What Matters Today: is it time to load up on the banks?

The ASX200 rallied strongly yesterday to close up 1.1% with over 80% of the market closing up on the day, if it hadn’t been for some profit taking in the energy & mining stocks it would have undoubtedly been a rare triple digit gain for the local index. Much of the strength flowed down from a pullback in oil prices following comments from the Ukraine that’s it’s open to peace talks with Russia, travel stocks were not surprisingly the standout winners e.g. Qantas (QAN) +5.8%, Webjet (WEB) +5.8% & Fight Centre (FLT) +6.6%.

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Afternoon report 02/05/2025 17:32

The Match Out: Energy leads the charge as ASX rallies to 2-month high

The trend of ‘risk off into the weekend’, prevalent in early April, has well and truly flipped as the ASX closed higher on the final trading day of the week for the 3rd consecutive week this afternoon.

Morning report 02/05/2025 09:33

What Matters Today: Meta (Facebook) reignites the AI trade

Different month, same ASX200, the local market opened down before slowly climbing higher throughout the day to ultimately end the session up +0.2%, near the intraday high. The tech sector led the gains, surging over 4% following strong results overnight from Meta Platforms (META US) and Microsoft (MSFT US) – more on the AI & Data Centre stocks later. It was the sixth consecutive daily gain for the ASX200, although it was the weakest session since the advance began, and some consolidation is feeling close at hand.

Afternoon report 01/05/2025 16:55

The Match Out: ASX kicks off May on the up!

The ASX backed up a solid recovery in April with a positive session to kick off May with 70% of the main board finishing higher. While the influential banks and resources generally struggled, there were some good moves elsewhere with technology and Date Centre stocks buoyed by better results from Meta and Microsoft overnight that imply AI spending remains robust.

Morning report 01/05/2025 12:05

What Matters Today: Uranium shorts are enormous, a dramatic “squeeze” could be in the offing

The ASX 200 popped higher in the last hour of April trade, taking the local index up 3.6% for the month. This has been a dramatic and impressive turnaround considering the carnage following “Liberation Day.” Similarly, global stocks were sitting up +0.5% ahead of overnight trade with the US reporting season set to take the markets' focus, at least for a week or two.

Afternoon report 30/04/2025 16:54

The Match Out: ASX shrugs off hotter inflation data, charges through 8,100

The ASX opened stronger following robust trading overnight as US investors shrugged off weak economic data and continued a rotation into risk on stocks as SP 500 companies impress on quarterly earnings. Key data releases locally mid-morning threatened to shake investor confidence — weaker Chinese manufacturing figures and a hotter-than-expected domestic CPI print.

Morning report 30/04/2025 09:48

Portfolio Positioning: The ASX200 makes 9-week highs, and people are still bearish

The ASX200 rallied strongly throughout Tuesday, hardly taking a backwards step all day to close up +0.9% on broad-based buying that saw almost 90% of the main board close higher. Local stocks are benefiting from some overseas money finding its way into the ASX, which has outperformed the US in 2025, although a few months doesn’t make a year.

Afternoon report 29/04/2025 17:49

The Match Out: Quarterlies provide a spark, ASX continues hot streak

Another strong session played out on the ASX today with the Australian Futures market not to be relied on, indicating a 16pt rise pre-open, the market exploded out of the gates as a slew of solid quarterly production reports from the mining sector provided a spark with BHP, Fortescue and Rio accounting for ~25% of the total index gain.

Morning report 30/04/2025 10:19

What Matters Today: Three ASX stocks very exposed to a global slowdown

The ASX200 struggled to hold onto early gains on Monday, not helped by weakness across US Futures and local heavyweights CBA and BHP. The market ultimately finished up 28-points after surrendering ~65% of the early gains, but over 70% of the main board closed higher, led by strong moves across the energy and tech sectors.

Afternoon report 28/04/2025 16:38

The Match Out: ASX limps into the close after a strong open

The ASX opened with a bang this morning hitting a 8051 high early on – up ~80pts, taking the rally from the April 7 low to +882pts/12.3%. However, profit taking emerged from mid-morning with the index losing ~70% of the morning gains.

Morning report 28/04/2025 09:32

Macro Monday: Good old-fashioned earnings drive stocks higher

Last week saw the S&P 500 enjoy its longest advance since January, rising +4.6%, taking the index back above the psychological 5500 level. After an exceptionally volatile month, the index is less than 2% below where it exited March, while the tech-based NASDAQ is actually higher.