ASX to open flat as NSW Covid outbreak triggers border move

ASX to open flat as NSW Covid outbreak triggers border move. Source: Getty

Good morning.

Here’s Yahoo Finance’s Friday morning wrap.

The ASX is expected to open flat, after closing more than 1 per cent higher on a better-than-expected jobs report and a revised budget deficit of $197.7 billion.

In the US, the S&P 500 and the Nasdaq hit record highs, buoyed by increased optimism over a coronavirus stimulus bill.

The Dow Jones Industrial Average was up 0.42 per cent, at 30,279.79, the S&P 500 was up 0.46 per cent, at 3,718.33 and the Nasdaq Composite was up 0.65 per cent at 12,741.04

NSW cluster: The Covid cluster in Sydney’s norther beaches grew to 17 cases on Thursday, triggering border reactions from Queensland and WA.

The Qld government announced anyone arriving from Sydney on Friday, and who has been to the northern beaches since December 11, must get tested and self quarantine for 14 days.

From 1am Saturday, travellers from Sydney who have been to the region will be forced into hotel quarantine.

The West Australian government says anyone arriving from NSW is required to self-quarantine for 14 days and get tested on day 11.

Get ahead: Those looking for a new job or looking to switch careers could get ahead of the competition by ramping up their job search in December, experts say.

“Jobseekers should be aware that there are opportunities out there that wouldn't normally be the case during the Christmas period,” Indeed Asia Pacific economist Callum Pickering said.

Bitcoin: The cryptocurrency has surged to US$20,000 (AU$26,400), but can it go even higher? Say, US$500,000?

Here’s what the experts said.

Bye bye: The coronavirus pandemic has seen lives lost, economies dwindle and everyday life come to a halt, and there are more changes to come.

It also saw many of our everyday items become obsolete. Here are 9 things that vanished in 2020.

Have a great day.

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