Outside of the post-COVID rebound, corporate America has just delivered one of its strongest earnings seasons in more than a decade. Approximately 85% of S&P 500 companies beat expectations, with the Magnificent Seven posting profit growth well in excess of 50%, providing the engine room for the broader rally.
The ASX200 experienced a choppy week, ultimately closing up +0.2% following Fridays triple-digit loss as tensions between the US and Iran took a turn for the worse. The local index was threatening to break out toward fresh highs on Thursday before yesterday’s -1.5% sell-off, leaving the market stuck in the 8600-9000 trading range where it’s now looked comfortable for more than a month. The rate-sensitive stocks continue to weigh on the ASX with retail and real estate continuing to drag the local index back despite the best efforts of the miners which saw the materials sector gain +4.3% through the week, with more set to come on Monday.
A tough day on the ASX today, with geopolitical risk firmly back in the driver's seat. Fresh US-Iran clashes in the Strait of Hormuz sent oil prices higher and unwound the peace trade that had supported market over the last few days.
The ASX200 delivered a second consecutive strong day, extending the weeks recovery from Tuesdays low to more than 3%. The gains were again spearheaded by the miners, on the back of stronger metal prices, with BHP Group (ASX:BHP) and Rio Tinto (ASX:RIO) on their own contributing 50% of the index’s move. The advance was more broad based than on Wednesday with over 70% of the main board closing higher.
The ASX pushed higher today, building on strength from yesterday’s rally as sentiment around a potential US-Iran improved materially overnight. The prospect of the Strait of Hormuz reopening saw oil prices fall sharply, easing inflation concerns and spurring on risk appetite.
The ASX 200 rallied on Wednesday, following the strong lead from Wall Street and improving sentiment around the Middle East, with the US pushing hard for a lasting resolution.
The ASX bounced strongly today, shaking off recent weakness, leaning into improving sentiment around the Middle East, with the Whitehouse now clearly seeking an off-ramp from the Iran conflict.
The ASX 200 retreated just 0.2% on Tuesday, not a bad day considering the RBA hiked another 0.25%, with the index encouragingly closing on its intra-day high. The local bourse has retreated 4.4% since Westpac (ASX:WBC) warned of rising bad debts and weaker trading revenues 3-weeks ago.
The ASX slipped again today, though the move felt relatively contained given the significance of the RBA decision. The central bank delivered a third straight hike, taking the cash rate to 4.35%, but the market largely took it in stride, rising ~35pts after the decision into the close.
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