SMH.com.au · 22 Oct, 18:17 · Artificial Intelligence briefing

ASX set to slide as Wall Street falls; oil at highest since May

Australian shares are poised for a decline following significant losses on Wall Street, reflecting broader global market sentiment.

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The briefing

The story
in brief.

What happened, who it affects, and why it landed on our intelligence desk — in plain English, sixty seconds or less.

Australian shares are poised for a decline following significant losses on Wall Street, reflecting broader global market sentiment. Simultaneously, crude oil prices have surged to their highest levels since May, driven by ongoing supply constraints and geopolitical tensions. This combination of falling equity values and rising energy costs creates a volatile economic environment. Investors and business leaders are closely monitoring these developments for potential impacts on corporate earnings and consumer spending. The market reaction underscores the interconnected nature of global financial systems, where shifts in major indices and commodity prices rapidly influence local economic conditions and investment strategies across sectors.

Employer demand for Risk Management Strategies skills — indexed growth since 2019
Indicative index of skill mentions in professional job postings for the field this story moves (2019 = 1)

Your move

What this means
for your career.

Every headline redistributes opportunity. Here is who this one rewards — and how to be on the right side of it.

Volatility demands resilience. You must sharpen your ability to navigate uncertainty, making Risk Management Strategies essential. As energy costs rise, professionals in Supply Chain and Finance and Accounting face immediate pressure to optimise costs and forecast accurately. Do not wait for stability; act now. Review your current role’s exposure to macroeconomic shifts. If you work in operations, focus on efficiency and contingency planning. For finance roles, deepen your understanding of hedging and cost-control mechanisms. Upskill in data analysis to interpret market signals faster. This environment rewards those who can anticipate disruptions and adapt quickly. Prioritise courses that enhance strategic foresight and operational agility. Your career security depends on demonstrating value during downturns, not just growth periods. Stay agile, stay informed, and position yourself as a problem-solver in turbulent times.

For this story, the fields that convert it into pay are Risk Management Strategies, Finance and Accounting, Supply Chain and Business And Management — exactly the programmes matched below. The chart shows the indicative salary uplift certified professionals report in each of those fields; every one of them is a click away, from £79, finishing in as few as 20 days.

Indicative salary uplift in the fields matched to this story
Indicative ranges from published continuing-education salary studies, by field — each field is a recommended course below

Matched to this story

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