Macro Monday: Earnings, not social media posts, ultimately drive stocks

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Morning report 11/05/2026 09:04

Macro Monday: Earnings, not social media posts, ultimately drive stocks

Outside of the post-COVID rebound, corporate America has just delivered one of its strongest earnings seasons in more than a decade. Approximately 85% of S&P 500 companies beat expectations, with the Magnificent Seven posting profit growth well in excess of 50%, providing the engine room for the broader rally.

Weekend report 09/05/2026 08:32

Weekend Q&A: The ASX continues to tread water while US tech stocks surge to new highs

The ASX200 experienced a choppy week, ultimately closing up +0.2% following Fridays triple-digit loss as tensions between the US and Iran took a turn for the worse. The local index was threatening to break out toward fresh highs on Thursday before yesterday’s -1.5% sell-off, leaving the market stuck in the 8600-9000 trading range where it’s now looked comfortable for more than a month. The rate-sensitive stocks continue to weigh on the ASX with retail and real estate continuing to drag the local index back despite the best efforts of the miners which saw the materials sector gain +4.3% through the week, with more set to come on Monday.

Afternoon report 08/05/2026 17:12

The Match Out: Peace trade unwinds as the ASX gives back the week’s gains

A tough day on the ASX today, with geopolitical risk firmly back in the driver's seat. Fresh US-Iran clashes in the Strait of Hormuz sent oil prices higher and unwound the peace trade that had supported market over the last few days.

Morning report 08/05/2026 09:32

ETF Friday: Four ASX ETFs that could attract the next wave of buying as investors look for value

The ASX200 delivered a second consecutive strong day, extending the weeks recovery from Tuesdays low to more than 3%. The gains were again spearheaded by the miners, on the back of stronger metal prices, with BHP Group (ASX:BHP) and Rio Tinto (ASX:RIO) on their own contributing 50% of the index’s move. The advance was more broad based than on Wednesday with over 70% of the main board closing higher.

Afternoon report 07/05/2026 17:20

The Match Out: ASX rallies in back-to-back sessions as Miners push toward all-time highs

The ASX pushed higher today, building on strength from yesterday’s rally as sentiment around a potential US-Iran improved materially overnight. The prospect of the Strait of Hormuz reopening saw oil prices fall sharply, easing inflation concerns and spurring on risk appetite.

Morning report 07/05/2026 09:25

What Matters Today: Mining Services Stocks Hit New Highs — Will the Miners Follow?

The ASX 200 rallied on Wednesday, following the strong lead from Wall Street and improving sentiment around the Middle East, with the US pushing hard for a lasting resolution.

Afternoon report 06/05/2026 17:11

The Match Out: Banks lead the bounce as ASX jumps on de-escalation in the Middle East

The ASX bounced strongly today, shaking off recent weakness, leaning into improving sentiment around the Middle East, with the Whitehouse now clearly seeking an off-ramp from the Iran conflict.

Alerts 06/05/2026 09:49

Trade Alert – Active Income Portfolio

We are making two changes to the Active Income Portfolio this morning.

Morning report 06/05/2026 09:20

Portfolio Positioning: The RBA hikes, the Macquarie Conference kicks into gear before the Budget next week

The ASX 200 retreated just 0.2% on Tuesday, not a bad day considering the RBA hiked another 0.25%, with the index encouragingly closing on its intra-day high. The local bourse has retreated 4.4% since Westpac (ASX:WBC) warned of rising bad debts and weaker trading revenues 3-weeks ago.

Afternoon report 05/05/2026 17:10

The Match Out: RBA hikes again but the ASX takes it on the chin

The ASX slipped again today, though the move felt relatively contained given the significance of the RBA decision. The central bank delivered a third straight hike, taking the cash rate to 4.35%, but the market largely took it in stride, rising ~35pts after the decision into the close.