Alerts 15/01/2025 09:57

Trade Alert – Active Growth & Emerging Companies Portfolio

We are making two changes to the Active Growth Portfolio today, with one also applying to the Emerging Companies Portfolio.

Morning report 13/01/2025 09:26

What Matters Today: ASX set to slide as bond yields march higher

Usual Market Matters reports will recommence on Monday the 20th January, however, a big move on Friday night in the U.S and a SPI Futures pricing a decline of 71 points / 0.86% this morning suggest an update is warranted. Markets begin 2025 with great expectations as anticipation of US tax cuts and pro-business deregulation, a continued economic soft landing, ongoing rate cuts in the US and the start of a cutting cycle in Australia.

Morning report 25/12/2024 06:45

Overnight, ASX Trading Hours & Market Matters Break

A positive (shortened) session overnight on Wall Street with the Dow Jones up +390pts/0.91% while the S&P 500 and Nasdaq advanced 1.1% and 1.4% respectively in quiet US trade. All 11 sectors were higher led by Consumer Discretionary and large cap technology, Tesla (TSLA US) the standout up 7.36%

Afternoon report 24/12/2024 14:31

The Match Out: ASX edges higher into Christmas

A fairly flat end to what has been a positive year for Markets, albeit with one trading day to go (27th December). The ASX 200 is up ~8%, a solid outcome, though when we compare it to US markets it’s certainly underwhelming against the S&P500 up ~25%. Having international exposure during 2024 has certainly driven better performance.

Morning report 24/12/2024 09:30

What Matters Today: A Christmas Eve snapshot on 4 hot topics for 2025!

The ASX200 surged +1.7% on Monday on broad-based buying and a classic Christmas absence of selling; it’s a shame we’d previously corrected over 5% from the all-time high earlier in the month, taking the index down to a fresh 3-month low on Friday. Monday saw over 90% of the main board close higher, but the financials and mining stocks led the advance, delivering the local markets' best day since the end of July.

Afternoon report 23/12/2024 17:20

The Match Out: ASX up 1.7% – best day in 6 months

The ASX recouped all on Friday’s losses and some as low volumes (Sydney CBD was a ghost town today) colluded with a more favourable read on US inflation on Friday night to propel stocks higher. Personal Consumption Expenditures (PCE), the Feds preferred measure came in softer than expected which cast a shadow on Jerome Powells turn of phrase/view on rates earlier last week.

Morning report 23/12/2024 09:57

Macro Monday: A snapshot look at markets into Christmas

The ASX200 was thumped 2.76% last week after the Fed side-swiped credit markets on Wednesday when, after cutting rates 0.25%, they delivered a less dovish outlook for interest rates than was expected; • The Fed revised its outlook for rate cuts in 2025, indicating that there will be two reductions, down from the four forecasted in September – a reasonable change in just three months. • Credit markets have already become sceptical towards the two cuts and are now pricing in a 50-50 chance that the 2nd won't be forthcoming before next Christmas. • Markets have been concerned that Trump's policies will lift inflation. The Fed appears to be getting ahead of the curve, just in case.

Weekend report 21/12/2024 09:13

Weekend Q&A: The Fed ends the Christmas cheer for stocks

The ASX200 ended a volatile and tough week, down 2.76% hitting a 100-day low on Friday. The Fed was the catalyst after cutting interest rates by 0.25% on Wednesday night, but at the same time, it moved the proverbial goalposts in terms of the future path in 2025. The Fed revised its outlook for rate cuts in 2025, indicating two reductions, down from the four previously forecasted in September.

Afternoon report 20/12/2024 16:49

The Match Out: ASX whacked again, playing catch up to the U.S

The ASX sold off early, down ~100 points and coasting sideways for the remainder of the session with investors squaring away positions and locking in profits as the final full trading week for 2024 came to an end.

Morning report 20/12/2024 09:51

What Matters Today: Five stocks on our radar if we see a deeper correction

The ASX200 was thumped 141 points, or 1.7% on Thursday courtesy of Jerome Powell's change of tune, which saw the forecasted path of US interest rates shift.