CommSec Market Update

Wall Street has ended August on a high note, with record highs for the Dow Jones and S&P 500. The U.S market posted its fourth consecutive month of gains as the stock rally broadened ahead of upcoming job data. Earnings growth has been particularly strong in the technology, financial, and healthcare sectors. However, U.S oil prices plunged by 3% as OPEC increased output. This decline, along wi...

The Aussie market closed flat, but is likely to end August with a slight decline. Reporting season was mixed, with notable movements like Downer rising 17% after a strong profit report and Appen plunging 16% after losing key contracts. Retail spending was flat in July, aligning with higher costs of living. Looking ahead, key US inflation data and Australian economic growth updates will shape next...

Wall Street has ended August in neutral, with US economic data suggesting a soft landing for the world's largest economy. The Dow Jones hit a record high, while the NASDAQ declined as Nvidia shares tumbled. Oil prices rose due to supply concerns in Libya and Iraq. Meanwhile, Aussie shares are expected to finish the week on a high, supported by strong commodity prices and recently released retail s...

The ASX 200 closed slightly lower despite some gains earlier in the week. The market's performance was influenced by a tough start to August and modest improvements since, with concerns about a US recession and Japan's interest rate hike adding pressure. Nvidia's stellar earnings in the US were overshadowed by doubts about sustained growth, impacting global sentiment. Locally, Westfarmers' higher...

Wall Street retreats as investors eagerly await Nvidia's earnings figures, while Australian shares are set to fall amid declining commodity prices. OpenAI is in talks to raise funding, which would value the company at $100 billion. Meanwhile, Warren Buffett's Berkshire Hathaway has reached a market value of $1 trillion. U.S. retail shares, including Lululemon, PVH, and Foot Locker, are under press...

The market has remained flat today with a drop happening ahead of upcoming inflation data, but then settling once those numbers were revealed.  Laura and Stevie reflect on the data and how it moved markets breaking down the performance of each of the sectors, discuss the best and worst performers for the day including City Chic and Adairs, and look to the day ahead. The content in this podcast is...

Wall Street slips into neutral as the market anticipates key earnings reports. Ryan and Tom preview Nvidia’s results, noting that the AI giant could have a greater impact on the market than Jerome Powell's upcoming Jackson Hole speech. Resmed shares surged 7% overnight, while Tesla declined following Canada's imposition of tariffs on Chinese EVs. Oil prices have dropped by 2%, and Woolworths is in...

A number of leading Australian companies have released earnings data today and this, along with a cautious US session has resulted in a modest local decline today.  Laura and Stevie reflect on the performance across the month which has been largely led by improvements, and delve into the sectors many of which saw a fall today.  Oil prices are in the discussion, copper received a lot of attention,...

Wall Street consolidates following recent gains while technology stocks suffer vertigo ahead of Nvidia's earnings. Apple shares have risen following the announcement of a new iPhone event on September 9th. Oil prices jump 3% due to Middle Eastern tensions, and iron ore reaches a two-week high. Ryan previews Coles and BHP's earnings results and futures point to modest gains for Aussie shares at the...

The U.S. Federal Reserve's recent comments at the Jackson Hole symposium, where Jerome Powell hinted at potential interest rate cuts due to a shift in focus from inflation to rising unemployment, have fuelled market optimism today. Meanwhile, the Australian market has rebounded from a rough start to the month, with sectors like consumer staples and healthcare facing pressure. Key highlights includ...

Investors celebrate as U.S. Federal Reserve Chairman Jerome Powell signals an imminent drop in interest rates, sparking a surge in U.S. stocks. Oil prices rise as concerns grow over Middle East escalations. A busy week lies ahead for local reporting seasons, with Nvidia kicking things off. Meanwhile, the Aussie share market remains resilient and is expected to begin the week on a positive note, su...

The Aussie market's impressive 10-day winning streak has come to an end, with the market slipping into slightly negative territory. Key sectors like energy and utilities dragged the market down, influenced by declining oil stocks and coal miners. Whitehaven Coal and Ingham’s experienced significant share price drops following disappointing profit results and analyst downgrades, while Fisher &...

Wall Street retreats as investors brace for a speech from Jerome Powell, who is expected to temper market expectations for aggressive interest rate cuts. The NASDAQ slid amid rising Treasury yields, with Powell’s remarks looming. Meanwhile, BMW surpassed Tesla to lead Europe in EV sales while earnings reports from Ingham's Group are anticipated. The ASX is set to open in negative territory, breaki...

The Australian stock market continued its winning streak, marking ten consecutive sessions of gains, the longest run since 2015. Despite the streak, daily improvements have been modest. The market's resilience comes amidst ongoing reporting season, with mixed company performances. Notable movers include a 20% drop in Megaport due to underwhelming guidance, and strong gains for WiseTech and Bramble...

Wall Street consolidates as investors increasingly expect the US Federal Reserve to cut rates in September, though the extent of the cut remains uncertain. Several retailers, including Target, have released earnings reports, with Target showing promising gains. Lithium miners are in focus after their latest earnings, while iron ore prices have risen on hopes of Chinese stimulus. Meanwhile, the Aus...

The market started down today but did manage to improve slightly securing the longest winning streak in a decade.  With today being the busiest day of the reporting season, Laura and Stevie look at some of the outcomes, the improvement of the tech sector is in focus, and they discuss the drag that is being seen because of the finance sector.  Domino’s Pizza, the Lottery Corp, and IAG are among the...

The S&P 500 and NASDAQ ended lower, breaking an eight-day winning streak. Lowe's shares declined due to weak consumer spending on DIY projects. In contrast, Eli Lilly's shares rose as its weight-loss drug showed promise in reducing the risk of developing type 2 diabetes. Meanwhile, gold reached record highs, and the Australian dollar strengthened as the U.S. dollar hit its lowest level since J...

The Australian share market is on the cusp of its longest winning streak since 2015, having already logged eight consecutive days of gains. However, despite the optimism, today's rise has been modest, impacted by weaker iron ore prices and cautious investor sentiment ahead of central bank meetings. Key sectors like materials and tech are performing well, while property trusts lag behind, with Dexu...

US stocks are showing a promising recovery from early August losses, with technology stocks leading the gains ahead of Jackson Hole. The Aussie share market is also expected to rise today, supported by industrial metal prices, while the Aussie dollar has reached a one-month high as the Greenback hits a seven-month low. The content in this podcast is prepared, approved and distributed in Australia...

The market improved slightly again today edging closer once more to the recent record high.  Laura and Stevie discuss the mixed performance that we have seen today with some of the sectors seeing losses but others managing to balance that out.  Reporting season continues and so they discuss the data that came out today, gold prices are in the discussion amid new highs, and they look at what to exp...

US stocks ended the week on a strong note, with technology stocks rebounding and leading Wall Street’s surge. Concerns about a US recession have eased after better-than-expected economic data, while hopes for lower interest rates are in focus ahead of a key Fed meeting. Meanwhile, the ASX faces headwinds as iron ore prices hit their lowest in two years. Earnings season is in full swing, with many...

The ASX had a strong performance today, with the market experiencing its best week of the year, gaining 2.3% and nearing record highs. Global economic data provided a mixed but favorable backdrop, with easing inflation and robust US retail sales boosting investor confidence. Despite challenges, mining and energy stocks led gains, with tech and financial sectors also performing well. Domain shares...

Wall Street surges as stronger retail sales boost investor sentiment, while Aussie investors are focused on NAB's trading update today. The S&P 500 and NASDAQ achieved a six-day winning streak, with big-box retailers climbing after Walmart's strong results. Meanwhile, copper and oil prices rise on hopes of a soft landing, while iron ore hits a 14-month low. The content in this podcast is prepa...

The Australian share market is teetering on a fifth consecutive day of modest gains despite a mixed bag of economic data. A surprising surge in job growth saw 58,200 new jobs in July, driving speculation about potential rate cuts, though uncertainty lingers. In the corporate world, Cochlear shares plunged over 7% despite solid profits, while Telstra's shares rose on news of a dividend increase, de...

US stocks had mixed fortunes despite encouraging inflation data, with US inflation reaching a three-and-a-half-year low. Shelter inflation stood out, accounting for 90% of the overall rise in the CPI for July. Alphabet weighed on the NASDAQ as options are being considered for breaking up the online search giant. Iron ore prices hit their lowest since May 2023, while lithium miners are in focus aft...