The Match Out: Shares struggle into the weekend, Staples standout on tough day, GUD downgrades

Another soft session to end a very poor week for the ASX with the index down by -457pts/-6.6% over the 4 trading sessions. While the US market was soft overnight, down between 2.5% (Dow) & 4% (Nasdaq), their Futures rallied during our time zone today to be trading 1% higher around our close, implying a positive start (at least) there tonight. That saw our market close ~50pts from the session lows today, although it simply seemed a lack of interest following a pretty torrid week. Manly beating the Cowboys at Brooky tonight would help a little!

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Latest Reports

Afternoon report 17/12/2025 17:00

The Match Out: ASX slips, Gold stocks rally

The ASX eased on Wednesday as softer oil prices and muted implications from US labour data was largely offset by strength in gold miners. We’ve got two more trading sessions before the majority of the market head for Christmas holidays, with next week’s trade likely to be very quiet.

Morning report 17/12/2025 09:48

Portfolio Positioning: A Christmas rally is running out of time

The ASX 200 dropped 0.4% on Tuesday, reversing early gains as the tech and energy sectors led the decline, falling by 2.5% and 2.2%, respectively. However, it was the miners that dragged the index lower, with the materials sector contributing more than 40% of the drop as profit taking rolled across the space. The selling was triggered on two fronts as global investors adopted an “if in doubt, get out” approach ahead of key US jobs data, and of course, Christmas.

Afternoon report 16/12/2025 16:50

The Match Out: ASX slips, more pain for Tech

The ASX slipped into negative territory through the session as early strength in the banks was offset by sharp weakness across technology and energy stocks. Investors remained cautious ahead of delayed US labour market data for October & November due tonight, which could shape expectations for further Federal Reserve rate cuts into 2026.

Morning report 16/12/2025 09:28

What Matters Today: Four “Dogs” of 2025 that are gaining traction

The ASX 200 opened weaker on Monday and failed to bounce, ultimately closing down -0.7%, with over 60% of the main board closing lower on the day. It was a rare day for FY26, with the miners leading the market to its worst session in three weeks, with BHP’s 2.9% decline contributing a whopping 35% of the day's decline.

Afternoon report 15/12/2025 16:44

The Match Out: Commodities cool, ASX closes lower in volatile session

The ASX traded lower on Monday, giving back 70% of Fridays strong rally. Selling was broad based, with 10 of 11 sectors in the red with a sharp commodity selloff headlining the weakness as copper, iron ore and lithium stocks got whacked. Market’s now look ahead to Australia’s mid-year budget update and central bank meetings in the UK, Europe and Japan.

Morning report 15/12/2025 09:38

Macro Monday: The Tech Sector may surprise many this week

Over the past three months, Australian financial markets have had to adjust to a sudden reversal in expectations for the RBA cash rate, shifting from the anticipation of cuts to projected hikes in 2026. A complete 180, which has caused significant volatility at the stock and sector levels as investors have had to alter their positioning.

Weekend report 13/12/2025 09:41

Weekend Q&A: Equities forge higher after the Fed & RBA cast their votes

The ASX 200 surged +1.2% on Friday, taking the local bourse to fresh 4-week highs as the miners continued to support the market. The index ended the week up +0.7% but it felt like more after the strong rally into the weekend saw the local bourse enjoy its best session in five weeks. The tech rotation story continues, but fortunately for the ASX, the influential miners have been major beneficiaries as commodity prices charge higher, led this week by silver and copper.

Afternoon report 12/12/2025 16:45

The Match Out: ASX up 1.2%, Best session in months, Commodities lead

The ASX had a great session to end the week, its strongest session in three weeks as a sharp rally in commodities – led by gold and copper, and support from the financials – combined with renewed optimism around US monetary easing, booking a third straight weekly gain, the longest run since August. Despite the equity strength, rate expectations remain in flux, with Citi now forecasting Australian rate hikes in February and May.

Morning report 12/12/2025 09:33

ETF Friday: Looking at 4 ASX ETFs to play the current sector rotation

The ASX 200 surrendered most of its early Fed-fuelled gains on Thursday, closing up only 0.2%. The miners led Australia's market higher, helping the bourse snap a three-session losing streak after a US interest rate cut sparked a rally in raw materials. Still, with winners and losers evenly matched, it wasn’t a broad-based affair.

Afternoon report 11/12/2025 16:56

The Match Out: ASX up (just), finishes well off highs, Tech weighs again

The ASX was mildly higher by the close, although it gave back most of the early Fed inspired bump to finish ~65pts below the morning peak. Most support came from the miners after the Federal Reserve increased their growth forecast and cut rates, though weakness across tech persisted after Oracle sank ~10% in after-hours trade, with a soft cloud result raising questions about the durability of AI-linked spending - Nasdaq futures slid 1.1% during our time zone.