25/09/2024 09:11

First Up

On Tuesday, the ASX200 delivered a perfect example of how investing is far more about stock/sector performance than the underlying index, which attracts too much attention.

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22/07/2024 09:33

Equity Indices

This morning, the ASX200 is poised to test its previous resistance level, which capped it throughout 2024 before this month's surge above 8000; let's hope the bullish move doesn’t prove short-lived. By definition, once the market broke out above 7900, it went from resistance to support from a technical perspective.

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19/06/2024 09:16

First Up

The ASX200 enjoyed a strong day at the office on Tuesday, adding to a solid opening throughout the day to finish up over 1%. Gains were encouragingly broad-based, with over 75% of the main board and all 11 sectors closing in positive territory as sellers appeared to take a lead from the looming US Juneteenth National Independence Day holiday. There were a couple of standout moves that should unsettle the numerous bears who are getting plenty of air time in the press.

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18/06/2024 09:19

First Up

As we’ve discussed previously, this elastic band could stretch further into June 30th, but what comes next is the important question. In a nutshell, MM believes AI is a very real structural shift whose benefits will reach well beyond Nvidia (NVDA US). However, as we’ve witnessed with lithium, optimism can stretch way too far before a reality check delivers what is likely to be no more than a healthy correction. We are investing in extremely exciting times that can deliver solid returns for flexible and open-minded investors.

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17/06/2024 08:45

Equity Indices

The ASX200 market slipped lower throughout the shortened week, finally closing down -2%, with a very heavy Resources Sector dragging the index lower. The EOFY is only a fortnight away, with volatility likely to lift on the stock level, and history tells us that’s not great for the underperformers. Year to date, the Materials Sector is down -11.7%, making it a prime target for some tax loss selling.

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14/06/2024 09:47

First Up

The ASX200 almost begrudgingly climbed +0.4% on Thursday, with the Materials Sector continuing to weigh on the broad-based index while tech stocks led the gains. Same story, different day! The Tech Sector is now up +26.3% year-to-date compared to the Materials Sector, which is down -11.2%, and importantly, over the coming weeks, the performance elastic band is unlikely to receive any reprieve from the likes of tax loss selling; if anything, it will exaggerate the gap further i.e. selling stocks with big capital gains consequences makes little sense so close to the EOFY while fund managers like to hold winners so they can talk about them in post-June 30 marketing material!

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13/06/2024 08:52

It’s almost halfway through CY24 – can any of the “dogs” recover?

We all know that 2024 has delivered a noticeably differing performance on the sector level so far, and this particular elastic band is likely to be stretched further this morning. The Tech Sector has outperformed the Materials by a whopping 35%. After moves overnight and renewed Chinese economic jitters, we could easily see it reach 40% this FY.

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13/06/2024 08:48

First Up

The ASX200 slipped another -0.5% on Wednesday, with the usual suspects dragging the index into the red. The banks followed their US peers lower to quash any chance of an intra-day recovery, although it was encouraging to see the market at least hold its ground for most of the session. The Resources Sector again dragged the main board as China's weaker-than-expected inflation numbers fuelled concerns of weak demand.

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12/06/2024 09:14

First Up

We are less than halfway into June, and Europe has already elevated volatility across equity markets following a rate cut by the ECB and looming elections in the UK and France, where, in both cases, the incumbent party is in real danger of being ousted. There is an old saying that when the Dow sneezes, the ASX catches a cold; however, in the current market environment, the ASX is far more correlated to European stocks on a day-to-day basis, although, unfortunately, we have been underperforming both regions so far this year.

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11/06/2024 08:51

Equity Indices

The ASX200 has to digest two overnight sessions this morning: Friday's choppy affair after the US's strong employment data, followed by last night’s recovery with the S&P500 closing up +0.2%, plus last night's weak session in Europe following Macron's Surprise call for a “snap election.” On Friday, the local market rallied strongly to close on its daily and weekly highs. We think it’s likely to regain its mojo this morning after a shaky start courtesy of two “wobbly”  overseas sessions.

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