RBA comments send the Aussie higher and the market lower…again (SBM)
WHAT MATTERED TODAY
The local market tracked lower again today with the Aussie battler rallying dragging on the local equity market. RBA Governor Philip Lowe was speaking in Washington early this morning and his comments suggests the RBA is close to the end of the cutting cycle. Lowe said it is very unlikely we will see negative rates here in Australia given the momentum seen in the economy through terms of trade and housing data. Interest rate futures have moved higher as a result of the recent data:
Source; Shaw & Partners
Key China data was also out today with industrial production beating estimates but GDP data coming in slightly behind forecasts. The market saw buying pick up briefly after the print, in particular iron ore names saw some money come in before it was quickly reversed 30 minutes later.
China Data
All sectors finished in the red today with the defensive consumer staples sector the worst hit. Financials held up well, supported by IOOF (IFL) and Challenger (CGF) continuing the rally while materials were the best of a bad bunch thanks to some support seen in iron ore markets. UK facing stocks once again rose against the grain today with a BREXIT deal set to be tabled to the UK parliament tonight. PM Boris Johnson was confident his deal would get the support of the house despite Northern Ireland DUP set to vote against it.
Despite the weakness of the last two sessions the market managed to finish 43 points higher this week, adding around 0.65%.
Overall, the ASX 200 closed lower today, off -35pts or -0.52% to 6649, Dow Futures are trading down -29pts/-0.11%.
ASX 200 Chart
ASX 200 Chart
CATCHING MY EYE;
St Barbara (SBM) –8.99%; hit hard today on a downgrade to production numbers and an increase in cost guidance – hit from both sides. The companies Gwalia mine saw its forecast output 10% lower than previously guided while costs are expected to sky rocket, up 12.5% to $A1,390 - $A1,450/oz, only a little wiggle room here before SBM sees negative FCF even while gold trades at elevated levels. The issues come from the mines extension project with the new parts of the mine competing for limited resources. As a result, the company has moved to increase growth capex while guiding sustaining capex send to the higher end of expectations. All-in-all SBM is struggling to handle the extension to their biggest mine and will need to work on cost control once the extension is up and running in full.
St Barbara (SBM) Chart
Sectors this week:
Stocks this week: a rally of the dogs this week, the bulk of the top 10 have been some of the worst performers over the past few months.
BROKER MOVES; brokers chasing IFL higher at the moment with many analysts caught on the wrong side of the trade here.
The market is still awaiting Wisetech’s (WTC) response to the short paper published yesterday but the stock did find an ally in broker Evans & Partners which moved to calm investor nerves ahead of the company’s response due Monday. Read our piece on the paper in yesterday’s report here. The broker justified the founder’s sell downs as a necessity to liquidity requirements, noting that his stake is currently worth over $4b while calling the paper’s data meaningless. Shares remained in a trading halt today.
· Northern Star Raised to Hold at Baillieu Ltd; PT A$11
· Bank of Queensland Cut to Sell at Citi; PT A$8.50
· Bank of Queensland Rated New Underperform at Jefferies; PT A$8
· IOOF Holdings Raised to Neutral at Citi; PT A$7.30
· IOOF Holdings Raised to Outperform at Credit Suisse; PT A$8.45
· ARB Raised to Overweight at Wilsons; PT A$18.75
· Fortescue Raised to Hold at Morningstar
· Steadfast Raised to Outperform at Credit Suisse; PT A$4
· Insurance Australia Raised to Neutral at Credit Suisse; PT A$8
· Altura Cut to Sell at Canaccord; PT 4 Australian cents
· Rio Tinto ADRs Raised to Sell at ICBC Research; PT $37.44
OUR CALLS
No changes to the portfolios today.
Major Movers Today
Have a great night
James, Harry & the Market Matters Team
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