Trade Alert - International Equities Portfolio

The ASX 200 failed to hold onto its early gains on Wednesday ultimately ending the session down -0.1%, smack in the middle of the day’s trading range, with the influential banks and miners dragging the index lower despite over 60% of the main board closing higher. The rate-sensitive stocks again caught our eye bucking the trend with all major retailers and real estate stocks outperforming the broader index.

Afternoon report 07/10/2026 16:56

The Match Out: ASX slips as Banks and Miners weigh, Uranium stocks jump on Alphabet nuclear deal

The ASX finished slightly lower today snapping a four-day winning streak as the market struggled to follow another record session on Wall Street. A majority six of 11 sectors finished higher, though the heavyweight sectors weighed on the bourse overall. Healthcare and Real Estate led the market, while Financials and Materials were the biggest drags.

Alerts 07/10/2026 09:45

Trade Alert – Active Growth Portfolio

We are adding a new position to the Growth Portfolio

Morning report 07/10/2026 09:42

Portfolio Positioning: Consumer confidence tests its 30-year low

The ASX advanced +0.6% on Tuesday on relatively broad based gains with over 60% of the main board closing higher. However, it was the rare combination of strength in both materials and financials that dragged the index higher, contributing ~86% of the days advance from a points perspective. What caught our eye was some buying coming back into some of the consumer facing stocks, ironically just as consumer confidence data plunged towards a 30-year low - there’s nothing quite like the combination of rising interest rates and cost-of-living pressures to squeeze everyday Australians, particularly when the holy grail of household wealth - property prices, are falling at the same time.

Afternoon report 06/10/2026 17:03

The Match Out: ASX continues its bounce as REITs and Materials drive gains

The ASX moved higher for a third straight session with some confidence returning to the market. The rally was driven by a very different mix of stocks to what we saw on Wall Street overnight, with Real Estate leading despite bond-yields remaining elevated, and Materials also looking strong. Technology was the only significant detractor, failing to mirror the move seen overnight in the US as the tech-focused Nasdaq surged to new all-time highs.

Morning report 06/10/2026 09:41

Macro Monday, on a Tuesday: Bond yields continue to weigh on stocks

The financial press keeps telling us that stocks are expensive and a correction is inevitable, yet US markets remain within 1% of new all-time highs. The chart below tells an interesting story about the two factors pulling the S&P 500 in opposite directions through 2026. Blended forward EPS estimates have surged 35% since year-end, reflecting strong corporate earnings, particularly across AI-related companies, yet the index itself is up only +11.8%.

Weekend report 03/10/2026 08:27

Weekend Q&A: Has the ASX 200 found its low?

The ASX 200 finished a volatile week up +0.2%, almost as if Thursdays ~2% plunge to fresh four month lows didn’t exist. The weekly change masked significant volatility as investors digested the RBA’s fourth rate hike of 2026 alongside softer-than-expected inflation data. Technology was the standout sector, surging 7.3%, while the dominant theme remained interest rates, with the cash rate reaching a 15-year high of 4.6%, although softer CPI and Governor Bullock’s subsequent comments tempered expectations for further tightening.

Afternoon report 02/10/2026 17:15

The Match Out: ASX bounces back as broker upgrades lift market out of two-day funk

The ASX bounced today following yesterday’s broad-based sell-off with the rebound driven by a recovery in Technology, while nine of the 11 sectors finished higher. The move leaves the index up +0.2% for the week after a volatile few sessions, with the market still looking for confirmation that the recent surge in bond yields and oil prices has potentially peaked.

Alerts 02/10/2026 09:48