The Match Out: ASX hit as inflation comes back into RBA target band, Woolworths (WOW) downgrades earnings

A soft session locally with sellers kicking into gear post a more benign inflation print at 11.30am, though there were some hotter pockets to it, and higher bonds and lower stock prices show how it was interpreted by the market, even though headline CPI at 2.8% came back into the RBA’s target band for the first time in 3-years.

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Morning report 17/02/2026 09:50

What Matters Today: Are ASX Utilities stocks winners in the age of AI?

Monday saw the ASX200 experience a choppy day, which came as no surprise, with Chinese markets closed for the Lunar New Year and the US closed overnight for Presidents Day - it’s the year of the horse in China, which has a bullish feel to it, being associated with energy, independence and drive.

Afternoon report 16/02/2026 17:21

The Match Out: Tech rebounds, miners slide as ASX crawls higher

The ASX edged higher in a choppy session, with technology rebounding strongly, helping offset heavy selling across the mining giants and some profit-taking in the banks. With US markets closed for a public holiday tonight and China shut for Lunar New Year, local earnings season and bargain hunting dominated the tape, leaving the market grinding higher but lacking clear direction.

Morning report 16/02/2026 09:42

Macro Monday: The AI revolution is redefining financial markets

AI is increasingly impacting stocks and financial markets as a whole. Recent weeks have seen capitulation-style selling wash through some sectors, with investors fearing AI disruption is rewriting business models.

Weekend report 14/02/2026 10:42

Weekend Q&A: Volatility continues to surge on the stock & sector level

It didn’t feel like it on Friday afternoon as the ASX200 plunged more than 125 points, but the index still managed to finish last week up +2.4% after one of the most violent weeks of reporting season we can remember - 10% swings in either direction were almost pedestrian! The heavyweight banks and resources offset broad market weakness, led by any stocks feared to be at risk of AI disruption, with selling gathering momentum from already panic-like levels. The dominant themes were very binary in nature:

Afternoon report 13/02/2026 17:46

The Match Out: ASX falls 1.4%, but ends week higher; Tech, Discretionary Retail hit hard

The ASX pulled back sharply today as AI-related margin fears continued to drive aggressive selling across software and high-multiple names. Despite the weak finish, the market still closed the week up ~2.4%, underpinned by a fantastic week from the banks on better-than-expected results.

Morning report 13/02/2026 09:50

ETF Friday: Are ETFs the way to invest for a bottom in the software sector?

The ASX 200 tested its all-time high at lunchtime yesterday before peeling away to close up just +0.3% as the dramatic polarisation across the ASX continues in earnest - already in 2026, we’ve witnessed the Tech Sector hammered by over -20% while the Materials have gained more than +12%, compounding the dramatic rotation through FY26. It's becoming almost monotonous to quote how far the major tech names have fallen day to day. However, it's hard to ignore; it felt like capitulation on Thursday, but there's already been a few chapters in that particular scary book - on the day, SiteMinder (SDR) -12.9%, Xero (XRO) -8.4%, Life360 (360) -8.3%, and Technology One (TNE) -6.9%.

Afternoon report 12/02/2026 18:09

The Match Out: ASX lifts as Banks surge in back to back sessions

The ASX pushed higher for a second straight session, flirting with fresh record highs at the 9100 level as bank earnings momentum continued to drive the index. ANZ stole the show with its best day in six years after delivering a standout quarterly profit result, and the broader financials complex stayed well bid, compounding Commonwealth Bank’s strong result yesterday.

Morning report 12/02/2026 12:24

What Matters Today: CBA puts the banks on centre stage

The ASX 200 soared +1.7%, enjoying its best day since October, posting 3-month highs in the process. Rallies by the heavyweight financials and materials sectors drove the move, led by strong earnings beats from Commonwealth Bank (CBA) and James Hardie (JHX). Although 8 of the main 11 sectors closed higher, the financials dominated the day, contributing 70% of the main boards' gain following the storming performance by CBA after its 1H profit topped expectations - more on the banks later.

Afternoon report 11/02/2026 17:51

The Match Out: CBA rips, drives ASX higher as Reporting Season shifts gears

The ASX surged toward all-time high territory, lifted by a string of earnings beats from heavyweight banks and industrials, helping the index shake off weakness in healthcare. Financials did the heavy lifting, with Commonwealth Bank delivering its best day since 2020, while miners also provided strong support as copper and gold prices stayed elevated.

Morning report 11/02/2026 09:43

Portfolio Positioning: Eyes down as reporting season kicks into gear

The ASX200 surrendered its early gains on Tuesday to end marginally lower after being up almost 60-points early in the session. Eight of 11 local sectors ended the session higher, as strong miners, energy, and IT stocks offset a 1.1% slump in the financial sector, with the insurers weak and bank selling gathering momentum during the day.