1. The ASX is launching the new S&P/ASX All Technology Index on Monday, with Xero leading the index as the top company by market capitalisation. "There are 20 tech companies with market caps over $1 billion, and the index is a barometer of the general health and performance of that part of the market," the ASX's executive general manager of listings and issuer services Max Cunningham said according to the AFR.

2. The AFR reported that the government may allow a small group of Chinese students to enter Australia following a decision by the National Security Committee of Cabinet to extend the travel ban for another week. Earlier reports indicated that Australia's biggest universities could lose over $1 billion in fees due to the ban.

3. CSL briefly overtook the Commonwealth Bank to become Australia's biggest stock by market capitalisation yesterday, before settling back into second place with a market cap of $153.72 billion compared to CBA's $155.52 billion.

4. Inghams, Mayne Pharma and Platinum Asset Management are among the companies delivering their results today as the third week of reporting season wraps up.

5. Wall Street stocks fell during the Thursday session, with the Dow Jones ending the day down 128.05 points or 0.44% to 29,219.98 after an almost 400 point drop earlier in the session. The S&P 500 fell from its record high yesterday, closing 12.92 points or 0.38% lower to 3,373.23 and the Nasdaq fell 66.21 points or 0.67% to 9,750.96.