Bolder reform, more tourism funding needed: CEOs speak economic forum

The bosses of some of Australia's biggest companies have laid out their wish lists from the Albanese government at the Australia's Economic Outlook event in Sydney.

Crown Resorts CEO David Tsai and Myer executive chair Olivia Wirth, at the Australia's Economic Outlook 2025 event hosted by Sky News and The Australian in Sydney. Picture: Max Mason-Hubers

Welcome to the Trading Day blog for Friday, July 4. The ASX 200 closed 0.1 per cent higher to a record daily close of 8603 points. S&P 500 futures are down 0.3 per cent after US President Trump cast doubt on expectations that the US will strike numerous bilateral deals with trading partners before a 90-day pause on reciprocal tariffs ends on July 9.

On Wall Street, the S&P 500 index closed 0.8 per cent higher, notching its seventh record close this year during the Independence Day holiday-shortened trading session. The tech-focused Nasdaq Composite also grabbed its fourth record close, up 1 per cent. The Dow Jones index also rose 0.8 per cent.

Cryptocurrency giant bitcoin was around $US108,900 at 4.30pm AEST.

The Aussie dollar was trading around US65.73c.

Originally published as Bolder reform, more tourism funding needed: CEOs speak economic forum