Afternoon report 19/10/2026 16:56

The Match Out: Takeover fever lifts ASX as Cleanaway (CWY) and Challenger (CGF) surge

A strong day for the ASX, closing higher in a session where deal-making stole the show helping the broader market shrug off another bout of global technology jitters. Energy and financials supported the market, but technology stocks remained under pressure amid concerns over debt-funded AI investment while stronger-than-expected Chinese GDP growth offered some positive signs for the resources outlook, despite property investment continuing to slump.

Morning report 19/10/2026 09:47

Macro Monday: Bad news might just be good for the ASX

Thursday's employment data shocked the market and media alike, with employment falling by 39,300 compared to the 20,000 increase economists were expecting. Bad news for the government ahead of next month's Victorian State election, but a welcome reprieve for the RBA, with markets now pricing in only a ~40% chance of another 25bps rate hike before Christmas, although inflation could ultimately force their hand if oil prices keep rising. In 10 days, we get the September CPI (inflation data), which will go a long way in determining the next move on rates.

Weekend report 17/10/2026 09:08

The Weekend Q&A: A rare week of local outperformance

The ASX 200 finished a volatile week up +1.0%, although the headline gain masked some fairly aggressive rotation beneath the surface. Utilities (+4.5%), Healthcare (+3.9%), Consumer Staples (+3.4%) and Financials (+3.2%) led the market higher, while Materials (-2.3%), Real Estate (-1.7%) and Information Technology (-1.3%) lagged. Investors continued to rotate into some of the more beaten-up and defensive areas of the market, while resources came under pressure.

Afternoon report 16/10/2026 17:00

The Match Out: ASX jumps as beaten-up tech and miners lead recovery

The local market staged a broad recovery today as technology and materials stocks bounced back from heavy losses, supported by easing concerns around the global AI thematic, triggering renewed buying across oversold sectors though weakness in banks and consumer staples limited the advance.

Morning report 16/10/2026 09:17

Fund Friday: How to position for a broadening of the rally if bond yields have peaked?

The ASX 200 staged an impressive recovery on Thursday, clawing its way back from an early 1% decline to finish virtually unchanged at 8,720 (-0.1%), as weaker than expected employment data provided a welcome reprieve from the recent interest rate concerns.

Afternoon report 15/10/2026 17:06

The Match Out: ASX pares losses as softer jobs data lifts rate hopes

Local shares finished marginally lower as a defensive rotation into consumer staples and financials offset a sharp sell-off in miners, technology and data centre stocks, with softer domestic employment data providing some relief on interest rate expectations after hotter-than-expected US inflation reignited rate concerns overnight.

Morning report 15/10/2026 09:51

What Matters Today: Glencore (ASX: GLC) debut on the ASX – what may come next?

The ASX 200 was hit -0.6% on Wednesday for no obvious reason, with renewed selling in the banks the main weight, with the financials accounting for more than 70% of the index's decline. However, weakness was broad-based, with over 70% of the main board closing lower, and the miners adding to the market's woes, which unfortunately look set to extend today.

Afternoon report 14/10/2026 17:08

The Match Out: Banks reverse Tuesday’s rally as ASX snaps three-day winning streak

A weaker session on the ASX today, with the market snapping its recent winning streak as banks unwound yesterday’s rally. Financials and Materials weighed on the index, while Energy, Telecommunications and Real Estate provided some support.

Morning report 14/10/2026 09:27

Portfolio Positioning: Stock & Sector rotation determining portfolio performance

The ASX fought valiantly on Tuesday to reverse early losses ending the session basically flat. However, it was far from a quiet session on the stock and sector front with AI facing tech stocks whacked, with Megaport (-9.9%) and NEXTDC (-6.6%) enduring sessions to forget.

Afternoon report 13/10/2026 16:54

The Match Out: ASX treads water as global chip rout hits growth stocks

A mixed session on the ASX today, with the index recovering from intraday losses to finish almost unchanged. Defensive sectors, energy and banks provided some support, but a sharp global semiconductor sell-off weighed heavily on Technology, while Materials and lithium stocks also came under pressure.