Afternoon report 06/08/2026 16:29

The Match Out: ASX higher but loses some steam into the afternoon, REA provides a more pragmatic view on housing

The ASX 200 closed at another record high, briefly trading as high as 9,296 before settling up +44 pts. Materials did the heavy lifting as copper reached fresh records in New York and London, while gold extended its strongest rally in six months. Hopes that a temporary shipping arrangement could restore some traffic through the Strait of Hormuz also continued to support sentiment ahead of the main phase of reporting season next week.

Morning report 06/08/2026 11:30

What Matters Today: Four Industrial stocks MM is watching in Reporting Season

The ASX 200 surged another +0.9% on Wednesday, taking the index well above 9200 for the first time; so much for Liberation Day tariffs, sticky inflation, falling house prices, and the US-Iran War. Gains were broad-based, with more than 75% of the main board advancing as the local market finally punched to new highs; it's only taken 110 trading sessions! A rampant resources market offset weakness in the banks, with BHP on its own contributing 40% of the day's 82-point advance. We don’t want to jinx the local index, but after advancing +5.6% from its intra-day low 9-trading days ago, as we said at the end of July: “We wouldn’t be short for quids.”

Afternoon report 05/08/2026 17:35

The Match Out: ASX chalks up new all-time high

Bang! The ASX closed at a fresh record high today at 9,227, with around 75% of the market finishing higher. Some of the more beaten-up areas are also showing signs of life, with software a clear example following better SaaS earnings from the US. Hopes of a lasting peace deal with Iran are also helping sentiment, although we’ll believe that one when we see it.

Morning report 06/08/2026 09:41

Portfolio Positioning: The ASX is poised to post a new all-time high

The ASX 200 delivered a stellar albeit surprising performance for the second consecutive Tuesday; this time it was an exceptional triple-digit gain that took the index to a fresh 5-month high, and within 1% of a new record. Interestingly, the SPI futures volume was average, implying gains were driven more by a lack of selling to meet the increased risk appetite than aggressive buying. The bears should be getting uncomfortable on several fronts, and we thought it worth highlighting the pertinent comment we made in yesterday afternoon. “The Match Out Report”:

Afternoon report 04/08/2026 17:07

The Match Out: ASX surges 1.4%, Credit Corp (CCP) kicks off reporting season

It’s days like this that reinforce the importance of staying invested, participating in markets despite the negative headlines and bearish rhetoric, and, above all, remaining patient. With SPI futures flat this morning, investors took the bull by the horns, buying equities and pushing the ASX to its highest level since March as easing oil prices encouraged a rotation back into growth stocks, banks and healthcare. The rally was broad, with nine of the eleven sectors finishing higher and the local market comfortably outperforming modest gains in US futures.

Morning report 04/08/2026 09:35

What Matters Today: Can EVs and AI drive the next re-rating of ASX miners?

The ASX 200 erased early losses on Monday to start August on the front foot, closing up +0.5%, back above the psychological 9000 level. Gains were broad-based, with fewer than 30% of ASX stocks closing lower. Just as importantly, selling pressure was limited; the day's worst performer, Fortescue (FMG), fell only 3.8%, while six stocks rallied more than 5%, highlighting the market's underlying strength.

Afternoon report 03/08/2026 17:14

The Match Out: Good buying from morning lows see’s the ASX finish higher

The ASX 200 recovered from a weak start to finish +42pts higher today, a good ~80pt turnaround from the lows with utilities, industrials and consumer discretionary stocks leading the advance. Australian futures had initially pointed to a decline of around 1%, but sentiment improved after President Donald Trump called off planned strikes against Iran and pushed for renewed negotiations, reducing the immediate risk of a larger regional conflict.

Alerts 03/08/2026 16:39

Trade Alerts – International Equities Portfolio

We are making two changes to the International Equities Portfolio

Morning report 03/08/2026 09:45

Macro Monday: Hold on tight, ASX reporting season is about to begin

Despite a volatile month, the ASX 200 ended July up +2.3%, delivering almost exactly its average return over the past 20 years as the market heads into August. As we all know, there are “lies, damned lies, and statistics”, but keeping it simple, as the chart below illustrates, July is usually a very strong month for the local index:

Weekend report 01/08/2026 09:02

Weekend Q&A: Can 9000 become the new 8800?

The ASX 200 finished a volatile week up +2.3%, reaching a four-month high on Wednesday after softer-than-expected inflation data reduced fears of higher interest rates. The ASX shrugged off a sharp pullback earlier in the week by the “AI Trade” and a 1150-point drop by the Dow on Wednesday night after hawkish comments from Fed Chair Warsh - as we’ve been saying through July, the local market is slowly starting to get its “Mojo” back as we head into reporting season.