2331 GMT - New Zealand stocks are up 0.3% in early trade, offering a clue about the likely direction of travel for Australian equities. ASX futures are down by 0.7% ahead of Monday's session, but have not traded since late Friday. Officials in the U.S. and Iran have since spoken positively about talks over an agreement to end their conflict. Australia's S&P/ASX 200 is coming off a 0.4% rise that clinched a 0.3% weekly gain. Ahead of the open, Charter Hall raised its annual earnings guidance, while Beach Energy said it has agreed to sell its 60% operated interest in the VIC/L35 block in the Otway Basin to Amplitude Energy. (stuart.condie@wsj.com)
(END) Dow Jones Newswires
May 24, 2026 19:31 ET (23:31 GMT)
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