CommSec Market Update

Aussie markets wrapped up April on a high, with the ASX 200 closing in on an eight-week peak after five consecutive days of gains. Fresh inflation data showed headline and underlying inflation easing, boosting hopes for a potential interest rate cut in May. Looking ahead, investors are eyeing key US inflation numbers and earnings from tech giants like Microsoft, Meta, and Amazon, plus local updates on trade and home prices to kick off May.

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Investor confidence continues to build, with Wall Street rising for a sixth consecutive session. Sherwin-Williams shares climbed after a strong first-quarter performance, while UPS fell as the company announced plans to cut 20,000 jobs this year. Meanwhile, Wells Fargo added to the positive sentiment, unveiling a share buyback program of up to $40 billion. In the bond market, US yields slipped to a three-week low amid weakening economic data, while the US dollar strengthened on signs of easing trade tensions. European shares also posted a sixth straight day of gains, echoing the upbeat mood in global markets. In commodities, oil dropped 2% to a two-week low, and gold futures extended their decline. Closer to home, Aussie shares are poised to notch a fifth consecutive day of gains, with investors closely watching upcoming inflation data.

The content in this podcast is prepared, approved and distributed in Australia by Commonwealth Securities Limited ABN 60 067 254 399 AFSL 238814. The information does not take into account your objectives, financial situation or needs. Consider the appropriateness of the information before acting and if necessary, seek appropriate professional advice.

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The market has extended the winning streak today for a fourth consecutive session.  Steve is solo to unpack this performance with the market going from strength to strength and reaching the best level in around 8 weeks.  Steve discusses the data that is expected tomorrow that could influence local rate cut discussions and looks at international markets with the US also expecting a busy week amid jobs updates and earnings data.  Consumer staples was the only sector to not push higher, and Steve discusses the stocks that moved the most including Boss Energy and Mineral Resources.

The content in this podcast is prepared, approved and distributed in Australia by Commonwealth Securities Limited ABN 60 067 254 399 AFSL 238814. The information does not take into account your objectives, financial situation or needs. Consider the appropriateness of the information before acting and if necessary, seek appropriate professional advice.

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US stocks ended mixed overnight as investors look ahead to a busy week of company earnings. Interest rates eased as markets anticipated key inflation and growth figures due later in the week. Tech giant Nvidia slipped more than 2% after reports that Huawei is preparing to launch a competing chip. In Europe, stocks closed higher, led by gains in healthcare and banking sectors. Meanwhile, the US dollar moderated, although commodities generally weakened, with oil sliding 1.5% amid concerns over global growth and supply risks. Closer to home, the Aussie share market is set to open modestly higher on Tuesday, while the Aussie dollar firmed against a softer Greenback.

The content in this podcast is prepared, approved and distributed in Australia by Commonwealth Securities Limited ABN 60 067 254 399 AFSL 238814. The information does not take into account your objectives, financial situation or needs. Consider the appropriateness of the information before acting and if necessary, seek appropriate professional advice.

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The market has lifted for a third straight day with the market cracking the 8000-point mark once again.  Steve is solo to unpack this encouraging performance and to look at the position of each of the sectors with 9 of them seeing gains, tech and energy being the standouts.  Steve discusses the stocks that saw both positive and negative reactions to the ongoing tariff conversations, the companies that caught attention including Flight Centre and Telix Pharmaceuticals, and what to watch in the week ahead.

The content in this podcast is prepared, approved and distributed in Australia by Commonwealth Securities Limited ABN 60 067 254 399 AFSL 238814. The information does not take into account your objectives, financial situation or needs. Consider the appropriateness of the information before acting and if necessary, seek appropriate professional advice.

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Wall Street advanced last week, buoyed by the latest earnings reports, with the Nasdaq rising 1.3% to signal a positive trend. Alphabet shares gained 1.7% on the back of encouraging results, while investors now turn their attention to upcoming reports from Meta, Microsoft, and Apple. Meanwhile, trade negotiations between the US and China remain ongoing and complex. In commodities, prices lagged as the US dollar strengthened. Closer to home, the ASX 200 is poised for a flat start on Monday, with investors eyeing quarterly inflation data due on Wednesday.

The content in this podcast is prepared, approved and distributed in Australia by Commonwealth Securities Limited ABN 60 067 254 399 AFSL 238814. The information does not take into account your objectives, financial situation or needs. Consider the appropriateness of the information before acting and if necessary, seek appropriate professional advice.

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Steve is solo again today with the Aussie market continuing to hold onto some solid gains that have accumulated across this short week.  Steve reflects on this two-week streak following a challenging February and March, looks at the performance of US markets which saw gains amid softening tariff conversations, and unpacks the standout performers today with many seeing gains despite energy and consumer staples coming under pressure.  Uranium stocks have attracted attention, and Steve looks at what could move markets in the week ahead.

The content in this podcast is prepared, approved and distributed in Australia by Commonwealth Securities Limited ABN 60 067 254 399 AFSL 238814. The information does not take into account your objectives, financial situation or needs. Consider the appropriateness of the information before acting and if necessary, seek appropriate professional advice.

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Wall Street surged overnight as investor sentiment improved following President Trump's softened stance on trade, fueling hopes for a deal with China. Technology stocks led the rally, with notable gains across the sector. Tesla shares rose after Elon Musk signalled a pullback from DOGE-related activity, while Boeing reported a smaller-than-expected loss despite ongoing trade war concerns. US bond yields were mixed amid Trump's latest pivot on the Federal Reserve and tariffs, while the US dollar rebounded as the White House moved to ease tensions with China. In commodities, oil prices retreated more than 2%, and gold slid as demand for safe-haven assets waned. Closer to home, futures point to a flat start for the ASX, following yesterday’s gains.

The content in this podcast is prepared, approved and distributed in Australia by Commonwealth Securities Limited ABN 60 067 254 399 AFSL 238814. The information does not take into account your objectives, financial situation or needs. Consider the appropriateness of the information before acting and if necessary, seek appropriate professional advice.

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It has been an encouraging session on the Aussie market which shook off the sizable declines that started the week.  Steve is solo today to unpack the session where tariff discussions continue to drive market reactions, discuss the standout performers which included energy, tech, and mining stocks, and the hefty declines seen across gold miners.  Steve also looks at what is on the cards for the remainder of the holiday shortened week including US property sales data and profit results for the likes of Boeing and IBM.

The content in this podcast is prepared, approved and distributed in Australia by Commonwealth Securities Limited ABN 60 067 254 399 AFSL 238814. The information does not take into account your objectives, financial situation or needs. Consider the appropriateness of the information before acting and if necessary, seek appropriate professional advice.

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Wall Street rebounded overnight, with major indexes ending higher as investors responded positively to corporate earnings and growing optimism around easing tariff tensions. Industrial giant 3M held steady, maintaining its full-year outlook, while Tesla reported a 20% decline in automotive revenue. In commodities, oil prices surged 2% following the announcement of new sanctions on Iran, while gold briefly hit a fresh record high before pulling back. Copper also edged higher, defying a generally downbeat outlook for global demand. Closer to home, Aussie shares are poised to rise on Wednesday, despite a downward revision to global growth forecasts from the IMF. Meanwhile, the strong US dollar continues to pressure the Aussie dollar, which has weakened in response.

The content in this podcast is prepared, approved and distributed in Australia by Commonwealth Securities Limited ABN 60 067 254 399 AFSL 238814. The information does not take into account your objectives, financial situation or needs. Consider the appropriateness of the information before acting and if necessary, seek appropriate professional advice.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.