In the last podcast of 2024, Steve and Laura reflect on a challenging December for the Aussie market, which has seen a 4.5% decline, making it the worst month of the year. The Federal Reserve's slower-than-expected pace of rate cuts rattled global markets, with Financials, consumer discretionary, and materials sectors among the hardest hit locally. Highlights included Life360's 200% surge this year, gold stocks benefiting from record prices, and lithium miners and Star Entertainment ranking among the biggest losers.

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Wall Street is making a cautious recovery after experiencing one of the year’s steepest declines. The Dow Jones Index broke a 10-day losing streak, its longest since 1974, while the 10-year US Treasury yield climbed to its highest level since May, reflecting ongoing strength in the US economy. In corporate news, Micron Technology faced its worst trading day since 2020 following disappointing guidance, while Darden Restaurants enjoyed its best performance since November 2020. Meanwhile, in Europe, the Bank of England held rates steady as policymakers debated whether to implement cuts. Oil prices declined, weighed down by a pessimistic economic outlook. Looking ahead, Aussie shares are predicted to slide as the traditional "Santa rally" shows signs of fading. Adding to the pressures, the Aussie dollar hit a two-year low.

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The Aussie share market faced a tough day, with the ASX 200 facing it's steepest decline in three and a half months—dragged down by a 2.5% fall in the US Dow Jones. Investor concerns stemmed from the US Federal Reserve’s revised interest rate outlook, signalling fewer rate cuts in 2025 than anticipated. All 11 ASX sectors ended in the red, with tech, financials, and materials hit hardest, while only 10% of stocks managed gains. Bright spots included Mesoblast, up 54% after FDA approval for its cell therapy, and Patriot Battery Metals, surging 16% following a major deal with Volkswagen. Meanwhile, uranium miner Deep Yellow plunged 12% on project delays, and ANZ faced shareholder backlash over governance issues at its AGM. With one trading day left this week, December’s losses have nearly erased November’s strong gains, leaving hopes pinned on a late Santa Claus rally.

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The US Federal Reserve has cut interest rates by 25 basis points but surprised investors by signaling a reduced forecast for future cuts. Meanwhile, the Dow Jones is on track for a 10-day losing streak, potentially marking its worst performance since 1974. In corporate news, Birkenstock shares are climbing amid a surge in demand for sandals, while speculation of a Honda-Nissan merger has sent ripples through the European car market. On the currency front, the US dollar has hit its highest level since November 2022, putting additional pressure on the Australian dollar, which continues to slump. Looking ahead, Aussie shares are expected to open lower on Thursday, weighed down by declining iron ore prices.

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The Aussie market closed flat today despite an optimistic start, as lunchtime weakness erased earlier gains. Investors are now eyeing the U.S. Federal Reserve's final interest rate decision for the year, expected to deliver a 25 basis point cut, marking three consecutive cuts since September. Market attention will shift to the Fed’s economic outlook and potential rate movements in 2024. Locally, sectors showed mixed performance, with healthcare and industrials faring best, while financials and materials slipped. Meanwhile, company news included NAB’s AGM and updates from Xero and ANZ, while dividend payouts from Westpac and others are on the horizon.

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Wall Street has extended its losses as investors remain cautious ahead of the upcoming Federal Reserve decision, following strong retail sales data. The Dow Jones Index is on a nine-day losing streak, its longest since 1978. Energy shares weighed on the S&P 500 as oil prices declined, with Amentum emerging as the index's worst performer after forecasting a hit to its FY25 growth. Oil-related stocks dragged markets to two-week lows in Europe as banking shares struggled. Commodities were also under pressure, with copper prices falling to a two-week low amid surplus concerns, while oil prices slid further on weak economic data from China and Germany. Looking ahead, Aussie markets are expected to open flat as investors await the Federal mid-year economic and fiscal outlook.

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Bitcoin soared to another record, while the Aussie stock market rebounded, snapping a tough five-day losing streak with the ASX rising 0.8%. Financial stocks led the gains, rising 1.1%, while energy underperformed as the sector remains the year’s weakest. Notably, tech platform PEXA surged following the appointment of a new CEO, while Data#3 plunged 10% due to changes in Microsoft incentives. Bitcoin’s sharp rise—up 55% since November—has also caught attention. Looking ahead, retail spending data out of the U.S. is expected to drive global market discussions, while NAB’s AGM and dividend payouts will headline the local agenda tomorrow

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Wall Street has posted mixed results, yet chipmakers continued to surge. The NASDAQ reached a record high, driven by gains in Broadcom and Alphabet, while Nvidia entered correction territory after a significant rally. Meanwhile, Bitcoin has hit a record high, partly attributed to former President Trump's strategic reserve initiative. Bond yields remained flat ahead of the US Federal Reserve's interest rate decision. In Europe, German shares declined following Chancellor Scholz's loss in a confidence vote. Looking ahead, Australia is poised for a flat start to trading, as the ASX extended its losing streak to five consecutive days.

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The Australian market continued its downward streak, with the ASX hitting a four-week low amidst weak Chinese retail data and falling commodity prices. China's slower-than-expected retail growth raised concerns over consumption and the country's ability to meet its 5% annual growth target, which impacted resource stocks like BHP and Rio Tinto. Mining and energy sectors remain some of the year's worst performers, down 15% and 20%, respectively. Meanwhile, corporate news saw mixed reactions, with HMC Capital suffering steep losses after backing DigiCo’s underwhelming ASX debut, while Star Entertainment rose following a management shake-up. Looking ahead, key events include global manufacturing data, U.S. retail sales, and the Federal Reserve's inflation update, alongside local updates on consumer confidence and AGMs from major banks like NAB and ANZ.

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Wall Street consolidates as investors await the Federal Reserve's upcoming decision. On Friday, the Dow Jones marked its seventh consecutive day of losses, its longest losing streak since 2020. Meanwhile, AI-related stocks surged on optimistic forecasts, with Broadcom reaching a historic milestone by hitting a $1 trillion market cap for the first time. Tesla shares also gained momentum as the regulatory outlook for automated driving systems improved. Looking ahead, Aussie shares are poised to decline for a fifth straight day.

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