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The ASX200 retreated -0.35% on Tuesday after a briefing from China’s National Development and Reform Commission provided few details on further stimulus. We thought there was a distinct risk of “buy on rumour and sell on fact” playing out, but instead, with few facts actually being released, it was simply a case of sell.
A choppy session for local stocks, keying off Asian-inspired volatility as China came back online post their Golden Week holiday. China shares were +10% on open before losing more than 50% of the gains while Hong Kong shares fell ~6% by our close, having been open for the past week.
Recent stimulus announced by Beijing and the PBOC included interest-rate cuts, billions of dollars of liquidity support for stocks, and a vow to end the long-term depreciation in property prices – as we’ve said before a “whatever it takes approach”. Chinese stocks are due to reopen this morning after enjoying the Golden Week break, with many analysts now expecting further gains into Christmas.
Last week, the AX200 slipped -0.76% following weakness across the influential financial and materials sectors, and only the energy stocks encouraged the bulls. While China enjoyed its Golden Week holiday, investors’ attention reverted to the mounting tensions in the Middle East ahead of last night’s US employment data, which ultimately alleviated market fears about the health of the US economy. The winners & losers were an eclectic bunch this week as most sectors, outside of oil, went into a holding pattern
Another fascinating week comes to a close ahead of a much-needed long weekend. Energy stocks have been the big winners this week, with oil stocks adding to gains today after Joe Biden said Israel and the US were “discussing” a strike on Iranian oil facilities.
The ASX200 experienced another quiet session as China Golden Week approached its conclusion. The index finished up +0.1%, even with over 50% of the market closing lower. However, when CBA, BHP, and CSL all advanced, the markets were going to be well supported. Chinese stocks traded in Hong Kong took a rest after surging ~30%, but a 1.6% pullback was nothing to worry the bulls.
Another quiet session for local stocks as they consolidate around ~8200 after a good run in September, and ahead of important US employment data due out on Friday. While expectations for aggressive US rate cuts helped investors look past recent weakness in the labour market, we now have 7-8 cuts already priced into the curve, meaning we expect markets to be more sensitive to any disappointing economic data, and Friday will be a test of that.
The ASX200 finished a choppy session on Wednesday down just -0.1%, with over 65% of the main board ending lower. However, another solid session by the resources, particularly energy names, was enough to stem the losses. Escalation of the Middle East conflict set the tone early in the morning, but buying in the likes of Beach Energy (BPT) +4.6% and Woodside (WDS) +3.1% almost offset general selling on concerns after Israel vowed to retaliate against Iran for its missile attack – the regions on a knife edge
The majority of stocks ended lower today as concern around tensions in the Middle East weighed, though selling was only tepid and there were pockets of strength, largely from energy and resources stocks offset by weakness across Technology. A fairly lacklustre session, void of any real news, so a short note this afternoon!
The ASX200 slipped 0.7% on Tuesday during a rare session that saw the banks and resources close lower. The economic news was net positive, reaffirming the RBA’s tough stance towards interest rates, but it’s becoming an increasingly polarised economy
