CommSec Market Update

The ASX200 slipped a quarter of a percent as energy stocks weighed, following weaker oil prices and an OPEC+ decision to lift output. Tech, healthcare and property trusts provided rare gains, while winners included DroneShield, Life360 and uranium miners. Attention now shifts to US inflation data released midweek and a likely Federal Reserve rate cut next week. The content in this podcast is prepa...

US stocks fell as concerns over a weakening job market weighed on sentiment, with unemployment rising to its highest level in four years. Long-term interest rates tumbled as traders priced in further rate cuts, while oil prices came into focus after OPEC announced a production increase. Elsewhere, Japanese bonds drew caution following the Prime Minister’s resignation. Back home, Aussie share...

It has been a challenging and volatile week, but the market has improved for a second day following the 4-day losing streak.  Steve reflects on this week penned as ‘one of the worst months of the year for markets’ and discusses the US data that could impact their interest rate decisions tonight.  Locally only consumer staples and energy stocks declined with all others in the...

Promising rate-cut expectations pushed Wall Street to fresh record highs, as weaker jobs data, including softer private payrolls, fueled hopes of the Federal Reserve easing and sent US bond yields lower. In company news, Broadcom delivered an upbeat forecast on strong AI demand. In commodities, oil prices eased as OPEC considered a potential output hike, while iron ore climbed to multi-week highs...

The market has rebounded today for the best day in around two weeks marking the end of a four-session losing streak.  US jobs data played a part in this as Steve discusses, and he unpacks the local improvements with almost all sectors seeing gains.  The banks saw strong improvements following their recent declines, Austal and NRW Holdings gained attention, and Domino’s saw a gain a...

Wall Street consolidated overnight, buoyed by rising hopes of interest rate cuts as signs of weakness in the job market shaped expectations. In company news, Alphabet shares surged after a court ruling on search, while Apple also gained on the back of the decision. Elsewhere, Macy’s lifted its outlook but warned of a fickle consumer. In commodities, oil eased as OPEC weighed another output h...

The ASX200 tumbled 1.9% on Wednesday, marking its worst day in five months and extending a four-day losing streak. Faster-than-expected local economic growth dampened prospects of a September rate cut, while global tariff uncertainty, France’s political turmoil, and rising bond yields weighed heavily. All sectors closed in the red, with banks hit hardest, though GrainCorp, Tabcorp and PECSA...

Wall Street stumbled into September, with US stocks falling as a ruling on Trump-era tariffs added to uncertainty. Bond market turbulence persisted as debt sales ramped up, while US manufacturing activity contracted for a sixth straight month. In company news, Warren Buffett said he was disappointed by the Kraft Heinz split, which weighed on its stock performance. In commodities, gold surged to re...

The Aussie market was under some pressure today following a subdued performance possibly led by the US market being closed for a public holiday.  This puts the ASX200 at the lowest levels in 2 weeks, Steve discusses the recent streak that could have played a part in this hesitancy, and how the swings of profit reporting season likely also had a part to play.  He unpacks the sea of red to...

With US markets shut for the Labor Day holiday, trading across the Northern Hemisphere was subdued. Still, Eurozone stocks closed higher on a defence boost, while European bond yields climbed ahead of a French confidence vote. Meanwhile, Novo Nordisk gained on optimism over heart disease treatments, and China’s factory activity expanded at its fastest pace in five months. In commodities, oil...

The Aussie market kicked off September on the back foot, with the ASX200 slipping to a two-week low as tech stocks dragged and major banks fell. Gold miners bucked the trend, surging on a stronger gold price, while Fortescue dropped after trading ex-dividend. Harvey Norman jumped on a profit beat and IDP Education extended its rebound, but Mesoblast and Mineral Resources weakened. With a wave of c...

US stocks retreated as investors weighed the latest inflation figures. Data showed US spending rose at the fastest pace in four months, while core inflation posted its biggest gain since February, prompting a more cautious tone. Still, the Dow Jones and S&P 500 notched their fourth straight monthly advance, while the Nasdaq extended its winning streak to five months. Back home, the ASX is set...

It has been a quiet end to the week and month for the Aussie market fresh off a barrage of record highs throughout August.  Steve breaks down the mostly flat session that marks the end of the Aussie reporting season, and reflects on the month with tariffs, earnings results, and trade discussions all impacting market moves.  Locally the sectors saw mixed performance with tech and energy s...

Wall Street climbed to fresh record highs overnight, with the S&P 500 hitting a new peak as Nvidia’s results fuelled the AI-driven rally. Strong US economic data, however, tempered expectations for near-term rate cuts. In commodities, oil gained as hopes for a Ukraine peace deal faded, while gold reached a five-week high as the US dollar weakened. Closer to home, Aussie shares are set to...

The market has remained mostly flat across this week despite some sizable intra-day swings.  Steve discusses Nvidia’s results which were released following the US close, and how those results could impact markets in the day ahead.  Locally, Steve discusses the inflation data that could hint toward rates not being cut in September and unpacks the sectors with energy stocks dropping...

Wall Street closed at new record highs, with investors now digesting fresh earnings from Nvidia, though the stock slipped after its data centre revenue fell short of estimates. Elsewhere, Cracker Barrel surged on news of a logo revamp, while American Eagle tapped Travis Kelce in the wake of the Sweeney controversy. Meanwhile, bond yields fell as markets shrugged off Fed drama, and Albemarle gained...

The ASX200 edged higher on Wednesday despite hotter-than-expected inflation numbers dampening near-term rate cut hopes, while Woolworths sank 14% on weak earnings. Domino’s plunged 22% after swinging to a loss, and WiseTech dropped 11% on a profit miss. In contrast, Tabcorp surged 24% on a return to profit, SiteMinder jumped 21%, and Lovisa rose 13%. Gold miners also climbed as safe-haven de...

Wall Street eked out modest gains overnight, led by industrials, as Donald Trump’s renewed attacks on the Federal Reserve reignited concerns over its independence. Signet Jewellers shares jumped on news of Taylor Swift’s engagement, while Nvidia edged higher ahead of its earnings release. Apple also drew attention, setting September 9 for the launch of its new iPhone 17. In bonds, the...

The market has taken a much-needed breather today falling slightly following the recent run of record highs seen in nine of the past twelve trading sessions.  Stevie unpacks the session discussing the easing of US markets overnight, and how the firing of Fed board member Lisa Cook may impact markets.  Locally, Coles was one of the winners today following better than expected earnings dat...

Wall Street ended lower as investors digested the hangover from the Jackson Hole symposium over the weekend. Stocks pulled back, halting their Fed-fuelled rally as bond yields moved higher, with bond investors taking a cautious view of the next fortnight. In company news, Keurig Dr Pepper tumbled after announcing an $18 billion acquisition, while sector-specific tariffs weighed on furniture makers...

The ASX200 edged higher on Monday, briefly hitting its ninth record in 11 sessions before slipping back below 9,000. Resource stocks rose on stronger gold, oil and iron ore prices, while banks weighed. Southern Cross Media and Aussie Broadband jumped around 20% on upbeat results, while Ansell, Pilbara Minerals, PolyNovo and Zip also gained. In contrast, Reece had one of its worst days in decades,...

Wall Street surged to fresh record highs after the Jackson Hole symposium, with Fed Chair Jerome Powell hinting at the prospect of lower interest rates. US stocks rallied broadly, lifting most sectors, while bond yields sank on growing bets of a September rate cut. Locally, futures point to record levels for the ASX 200, as commodity prices firm, the US dollar softens, and the Aussie dollar streng...

The Aussie market eased on Friday, snapping its run of record highs as the ASX 200 slipped around half a percent to just under 9,000 points. Healthcare stocks weighed heavily, with CSL plunging after its restructure plans, while James Hardie also disappointed. On the flipside, Zip surged after strong US growth, while NRW and Helia posted gains. Ingham’s and Guzman y Gomez tumbled on results,...

US stocks slumped overnight with the S&P 500 posting its fifth straight losing day and as investors count down the hours to Jackson Hole. US Treasuries also weakened as traders trimmed their rate-cut bets. Elsewhere, Walmart tumbled on a rare profit miss, while oil gained 1% amid stalled Russia-Ukraine peace talks. Back home, Aussie shares are set to ease from record highs, with results due fr...

The Aussie market has hit another milestone today showcasing the best performance in a couple of weeks, with a number of stocks growing by more than 10%.  Steve discusses this monumental session driven by the busiest day of profits reporting for the year.  All of the sectors saw gains with 7 in every 10 stocks rising.  Among the winners today were Bega Cheese, Brambles, and Downer E...