Markets were mixed last week, with the US and Europe rising while Japan, emerging markets, and the ASX slipped. This week, Max Lo Certo speaks with Bell Potter's Lead Strategist Rob Crookston to examine the key forces shaping recent market movements and their implications for investors.

In this week’s video, Rob and Max cover:

·      what drove markets last week

·      the Fed’s hawkish pivot: should investors be worried?

·      macro data to watch

·      Bell Potter’s stock of the week.

This week's markets were shaped by a tug-of-war between Middle East tensions and Trump-led de-escalation, leaving US equities broadly flat but the ASX finishing the week stronger. Domestically, the picture was mixed - bank stocks came under further pressure from property tax concerns and weak housing data, while selective buying emerged in consumer discretionary and healthcare names. With the SpaceX IPO dominating global headlines and the RBA's next move looming, it was a week where the headlines moved faster than the index.

In this week's video, Will and Sophia cover:

• continuing Middle East tensions
• the over and underperforming sectors on the ASX last week
• private equity's acquisition of Steadfast and what it signals for AI disruption fears
• SpaceX's record-breaking IPO
• the outlook for next week’s pivotal RBA meeting.

The ASX saw a strong week this week, bouncing over 1% and outpacing global equities. Today, Sophia Mavridis sits down with Bell Financial Group’s CIO Will Riggall to unpack the macroeconomic factors that moved the markets recently, the surging materials sector and which stocks Bell Potter’s team are looking at in this space, and their thoughts on SpaceX’s upcoming blockbuster IPO.

In this week’s video, Sophia and Will cover:

• Inflation, oil, and earnings: the factors moving the market
• why the materials sector is outperforming the broader market
• Bell Potter’s stock picks in the materials sector
• the upcoming SpaceX IPO.

Bell Potter’s Lead Strategist Rob Crookston talks what’s driving markets right now in this week’s wrap. The bond markets lead the way while equities followed this week, while economic news is back in focus.

In this week’s wrap, Rob and Sophia cover:

• (0:17): what happened in market’s this week
• (3:38): what the labour market and PMI data means for the RBA
• (5:23): Bell Potter’s stock picks this week
• (10:00): what’s on the radar in the week ahead?
• (10:44): how are Bell Potter positioned for the week ahead?

: Markets were pulled in two directions this week as Australia’s federal budget weighed on banks and property-linked stocks, while strong US earnings and booming AI demand pushed global markets higher. In this week’s interview, Bell Financial Group CIO Will Riggall sits down with Bell Potter Lead Strategist Rob Crookston to unpack the key budget changes, the strength behind the AI rally, and where investors may find opportunities across commodities, defensives and global equities heading into FY26.

In this week’s video, Will and Rob cover:

• The federal budget changes and the impact on investors
• the market shift toward income and defensive sectors
• strong US earnings and continued AI momentum
• commodity strength led by copper and BHP
• the outlook for banks, CSL and FY26 opportunities.

In this episode of From the Helm, Solstice Minerals Managing Director and CEO Nick Castleden joins us to discuss the company’s exploration progress and the growing momentum behind its flagship Nanadie copper-gold project.

Nick provides an overview of Solstice Minerals’ strategy and recent commercial developments, explaining the significance of exploration results at Nanadie and what has driven strong market interest in the stock this year. He also discusses the company’s recent acquisition, drilling milestones, upcoming catalysts, and how Solstice is positioned to accelerate its growth strategy.

In this interview, Nick covers:

• an introduction to Solstice Minerals and its broader exploration strategy
• what has driven the company’s strong share price performance following exploration success at Nanadie
• background on the Nanadie asset and the rationale behind its recent acquisition
• expected news flow cadence and key updates investors can anticipate in coming months
• additional work required ahead of a potential Mineral Resource Estimate (MRE) upgrade
• the company’s strong cash position and flexibility to accelerate drilling activity if results continue to validate scale
• the key catalysts investors should be watching over the next 12 months.

Note: This interview was filmed on 10 May 2026.

We saw another week of major moves on the market last week, as continuing volatility in oil prices and the RBA’s 25 basis point rate increase dominated the headlines. Today, Sophia Mavridis was joined by Bell Financial Group’s CIO Will Riggall to unpack how investors reacted to the rate increase, which sectors have been over and underperforming lately, and where Bell Potter’s analysts see opportunities in the current market landscape. 

In this episode, Sophia and Will cover: 

• the macroeconomic factors impacting domestic and international markets last week
• the RBA’s rate increase and how the ASX responded
• the best and worst performing sectors recently
• ongoing oil price volatility and how the Australian economy has bounced back
• Bell Potter’s stocks to watch and analyst ratings

Strong earnings and a resilient US economy are pushing Wall Street higher, with Meta and Alphabet leading a massive week of mega-cap reporting. It’s a different story in Australia, as local sectors dipped in April as investors trade cautiously amid rising interest rates and persistent inflation signals. 

In this week’s wrap, Will and Sophia cover: 

• how the key asset classes performed this month 
• US earnings results from Meta, Alphabet, Google, and Caterpillar 
• the share price decline across Australia’s major supermarkets 
• the key highlights from Bell Potter’s research 
• the demand and supply shift in the lithium sector 
• what to expect from the RBA next week. 

Market volatility is back on the radar this week as geopolitical tensions drive oil prices higher and keep global investors on edge. While the Wall Street had a strong month driven by the AI sector, the local market is facing a more challenging period, headlined by downgrades across the banks and by the biggest story this week in Cochlear’s (ASX:COH) over 40% decline. 

In this week's wrap, Sophia and Will cover:

• the impact of rising crude oil prices and stalled peace talks on global investor sentiment
• why the ASX is lagging behind the AI-driven rally seen in US markets
• a look at the recent performance of the energy and financial sectors in Australia
• Cochlear's (ASX:COH) 40% tumble what it means for long-term shareholders.

In this week’s Weekly Wrap, CIO Will Riggall is joined by Bell Potter’s Lead Strategist Rob Crookston to unpack the key drivers behind the recent market rally and what comes next.

Despite ongoing geopolitical uncertainty and rising oil prices, the S&P 500 has surged back to all-time highs, led by a strong rebound in the tech sector. But the big question remains: how sustainable is this move?

In this week’s video, Will and Rob cover:

• The rapid market rally and whether current momentum can continue
• What to expect from upcoming trading updates and the impact of rising oil costs on companies like Qantas
• The shift in momentum away from large-cap banks such as Westpac and back toward high-growth tech
• Bell Potter’s preferred positioning—focusing on offensive, capital-light sectors including tech, diversified financials, and classifieds.