down to around 2%.

On the back of the news, the Stoxx Europe climbed nearly 1% through to close.

It was about the same in the U.S., where all three major indices closed in the green – though that was after they barely held on through a late-arvo dip. The S&P 500 led the way with a 0.5% rise while the Nasdaq added 0.2%.

Meta was among the best-moving Wall Street stocks after delivering better profits for 2024’s closing months. Apple’s quarterly will also drop later today.

Back home, Charter Hall (ASX:CHC) and Hostplus’ “relentless” campaign to take over Hotel Property Investments closes today: The $760 million combo offer was accepted in December last year and will be rubber-stamped today.

Also in takeover tales, Genesis Capital has extended its offer period as it looks to settle a $311M bid for Pacific Smiles (ASX:PSQ). The new date is now February 11.

Elsewhere, Macquarie Group (ASX:MQG) has committed $162 million to Strike Energy (ASX:STK) to help the explorer clear its recent debts.

NAB (ASX:NAB) has also today flagged it may open branches on Sundays.

Syrah (ASX:SYR), Resmed (ASX:RMD), and Origin Energy (ASX:ORG) have quarterlies today.

Looking at forex, the Aussie dollar is buying 62.1 US cents.

To commodities, which are in the greenback,

Iron Ore has jumped again to $106.65 a tonne in Singapore,

Gold is trading at a new all-time, selling at $2,806 per ounce, and, 

Brent Crude is trading at $77.08,

US natgas futures are at $3.06 per gigajoule.

That’s Market Open, I’m Isaac McIntyre, stick with us for HotCopper’s Market Update.