The Australian sharemarkets rise is unlikely to stop this week with the ASX 200 poised to test the 8500 point mark amid investor bullishness about a nearing Trump administration and as energy stocks, spurred on by an intensifying conflict between Ukraine and Russia, climb.
Futures prices indicate the S&P/ASX 200 Index will gain 0.6 per cent or 52 points at the opening bell on Monday from Friday’s record closing high of 8393.8. Commonwealth Bank of Australia, a cornerstone of the index, continued a relentless rise and closed at a record $159.03 on Friday.