The Match Out: Aussie market adds another +100pts this week, lithium stocks tumble on slowing China EV data

A quiet session for the ASX to end the week, closing higher for the fourth consecutive session to finish at the highest level since May. Most sectors were in the green to round out the week, only commodity-linked sectors of Materials & Energy were weaker, driven by a weaker USD. The best was seen by Utilities while Real Estate and Consumer Discretionary were also up by more than 1%. The index managed to turn around a slow start, closing +107pts/+1.51% higher as all sectors rallied.

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Morning report 13/02/2026 09:50

ETF Friday: Are ETFs the way to invest for a bottom in the software sector?

The ASX 200 tested its all-time high at lunchtime yesterday before peeling away to close up just +0.3% as the dramatic polarisation across the ASX continues in earnest - already in 2026, we’ve witnessed the Tech Sector hammered by over -20% while the Materials have gained more than +12%, compounding the dramatic rotation through FY26. It's becoming almost monotonous to quote how far the major tech names have fallen day to day. However, it's hard to ignore; it felt like capitulation on Thursday, but there's already been a few chapters in that particular scary book - on the day, SiteMinder (SDR) -12.9%, Xero (XRO) -8.4%, Life360 (360) -8.3%, and Technology One (TNE) -6.9%.

Afternoon report 12/02/2026 18:09

The Match Out: ASX lifts as Banks surge in back to back sessions

The ASX pushed higher for a second straight session, flirting with fresh record highs at the 9100 level as bank earnings momentum continued to drive the index. ANZ stole the show with its best day in six years after delivering a standout quarterly profit result, and the broader financials complex stayed well bid, compounding Commonwealth Bank’s strong result yesterday.

Morning report 12/02/2026 12:24

What Matters Today: CBA puts the banks on centre stage

The ASX 200 soared +1.7%, enjoying its best day since October, posting 3-month highs in the process. Rallies by the heavyweight financials and materials sectors drove the move, led by strong earnings beats from Commonwealth Bank (CBA) and James Hardie (JHX). Although 8 of the main 11 sectors closed higher, the financials dominated the day, contributing 70% of the main boards' gain following the storming performance by CBA after its 1H profit topped expectations - more on the banks later.

Afternoon report 11/02/2026 17:51

The Match Out: CBA rips, drives ASX higher as Reporting Season shifts gears

The ASX surged toward all-time high territory, lifted by a string of earnings beats from heavyweight banks and industrials, helping the index shake off weakness in healthcare. Financials did the heavy lifting, with Commonwealth Bank delivering its best day since 2020, while miners also provided strong support as copper and gold prices stayed elevated.

Morning report 11/02/2026 09:43

Portfolio Positioning: Eyes down as reporting season kicks into gear

The ASX200 surrendered its early gains on Tuesday to end marginally lower after being up almost 60-points early in the session. Eight of 11 local sectors ended the session higher, as strong miners, energy, and IT stocks offset a 1.1% slump in the financial sector, with the insurers weak and bank selling gathering momentum during the day.

Afternoon report 10/02/2026 16:58

The Match Out: Insurance stocks become latest AI casualty as ASX edges lower

A mixed session for the ASX played out under the hood today with tech the clear standout and miners remaining firm after a strong start to the week as the bourse closed on the low of the day and almost +60pts from its high. Insurance stocks were hit as fresh fears emerged around AI disruption in the insurance-broking industry, with banks following suit into the afternoon.

Morning report 10/02/2026 09:36

What Matters Today: President Trump may be about to create a tailwind for US housing

Monday saw the currently fickle ASX 200 surge +1.9%, its best trading day since April, just one session after it plunged 2%. Yesterday’s gains were broad-based with all 11 sectors advancing along with 90% of the stocks, while the tech, real estate and materials sectors all gained by 3% or more.

Afternoon report 09/02/2026 16:59

The Match Out: Tech & Miners lead ASX bounce in best session since April ‘25

The ASX staged a sharp relief rally today, with the main board chalking up its strongest single day move since April 25. The move followed last week’s aggressive sell-off and was driven by dip-buying across technology and resource stocks, with all 11 sectors higher.

Morning report 09/02/2026 09:31

Macro Monday: Astronomical AI spending reverberates through global equities

What a week. Markets ran for cover as fears mounted that artificial intelligence (AI) could render many software business models redundant, or at least sharply devalue them. The issue was compounded by the fact that many of these software names were trading on lofty valuations in the anticipation of unrelenting growth. The potential risk of contraction compared to expansion has seen numerous household names halve in value over the last 6 months, from Xero and WiseTech on the ASX to Atlassian and Adobe in the US.

Weekend report 07/02/2026 10:06

Weekend Q&A: Volatility surges & reporting season is only getting started

The ASX 200 ended a volatile week down -1.8%, but it felt far worse on Friday when the index tumbled more than 2% - at least it should recover half of those losses on Monday morning. We received a rate hike last week, but it hardly registered with investors, focusing on three major themes: • The disruption by AI across the software sector, with negative sentiment spreading to tech in general. • Profit-taking in the commodity markets with silver plunging over 16% in just a matter of hours. • Risk off in general with Bitcoin plunging to its lowest level since late 2024.