ETF Friday: Four unheralded ASX ETFs MM likes into Christmas

Morning report 19/06/2026 09:35

ETF Friday: Four unheralded ASX ETFs MM likes into Christmas

The ASX200 ended its 4-day rally on Thursday, with 65% of the main board closing lower after the US Fed held interest rates in its first meeting under new Chair Kevin Warsh, but signalled that tightening may be necessary to rein in inflation. It was a relatively muted session for the local bourse with only five stocks moving by more than 5%, although they were all in the losers' corner, primarily from the gold space.

Afternoon report 18/06/2026 16:45

The Match Out: ASX falls on Fed rate-hike risk, oil slides on Hormuz deal

The ASX 200 fell away throughout the session as Federal Reserve policymakers under new chair Kevin Warsh signalled the chance of a rate hike later this year, hitting tech, financials and rate-sensitive growth names. Defensives held up best, with Consumer Staples and Healthcare the only sectors to post a meaningful gain, while Energy, Materials and IT led the market lower. Oil extended its slide as the US-Iran deal on reopening the Strait of Hormuz raised hopes for a quick return of Gulf supply, while gold and iron ore stayed under pressure from firmer US rate expectations underpinning a rise in the $US.

Alerts 18/06/2026 09:44

Portfolio Amendments – Active Growth Portfolio

We are making two changes to the Growth Portfolio today

Morning report 18/06/2026 09:21

What Matters Today: Travel stocks take off as Ceasefire gets acknowledged

The ASX 200 enjoyed another solid performance on Wednesday, again reversing higher from early weakness to end the session up +0.6%, at a 2-month high and only a few points below the psychological 9000 level. It was a clear “risk on” session with only the defensive-oriented consumer staples and utilities sectors closing lower, along with the energy sector, which was weighed down by crude's inability to recover any of its recent ~15% drop over the last five days. From a points perspective, it was the heavyweight financials and miners that performed the heavy lifting, a very encouraging combination for the bulls.

Morning report 17/06/2026 16:49

The Match Out: Miners take the baton as energy rolls over

The ASX shook off a weak start to finish firmly higher today, extending its recent recovery as investors continued rotating out of energy and into resources, financials and growth exposures. The market opened lower before steadily improving through the session, with buying increasing into the afternoon as optimism around US-Iran agreements accelerated with a proper framework and further details of the deal expected imminently.

Alerts 17/06/2026 15:32

Trade Alert – International Equities Portfolio

MM is buying HCA US in the International Equities Portfolio

Morning report 17/06/2026 09:24

Portfolio Positioning: The BoJ Hikes to a 30-Year High While the RBA Holds

The Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA), as expected, left interest rates at 4.35%, although Michelle Bullock warned that inflation remains too high. The central bank now faces a delicate balancing act, weighing stubbornly high inflation against mounting signs of softness across the labour market, consumer spending and housing sectors.

Afternoon report 16/06/2026 16:59

The Match Out: ASX bounces back to close flat, RBA holds at 4.35%

The ASX200 put on a fighting performance today, gapping down ~80pts on the open but recovering every last point of the deficit to finish mildly higher. The key news for the day was the Reserve Bank leaving the cash rate unchanged at 4.35%, pausing after three consecutive hikes this year.

Morning report 16/06/2026 09:11

What Matters Today: SpaceX Disruption: Is the Market Right to Fear for Telcos?

The ASX 200 rallied another +1.3% on Monday, following reports that the US and Iran have agreed on the terms of a peace deal. The index extended its advance for June to more than +2%, taking it back within ~3% of its February all-time high, ironically just before the US-Iran conflict erupted. Gains were fairly broad-based, with 70% of the main board advancing.

Afternoon report 15/06/2026 16:45

The Match Out: ASX rallies on US-Iran deal, Miners lead the charge

The ASX built on Friday's strength and rallied again today, with the local bourse embracing news of a US-Iran agreement to reopen the Strait of Hormuz and removing the biggest macro risk hanging over markets in recent months. The rally was broad, but Materials did the heavy lifting.