Portfolio Positioning: A weekly note focusing on MM’s 5 portfolios

The ASX200 continues to dance the volatility jig after falling almost 100-points from its intraday high on Tuesday following comments out of China which appeared to spook the market, although I would note that selling of strength has been a common characteristic through 2021 to-date. The news flow between East and West central banks / regulators was almost diametrically opposed yesterday but with Chinas comments the most unexpected addition to the mix it had the most impact, probably a combination of surprise factor and global equities had been roaring higher over the last 24-hours:

scroll

OPINION
ACTION

Latest Reports

Morning report 08/10/2025 09:45

Portfolio Positioning: The US Government remains shut, but markets are calm

The ASX200 peeled away 0.3% on Tuesday, the first “real” day of trading this week, although losses weren’t overly broad-based, with 40% of the main board closing higher. While the retailers led the decline, it was noticeable to see some profit-taking wash through many pockets of the market as the US government lockdown drags on, even some gold names closed lower, despite the precious metal posting fresh highs.

Income Report: Asset allocation framework when targeting income

Afternoon report 07/10/2025 16:37

The Match Out: ASX trickles lower in quiet session

A softer session for local equities, with volumes still light on the ground despite positive offshore leads, with gold’s relentless rise still clearly in focus with several brokers upgrading their forecasts. We think some consolidation is overdue for local stocks - a healthy reset as we move through October remains our expectation for now.

Morning report 07/10/2025 09:58

Macro Monday on Tuesday: Volatility is slowly rising as we head into October

As we head into October, volatility has started to brew beneath the surface. In the US, volatility on the stock level is testing multi-year highs, and locally, it wasn’t that long ago that we saw the most volatile reporting season in recent memory. And in the last 24-hours, with the infamous October less than one week old, we’ve started to see big moves across stock and commodity markets.

Weekend report 04/10/2025 08:45

Weekend Q&A: The ASX is on track for new all-time highs this week

The ASX200 ended last week up +2.3%, with the first three days of October already recouping all of September's decline. The healthcare sector made a welcome return to the winners' enclosure, ably supported by the influential miners and banks, while the energy sector was the only meaningful drag on the index. Only a flat week by the heavyweight iron ore miners reined in performance, although their sector peers worked hard to address their slumber, with 18 members of the materials sector closing out the week up more than +5%.

Afternoon report 03/10/2025 17:49

The Match Out: ASX finishes the week strong, APE jumps on CanadaOne acquisition

The ASX finished the week strongly, rising steadily through the session with strength in healthcare, tech and consumer names more than offsetting softer trade in energy and utilities.

Morning report 03/10/2025 09:28

ETF Friday: Looking at 3 of the Top 10 purchased ETFs

The ASX 200 surged +1.1% on the second day of October, enjoying its best session in six weeks, as the market appeared to enjoy fresh funds flowing into the major stocks and sectors. Gains took the index back within striking distance of its all-time high as the influential financials and miners lifted the broad market, with 8 of 11 major local sectors closing higher, with energy stocks, real estate plays and health care also notching gains of more than 1% each.

Afternoon report 02/10/2025 17:21

The Match Out: Triple digit gains for the ASX with ‘risk on’ across the board

A classic risk-on day for local equities, with investors embracing the dual engine of bank strength and a relentless gold bid. Materials were the clear standout, but the breadth of today’s rally was also impressive, with most sectors participating as the new quarter seemed to attract new $$. Healthcare has been the real index laggard in recent periods but today saw an obvious change of trend with CSL having the biggest influence from an index perspective, up nearly 4%.

Morning report 02/10/2025 09:36

What Matters Today: Reviewing the ASX200’s top 3 Performers year-to-date

After a choppy session, the ASX200 closed slightly lower on the first day of October, with BHP Group (BHP) shaving 17 points off the index, which ultimately slipped just three points. The market seesawed through the day as investors weighed reports of a halt to BHP’s China-bound iron ore shipments alongside concerns over a potential U.S. government shutdown.

Afternoon report 01/10/2025 17:08

The Match Out: ASX in mixed trading with US Govt shutdown now likely

The ASX chopped around today, ultimately finishing down a few points with pundits blaming the U.S. government standoff, however we’ve been here before and it rarely creates a large volatility spike – never say never, but it’s generally more about political posturing.

Morning report 01/10/2025 09:23

Portfolio Positioning: The RBA is leaving the ASX to its own devices

The ASX200 slipped 0.2% on Tuesday after the RBA and Michele Bullock threw a wet towel over the “Rate Cut Party”, although she really only maintained her logical, cautious narrative.