Ask James: Stocks are looking better & better

The AX200 enjoyed a strong end to the week making fresh highs for October on Friday as the unusual combination of Tech and Resources banded together to drag the index into positive territory for the week. Suddenly the statistics & seasonality factors are combining nicely for the bulls:

As we make new highs for the month on the 15th the strong likelihood is we’ve not only seen the low for October at 7157 but also the quarter which has very bullish implications.
The average quarterly range since the COVID outbreak is well over 500-points implying from extrapolation that there’s a strong likelihood that the ASX200 can achie

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Latest Reports

Afternoon report 17/10/2025 16:54

The Match Out: ASX slips into the weekend but gold keeps powering ahead

The ASX fell away into the weekend trading steadily lower throughout the day to close near its intra-day lows. Weakness in US futures and European futures and Asian indices didn't help sentiment where "risk off" was the theme of the day. Only the safe haven of gold seemed to hold any meaningful attraction to investors.

Morning report 17/10/2025 09:09

ETF Friday: Looking at 5 ETFs for a Santa Rally

The ASX 200 enjoyed a surprisingly strong Thursday, after a lacklustre start to the day. Aggressive buying pushed the market above 9100 for the first time before surrendering some of the day's gains through the afternoon to close up +0.9%.

Afternoon report 17/10/2025 16:48

The Match Out: ASX surges to new all-time high as weak jobs data fuels rate cut bets

Fireworks on the ASX today with choppy trade early before softer than expected employment data lit the fuse and fuelled expectations of an RBA rate cut next month, propelling the index to an intraday high of 9109 and finishing firmly above the previous high close of 9019 set back in August.

Morning report 16/10/2025 12:21

What Matters Today: The underperformers drive the ASX200 higher – is it reversion time?

The ASX 200 climbed back toward the 9,000 mark on Wednesday, with strength across the banks and miners lifting the market to a second straight day of gains, with gold notching yet another record high.

Afternoon report 15/10/2025 17:23

The Match Out: ASX nudges 9000

The ASX rallied to finish near the 9000 level and within reach of all-time highs - the majority of gains driven by the major banks and miners as upbeat sentiment from a strong start to the U.S. earnings season spilled over into the local market. The Big Four led the charge on renewed optimism around credit growth, while gold miners benefited from another surge in bullion prices.

Morning report 15/10/2025 09:44

Portfolio Positioning: 4 turnaround opportunities in a hot market

The ASX200 experienced a choppy Tuesday before ultimately closing up +0.2% courtesy of another stellar session by the resources, with the materials sector +2.3% and energy sector +1.4% dragging a begrudging market higher.

Afternoon report 14/10/2025 17:12

The Match Out: ASX recovers early weakness, Rare Earths stocks go ballistic

The ASX flipped between gains and losses through Tuesday and sat mildly higher near 8900 at the close. Risk appetite improved on signs Washington and Beijing will keep talking, a cooler Middle East backdrop and a flow on more positive updates from Aussie corporates, with several positive, growth orientated deals announced.

Morning report 14/10/2025 09:49

What Matters Today: The local high-valued/growth stocks are feeling vulnerable

The ASX 200 opened lower as expected on Monday, but failed to capitalise on a steady advance in U.S. futures, with nearly half of the session’s losses occurring in the afternoon even as the S&P pushed higher.

Afternoon report 13/10/2025 17:13

The Match Out: ASX hit on trade threats, ANZ resets strategy & rallies

The ASX tracked weakness in overseas markets, though we started the day better off, with US Futures recovering from the get-go, finding solace from DJT’s more conciliatory comments towards China.

Morning report 13/10/2025 09:40

Macro Monday: Will another US-China trade stoush create opportunities, or a big problem?

The game of chicken is back on between the US and China, just in time to deliver some seasonal October volatility. Chinese President Xi Jinping has drawn a clear red line in a bid to stem new US export controls, threatening to reignite a tit-for-tat trade spiral with Donald Trump just weeks before a planned meeting between the leaders of the world’s biggest economies.