Ask James: Stocks end the week unchanged but it didn’t feel quiet!

The ASX200 again fell 1% on a Friday, it’s becoming an end of week habit! Its very easy to understand why investors / traders were scared to go home exposed this weekend as Monday is Presidents Day in the US making it a 3-day weekend for stocks i.e. plenty of time for further escalation of geopolitical tensions around the Ukraine. You could actually feel the realisation kick in at 3.30pm yesterday, the ASX was holding up really well considering previous falls on overseas bourses but in the last half an hour we succumbed to nerves and dropped almost 50-points to forgo the week’s gains.

scroll

OPINION
ACTION

Latest Reports

Afternoon report 13/08/2025 17:47

The Match Out: CBA sells off, drags ASX down with it

Equity markets across Asia today surged on news US-China trade tariffs paused for an additional 90 days through to November – it was a different story on the local market.

Morning report 13/08/2025 09:31

Portfolio Positioning: Michele Bullock’s 0.25% cut helps push the ASX200 towards 9000

The ASX200 rallied another +0.4% on Tuesday, embracing the 0.25% RBA rate cut and accompanying dovish commentary. Credit markets are pricing in another 2-3 cuts over the coming 12-months; we think they're being too cautious.

Afternoon report 12/08/2025 17:14

The Match Out: RBA rate cut pushes stocks to another new high

Another new all-time high for the ASX today, buoyed by the expectation that today’s rate cut will be followed by several more; markets now expecting another 3-4 cuts in the next 12-months.

Morning report 12/08/2025 11:48

What Matters Today: Is yesterday’s jump a “Get out of Jail Free card” in lithium stocks?

The ASX200 closed up +0.4% on Monday, driven to new highs by a resources sector enjoying a new lease of life; it's already surged +6.7% so far in August. The lithium stocks led the charge following the news that CATL shut down one of the world's largest mines, but on the index level, it was BHP that added the most points, around 30% of the day's 38-point gain. Outside of the gold stocks, the Materials Sector was hot, from lithium to copper, and iron ore.

Afternoon report 11/08/2025 16:50

The Match Out: ASX books another all-time high (by 1 point), Lithium stocks jump on China mine shutdown

An interesting session to kick off the week with Lithium stocks roaring as a major mine in China suspended production after failing to extend a mining permit, putting a rocket under the sector which has significant short interest, the implication being more upside looks highly likely.

Morning report 11/08/2025 09:25

Macro Monday: The AI revolution will deliver Big Winners & Losers

Artificial intelligence’s (AI) influence on equity markets has been impossible to miss in recent years. Relative newcomer Nvidia Corp. is now the world’s most valuable company, with a market cap approaching $4.5 trillion, comfortably topping Apple Inc. (AAPL US) by a whopping $1 trillion.

Weekend report 09/08/2025 09:08

Weekend Q&A: The Bull remains intact as the ASX posts new highs, breaking above 8800

The ASX200 slipped lower on Friday but still managed to snap a two-week losing streak. The index finished up +1.7% over the five days, driven by strong gains by miners and rate-sensitive names. On the sector level, only healthcare retreated courtesy of renewed tariff jitters while the Materials sector surged over 5% higher, led by gold, rare earth and lithium stocks. A more than 30c gain by BHP in the US on Friday nights suggests there's more in this move. The extent of the gains in miners saw a number of the best performers outperform IRESS (IRE), and it received a takeover bid!

Afternoon report 08/08/2025 17:40

The Match Out: Another good week for the ASX as reporting builds momentum

The ASX finished the week sluggishly as the market took its foot off the gas with US tariffs on ~90 trading partners becoming effective yesterday. Despite the tremors, the index still managed to gain 1.7% over the period and is within striking distance of fresh all-time highs

Alerts 08/08/2025 10:22

Portfolio Amendments – Growth & Income Portfolio

MM is adding a new position to the Income & Growth Portfolios

Morning report 08/08/2025 09:30

ETF Friday: Our 4 top macro calls, and way to play them via ETFs

The ASX 200 slipped 0.1% on a quiet Thursday, with the index remaining around all-time highs as the exchange where its shares are traded goes from one mess-up to the next.