Portfolio Positioning: The RBA’s rate hike has little impact on local markets

As most people know, Michele Bullock and the RBA ignored MM’s advice and hiked rates another 0.25% on Melbourne Cup Day. It feels like a long time, but it was just 20 months ago that the Australian Cash rate was comfortably idling at 0.1% before the RBA disregarded the early telltale signs that inflation was rising, allowing the inflation genie to escape from the proverbial lamp. We believe yesterday was a similar case in point but in reverse with the Australian economy already starting to slow, but borrowers still coped a hike when a no change would have been prudent; time will tell if we’re correct.

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Alerts 20/01/2026 17:33

Trade Alerts – International Equities Portfolio

We are reducing several positions in the International Equities Portfolio

Afternoon report 20/01/2026 17:06

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Morning report 20/01/2026 09:43

What Matters Today: Reviewing the six new additions to the ASX200

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Afternoon report 19/01/2026 16:45

The Match Out: Trump inspired weakness hits ASX as volumes pick up

Weakness crept back into the market today as more traders got back behind their desks post Christmas break, with volumes increasing across the board. After a flat start to trade, US Futures came under pressure as Trump threatened 10% tariffs on several European countries from February, rising to 25% in June, unless the European Union agrees to negotiations linked to the “purchase of Greenland”.

Morning report 19/01/2026 09:53

Macro Monday: Back on deck for a big 2026!

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Afternoon report 24/12/2025 14:24

The Match Out: ASX slips, Happy Christmas All

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Morning report 24/12/2025 10:43

Portfolio Positioning: The Christmas rally kicks into gear

Firstly, from James, Shawn & the MM Team, we wish you a happy and safe festive season. Many thanks for being a wonderful group of members, and your ongoing support throughout the year. It's been a year of two halves for the ASX and MM in many ways, but we’re finishing on the right foot across all portfolios. In todays note, we’ll run through portfolio performance, in a lighter style Christmas Eve report. A reminder, if you are considering investment options in 2026, all Market Matters Portfolios are now open for investment, via Market Matters Invest Direct, including the International Equities Portfolio which has had a stellar year, up over 25%. We will continue to work hard in 2026, building on a solid 2025.

Afternoon report 23/12/2025 16:43

The Match Out: Santa rally in full swing as ASX soars, Goodman Group (GMG) inks major deal

The ASX finished sharply higher, extending its pre-Christmas rally as broad-based buying pushed the market to a six-week high and saw all sectors finish higher for the second day in a row. Optimism around US rate cuts, light year-end volumes and strong US markets overnight combined to lift risk appetite, with real estate and technology leading gains.

Morning report 23/12/2025 09:18

What Matters Today: Understanding the Data Centre (DC) models as NEXTDC jumps

The ASX 200 surged to a 5-week high on Monday, closing up +0.9% as the traditional lack of selling during the festive season was met with fairly aggressive buying across the miners, who spent much of the day jockeying for position on the leaderboard. Interestingly, even as gold and silver surged to new all-time highs and copper flirted with its equivalent milestone, it was the uranium names that won this particular race:

Afternoon report 22/12/2025 16:46

The Match Out: Commodities drive ASX rally, Nick Scali upgrades guidance

The ASX surged today, as a rally in commodities combined with rising expectations of further US Federal Reserve rate cuts lifted risk appetite into the Christmas break. Gold was the standout driver, with energy and uranium stocks joined the rally, and banks posting modest gains, cooling from early strength.