CommSec Market Update

It has been a somewhat volatile session today with the market starting strong but dropping as the day went on.  Laura and Stevie unpack this performance as investors brace for a busy 24 hours ahead with a multitude of US banks set to report on their results, and inflation data also being released which could impact interest rate decisions.  They discuss the performance of each of the sec...

Wall Street saw an advance as U.S wholesale inflation eased unexpectedly, driven by a drop in food prices. Utilities led the markets higher, boosted by increased energy demand fuelled by AI innovations. Bank stocks lifted ahead of upcoming earnings reports, while shares of Eli Lilly, a weight loss drug company, declined due to cuts in revenue guidance. U.S Treasury yields dipped following tame pro...

The market has ended in positive territory today following several sessions of losses.  Laura and Stevie discuss this performance fuelled by a myriad of factors in the US, and the upcoming data that could shift their market in the days ahead.  Back home City Chic was one of the best performers following an announcement around sales figures, most of the sectors saw growth today, and Star...

Wall Street faces mounting pressure amid rising interest rates, with the US 10-year Treasury yield hitting a 14-month high, causing stocks to tumble. Moderna shares plunged 20% after the company lowered its 2025 sales forecast, while Eli Lilly also saw a decline following its announcement to acquire Scorpion Therapeutics' experimental cancer therapy. Retailers' post-holiday results left Wall Stree...

The Aussie market has seen its biggest decline today in around 3 weeks wiping out all the gains of last week.  Laura and Stevie unpack this performance which was largely fuelled by the US sharemarket which performed poorly on Friday following jobs and unemployment data that could result in a US rate cut being pushed out.  Locally energy stocks have been the winners today, but the financi...

Wall Street slumped following the latest job data, as US employment rose more than expected in December. This unexpected growth has narrowed expectations for interest rate changes, suggesting they may remain on hold for the foreseeable future. US interest rates, meanwhile, reached their highest level since November 2023. In the stock market, tech stocks led the retreat, while energy stocks were la...

The session started optimistically but has fallen into negative territory today.  Laura and Stevie unpack this performance, with materials the only sector seeing improvements.  The big 4 banks have played their part in dragging on the market and so they discuss this, but also acknowledge that the market is on track to see improvements overall across the week.  Interest rate movement...

Wall Street is closed in observance of the passing of former President Jimmy Carter, but investors continue to monitor U.S. economic news closely. U.S. Treasury yields are declining as markets remain focused on Trump-era policies, while bond traders anticipate that the upcoming jobs report will test the Federal Reserve's pricing strategies. In the UK, investor confidence in the government is wanin...

Aussie stocks ended their winning streak with the ASX 200 down after a strong start to 2025. November’s retail sales data showed a 0.8% increase, softer than expected, reflecting cautious consumer spending despite heavy promotional activities. This adds weight to the possibility of an interest rate cut in February, though key data like employment stats and inflation updates later this month...

Wall Street remains cautious as investors weigh the impact of Trump's tariff plans. Technology stocks continue to face pressure, with chip makers leading the declines. Quantum computing stocks fell sharply after Nvidia’s CEO suggested that the technology is still decades away from mainstream use. Meanwhile, banks are under pressure as interest rates steadily rise. In company news, Edison Int...

The ASX 200 has extended its 2025 winning streak to five days, driven by a positive market reaction to November's inflation data. While headline inflation rose slightly due to electricity and fuel costs, core inflation dropped to 3.2%, below expectations, increasing the likelihood of an interest rate cut by the RBA in February. Materials and financials sectors led gains, with miners benefiting des...

The US services index climbed, with the price gauge reaching its highest level since 2023, signalling persistent inflation concerns. Traders have adjusted their expectations, no longer fully pricing in a US rate cut before July. Meanwhile, US job openings surged to a six-month high, reflecting a resilient labour market. Additionally, the technology sector lagged, with Nvidia dipping after reaching...

The market has lifted again slightly today continuing the 4-day winning streak.  Laura and Stevie unpack this ‘streak’ and look at the performance of the US market overnight with tech stocks seeing significant shifts.  The Aussie dollar has improved today and so they look into the international happenings that have fuelled this, NVIDIA is back in the headlines, and they unpac...

Technology stocks are at the forefront of driving investor interest and contributing to recent market gains. All eyes are on Nvidia’s CEO, whose upcoming speech is anticipated to ignite the next significant breakout. Meanwhile, the US dollar pares losses following Trump's denial of reports about curbing tariffs. In Canada, stocks see a slight uptick after Prime Minister, Justin Trudeau's res...

Laura and Stevie are back following the Christmas break with the market seeing slight declines following some minor falls around lunchtime and a flat finish.  They reflect on the market performance of the year gone by with 24 record highs locally, and they run through the standout movers throughout that period.  Materials stocks led the conversation today with the sector seeing declines,...

The new year has had a shaky start, but technology stocks have helped lift Wall Street during holiday trading. US bond yields have climbed in anticipation of upcoming labor market data, while mega-cap stocks have been key drivers in pushing the US share market higher. Meanwhile, a surging US dollar has put pressure on commodity prices. Oil prices have risen, supported by cold weather and favorable...

In the last podcast of 2024, Steve and Laura reflect on a challenging December for the Aussie market, which has seen a 4.5% decline, making it the worst month of the year. The Federal Reserve's slower-than-expected pace of rate cuts rattled global markets, with Financials, consumer discretionary, and materials sectors among the hardest hit locally. Highlights included Life360's 200% surge this yea...

Wall Street is making a cautious recovery after experiencing one of the year’s steepest declines. The Dow Jones Index broke a 10-day losing streak, its longest since 1974, while the 10-year US Treasury yield climbed to its highest level since May, reflecting ongoing strength in the US economy. In corporate news, Micron Technology faced its worst trading day since 2020 following disappointing...

The Aussie share market faced a tough day, with the ASX 200 facing it's steepest decline in three and a half months—dragged down by a 2.5% fall in the US Dow Jones. Investor concerns stemmed from the US Federal Reserve’s revised interest rate outlook, signalling fewer rate cuts in 2025 than anticipated. All 11 ASX sectors ended in the red, with tech, financials, and materials hit harde...

The US Federal Reserve has cut interest rates by 25 basis points but surprised investors by signaling a reduced forecast for future cuts. Meanwhile, the Dow Jones is on track for a 10-day losing streak, potentially marking its worst performance since 1974. In corporate news, Birkenstock shares are climbing amid a surge in demand for sandals, while speculation of a Honda-Nissan merger has sent ripp...

The Aussie market closed flat today despite an optimistic start, as lunchtime weakness erased earlier gains. Investors are now eyeing the U.S. Federal Reserve's final interest rate decision for the year, expected to deliver a 25 basis point cut, marking three consecutive cuts since September. Market attention will shift to the Fed’s economic outlook and potential rate movements in 2024. Loca...

Wall Street has extended its losses as investors remain cautious ahead of the upcoming Federal Reserve decision, following strong retail sales data. The Dow Jones Index is on a nine-day losing streak, its longest since 1978. Energy shares weighed on the S&P 500 as oil prices declined, with Amentum emerging as the index's worst performer after forecasting a hit to its FY25 growth. Oil-related s...

Bitcoin soared to another record, while the Aussie stock market rebounded, snapping a tough five-day losing streak with the ASX rising 0.8%. Financial stocks led the gains, rising 1.1%, while energy underperformed as the sector remains the year’s weakest. Notably, tech platform PEXA surged following the appointment of a new CEO, while Data#3 plunged 10% due to changes in Microsoft incentives...

Wall Street has posted mixed results, yet chipmakers continued to surge. The NASDAQ reached a record high, driven by gains in Broadcom and Alphabet, while Nvidia entered correction territory after a significant rally. Meanwhile, Bitcoin has hit a record high, partly attributed to former President Trump's strategic reserve initiative. Bond yields remained flat ahead of the US Federal Reserve's inte...

The Australian market continued its downward streak, with the ASX hitting a four-week low amidst weak Chinese retail data and falling commodity prices. China's slower-than-expected retail growth raised concerns over consumption and the country's ability to meet its 5% annual growth target, which impacted resource stocks like BHP and Rio Tinto. Mining and energy sectors remain some of the year's wo...