Market Updates

The ASX 200 fought back from early losses to close down only 14 points to 8743 (0.2%). Banks back with CBA up 0.5% and NAB rising 1.1% with the Big Bank Basket up to $281.36 (+0.5%). Financials firmed, HUB up 1.6% and QBE firing 0.5% ahead. REITS better, GMG rising 0.6% in better data centre hopes, Industrials firmed again, BXB up 0.6% and retail doing well, JBH pushing another 1.3% ahead, ALL bou...

Wall Street recorded a primarily negative session despite US GDP of 3% in Q2 as Fed Chair Jerome Powell cooled hopes of a rate cut in September, after holding them steady in July. Powell argued rates have not held back the economy and inflation remains elevated and a threat as tariffs work their way through the economy. S&P 500 down 0.12%, Nasdaq up 0.15%. Dow was flat and steady for most of t...

The ASX 200 rose 52 points to near record highs of 8756 (0.6%) after a benign CPI ensured we should get a rate cut in August. Familiar story, Banks firm with CBA up 1.6% and the Big Bank Basket up to $279.88 (+1.4%). MQG rose0.8 % with financials firm, as insurers rose surprisingly as yields slipped. QBE up 0.8% and SUN up 0.8%. GQG still feeling unloved. REIT boosted by lower rates with SGP up 2....

Wall Street recorded a negative session as disappointing earnings weighed on markets and investors awaited the Fed’s rate decision (tomorrow morning Australian time). Meta, Microsoft, Amazon and Apple all report later in the week and their results will largely dictate market direction. S&P 500 down 0.3%, Nasdaq down 0.38%. Dow fell steadily until noon, where it plateaued, despite a brief spike...

The ASX 200 fought back from early losses to close up 7 points at 8705 (0.1%). Healthcare and industrials firmed, CSL up 0.5% and ALL up 0.5% with the banks slightly weaker. CBA down 0.4% and NAB up 1.2%. The Big Bank Basket down to $276.00 (-0.1%). Financials slid with GQG off 3.3% and ASX down 0.6%. ZIP fell 1.3% and REITS drifted lower. VCX off 1.6% and GMG mixed 0.4%.  Resources once again wea...

Wall Street recorded another modestly positive session as the S&P 500 and Nasdaq closed at fresh highs, boosted by US-EU trade deal, and excitement over some major corporate earnings this week including Meta, Microsoft, Amazon and Apple. S&P 500 up 0.02%, Nasdaq up 0.33%. Dow dropped at open, recovered partially, then fell steadily from noon until the final half hour of trading when it reg...

The ASX 200 closed up 31 points to 8698 (0.4%) as banks were back in the driving seat. CBA up 1.2% with the Big Bank Basket up to $276.18 (+0.9%). MQG rallied 1.0% as financials generally found some love. XYZ up 2.8% and MFG doing well, up 4.6%. RPL up 4.1% too. REITs doing well, GMG up 0.5% and SCG rising 0.8%. Industrials also firm, SGH up 2.2% with retail better, WES up 0.6 % and WOW up 0.8%. T...

Wall St managed a broad rally on Friday night as optimism over a US/EU trade deal boosted the S&P 500 (+0.4%) to a fresh record high. That deal has now been done - described as the "Least worst" deal for the EU. Devil in the detail.  112 S&P 500 companies reported results last week - average earnings growth was better-than-expected at 6.4% compared to 4.9% expected. Google was up...

The ASX dropped another 43 points to 8667 (0.5%) in a quiet trading day. Down 1% for the week. Not much fresh news around. Both banks and resources slipped. Iron ore miners under a little pressure after gains this week, BHP down 1,9% with RIO off 0.8% and FMG back down 3.4%. Gold miners fell too as quarterlies dropped. Diggers and Dealers kicks off 4th August. NST fell another 2.8% and EVN down 3....

Wall Street recorded a modestly positive session as the S&P 500 and Nasdaq closed at fresh highs, boosted by positive Alphabet results which fuelled continued AI optimism. S&P 500 up 0.07%, Nasdaq up 0.18%. Dow dropped at open, recovered partially, and subsequently slowly fell throughout the day. Finished near low, down 316 points. Mixed sector performance. Energy the best performer, follo...

The ASX 200 drifted 28 points lower to 8709 (-0.3%) as Michele Bullock’s lunch time speech partly dashed rate cut hopes for August. Banks flat with CBA unchanged and the Big Bank Basket at $274.86 (+0.2%). MQG had a nasty day as its AGM saw selling down 5.1% as the CFO retired and earnings softened. Other financials also under a little pressure, CGF down 2.9% and QBE off 1.2%. ZIP had a good day u...

Wall Street recorded a positive session as the EU and the US appeared to edge closer to a trade deal – believed to be similar to the deal penned with Japan. 15% broad tariff which could extend to cars. S&P 500 up 0.78%, Nasdaq up 0.61%. Dow steadily rose throughout the day. Closed near high, up 508 points. Strong and broad sector strength. REITS flat, otherwise all positive. Healthcare once ag...

The ASX 200 closes up 60points at a record high of 8737 (0.7%). Resources firm but not charging, iron ore coming off the boil slightly, BHP up 0.8% with FMG up 2.3%. Gold miners were better, NEM up 1.9% and EVN rising a more modest 0.9%. S32 rallied 3.0% with ILU also doing well on production numbers, up 4.1%. Lithium stocks slipped with PLS down 2.4% and LTR off 3.6%. Oil and gas mixed, WDS up 1....

Wall Street mixed overnight as markets digested earnings reports, anticipates further reports, and watched for signs of progress in trade talks. S&P 500 up 0.06%, Nasdaq down 0.39%. Dow was choppy in the early session but found strength from about noon to consistently rise. Closed near high, up 179 points. Broad sector strength, only Tech was down, Texas Instruments cautious earnings forecasts...

The ASX 200 finished up 9 points to 8677 as the initial rally fizzled out. More the sellers turned up in spades for the banking sector again. CBA crushed 3.1% with the Big Bank Basket down to $272.11 (-2.6%), under serious pressure again as the money flowed to resources. BHP up 2.6% and RIO charging ahead up 3.4%. Gold miners also back in demand, NST up 1.3% and NEM rising 2.8%. Lithium stocks on...

Wall Street recorded a positive session , although it couldn’t maintain its early highs, with the S&P 500 and Nasdaq closing at new highs, ahead of Big Tech earnings kicking off this Wednesday with Alphabet and Tesla reporting. S&P 500 up 0.14%, Nasdaq rose 0.38%. Dow rose at open, peaked and plateaued from midday to 2pm, and fell for the rest of the session, closing near the low. Down 19...

The ASX 200 dropped 89 points to 8668 (-1.0%) giving back Friday’s gains as banks came under intense pressure.  The Big Bank Basket dropped to $279.24 (2.6%). CBA and WBC leading the sector down with other financials also in the spotlight. MQG fell 1.4% with ASX of 2.1% and IFL down 5.8% as the company updated the CC Capital bid. Insurers fell hard too, QBE down 1.9% and IAG off 1.4% with the REIT...

Wall Street recorded a rather flat session after briefly dipping following Trump’s updated threats to the EU regarding tariffs – the Financial Times reported that Trump wants a minimum tariff between 15-20%. Markets tiring of having to read between tariff headlines. S&P 500 flat, up 0.3% for the week. Nasdaq also flat, but up 1.4% for the week. Dow fell at open and was subdued for much of the...

The ASX 200 exploded 118 points higher to 8757 (1.4%) as banks and resources caught a wave of buying. BHP production numbers, coupled with iron ore gains in Asia, helped the Big Australian up 3.0%. RIO up 1.8% with FMG lagging only up 0.5%.  Lithium and graphite stocks flew, LTR up 10.1% and PLS rallying another 8.6%, with MIN up 4.8% and ILU rising 5.0%. Graphite stocks were in demand, SYR up 25....

Wall Street recorded a positive session against a backdrop of positive economic surprises. Retail sales rising more than expected and jobless claims falling, while major AI company Taiwan Semiconductors beat earnings expectations. S&P 500 up 0.54%, hitting new highs. Nasdaq up 0.75%. Dow started volatile, seesawing up and down, but found consistent strength from about 1pm onwards. Ended near h...

The ASX 200 marched back 77 points to 8639 (0.9%), new highs as jobs numbers opened the doors to an August rate cut. Banks led the charge, nothing new there, with CBA up % and the Big Bank Basket up to $283.65 (+1.5%). MQG rallied 0.9% with other financials doing well, GQG bouncing back 1.8% with IFL up 2.3% and XYZ gaining 5.1%. REITs firmed too on lower rates, GMG up 0.8% and SCG up 1.9%. Health...

Wall Street recorded a modestly positive session despite major indices such as the S&P500 and the Nasdaq falling over 1% after Bloomberg reported that Trump would fire Fed chair Jerome Powell – Trump quickly denied the rumours, settling markets. S&P 500 up 0.32%, Nasdaq up 0.25%. Dow started flat, sharply dived on the Powell rumours, and recovered after Trump denied them, steadily rising f...

The ASX 200 fell 69 points to 8562 after a record yesterday. Banks were weak on proposed RBA charges changes, CBA off % with the Big Bank Basket down to $279.26 (-1.5%) NAB under extra pressure on CEO issues, down 3.4%. Financials generally eased back, MQG off 0.8% and insurers down, QBE off 1.0%. REITs too under pressure with GMG down 0.2% and SCG falling 0.5%. Healthcare mixed, CSL fell 1.3% on...

Wall Street recorded a mixed session as most sectors fell although news of Nvidia’s planned resumption of sales of its H20 AI chip to China boosted the stock, helping to lift the Nasdaq. In broader economic news, tariff uncertainty continued to weigh on stocks and the latest US CPI reading showed tariff-induced price increases starting to appear, rising 0.3% in June, up from 0.1% in May, as expect...

The ASX 200 drove 60 points higher at a new record of 8630 (+0.7%). Banks rallied with the Big Bank Basket up to $283.45 (+0.5%). Other financials also in demand, MQG up 1.4% and ASX up 0.9% with insurers rising, QBE up 1.2% and MPL rallying 1.0%. REITs back in demand, GMG up 1.1% with SCG rising 0.5%. Healthcare too doing well, CSL leading the charge, up 3.8% with RMD up 0.7% and PME putting on 2...