HomeReportsMarket Matters 2022 Outlook Report – a potential…
Firstly and very importantly a happy and healthy new year to everyone, COVID may continue to test us all but lets hope our optimism is well founded and it will soon to be in the rear view mirror, definitely some lessons to be learnt here! Aside from the pandemic MM is extremely excited about the coming year on a number of fronts from the ongoing opportunities the markets look set to present to the continued growth and evolution of MM:
When inflation rises it takes interest rates along for the ride which flows down to multiple contraction / a drop in valuations i.e. people are prepared to pay less for a company’s potential growth / yield because they can suddenly get an improving return on their risk free funds at the bank i.e. a major tailwind for stocks has become a headwind
The US literally pumped money / stimulus into their economy after the GFC but the amount pales into insignificance compared to their extreme efforts post-COVID, never in history has the global economy experienced such phenomenal economic stimulus effectively providing “free money” which has fuelled massive M&A and buyback activity in equities
MM believes that company buybacks are close to a point of inflection which should remove an enormous tailwind for stock indices i.e. one of the largest net buyers of stocks may retreat
MM remains mildly bullish Australian equities looking for 4-6% further upside i.e. not a big call but we do anticipate reducing our risk if such a move unfolds
MM is looking for around 10% upside in copper in the coming months but we must remain mindful of how quickly some moves unfolded in 2020/21, in both directions!
The ASX enjoyed a strong rebound today, bouncing sharply as investors latched onto two positives at once. Brent crude rolled over in Asian trade after the US President purportedly presented Iran with a 15-point plan to end the conflict, helping to calm nerves. At the same time, the February CPI print came in a touch softer than feared, giving the market some confidence that domestic inflation pressures are easing.
The ASX200 managed to close up +0.2% on Tuesday, but it wasn’t pretty with the index ending the session more than 100 points below its early morning high. The issue was the credibility of President Trump's claims that talks are underway to end the conflict with Iran, where reports of such talks were called “Fake News.” The attacks continue, although Trump has postponed strikes on Iran’s energy infrastructure, citing “productive conversations” with Tehran.
The ASX finished modestly higher but well off its intraday highs after an early relief rally faded as the geopolitical backdrop in the Middle East remained fluid. The index surged more than +130pts at the open, briefly pushing 8500, before momentum cooled as US futures slipped gradually through the day.
The ASX200 ended a volatile session more than 100 points off its early morning low, down only 0.7%. Selling was fairly brutal on open, as was expected, but investors steadily bought the dip through the day, with over 40% of the main board managing to close positive.
The ASX finished lower, though it was much worse early on in the session. The war in the Middle East continues to dominate sentiment, with the market now down ~9% from the start of March, flirting with technical 'correction' territory.
Global equities finished lower on Friday, pressured by escalating Middle East tensions, surging oil prices, and a renewed shift higher in rate expectations. For the week, the ASX200 fell 2.2%, the S&P 500 lost 1.9%, and the UK FTSE 3.3%.
The ASX200 ended a tough week down -2.2%, extending March’s retreat to -8.4% with more losses likely on Monday. Materials (-7.1%) and Tech stocks (-4.2%) continued to lead the decline, as fears around global growth and inflation escalated as the war dragged on with no end in sight, and oil prices looked increasingly comfortable above $US110. On Friday night, selling intensified into the U.S. afternoon session after Reuters reported Iraq had declared force majeure on oilfields operated by foreign companies, while President Trump said he was not seeking a ceasefire with Iran. Now entering its fourth week, roughly in line with Trump’s initial timeframe, the conflict is nonetheless unsettling Washington, as Iran’s ability to disrupt oil markets with relative ease continues to drive global angst.
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