Between the Bells

The Australian share market is tipped to nudge 0.1% higher at the open going by the futures. From Monday to Thursday the ASX200 gained 2.3%, so if the market holds these levels, the ASX200 will have made its best weekly gain in 5 weeks.

A trading idea for today, IPH (ASX:IPH) was reiterated as a Buy by Bell Potter, expecting share price growth of 17% to $8.50 in a year. 

Investors will be watching APA (ASX:APA), News Corp (ASX:NWS) and Macquarie (ASX:MQG). The RBA will also be releasing its statement on monetary policy at 11.30am.

The Australian share market is sitting with a weekly gain of 2.6% as at Thursday morning before trade, however profits are expected to fall as the futures suggest a 0.9% drop at the open. 

A trading idea for today is Altium (ASX:ALU). It had its price target lifted by Bell Potter to $37.50, which implies that the share price will grow 6.2% in a year.

Investors will be watching Rio Tinto (ASX:RIO), Orica (ASX:ORI), Macquarie (ASX:MQG) & Aussie March export data.

The Australian share market is eyeing a fall of 0.2% at the open going by the futures, with traders awaiting local retail data out today. On overnight markets, global equities, oil and gold all gaining ground.

A trading idea for today, A.P Eagers (ASX:APE) was reiterated as a Buy by Bell Potter. Bell Potter says we could see a behavioural shift as consumers are less likely to catch general public transport and more likely to want to drive a car. 

Investors will be watching: Pushpay (ASX:PPH) & Genworth Mortgage Insurance (ASX:GMA).

The Australian share market is set to rise for the second straight day this week, with the futures suggesting a 0.3% gain at the open. This comes as Italy, Finland and some U.S States have eased their lockdowns, fuelling the oil price back above $21 a barrel. 

Trading Idea: Westpac (ASX:WBC) was reiterated as a Buy by Bell Potter overnight following the bank's half year results yesterday.

Investors will be watching Kathmandu (ASX:KMD), James Hardie (ASX:JHX), Westpac (ASX:WBC) and the RBA meeting today.

The Australian share market is eyeing a soft start to the week with the futures suggesting a 0.1% fall at the open. It comes as US equities ended lower on Friday despite Gilead’s COVID-19 vaccine being approved by the US FDA and rolled out to patients in America. 

Today investors will be watching Westpac (ASX:WBC), Afterpay (ASX:APT) and Fortescue Metals (ASX:FMG).

Building Permits/approvals are out for March with consensus expecting a 15% drop, following the 19% surge in Feb. All eyes will be on construction linked companies like Brickworks (ASX:BKW), Boral (ASX:BLD) and Adelaide Brighton (ASX:ABC).

On Thursday, the ASX200 closed off the month up 8.8%, the best monthly gain on record since the data set began in 1993. Not bad... almost as good as the All Ordinaries clocking off the month with a 9.5% rise - its best result since 1988. Plus, the University of Queensland and Gilead make breakthroughs in potential COVID-19 treatments.

In this week’s wrap, Jessica covers:

• Four key reasons the markets rallied (0:35)
• Energy gets a boost, rising 12% in this week's sectors report (1:13)
• Stocks in the spotlight: (Mon-Thu) AP Eagers (ASX:APE) up 46% while ResMed (ASX:RMD) fell the most, down 6% (1:23)
• Are we back in bull territory? (2:35)
• Recalling a not-so-distant historical 20% rally in a bear market (3:12)
• Stock ideas: Bell Potter's list of 10 recovery stocks (4:01)

The Australian share market is set for a breather today with the futures suggesting the ASX200 could fall 2.2% at the open following global equities.

Wall Street investors trimmed profits overnight as weaker economic data came out, while hopes are still high for a COVID-19 vaccine. 

Today, investors will be watching Origin Energy (ASX:ORG), Austal (ASX:ASB), ResMed (ASX:RMD) & new home sales for March.

The Aussie share market is set for its best monthly gain since January this year. This week, the focus has been on the Banking sector, with some of the banks releasing their half-year results. 

In this month's wrap, Jessica covers:

• IT leads growth sectors in this month's sector report (0:19)
• Stocks in the spotlight: Afterpay (ASX:APT) rises 51% & Metcash (ASX:MTS) slides 21% (1:11)
• HY results: Where will NAB (ASX:NAB) go from here & what to watch with Westpac (ASX:WBC) (2:19)
• The best of the banking sector (5:01)
• What to watch next week: RBA & trade data announcements 

The Australian share market looks like it will re-enter a bull market this morning following a stellar night on overseas and commodity markets, as the world is closer to a vaccine for COVID-19. The Aussie futures are eyeing a lift of 2% at the open, so if the ASX200 does see that rally, the local market would have collectively gained 21% from its March lows which means we’ll be back in bull territory, as a bull market is defined as a gain of 20%.

Global markets rallied for three important reasons:

1. US biotech tech company, Gilead revealed its trial cured over 50% of the patients with severe COVID-19, with a five-day dose of it's drug Remdesivir.
2. COVID-19 cases are slowing in the U.S
3. The US Federal Reserve pledge to keep rates as close to near zero to help the US economy.

Today, investors will be watching: ANZ (ASX:ANZ), Fortescue Metals Group (ASX:FMG), GPT Property Group (ASX:GPT), Mirvac (ASX:MGR), Qantas (ASX:QAN) and Woolworths (ASX:WOW).

This evening, all eyes will be on weekly jobless claims.

The Australian share market is eyeing a lift of 0.4% at the open according to the futures, despite a mixed session overnight. Aussie's investors attention today will be on local inflation data due out, Coles (ASX:COL) first quarter sales results and what the Fed announces.

US stocks saw selling overnight ahead of the US Federal Reserve’s announcement with the Nasdaq down 1.4%, the S&P500 ending 0.5% lower and the Dow Jones falling slightly by 0.1%. 

Today, investors will be watching Coles (ASX:COL), Brickworks (ASX:BKW) and Select Harvest (ASX:SHV).

This evening all eyes will be on the U.S Federal Reserve decision.