CommSec Market Update

The Dow Jones closed at a record high on Friday and the NASDAQ rose over 1% following a stronger-than-expected jobs report. This report has lowered expectations for rate cuts and pushed the US dollar to a seven-week high. US bank stocks also hit record highs ahead of their earnings reports later this week, while US bond yields saw their largest increase since April. Meanwhile, Rio Tinto is in talk...

It's been a rollercoaster week for the Aussie sharemarket, ending with a drop of around 55 points, breaking a recent winning streak. Despite early-week gains, the market finished down, with mining and banking sectors leading the losses. However, the energy sector was the standout, surging nearly 7% over the week, driven by rising oil prices amid geopolitical tensions in the Middle East. Dividends...

October has had a rocky start, with Middle East conflicts raising concerns over oil supply. Strong U.S. services sector data has pushed the U.S. dollar to a six-week high. In company news, Levi Strauss shares fell after delivering a disappointing revenue outlook, though the company hopes its new campaign for Levi's Jeans featuring Beyoncé will boost sales. Meanwhile, Tesla's top data executive is...

The Australian market remained flat today, with the ASX200 barely moving despite earlier declines. Investors were cautious due to escalating Middle East tensions, which drove mixed performances across sectors. Energy stocks, typically buoyed by rising oil prices, saw sluggish performance due to weak coal stocks like New Hope, which also traded ex-dividend. Real estate stocks outshone others, while...

US investors remain cautious, reflecting on recent economic and geopolitical developments. Strong job data has dashed hopes for a second major Fed rate cut. In corporate news, Nike shares declined after postponing its investor day due to an upcoming CEO change. Salesforce gained on AI initiatives while Tesla shares fell after the EV maker misses delivery estimates. In Australia, markets are expect...

The market has closed slightly down again today.  Laura and Stevie discuss this performance and the international news which may have aided this move.  Energy stocks were the clear winners today recouping some of their recent losses and with only three sectors seeing gains they reflect on how those sectors impacted the overall market performance.  They discuss the stocks that saw significant moves...

Global equity markets have retreated amid escalating Middle Eastern tensions, with oil prices surging 5% after Iran's missile attack on Israel. The tensions have also driven bond yields lower, boosted gold, and strengthened the US dollar. Meanwhile, a major US port strike could cause inflation. Technology stocks saw a sharp decline, with Apple shares falling as analysts and investors debate demand...

We have ended the three-day winning streak today as the market looks set to close with one of the worst days in a month.  Laura and Stevie reflect on this recent solid performance thanks in part to the first US rate cart and stimulus out of China and look to what could be ahead for this month based on historic data.  Interest rates remain in focus with hopes of a significant cut in November dulled...

It’s the first day of a new month and Wall Street has seen modest gains following Fed Chair Jerome Powell’s comments. The S&P 500 secured its fourth consecutive quarter of gains, marking its longest winning streak since 2021. In company news, Tesla shares surged ahead of its Robotaxi debut. Meanwhile, Chinese markets are closed for Golden Week. Locally, the ASX 200 posted its best September qu...

It was a strong close for Australian stocks at the end of the month and quarter, with the ASX 200 rising 0.7%, marking three consecutive days of gains. The materials sector outshone others, bolstered by China's economic stimulus, pushing miners like BHP and Rio Tinto up by 11% over September. Key drivers of market performance included easing U.S. inflation and the potential for another interest ra...

Join Tom and Ryan as they discuss the week ahead in Aussie and global markets. US markets rose for the third consecutive week, with the Dow Jones closing at a record high, driven by a strong performance in energy stocks. In corporate news, US retailer Costco dropped nearly 2% following weaker earnings. Oil prices increased on Friday as investors weighed Chinese stimulus measures against rising Mid...

The Aussie share market experienced a volatile week, with a modest 0.03% weekly gain, narrowly missing a new record high. Mining stocks surged due to Chinese stimulus, but financials struggled as funds flowed out of banks and into materials. Inflation data in Australia was in line with expectations, but core inflation remains above target, keeping rate cuts in focus. The Reserve Bank held rates st...

Improved earnings and economic news drove Wall Street to record highs, with Micron Technology posting its largest gain in 13 years due to AI-driven demand. Positive U.S. economic data has reinforced expectations of a soft landing, while China accelerated its stimulus efforts. Gold reached record levels, but silver stood out, hitting a 12-year high. In contrast, oil slipped 3% on the prospect of in...

The ASX 200 saw its first rise of the week, nearly recouping earlier losses and approaching a record high. The materials sector, benefiting from China's stimulus, surged, while financials rebounded slightly after a rough start to the week. Consumer discretionary stocks also performed well, led by Aristocrat Leisure, which hit an all-time high. Meanwhile, the energy sector struggled due to falling...

The S&P 500 has retreated from its record highs, with information technology among the most improved sectors. Meta Platforms shares rose after unveiling a new VR headset, entering competition with Apple's device released in February. Meanwhile, oil stocks dropped more than 2% on concerns about Libyan supply. Closer to home, Australian shares are expected to open higher on Thursday, as miners l...

The ASX experienced volatility today, initially opening higher before declining by 0.25% as softer inflation data briefly boosted the market. Australia's headline inflation fell to 2.7%, a three-year low, but core inflation remains above the RBA's target. Mining stocks surged, driven by China's significant stimulus measures, with iron ore prices rising and BHP up 3.5%. The Australian dollar also h...

Wall Street hit new record highs, led by the S&P 500, as mining stocks surged. However, U.S. consumer confidence dropped to its lowest in three years amid concerns about the labour market and broader economy. Meanwhile, China announced its largest stimulus since the pandemic, lifting oil prices by 2% and driving copper to a 10-week high. Locally, Aussie inflation is set to hit a 3 year low but...

The Aussie market remained flat today amid a decision to leave interest rates unchanged.  Laura and Stevie unpack this expected move and how the local market reacted as a result.  They look at the performance of the sectors with materials seeing huge gains, but financials dropping a similar amount and offsetting the gains.  Iron ore is in focus, Coles and Woolworths continue to struggle following...

Wall Street consolidates last week's gains with Fed officials leaving the door open to further rate cuts. Intel shares rose on speculation of a Qualcomm takeover, while ASX lithium stocks will be in focus today following Albemarle's 3% gain. Hopes for China stimulus increase after the PBOC cut rates. Oil prices tumbled on weaker manufacturing data, while gold hit another record high. Meanwhile, a...

Steve is rolling solo today as the market slips ahead of what will be a data heavy week.  Reflecting on the recent record highs Steve deep-dives into why we could be seeing this breather and unpacks each of the sectors with several still seeing gains.  Coles and Woolworths are in the news today and their share prices came under pressure as a result, Webjet is seeing some changes, and REA Group con...

The Dow Jones closed at a fresh record high following a winning week, with investors still digesting the significant Fed rate cut. In company news, FedEx raised concerns about U.S. economic growth as their customers are shifting to cheaper and slower delivery options. Nike shares surged 7% after announcing a new CEO, while Intel shares climbed on reports of a Qualcomm takeover approach. Gold hit a...

The ASX 200 continued its winning streak today amid news of Japan holding rates steady and U.S tech stocks surging on hopes of further cuts. Locally, commodity prices rose due to a weaker U.S. dollar, benefiting miners and energy stocks, though lithium miners struggled. The August jobs report showed strong part-time job growth, while RBA economists pushed rate cut expectations to December. Next we...

Wall Street celebrates as stocks surge, with the S&P 500 notching its 39th record in 2024 and the Dow Jones reaching 42,000 points for the first time. U.S. jobless claims have fallen to their lowest level since May, signalling a strong labour market. In Europe, the Bank of England has held interest rates steady. In commodities, copper, oil, gold, and iron ore all rose, with iron ore boosted by...

The ASX 200 hit a fresh record high today after the US Federal Reserve announced a mammoth 50 basis-point rate cut. While U.S. markets initially surged on the news, they later dipped when Fed Chair Jerome Powell hinted at smaller rate cuts ahead. Australia's jobs data surprised with higher-than-expected part-time job growth, though full-time jobs fell. Mining and energy stocks rebounded, but healt...

Wall Street ended lower despite the US Federal Reserve announcing a 50 basis point interest rate cut, the first in four and a half years. Join Tom and Ryan as they discuss the market's response, including the S&P 500 and Dow Jones hitting record highs, with small caps and regional banks outperforming, while utilities and technology stocks weighed down Wall Street. Closer to home, Aussie shares...