Weekend report 02/05/2026 09:00

Weekend Q&A: ASX starts May on the front foot

The ASX200 ended its 8-day losing streak on Friday with a solid +0.7% advance, although it promised more early on before the “Big Four Banks” reversed lower. It felt worse, but come the closing bell on Friday, the index was only down 0.6% for the week, although compared to the strong gains in the US, it was a clear disappointment. It was the big end of town that reined in the market last week, with the banks and heavyweight miners retreating. Next Wednesday, we see the RBA step up on interest rates, with credit markets pricing in a ~74% probability of a 0.25% hike, while on the following Tuesday, we will receive the Federal Budget- there’s no rest for the wicked in May!

Afternoon report 01/05/2026 17:03

The Match Out: ASX bounces back as miners lead and supermarkets recover

The ASX finally found some buyers today, snapping its eight-day losing streak as risk appetite improved following record highs on Wall Street and a modest pullback in oil from Thursday’s spike. Materials did the heavy lifting, helped by gains in iron ore, while gold names also bounced after recent weakness.

Morning report 01/05/2026 09:06

ETF Friday: Four ASX ETFs to track the ongoing massive AI buildout

The ASX200 continued its losing streak for an eighth day on Thursday, as it waved goodbye to April, a month that promised so much but ultimately only closed up +2.2%, not a bad net result, but the last few sessions made it feel far worse. The song remained the same yesterday, as oil prices ground ever higher and the realities of a prolonged energy shock hit home for Woolworths (ASX:WOW) and other exposed businesses. Confidence is rapidly being eroded that the US-Iran conflict will be resolved any time soon, as boards start pointing fingers at the impact of the war for disappointing trading updates. Yesterday, it was Woolworths -7.8%, while South32 (ASX:S32) -5.4% focused more on Trump's tariffs.

Afternoon report 30/04/2026 17:42

The Match Out: Supermarkets under the pump as Woolworths leads the ASX lower

The ASX drifted lower again today, extending its losing streak to eight sessions as elevated oil prices and rising bond yields continued to weigh on sentiment. Brent crude pushed toward multi-year highs, keeping inflation concerns alive and lifting the Australian 10-year yield above 5% after a steady climb over the past two weeks.

Morning report 30/04/2026 09:53

What Matters Today: Atlas Arteria takeover bid – What it could mean for ASX infrastructure and utilities stocks?

The ASX200 posted its 7th consecutive day of losses on Wednesday, falling another 0.3% despite a softer-than-feared inflation print. The CPI came in at 4.6% in the year to March, lower than expected but spiking sharply from February, hitting levels not seen since 2023. Short-dated local bonds rallied on the release (yields lower), but the move did little to shift the broader hawkish outlook for rates into 2026. Credit markets continue to price in a ~70% probability of a third RBA hike next week.

Afternoon report 29/04/2026 17:20

The Match Out: ASX drifts lower as CPI comes in better than expected

The ASX extended its losing streak today as investors digested Australia’s March inflation print, which came in slightly below expectations but still high enough to keep the prospect of another RBA rate hike firmly on the table next week. Bond yields eased following the data, though sentiment remained fragile with markets now pricing roughly a ~75% chance of a move up in May.

Morning report 29/04/2026 09:33

Portfolio Positioning: ASX Faces Four Major Headwinds Beyond the Iran Conflict

The ASX 200 fell a further 0.6% on Tuesday, marking its longest losing streak in four years. It was another ugly day for Australia's share market, notching its sixth-straight session of losses as 9 out of the 11 main sectors retreated. On the day, it was the miners that did the most damage, contributing over 35% of the day's decline as a bounce in the $US dollar dragged down commodities, except the oil price, which continues to push higher, notching its seventh daily advance, almost a perfect mirror image of the ASX.

Afternoon report 28/04/2026 16:59

The Match Out: ASX falls, braces for tomorrow’s CPI print

The ASX had another tough session today with selling fairly broad-based, leaving the market testing its 200-day moving average as investors remain cautious around the macro backdrop.

Morning report 28/04/2026 09:17

Macro Monday, on Tuesday: S&P 500 and Nasdaq Reach Record Highs despite Iran

The heavyweight US indices powered to fresh all-time highs on Friday night. However, the weekend delivered another twist to the Iran saga with US President Trump abruptly cancelling the planned envoy trip to Pakistan for peace talks, citing unnecessary costs and a disappointing offer from Tehran.

Weekend report 25/04/2026 10:01

Weekend Q&A: US stocks power to record highs while ASX experiences a tough week

The ASX200 ended the penultimate week of April, surrendering -1.8% of the month's gain, with a string of profit downgrades combining with the country’s high vulnerability to the global fuel crisis caused by the Iran war - the oil price continues to grind higher with no clear resolution in sight for the conflict. A wave of profit downgrades swept the ASX, led this week by Cochlear’s earnings shock, which sent its shares plunging 40%. Other companies warning that surging energy costs will weigh on earnings included Qantas, Worley, a2 Milk, Orora, Cleanaway and Qube. The ASX is also struggling because its two heavyweight sectors have come off the boil, the banks and resources.