Market Updates

The ASX 200 took a dive today, down another 125pts at 8593 (1.4%), as the peace deal in the Gulf is starting to slide away. Banks and gold bore the brunt of the selling, with CBA off 2.1% and WBC down 1.3%, with the Big Bank Basket at $269.32 (-1.9%). Insurers also fell hard, QBE down 2.8% and IAG off 1.6%, with financials generally easier, while ASX continues lower.

REITs also fell as bond yields rose, GMG off 1.2% and SCG down 0.8%. Old-school platforms remained under pressure, SEK down 3.9% and REA off 1.1%. Tech fell hard too, XRO off 2.6% and WTC falling 1.6%. The All-Tech Index dropped 1.1%. Healthcare was also under pressure, CSL fell 1.7% and RMD down 1.4%. Supermarkets held up. Industrials slid, BXB down 2.5% and QAN falling 1.5% as oil prices rose.

Resources were sold down as bullion fell heavily and gold stocks turned nasty, NEM down 7.5% and EVN off 7.7%. Lithium stocks held up, PLS up 0.3%, while rare earths fell, LYC off 2.5%. Uranium stocks drifted lower, PDN down 1.7%. The big iron ore miners were also under pressure, BHP down 1.2% and RIO falling 2.5%.

In corporate news, SDR rallied 8.6% after a new partnership deal. CSL dropped again despite the new CEO topping up his holding. VUL rose 2.3% as its financing package closed. And EOS had a good day, up 4.2% on some new director signings.

On the economic front, April household spending collapsed much more sharply than expected, down 1.1% over the month.

Asian markets eased. Japan off 0.5%, HK down 1.4% and China off 0.1%.

US futures down slightly, Dow down 12 and Nasdaq off 141. European markets set to open around 0.7% lower. Oil up 3% on renewed hostilities.

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The Dow Jones Industrial Average rose to a new record on Wednesday as oil prices retreated, while the S&P 500 eked out a tiny gain, with chip stocks keeping the index’s gains in check.

The 30-stock Dow gained 182.60 points, or 0.36%, for a record close of 50,644.28. The blue-chip index also hit an intraday all-time high. The broad market S&P 500 ticked 0.02% higher to 7,520.36, another closing record. The Nasdaq Composite also edged up 0.07% to end at 26,674.73.

A decline in oil prices lent the Dow some support. U.S. crude oil fell 5.55% to settle at $88.68 a barrel after Iranian state media said the country is committed to restoring commercial traffic through the Strait of Hormuz to pre-war levels within one month.

Oil down 5% Gold falls - SPI down 38

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The ASX 200 started slowly with early losses, but after a benign and better-than-expected CPI read, the bulls were back. The ASX 200 closed up 60 points at 8718 (0.7%). Banks fought back from bigger early losses, with CBA up modestly and WBC down 0.6X%. The Big Bank Basket unchanged at $275.52, whilst other financials improved, with MQG up 1.0%. IFT was having a good day on some broker upgrades, up 5.8%, and HUB was doing well too, up 2.0%. A horror run continued for ASX as it fell another 9.7% on the news yesterday of a further capex blowout and broker commentary today. The industrial space was mainly better, with WES gaining 1.4%, ALL up 3.2%, and GMG also having a good day after the results yesterday. Healthcare perked up slightly, with a good run from CSL up 2.4% and FPH also having another good day, up 4.1%. The tech space was mixed, with TLS down 1.0%, WTC up 1.4%, and TNE up as well. The All -Tech Index rose 2% today.

In resources, it was a mixed session, with lithium stocks a little under pressure. PLS fell 1.9%, and MIN also down slightly, but BHP up 1.5% and FMG also doing well. Gold miners were mixed, with a bias to the upside, as NEM rose 1.3%, and coal stocks again were firm, with YAL up 2.1% and WHC up 2.2%. Uranium stocks were also slightly firmer, with PDN up 2.4%.

In corporate news today, WEB rose slightly following results, with guidance maintained. EDV fell 4.9% after it flagged a major restructure of its wine operations. SXL was up strongly after Gina Rinehart emerged as a major shareholder. KMD was also doing well on a strategic review, up 17.3%. NUF also had a good day, up 13.7%, as profits jumped on higher margins.

In economic news, the monthly consumer price index showed inflation slowed slightly to 4.2%, below the 4.4% forecast. The dollar slid slightly on this news and hopes that the RBA is on hold firmed.

Asian markets were once again gripped by chip fever in South Korea and Taiwan. Records and new trillion-dollar valuations.  Japan up 0.4%, HK down 1.1% and China off 0.6%. Kopsi up 3.6%. Taiwan up 2.4%.

US futures slightly better. Brent crude down 1.6%

No news on peace deal. US Cabinet meeting today.

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The S&P 500 gained 0.6% on Tuesday and the Nasdaq climbed 1.2% to fresh record highs while the Dow Jones finished 118 points lower as investors returned from the long weekend with continued focus on developments in the Middle East. Markets remained cautiously optimistic that the US and Iran could still reach an agreement, with traders viewing the two sides as closer than ever to a deal despite mixed signals and further strikes. Technology, industrials, and materials led the market higher, while energy and consumer staples stocks posted the steepest declines. Among individual movers, Micron Technology surged 19.3%, pushing its market capitalisation above $1 trillion for the first time after UBS raised its price target and said the stock could more than double. Alphabet rose 1.4%, Broadcom advanced 1.9%, and Tesla gained 1.8%. On the downside, Nvidia slipped 0.2%, while Microsoft and Amazon fell 0.6% and 0.4%, respectively. Exxon Mobil also declined 3.3% and Walmart was down 1.4%.

SPI down 3 - Oil up - Gold down - Inflation numbers to come.

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The ASX 200 eased back 34 points today to 8658 (0.4%) in a quiet session, with US and UK markets closed last night. The banking sector was modestly lower, with NAB falling 0.8% and some more profit taking in MQG down1.6%. The Big Bank Basket $274.56 (-0.3%). Financials generally were under pressure as ASX revealed a further blowout in capex, and the shares fell hard, down 13.2%. Elsewhere, industrials were generally weaker across the board: TLS fell 0.9%, REA down 0.7%, and in the health care sector, CSL continued to push lower. REITs also eased back with an update from GMG, disappointing slightly. WES rose slightly, but generally the markets were on hold ahead of more news coming out of the Gulf.

Tech stocks were barely changed with XRO down 0.1%, WTC off 2.6% and the All-Tech Index off 0.4%.

Resources were mixed. Iron ore miners pushed higher, and S32 had a good day, up 4.8%, with a little interest in lithium stocks, but gold miners eased back as bullion prices fell on a lack of progress in the peace negotiations. NEM off 2.2% Coal stocks gave up some of the gains from yesterday and STO fell 0.9% despite encouraging news from an investor day. Uranium stocks were also easier, with PDN down 3.4%.

In corporate news, KGN ran hard on a positive trading update, and MIN also had a good day. In other news, IFM has rejected the independent valuation of ALX, with directors urging shareholders to reject the takeover bid.

In economic news, the ANZ-Roy Morgan Consumer Confidence index remained near its historic low last week, slipping 0.3 points to 66.1, as households remained under pressure from weak financial conditions and elevated inflation expectations.

Asian markets were mixed with Japan down 0.2%, Hong Kong up 0.3%, China up 0.2%, and the Kospi up again to a new record. US futures were better, with the Dow up 327 and the Nasdaq up 255. 

European futures are opening slightly lower. Brent crude up around 2%.

 The US and UK reopen today.

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The ASX 200 kicked off the week up 35 points to 8692 (0.4%) as optimism on a peace deal washed through. Some scepticism remains, so it was a cautious start to the week. US markets are closed tonight. Banks held firm as NAB rose 1.1% and CBA dropped 0.7%. The Big Bank Basket was steady around $275.42. Insurers slid as yields fell, QBE off 2.1% and MQG lost 1.1%. Other financials were mixed, ASX down 1.2% with HUB up 2.4%. REITs were mixed too, GMG down 0.8% but CHC doing well on an upgrade, up 6.7%. Industrials were mixed, with defensives out of favour. TLS fell 0.9% and REA off 0.3%. WOW and COL steady. Retail rose as bond yields slid, WES up 1.5% and JBH up 1.3%. Tech found its feet, WTC up 0.8% and XRO rising 1.0%, with the All-Tech Index down 0.5%.

In resources, RIO and FMG were all up around 1.6% or better. BHP rose 0.6%. Gold miners bounced hard, NST up 5.7% and EVN up 4.2%, with copper stocks also trading higher, SFR up 2.2%. Lithium and rare earths were mildly positive, LYC up 0.7% and MIN rising 2.7%. Oil and gas stocks eased back, WDS down 4.2%, and coal stocks had a great day after issues at one mine in China.

In corporate news, QAN announced the London-Sydney non-stop route would be delayed by a year. It rallied 5.8% on oil falls. CHC rallied on another earnings upgrade. BPT fell 1.3% after selling a 60% stake in its Otway Basin project.

In economic news, nothing today.

Asian markets were better, with Japan up 3.1%, Hong Kong up 0.9%, China up 0.8%, and the Kospi up modestly. US futures were better, with the Dow up 404 and the Nasdaq up 420.  Oil down 5.5% The US and UK are closed today.

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Wall St ended a positive week on a steady note, with the S&P 500 finishing up 0.37% to close at 7,473, capping off an eighth straight weekly gain - the longest weekly winning streak since 2023. The index sits just 0.3% below its all-time high. The Dow Jones added 294 points (+0.58%) to close at a record high. The Nasdaq was up 0.19%. The Russell 2000 added 0.91%.

Hawkish comments from Fed Governor Waller and a jump in longer-term inflation expectations saw the market dip in the afternoon with the Dow Jones up 545 at best. Waller said his current position is to hold rates steady in the near term and remove the easing bias from the policy statement - he was careful to say that doesn't mean the Fed should be thinking about rate increases any time soon.

Kevin Warsh was sworn in as the new Fed chair with President Trump saying Warsh will curtail the Fed's practice of forward guidance.

On the data front, the final May University of Michigan consumer sentiment reading came in at 44.8, down from 48.2 - a fresh record low. One-year inflation expectations were marked up to 4.8% and longer-run expectations moved up to 3.9%.

SPI down 58 - Peace hopes rise - Oil down over 5% this morning - AUD rises - CHC Guides higher.

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The ASX 200 rallied another 35 points to 8657 (0.4%) ahead of a US long weekend. Up 27 pts for the week. Banks pushed ahead, led by CBA up 0.9 %, and the Big Bank Basket to $275.57 (0.8%). Insurers slid as yields fell, NWL off 1.0% and GQG falling 2.2% as tech boomed. Industrials were mixed, TLS fell 1.5% as a broker downgraded the stock, REA continued lower, off 4.1%, as did CAR off 2.8%, with tech stocks also continuing to be pressured. XRO down 0.9% and WTC falling 1.4%, with the All-Tech Index up 0.4% Utilities were also weaker, ORG off 1.8% and APA falling 0.3%.

Resources were generally better, BHP rose 1.1% and RIO up another 1.7%, with S32 doing well, up 5.1% and lithium stocks rising, PLS up 2.9% as gold miners found some bargain hunters. NEM up 0.8% and EVN gaining 3.1%. NST continued to suffer, down 0.6%. Oil and gas mixed. In corporate news, uranium stocks were better, PDN up 5.9% and DYL rising on broker upgrades.

In corporate news, ARU entered a trading halt to raise another $350m at 26c. GYG jumped 9.6% as it announced plans to close the US business. APX jumped 9.4% on a trading update. TUA steady as the M1 deal was pronounced DOA. MYX won a small settlement against Cosette for the failed bid.

In economic news, the Japanese CPI came in below expectations.

Asian markets were better, with Japan up 2.8%, Hong Kong up 1.2%, China up 0.6%, and the Kospi up modestly. US futures were better, with the Dow up 155 and the Nasdaq up 150. European futures are opening around 0.5% lower. Oil up 2.0%. The US and UK are closed Monday.

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US stocks finished higher on Thursday after a volatile trading session, as renewed hopes for a potential US-Iran agreement to end the conflict pushed oil prices lower for a third consecutive day. The S&P 500 gained 0.2%, the Nasdaq edged up 0.1%, and the Dow Jones rose 276 points to close at a fresh record high. Reports indicated that Iran said the latest US proposal had partly narrowed the gap between the two sides, while Secretary of State Marco Rubio pointed to “some good signs” that a deal could be reached. The decline in oil prices supported broader market sentiment. Utilities led the gains, followed by consumer discretionary and materials, while consumer staples and energy lagged behind. Investors also digested earnings results from NVIDIA (-1.8%), which failed to impress the market. Meanwhile, Walmart fell more than 7% after warning that persistently higher fuel costs could weigh on its business. In contrast, Apple rose 0.9%, Amazon gained 1.3%, and Eli Lilly advanced 2.2%.

SPI up 35 - Long weekend in US - ARU cap raise

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