Confidence improved across Japanese manufacturers of all sizes, while companies shifted their fiscal 2026 dollar assumption to ¥154.23 and large manufacturers raised their profit outlook.

The RBA said gains were broad across rural, non-rural and base-metal commodities, while the Australian-dollar index rose 1.0% for the month and 6.6% over the year.

Acuity reported fourth-quarter diluted EPS of $5.63, up 56% from a year earlier, as fiscal 2026 sales climbed to $4.642 billion and cash flow strengthened.

Accenture reported fourth-quarter revenue of $18.68 billion, above its guidance range, and forecast 3% to 6% local-currency revenue growth for fiscal 2027 after finishing fiscal 2026 with broad-based expansion.