Afternoon report 18/09/2026 16:48

The Match Out: ASX stumbles as RBA’s Bullock signals more tightening, Maas Group clears FIRB

The ASX finished modestly lower, giving back a +40pt early gain as the market digested hawkish commentary from the RBA as Michele Bullock addressed parliament today.

Morning report 18/09/2026 09:38

ETF Friday: If Banks have bottomed, should we buy the stocks or Bank ETFs?

The ASX 200 surprised many on the open yesterday, “gaping up” around 100 points above where it was “supposed” to open, leaving many scratching their heads, but as Shawn rightly pointed out, it's not the first and won't be the last example of market shenanigans on the expiry of the SPI Futures – particularly quarter end expiry. By the close, the local index still managed to finish +0.4% higher, aided by a more than +1% pop by US Futures in their late trade and an average +2% gain by the “Big Four” ASX banks.

Afternoon report 17/09/2026 16:43

The Match Out: ASX firms post-Fed as Financials rotate back into favour

The ASX edged higher today, extending yesterday's move, following the Federal Reserve’s move to push the cash rate higher overnight. The Fed delivered the 25bp hike as expected, though commentary pointed to further tightening as Chair Kevin Warsh reiterated a firm stance on inflation. That initially pushed global markets lower, although bond yields subsequently eased and provided some relief for equities.

Alerts 17/09/2026 09:55

Trade Alerts – Growth, Emerging & International Equities Portfolios

MM is selling out of Lithium exposure

Morning report 17/09/2026 09:39

What Matters Today: Is salt about to disrupt the lithium market?

The ASX 200 eked out a +0.3% gain ahead of the Fed's rate decision, primarily courtesy of a bounce by the miners, while CBA was the largest drag on the local index, slipping 0.6%. It was encouraging to see the selling pressure across the ASX subside, but with markets becoming increasingly hawkish, we feel investors require some “good news” before they take on more risk with global central banks set to start hiking as elevated oil prices continue to stoke inflation expectations.

Afternoon report 16/09/2026 17:14

The Match Out: ASX inches up ahead of tonight’s Fed call, Brookfield confirms RWC takeover

The ASX finished modestly higher today in a mixed session with energy the clear standout as elevated oil prices continued to support the sector, while parts of the broader resources complex attempted to stabilise after recent heavy selling.

Morning report 16/09/2026 09:31

Portfolio Positioning: September is delivering both weakness & opportunity

The ASX 200 fell another 0.9% on Tuesday, extending September’s decline to 4.5% and pushing the index into negative territory for 2026. The local market has become something of the “ugly duckling” among its global peers, particularly compared with Japan’s Nikkei (+24%) and the US S&P 500 (+12%).

Afternoon report 15/09/2026 16:46

The Match Out: ASX slides again as Miners and Banks weigh, Tech finds relief

The ASX continued its slide today, falling to a fresh three-month low as banks and miners came under renewed pressure, extending the broader market weakness. The index is now down around 6.5% from its 6 August record high. Macro continues to drive the sell-off; news flow around individual companies is almost non-existent, with oil, bond yields, and expectations for further central bank tightening later this week dominating sentiment.

Morning report 15/09/2026 09:43

What Matters Today: What If the Cracks in the AI Trade Spread?

The ASX 200 did well to eke out a modest gain on Monday despite a steady stream of negative news and weakness across global equity markets. Gains in the banks almost exactly offset weakness in the miners as the news continued to weigh on the previously high-flying sector

Afternoon report 14/09/2026 16:44

The Match Out: ASX edges higher as energy and healthcare hold firm; lithium and uranium stay under pressure

The ASX broke a four-day losing streak today, but only just, finishing essentially flat after an early gain of around ~0.3% faded through the afternoon.