CommSec Market Update

The Aussie market continued its losing streak, falling 1.3% and hitting a one-month low, weighed down by declines in financial and materials stocks. Banks, particularly ANZ, struggled after recent strong gains, while mining giants Fortescue and Rio Tinto disappointed with lower profits. Despite a challenging environment, some bright spots emerged—Telstra surged after announcing a dividend in...

The S&P 500 reached new record highs despite a mixed market performance. President Trump has announced plans to impose tariffs on autos, pharmaceuticals, and chips, raising concerns among Fed officials about inflation. European shares saw their biggest daily drop of 2025 on tariff fears, while UK inflation jumped to a higher-than-expected 3% in January. In corporate news, Apple unveiled a low-...

The Aussie market suffered its third consecutive decline, with financial and energy stocks leading the losses. The financial sector, in particular, posted its worst drop of the year, driven by NAB’s disappointing quarterly report and CBA trading ex-dividend. Meanwhile, mineral resources plummeted over 20% after swinging to a major loss and cutting its iron ore guidance, while Santos slashed...

US investors return from a public holiday with a cautious mindset, yet optimism remains for equities, as investors expect them to be the best-performing asset class in 2025. In corporate news, Intel shares surged the most since 2023 on speculation of a potential breakup, while SuperMicro extended its rally after issuing a bullish forecast. In contrast, Medtronic fell as quarterly sales missed expe...

Interest rates have been cut today and the market’s reaction was mixed.  Laura and Stevie unpack this volatility and the uncertainty in investor sentiment following statements from the RBA that muddy expectations around further rate decisions.  The interest rate sensitive sectors today took a hit, and there was a barrage of earnings results out today including Baby Bunting and Chal...

The Presidents’ Day public holiday has Wall Street offline yet it ended higher in afternoon trade. In Europe, stocks hit record highs, with defense stocks surging amid ongoing geopolitical tensions. In commodities, oil prices lifted on speculation that OPEC may delay planned output hikes, while gold gained on a softer U.S. dollar. Meanwhile, iron ore slid as supply fears eased following cycl...

The market has fallen today but this is following four straight days of improvements.  Laura and Stevie reflect on today’s session and discuss the imminent interest rate decision.  They discuss the likelihood of a rate cut and the impact that either outcome could have on the market, and look at the performance of each of the sectors with some of the biggest ones being weights on th...

Wall Street had a mixed finish last week, with the broader market remaining flat while technology stocks led gains despite rising concerns over export controls. Better-than-expected earnings provided support, helping stocks notch weekly improvements. In company news, Airbnb shares surged after delivering a stronger-than-expected outlook, while Applied Materials fell on a downbeat forecast. Looking...

To conclude what has been a huge week of earnings results Laura joins us this afternoon solo to chat through a day that has exceeded expectations with another record high.  She reflects on the session and looks at the US market performance overnight amid further talks of tariffs.  The sectors have mostly seen rises with consumer staples leading those gains, and Laura looks to the stocks...

Technology stocks are leading the market higher despite ongoing inflation concerns, with Nvidia rising on strong chip demand and Apple shares gaining ahead of a new product launch on February 19. US bond yields have dropped after producer price data signaled easing inflation, while MGM Resorts saw its biggest jump since 2020. Meanwhile, AppLovin is emerging as a potential rival to TikTok. In commo...

The market hit a record high today but softened as the session went on only just finishing in positive territory.  Laura and Steve reflect on the recent market performance and the attention that US inflation data took overnight ahead of the upcoming RBA meeting.  The sectors saw mixed performance with materials keeping things afloat, earnings reports continue to be the focus with IAG sha...

Wall Street slipped as investors reacted to the latest inflation figures, with Treasury yields seeing their biggest jump since December following Jerome Powell’s testimony. The Consumer Price Index revealed a significant rise in food prices, particularly eggs, adding to inflation concerns. Energy stocks slipped amid an inventory build, while CVS Health soared after its fourth-quarter profit...

The market gained momentum in afternoon trade today after a largely flat start, with most of the gains driven by just a few stocks.  Performance was mixed across the sectors, but the banking sector led the charge and ultimately helped us to finish in positive territory.  Laura and Stevie reflect on the session and talk through the stocks that saw the largest moves with Computershare and...

US inflation data looms as a key market test, while ongoing tariff discussions add to uncertainty. The US dollar held onto losses as Powell signalled patience on rate cuts. In corporate news, an AI partnership between Apple and Alibaba lifted Apple’s shares, while Coca-Cola’s earnings beat expectations, driven by higher prices. DuPont also posted strong results. Across the Atlantic, Eu...

The Aussie market struggled to hold onto gains today, with mixed earnings reports and ongoing tariff concerns shaping investor sentiment. CSL dragged the healthcare sector down due to weak flu vaccine sales and underwhelming earnings, while Nine Entertainment surged on optimism about the advertising market. Gold stocks shone as investors sought safe havens amid uncertainty, while industrials and t...

Wall Street showed signs of recovery after a volatile week, with tech stocks leading the gains. US steel and aluminum shares climbed as investors reacted to fresh tariffs announced by President Trump. Meanwhile, McDonald's reported stronger international sales, boosting investor confidence. In Europe, markets hit record highs, driven by gains in the FTSE. Oil prices continued to climb despite ling...

The Aussie market started the week with a slight dip, narrowing early losses but still weighed down by ongoing uncertainty around tariffs. Reporting season is now in full swing, with major companies revealing their latest earnings. Market volatility remains high, particularly for sectors like tech and telecom, with WiseTech dropping on fresh controversies and lithium miner Pilbara sliding on weak...

Wall Street closed the week under pressure, with the Dow Jones snapping a three-week winning streak. Declining consumer confidence weighed on sentiment, while rising inflation expectations pushed interest rates higher, adding to market concerns. Meanwhile, in Australia, earnings season gained momentum, with retailers taking center stage. JB Hi-Fi’s latest earnings report drew investor attent...

The market didn’t quite make it to that record high today and the week has finished with a slight decline.  Laura and Stevie reflect on this ‘very interesting week’ which started with some significant losses but ultimately levelled out as the week went on.  The sectors saw mixed performance with utilities and healthcare seeing losses, and consumer staples and tech among...

Wall Street continued to consolidate as investors awaited key employment reports, while trade war concerns eased despite ongoing threats from President Trump. In corporate news, Ralph Lauren surged the most in a year following an upbeat outlook, while Tapestry shares soared as Coach exceeded expectations. Philip Morris hit record highs, driven by strong demand for its Zyn nicotine pouches, while H...

Laura is back with Stevie again today on a day where the market has seen its best performance in around three weeks recovering from the recent market volatility.  They reflect on the local market with the energy sector being the only one to see declines, discuss the stocks that saw the largest moves including Newscorp and Star Entertainment Group.  Gold prices continue to grow amid the m...

US stocks are consolidating as markets still weigh the ongoing tariff discussions. Traders are looking past AI sector jitters, while bond yields tumble to multi-week lows following weak service sector data. In equities, Alphabet tumbled as slowing iCloud growth made it the worst performer in the S&P 500, while AMD slid after issuing a disappointing AI growth outlook. In contrast, Nvidia surged...

Stevie is going solo today as he recalls a week which has had some challenges.  Despite the recent months of strong performances, tariff conversations this week wiped out many of those gains, but today there was some positive moves with the local market clawing back some of those losses and only three sectors dropping.  Internationally there were earnings results which could impact the U...

Wall Street rebounded as stock buyers stepped in, driving gains in the S&P 500, particularly in the energy sector. Investors are closely monitoring talks between President Donald Trump and Chinese leader Xi Jinping. In corporate news, Palantir Technologies surged on strong AI-driven demand, marking its biggest jump in a year. Meanwhile, Merck halted vaccine shipments to China, which negatively...

The market has seen some recoveries today following the substantial tumbles of yesterday.  Tariffs continue to be the topic of conversation as delays are now in discussion, and these mixed messages have resulted in erratic market performances internationally.  Laura and Stevie look at the local market performance, with tech, banking, and mining recovering some losses, and overall around...