FX.co ★ Australian Shares Trade Flat

The S&P/ASX 200 remained steady at 8,734 on Monday, following last week’s decline, as energy stocks captured attention due to escalating geopolitical tensions. The U.S. apprehension of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro has sparked concern over possible interruptions in global oil supplies. In response, major energy stocks experienced gains, with Woodside Energy increasing by 0.6%, and both Santos and Origin Energy climbing by 0.5%. Additionally, mining stocks showed robust performance; BHP Group and Fortescue both saw increases of 0.9% after Civmec secured new contracts with them. Rio Tinto also rose by 1.3%, driven by the upbeat market atmosphere. Looking ahead, markets anticipate a week filled with crucial economic data releases, including November's inflation figures, building approvals, and trade data.