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Last week the market had a jumpy start to the year. Mid-week, the market hit a 4-month high, then on Thursday the market had its worst session in 16 months. On Friday however, the ASX200 ended the week on a positive note, advancing 1.3%, with all sectors in the green. Energy, financials and utilities were up the most.
Medibank, one of the country’s largest private health insurance providers, (ASX:MPL), lead the gains, up almost 6%. This was off the back of some restrictions reintroduced in NSW, which includes the suspension of elective surgery until February, in the aim of helping the healthcare system cope with the current spike in covid cases in NSW. Medibank was followed by Unibail-Rodamco-Westfield (ASX:URW), which gained 5.8% on Friday and over 10% in the week, following its European shares which have performed well. Sims (ASX:SGM), NOVONIX (ASX:NVX) and Magellan Financial Group (ASX:MFG) were among the worst performers.
The most traded stocks by Bell Direct clients on Friday included Nickel Mines (ASX:NIC), lithium producer Lake Resources (ASX:LKE) and Telstra (ASX:TLS)
In US equities, all three major benchmarks were lower. The S&P500 fell 0.4%, the Dow lost 0.01% and the tech-heavy Nasdaq had its worst week since February, down 0.9%. The latest economic update in the US saw a disappointing jobs report, adding fewer jobs than expected in December. And the US unemployment rate dropped to 3.9%, better than the 4.1% estimate.
The local market is set to open flat, with the SPI futures suggesting a rise of 0.03%.
What to watch today:
Trading Ideas:
Yesterday, the market closed 0.4% lower. Shares rose higher after the US Fed announced it would wind down its asset purchases, known as tapering, at a faster pace amid a continued rise in inflation, and signalled an interest rate rise next year.
Information technology gained the most, while healthcare fell 5%. The local market was dragged into the red by heavy losses from CSL, which lost over 8% yesterday. Champion Iron (ASX:CIA) was another of the worst performers. On Wednesday, Macquarie maintained their Outperform rating on CIA, with a $7.40 price target. The broker is generally positive on stocks with iron ore exposure.
Mesoblast (ASX:MSB) jumped 11%, off the back of a clinical trial update, where they’re working on regenerative medicines for inflammatory conditions. WiseTech (ASX:WTC) jumped over 6% to $59.10 a share, after hitting a new all-time high at $59.25 in intraday trading.
The most traded stocks by Bell Direct clients yesterday, were CSL (ASX:CSL) and Fortescue Metals (ASX:FMG), which yesterday revealed its looking to repurpose its New Zealand oil refinery. Morgan Stanley retain their Underweight rating on FMG with a $14.05 target price. And Macquarie retain their Outperform rating and a $21 target. FMG is also a Bell Potter BUY at $19.75 target.
And Woolworths (ASX:WOW) has come under some selling pressure this week, after a trading update: its bottom line took an $150 million hit. Analysts were expecting its pace of growth in grocery sales to ease off once restrictions were lifted but were caught out by the extent of COVID-19 ramifications. Woolworths staff were required to be tested every three days for Delta, then had to wait a few days for results. This interrupted the efficiency and productivity of the supermarket’s labour-intensive operations. The pandemic also caused supply shortages and delays, which led to a sharp increase in wholesale grocery prices. Most brokers have updated their recommendations on Woolworths and lowered their price targets this week. UBS retain their SELL rating, while Macquarie and Citi are Neutral.
European stocks closed higher as investors took in central bank decisions. The Bank of England yesterday hiked interest rates for the first time since the beginning of the pandemic. Meanwhile the European Central Bank further cut its bond purchases, promising to continue its monetary policy support for the euro zone into next year. And the US Fed announced several rate hikes. In New York, equities were lower, as some of the large tech names struggled, which saw the Nasdaq drop 2.5%. The Dow also down 0.08% and the S&P500 down 0.9%.
Looking to the local session ahead, despite the sell-off in tech in New York, the local market is set to open higher. The SPI futures are suggesting a 0.14% rise at the open, which is supported by a broad rally in commodities.
What to watch today:
Trading ideas:
The Aussie share market closed 0.7% lower yesterday, its biggest fall in nearly two weeks, with nearly all sectors closing in the red. Tech shares led the losses, down 2.6%. It was only the utilities sector that was able to post a modest gain of 0.3%.
On the ASX200 stock performance, just 40 of the top 200 blue chips by market value posted a positive gain for the day. The best performers included Virgin Money UK (ASX:VUK) and Alumina (ASX:ALU). Some other top stocks included Whitehaven Coal (ASX:WHC), as well as AGL Energy (ASX:AGL). Meanwhile, PointsBet Holdings (ASX:PBH) was the worst performer, falling 7.6%. Tech stocks like Life360 (ASX:360) and Megaport (ASX:MP1) tumbled, both down between 5-6%. And Buy Now Pay Later giants, Afterpay (ASX:APT) and Zip (ASX:Z1P) also saw some selling.
The most traded stocks by Bell Direct clients yesterday included Woolworths (ASX:WOW), Northern Star Resources (ASX:NST) and Westpac (ASX:WBC).
In the US, stocks recovered from their early losses after the Fed announced that it would wind down its asset purchases, at a faster pace amid a continued rise in inflation. This will put it on track to conclude the program in early 2022, rather than mid-year as initially planned. The Fed also signalled three rate hikes for 2022, due to the faster pullback, despite the ongoing challenge the pandemic poses to the economic recovery. So, all three benchmarks pushed higher. The Dow jumped just over 380 points, the S&P500 lifted 1.6% and the Nasdaq was up 2%.
For today, following the positive session on Wall Street, the futures as at 8:40am AEDT are suggesting the Aussie share market will open 0.6% higher.
What to watch today:
Trading Ideas:
Australian shares closed flat yesterday. The real estate sector led the gains, while consumer staples declined 4%.
Medical device company, Polynovo (ASX:PNV), jumped 15%, from $1.36 to $1.57 yesterday, after a positive business update, advising that its US segment had experienced a strong start to the second quarter. Charter Hall (ASX:CHC) gained over 5%, extending its gains from the previous session. Meanwhile, Mesoblast (ASX:MSB) fell 17%, off the back of news that biotech company Novartis choose to terminate an agreement with the business. Woolworths Group (ASX:WOW) also fell after the supermarket warned that its profit growth is slowing. And Afterpay (ASX:APT) fell 4.1% to $90.83, even after its shareholders approved its acquisition by Block, formerly Square. And this deal is now awaiting approval from the Spanish Central Bank.
The best performer in the All Ords was Virtus Health (ASX:VRT) which jumped an impressive 35%. VRT is a fertility, diagnostic and day hospital, and they announced that they received a takeover bid from private equity group BGH Capital. Pointterra (ASX:3DP), gained 17.4% after announcing three new US contracts.
In New York, US investors traded cautiously amid the final US Federal Reserve policy meeting of the year. Large tech stocks also moved lower and new inflation data continued to show a sharp rise in prices. The Fed began its two-day meeting on Tuesday and today the Central Bank will release a statement with quarterly projections for the economy, inflation, and interest rates. The Dow Jones is down 0.3%, the S&P500 is down 0.75% and the Nasdaq is down 1.14%.
The Aussie share market is set to open lower this morning, with the SPI futures suggesting a 0.4% fall.
What to watch today:
Trading ideas:
The Aussie share market pushed 0.4% higher yesterday, to start the new trading week off on a positive note. Most sectors posted gains, with the energy, real estate and materials sectors leading the way, while the financial and healthcare sectors came under a bit of pressure.
Netwealth (ASX:NWL) was the biggest gainer, while Charter Hall Group (ASX:CHC) rose 5.6% to a new all-time high, following the company announcing an upgraded FY22 earnings guidance and funds under management growth update. Other top stocks included material stocks St Barbara (ASX:SBM), Champion Iron (ASX:CIA), Iluka Resources (ASX:ILU), Regis Resources (ASX:RRL) and Pilbara Minerals (ASX:PLS). Meanwhile, the worst performing stocks yesterday included NIB Holdings (ASX:NIB), GUD Holdings (ASX:GUD) and Insurance Australia Group (ASX:IAG). IAG closed 3.4% lower after UBS dropped its price target to $4.20 and rated the stock a SELL.
The most traded stocks by Bell Direct clients yesterday included Liontown Resources (ASX:LTR), BHP Group (ASX:BHP), and Brickworks (ASX:BKW). Another most traded stock was gold miner and lithium developer Firefinch (ASX:FFX). The company successfully completed a $100m Institutional Placement, whereby proceeds from the placement will be used to fast track the production growth at the Morila Gold Mine.
In the US, stocks retreated as investors remained cautious about how the Omicron variant will impact the economy, as well as what the Federal Reserve will announce on Wednesday. All three benchmarks closed lower, with the Nasdaq down the most. The S&P500 fell 0.91%, and the Dow lost 320 points.
For today, following the negative session on Wall Street, the futures are suggesting the Aussie share market will open 0.6% lower.
What to watch today:
Trading Ideas:
The market lost some ground last Friday, after what had been a positive week and closed 0.4% lower, with utilities up the most.
Online marketplace Redbubble (ASX:RBL) was the best performer on the ASX200, gaining over 10%. UBS initiated coverage of the stock, with a NEUTRAL rating and a $3.45 price target. Iluka Resources (ASX:ILU) gained over 7%, amid a broader rally in the electric vehicle focused commodity sector. Meanwhile, Afterpay (ASX:APT) declined the most.
Bell Direct clients found the most value in Battery Tech & Lithium ETF (ASX:ACDC), as well as CSL (ASX:CSL), Westpac (ASX:WBC), Pilbara Minerals (ASX:PLS) and AGL Energy (ASX:AGL).
On Friday US CPI data was released. Inflation rose 6.8% year-over-year, its highest rate since 1982. Despite inflation hitting a 39-year high, all three major benchmarks advanced. The S&P500 closed at a record, up 0.95%, the Dow up 0.6% and the tech heavy Nasdaq up 0.7%.
Australian shares are set to open higher. The futures are suggesting a rise of 0.18%.
What to watch today:
Trading ideas:
Fears of the new Omicron variant subsided this week, as the market rallied 2% (Mon-Thu). All sectors made solid gains, with the energy, consumer staples, real estate and healthcare sectors advancing the most.
In this week’s wrap, Sophia covers:
Watch the Weekly Wrap here.
The Aussie share market advanced for the fourth straight day yesterday, up as much as 1.7%, before pulling back and closing a modest 1.3% higher.
All sectors posted gains, with the consumer services, information technology and materials sectors leading the way, all up 2%. The banks performed well, with NAB up 1%, the most out of the major four banks.
Zip (ASX:Z1P) was the best performer, lifting 10.9%, after UBS upgraded its rating from a SELL to NEUTRAL. Mesoblast (ASX:MSB) blasted 10% higher, likely because of the broader gains in the Health Care Index, the XHJ, where nearly all members recorded gains. Other top stocks included mining companies, Mineral Resources (ASX:MIN), Champion Iron (ASX:CIA) and Pilbara Minerals (ASX:PLS).
Meanwhile, the worst performing stocks yesterday included Steadfast Group (ASX:SDF), Polynovo (ASX:PNV) and global packaging manufacturer, Orora (ASX:ORA).
Fortescue Metals (ASX:FMG) was one of the most traded stocks by Bell Direct clients yesterday, jumping 3.3% yesterday following news that the company is teaming up with AGL Energy (ASX:AGL) to develop a hydrogen hub for the Hunter Valley coal plants, and off the back of the recent rebound in the iron ore price, which pushed 7% higher.
Moving to the US, as at the time of recording, stocks are flat. All three of the benchmarks are trading slightly higher, with the Nasdaq up the most. Some of the comeback was off the back of vaccine news from Pfizer and BioNTech, who confirmed that three doses of the vaccine are effective at neutralising the Omicron variant.
Following the relatively positive session over on Wall Street, the futures are suggesting the Aussie share market will give back some of its recent gains and open 0.5% lower.
What to watch today:
Trading ideas:
Yesterday the market closed higher for the third straight session, advancing 0.95%. Apart from utilities, every other sector moved higher. Energy led the gains, rising more than 2%.
Tech stocks rebounded, with Zip Co (ASX:Z1P), Nearmap (ASX:NEA), and Tyro Payments (ASX:TYR) all making the top 10.
Travel stocks also rebounded as investors grow more confidence that the new COVID-19 Omicron variant wouldn’t have a devastating impact. Corporate Travel Management (ASX:CTD) and Flight Centre (ASX:FLT) made the leaderboard, posting gains of over 5%, while Qantas (ASX:QAN) and Webjet (ASX:WEB) also moved higher.
Magellan Financial Group (ASX:MFG) was the worst performer yesterday, after the news that their CEO Brett Cairns will be leaving the company after 14 years.
US equities rallied overnight, and all three major benchmarks closed in the green. The Dow Jones gained 1.4%, and the S&P500 gained 2.07%. The Nasdaq had its best day since March, gaining 3%, with tech stocks leading the market higher for a second day.
Following New York, the ASX200 is set to rise 0.3% at the open this morning, going by the SPI futures.
What to watch today:
Trading idea:
The Aussie share market started the trading week to yet another choppy and directionless trading session, in which gold miners and supermarkets gained ground, while tech stocks slumped.
Embattled property giant, Evergrande fell as much as 15% to an eleven-year low, after it said that there was no guarantee that it would have enough cash to meet its next debt repayments.
The utilities sector advanced the most, up 2%. Meanwhile, the information technology sector was hit the hardest, down 2.2%, following some major losses on the tech-heavy Nasdaq last Friday. Metcash (ASX:MTS) was the top stock of the day, up 7.3%, after the company released strong first half results, as more Aussies shopped local during lockdown. The company also announced its plans to inject $4 million into digital technology to accelerate online shopping across its food, grocery, hardware, and liquor brands. There were also six gold miners that made the stock leaderboard, including Silver Lake Resources (ASX: SLR) and Gold Road Resources (ASX:GOR). On the flipside, BNPL stocks came under pressure, including Zip (ASX:Z1P), Afterpay (ASX:APT) and Sezzle (ASX:SZL), which were down 10.1%, 4.3% and 16% respectively. Kogan.com (ASX:KGN), Nearmap (ASX:NEA) and Redbubble (ASX:RBL) were also amongst the worst performers, with this trio of technology stocks to be removed from the XJO later this month.
In the US, all three benchmarks advanced, as investors shook off fears around the threat of the Omicron variant. The Dow closed nearly 650 points higher, the S&P500 up over 1% and the Nasdaq up 0.9%. Shares linked to the economy recovery gained, while investors continued to sell tech stocks with relatively high valuations.
What to watch today:
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