Archives: Reports
The ASX200 suffered at the hands of the banks, particularly CBA, on Wednesday, ending the session down 0.6%; as we often say, the market can’t go up without the banks, and in this case, especially CBA, when it tumbles 5.4%.
Equity markets across Asia today surged on news US-China trade tariffs paused for an additional 90 days through to November – it was a different story on the local market.
The ASX200 rallied another +0.4% on Tuesday, embracing the 0.25% RBA rate cut and accompanying dovish commentary. Credit markets are pricing in another 2-3 cuts over the coming 12-months; we think they’re being too cautious.
Another new all-time high for the ASX today, buoyed by the expectation that today’s rate cut will be followed by several more; markets now expecting another 3-4 cuts in the next 12-months.
The ASX200 closed up +0.4% on Monday, driven to new highs by a resources sector enjoying a new lease of life; it’s already surged +6.7% so far in August. The lithium stocks led the charge following the news that CATL shut down one of the world’s largest mines, but on the index level, it was BHP that added the most points, around 30% of the day’s 38-point gain. Outside of the gold stocks, the Materials Sector was hot, from lithium to copper, and iron ore.
An interesting session to kick off the week with Lithium stocks roaring as a major mine in China suspended production after failing to extend a mining permit, putting a rocket under the sector which has significant short interest, the implication being more upside looks highly likely.
Artificial intelligence’s (AI) influence on equity markets has been impossible to miss in recent years. Relative newcomer Nvidia Corp. is now the world’s most valuable company, with a market cap approaching $4.5 trillion, comfortably topping Apple Inc. (AAPL US) by a whopping $1 trillion.
The ASX200 slipped lower on Friday but still managed to snap a two-week losing streak. The index finished up +1.7% over the five days, driven by strong gains by miners and rate-sensitive names. On the sector level, only healthcare retreated courtesy of renewed tariff jitters while the Materials sector surged over 5% higher, led by gold, rare earth and lithium stocks. A more than 30c gain by BHP in the US on Friday nights suggests there’s more in this move. The extent of the gains in miners saw a number of the best performers outperform IRESS (IRE), and it received a takeover bid!
The ASX finished the week sluggishly as the market took its foot off the gas with US tariffs on ~90 trading partners becoming effective yesterday. Despite the tremors, the index still managed to gain 1.7% over the period and is within striking distance of fresh all-time highs
MM is adding a new position to the Income & Growth Portfolios
