CommSec Market Update

The ASX 200 closed the week in the red after a tech sell-off in Wall Street overnight. Slumping oil prices also saw the energy sector lose ground, with the technology and healthcare sectors mirroring doing the same. 

This report is approved and distributed in Australia by Commonwealth Securities Limited ABN 60 067 254 399 AFSL 238814 (CommSec) a wholly owned but non-guaranteed subsidiary of the Commonwealth Bank of Australia ABN 48 123 123 124 AFSL 234945 (the Bank), and a market participant of ASX Limited and CHI-X Pty Limited, a clearing participant of ASX Clear Pty Limited and a settlement participant of ASX Settlement Pty Limited. Any advice contained in this report is general advice only and is not a recommendation to buy, sell or hold any securities, property, real estate or financial products, and has been prepared without taking account of the objectives, financial or taxation situation or needs of any particular individual. Before making any investment decision, you should consider your own investment needs and objectives and consider seeking financial advice. Past performance is not a reliable indicator of future performance. This report is produced by Commonwealth Securities Limited based on information available at the time of publishing.  We believe that the information in this report is correct and any opinions, conclusions or recommendations are reasonably held or made as at the time of its compilation, but no warranty is made as to accuracy, reliability or completeness.  To the extent permitted by law, neither the Bank nor any of its subsidiaries accept liability to any person for loss or damage arising from the use of this report. 

Tech and healthcare names have led early declines for ASX 200, as market follows in the fortunes of  US and European markets overnight.

This report is approved and distributed in Australia by Commonwealth Securities Limited ABN 60 067 254 399 AFSL 238814 (CommSec) a wholly owned but non-guaranteed subsidiary of the Commonwealth Bank of Australia ABN 48 123 123 124 AFSL 234945 (the Bank), and a market participant of ASX Limited and CHI-X Pty Limited, a clearing participant of ASX Clear Pty Limited and a settlement participant of ASX Settlement Pty Limited. Any advice contained in this report is general advice only and is not a recommendation to buy, sell or hold any securities, property, real estate or financial products, and has been prepared without taking account of the objectives, financial or taxation situation or needs of any particular individual. Before making any investment decision, you should consider your own investment needs and objectives and consider seeking financial advice. Past performance is not a reliable indicator of future performance. This report is produced by Commonwealth Securities Limited based on information available at the time of publishing.  We believe that the information in this report is correct and any opinions, conclusions or recommendations are reasonably held or made as at the time of its compilation, but no warranty is made as to accuracy, reliability or completeness.  To the extent permitted by law, neither the Bank nor any of its subsidiaries accept liability to any person for loss or damage arising from the use of this report. 

CommSec Senior Economist Ryan Felsman previews the economic & financial market events scheduled for the week ahead including the NAB Business survey, Reserve Bank Board meeting minutes & US Economic growth.

This report is approved and distributed in Australia by Commonwealth Securities Limited ABN 60 067 254 399 AFSL 238814 (CommSec) a wholly owned but non-guaranteed subsidiary of the Commonwealth Bank of Australia ABN 48 123 123 124 AFSL 234945 (the Bank), and a market participant of ASX Limited and CHI-X Pty Limited, a clearing participant of ASX Clear Pty Limited and a settlement participant of ASX Settlement Pty Limited. Any advice contained in this report is general advice only and is not a recommendation to buy, sell or hold any securities, property, real estate or financial products, and has been prepared without taking account of the objectives, financial or taxation situation or needs of any particular individual. Before making any investment decision, you should consider your own investment needs and objectives and consider seeking financial advice. Past performance is not a reliable indicator of future performance. This report is produced by Commonwealth Securities Limited based on information available at the time of publishing.  We believe that the information in this report is correct and any opinions, conclusions or recommendations are reasonably held or made as at the time of its compilation, but no warranty is made as to accuracy, reliability or completeness.  To the extent permitted by law, neither the Bank nor any of its subsidiaries accept liability to any person for loss or damage arising from the use of this report. 

The economic threat of restrictions to control the Omicron variant mostly outweighed optimism about the efficacy of vaccines. Mega cap technology shares of Microsoft (-0.6%), Nvidia (-4.2%) and Tesla (-6.1%) all fell. Amazon shares dipped by 1.1% after Italy's antitrust watchdog fined the e-commerce giant US$1.28 billion for alleged abuse of market dominance. Boeing shares fell by 1.6% after American Airlines (-0.5%) said its still awaiting Dreamliner deliveries. But CVS Health shares lifted 4.5% after the drugstore operator raised its profit forecast. The Dow Jones index closed flat.  But the S&P 500 index fell by 0.7% with the Nasdaq index down by 270 points or 1.7%.  

This report is approved and distributed in Australia by Commonwealth Securities Limited ABN 60 067 254 399 AFSL 238814 (CommSec) a wholly owned but non-guaranteed subsidiary of the Commonwealth Bank of Australia ABN 48 123 123 124 AFSL 234945 (the Bank), and a market participant of ASX Limited and CHI-X Pty Limited, a clearing participant of ASX Clear Pty Limited and a settlement participant of ASX Settlement Pty Limited. Any advice contained in this report is general advice only and is not a recommendation to buy, sell or hold any securities, property, real estate or financial products, and has been prepared without taking account of the objectives, financial or taxation situation or needs of any particular individual. Before making any investment decision, you should consider your own investment needs and objectives and consider seeking financial advice. Past performance is not a reliable indicator of future performance. This report is produced by Commonwealth Securities Limited based on information available at the time of publishing.  We believe that the information in this report is correct and any opinions, conclusions or recommendations are reasonably held or made as at the time of its compilation, but no warranty is made as to accuracy, reliability or completeness.  To the extent permitted by law, neither the Bank nor any of its subsidiaries accept liability to any person for loss or damage arising from the use of this report. 

The Aussie sharemarket has finished a choppy session in the red – breaking a four-session winning streak. The market kicked off in negative territory, before a rebound in the financial sector helped the ASX 200 (XJO) climb higher. However, a late selloff saw the index close down 20 points or 0.3% to 7,384.

This report is approved and distributed in Australia by Commonwealth Securities Limited ABN 60 067 254 399 AFSL 238814 (CommSec) a wholly owned but non-guaranteed subsidiary of the Commonwealth Bank of Australia ABN 48 123 123 124 AFSL 234945 (the Bank), and a market participant of ASX Limited and CHI-X Pty Limited, a clearing participant of ASX Clear Pty Limited and a settlement participant of ASX Settlement Pty Limited. Any advice contained in this report is general advice only and is not a recommendation to buy, sell or hold any securities, property, real estate or financial products, and has been prepared without taking account of the objectives, financial or taxation situation or needs of any particular individual. Before making any investment decision, you should consider your own investment needs and objectives and consider seeking financial advice. Past performance is not a reliable indicator of future performance. This report is produced by Commonwealth Securities Limited based on information available at the time of publishing.  We believe that the information in this report is correct and any opinions, conclusions or recommendations are reasonably held or made as at the time of its compilation, but no warranty is made as to accuracy, reliability or completeness.  To the extent permitted by law, neither the Bank nor any of its subsidiaries accept liability to any person for loss or damage arising from the use of this report. 

The Australian sharemarket is weaker in early trade, snapping a four-session winning streak. Almost all sectors are lower – with the exception of Industrials which are outperforming. 

This report is approved and distributed in Australia by Commonwealth Securities Limited ABN 60 067 254 399 AFSL 238814 (CommSec) a wholly owned but non-guaranteed subsidiary of the Commonwealth Bank of Australia ABN 48 123 123 124 AFSL 234945 (the Bank), and a market participant of ASX Limited and CHI-X Pty Limited, a clearing participant of ASX Clear Pty Limited and a settlement participant of ASX Settlement Pty Limited. Any advice contained in this report is general advice only and is not a recommendation to buy, sell or hold any securities, property, real estate or financial products, and has been prepared without taking account of the objectives, financial or taxation situation or needs of any particular individual. Before making any investment decision, you should consider your own investment needs and objectives and consider seeking financial advice. Past performance is not a reliable indicator of future performance. This report is produced by Commonwealth Securities Limited based on information available at the time of publishing.  We believe that the information in this report is correct and any opinions, conclusions or recommendations are reasonably held or made as at the time of its compilation, but no warranty is made as to accuracy, reliability or completeness.  To the extent permitted by law, neither the Bank nor any of its subsidiaries accept liability to any person for loss or damage arising from the use of this report. 

Pfizer (-0.6%) and BioNTech (-3.6%) said lab studies showed a third dose of their Covid-19 vaccine neutralises the Omicron variant. Travel shares led gains with Norwegian Cruise Line (+8.2%) and United Airlines (+4.2%) both higher. Shares of Stanley Black & Decker added 3.3% after Sweden's Securitas agreed to buy its electronic security solutions business for US$3.2 billion. Apple shares lifted 2.3% after UBS maintained its "buy" rating on the stock. Shares of Goodyear Tire & Rubber gained 2.6% after Deutsche Bank upgraded the stock to "buy." At the close of trade, the Dow Jones index rose by 35 points or 0.1% after being up 121 points earlier in the session. The S&P 500 index lifted by 0.3% with the Nasdaq index adding 100 points or 0.6%.  

This report is approved and distributed in Australia by Commonwealth Securities Limited ABN 60 067 254 399 AFSL 238814 (CommSec) a wholly owned but non-guaranteed subsidiary of the Commonwealth Bank of Australia ABN 48 123 123 124 AFSL 234945 (the Bank), and a market participant of ASX Limited and CHI-X Pty Limited, a clearing participant of ASX Clear Pty Limited and a settlement participant of ASX Settlement Pty Limited. Any advice contained in this report is general advice only and is not a recommendation to buy, sell or hold any securities, property, real estate or financial products, and has been prepared without taking account of the objectives, financial or taxation situation or needs of any particular individual. Before making any investment decision, you should consider your own investment needs and objectives and consider seeking financial advice. Past performance is not a reliable indicator of future performance. This report is produced by Commonwealth Securities Limited based on information available at the time of publishing.  We believe that the information in this report is correct and any opinions, conclusions or recommendations are reasonably held or made as at the time of its compilation, but no warranty is made as to accuracy, reliability or completeness.  To the extent permitted by law, neither the Bank nor any of its subsidiaries accept liability to any person for loss or damage arising from the use of this report. 

The ASX200 posted a 4th session of gains on Wednesday, continuing a recovery from a recent downtrend that has seen the market lose ground for four consecutive weeks. Today’s gains came after a strong overnight performance for US and European markets, as well as sharp increases in iron ore and oil prices. The index ended at the best levels of the day, closing at 7,405, or up by 92 pts or 1.3%.

This report is approved and distributed in Australia by Commonwealth Securities Limited ABN 60 067 254 399 AFSL 238814 (CommSec) a wholly owned but non-guaranteed subsidiary of the Commonwealth Bank of Australia ABN 48 123 123 124 AFSL 234945 (the Bank), and a market participant of ASX Limited and CHI-X Pty Limited, a clearing participant of ASX Clear Pty Limited and a settlement participant of ASX Settlement Pty Limited. Any advice contained in this report is general advice only and is not a recommendation to buy, sell or hold any securities, property, real estate or financial products, and has been prepared without taking account of the objectives, financial or taxation situation or needs of any particular individual. Before making any investment decision, you should consider your own investment needs and objectives and consider seeking financial advice. Past performance is not a reliable indicator of future performance. This report is produced by Commonwealth Securities Limited based on information available at the time of publishing.  We believe that the information in this report is correct and any opinions, conclusions or recommendations are reasonably held or made as at the time of its compilation, but no warranty is made as to accuracy, reliability or completeness.  To the extent permitted by law, neither the Bank nor any of its subsidiaries accept liability to any person for loss or damage arising from the use of this report. 

The ASX 200 advanced for a fourth session, leveraging the optimism seen for US and European markets overnight. Mining, Energy and Tech are leading the improvements, while healthcare and utilities are lagging the broader gains.

This report is approved and distributed in Australia by Commonwealth Securities Limited ABN 60 067 254 399 AFSL 238814 (CommSec) a wholly owned but non-guaranteed subsidiary of the Commonwealth Bank of Australia ABN 48 123 123 124 AFSL 234945 (the Bank), and a market participant of ASX Limited and CHI-X Pty Limited, a clearing participant of ASX Clear Pty Limited and a settlement participant of ASX Settlement Pty Limited. Any advice contained in this report is general advice only and is not a recommendation to buy, sell or hold any securities, property, real estate or financial products, and has been prepared without taking account of the objectives, financial or taxation situation or needs of any particular individual. Before making any investment decision, you should consider your own investment needs and objectives and consider seeking financial advice. Past performance is not a reliable indicator of future performance. This report is produced by Commonwealth Securities Limited based on information available at the time of publishing.  We believe that the information in this report is correct and any opinions, conclusions or recommendations are reasonably held or made as at the time of its compilation, but no warranty is made as to accuracy, reliability or completeness.  To the extent permitted by law, neither the Bank nor any of its subsidiaries accept liability to any person for loss or damage arising from the use of this report. 

US sharemarkets advanced on Tuesday on optimism that the Omicron virus variant wont derail global growth. Investors piled into technology shares with chip giant Intel up 3.1% on plans to take its self-driving car unit Mobileye public. Shares of Apple, Microsoft, Alphabet and Amazon were all up over 2.5%. American Express (+3.9%) was a strong performer as holiday spending soared. But Merck shares slipped 1.6% after the drugmaker paused enrolment in its HIV-1 clinical trials. The Dow Jones index closed up by 492 points or 1.4% after being up 592 points at session highs. The S&P 500 index lifted by 2.1% and the Nasdaq index added 462 points or 3%, posting its best day since March.

This report is approved and distributed in Australia by Commonwealth Securities Limited ABN 60 067 254 399 AFSL 238814 (CommSec) a wholly owned but non-guaranteed subsidiary of the Commonwealth Bank of Australia ABN 48 123 123 124 AFSL 234945 (the Bank), and a market participant of ASX Limited and CHI-X Pty Limited, a clearing participant of ASX Clear Pty Limited and a settlement participant of ASX Settlement Pty Limited. Any advice contained in this report is general advice only and is not a recommendation to buy, sell or hold any securities, property, real estate or financial products, and has been prepared without taking account of the objectives, financial or taxation situation or needs of any particular individual. Before making any investment decision, you should consider your own investment needs and objectives and consider seeking financial advice. Past performance is not a reliable indicator of future performance. This report is produced by Commonwealth Securities Limited based on information available at the time of publishing.  We believe that the information in this report is correct and any opinions, conclusions or recommendations are reasonably held or made as at the time of its compilation, but no warranty is made as to accuracy, reliability or completeness.  To the extent permitted by law, neither the Bank nor any of its subsidiaries accept liability to any person for loss or damage arising from the use of this report.