Market Updates

The ASX 200 opened firm, slipped then rallied off lows as US futures stayed positive. We closed down only 4 points to 9022. Banks made a comeback, NAB up 1.0% with WBC up 1.5% and the Big Bank Basket up to $309.01 (0.3%). Financials elsewhere were smacked down on private equity fears, AI concerns and bears playing havoc post results. MQG dropped 3.6% on PE concerns, RPL rallied hard on better results, up 4.8% and NGI came under extreme pressure down 5.4%. MAF continued lower. ZIP fell another 6.4%. Insurers also fell, QBE off 1.6%. REITs too under pressure, GMG down 2.6% and SCG falling 1.1%. Industrials were mixed, WES down 1.8% and REA off 3.9% with tech under extreme pressure again, WTC fell 3.7% and XRO down 4.6% with the All-Tech Index down another 3.1%. Retail under pressure too, SUL off 2.5% and PMV falling 1.9%.

Resources were generally firm. BHP hit record highs, up 1.4% with RIO slipping 1.1% on some broker downgrades, FMG up 1.1%. Golds firmed then slid slightly as bullion prices came off the boil, NST up 1.6% and EVN up 0.8%. Lithium stocks went nuts, PLS up 8.0% and LTR rising 8.7%. Oil and gas stocks rose, WDS results cheered, STO up 0.4% and uranium stocks mixed.

In corporate news, MND pushed 5.9% higher on better than expected results, WDS managed a small rise after 24% drop in profits. NEC rallied 0.5% on numbers, VEA rose 8.1% after a stronger number. ARB had a shocker, falling 13.1% after a 17% drop in profits. KLS had a good day, up 7.8%, after announcing the sale of its tourism business.

On the economic front, Australian consumer confidence rose 3.1 points last week to 80.2.

Asian markets came back online with  Japan up 0.9%. China up 1.3% and HK falling 1.9% 

US Futures slightly firmer. Nasdaq up 120 - S&P 500 up 22.

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Wall Street was down overnight, and sharply too. The Nasdaq and S&P500 both fell over 1%, and the Russell 2000 dropped 1.6%. The VIX rose 10% as AI disruption, tariffs and Iran suck the confidence out of investors and blur the outlook. US financials were hit hard after a report modelled potential AI disruption to the finance industry. The sector was the worst in the S&P500, falling 3.5%. Even the big and prestigious names aren’t immune. JP Morgan dropped 4.2% and Citigroup 4.5%.

The technology sector was mildly better, “only” falling 1.3%.  AI fears are likely to roll through every sector and leave havoc in their wake.  Even if it doesn’t hit earnings directly, the premium investors will pay for business with exposure could shrink badly here.

SPI futures up 27 points. ASX set to open higher.

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The ASX 200 gave back 55 points to 9026 (0.6%). US futures turned negative early and banks slid, the Big Bank Basket down to $308.21 (-1.0%). MQG also down 2.4% on concerns with private equity and fund managers. Financials generally were weaker across the board, REITs slumped too, GMG down 3.6% and VCX off 3.1% with industrials sliding. WES down 1.7%, REA off 1.8% with retail falling, JBH off 1.9% and LOV down 1.4%. Tech once again on the nose, WTC falling 5.2%, XRO down 2.9% and the All-Tech Index falling another 3.3%. In healthcare, CSL fell 3.8% on tariff news, and COH off 1.7%.

In resources, BHP rose 1.3% as commodity stocks ran hard on falling USD. Lithium stocks picked up, PLS up 4.6% and MIN rising 5.0%. Gold miners powered ahead, NST up 3.4% and GMD up 5.4% with KCN rallying 8.8%. Oil and gas stocks fell, despite tensions in Iran and US snowstorms. Uranium stocks mixed, PDN down 3.8% and BOE off 3.2%.

In corporate news, KGN rose 5.5% on slightly better number and an increased dividend.  LLC fell after a surprise loss. PRN tumbled 13.8% after softer numbers, ASB fell 11.0% on accounting qualifications despite record order books. IMD delivered a strong result. 

In economic news, mortgage demand rose 12.3% to a four-year high.

Asian markets were better, China still closed, but HK up 2.3% and South Korea hitting new records. Japan closed for Emperor’s Birthday.

European markets opening lower on a resumption of the tariff war.

Dow futures down 311 Nasdaq down 238. 

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Wall Street finished higher for the last session as the market received the Supreme Court ruling over Trump’s tariffs and liked it. The Nasdaq rose 0.9% and the S&P500 0.7%, with European stocks positive too. The Financial Times says investors are pouring record sums into the eurozone to diversify away from the USA. Suddenly Europe’s lack of tech titans is looking like a shelter away from the unpredictability of AI.

SPI Futures up 16 points. ASX set to open higher on Monday.

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Wall Street finished higher for the last session as the market received the Supreme Court ruling over Trump’s tariffs and liked it. The Nasdaq rose 0.9% and the S&P500 0.7%, with European stocks positive too. The Financial Times says investors are pouring record sums into the eurozone to diversify away from the USA. Suddenly Europe’s lack of tech titans is looking like shelter away from the unpredictability of AI.

SPI Futures up 16 points. ASX set to open higher on Monday.

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The ASX 200 lost 5 points to 9081 for its first down day this week. No Freaky Friday drop! For the week, the index is up 1.8%. Banks leading the way again, the Big Bank Basket up to $311.23 (+0.9%). MQG fell 1.6% with other financials slipping again, ZIP eased 3.8% after an early rally. Insurers though firmed on a better set of numbers from QBE, up 7.1% and SUN up 1.8%.  REITs were slightly firmer, industrials slipped lower, ALL down 4.6%, WOW and COL slid, TLS off 0.6% and REA dropping 0.6%. Retail also fell led by JBH off 1.2% and GYG crashing 13.9% on results and US update. Healthcare eased back, CSL off 0.6% and COH continuing lower. PME dropped 2.1% and RMD fell 0.6%. Tech was once again back on the noise, WTC off 3.8% and XRO falling 3.7% with the All-Tech Index off %.

Resources were mixed, RIO fell 3.1% on results whilst BHP held firm. Gold miners were mixed with results falling, NEM down 4.9% on numbers, GMD off 3.1% on its numbers. Lithium stocks fell, PLS down 4.6% on results, and LTR off 6.4% with results from MIN failing 5.3% to help sentiment. In the oil and gas space STO dropped 0.9% and uranium stocks were ok, PDN up 5.4% on Canadian approvals.

In corporate news, ING dropped as it cut its poultry forecast. NEM off 4.9% on its results, ASB awarded a $4bn contract from the ADF and TLX jumped 14.5% as it guided higher revenues.

On the economic front, nothing today, in the US, we may get the tariff ruling and we have Core PCE.

In Asia, HK back from holidays, down 0.6% and Japan down 1.3%.

US Futures up. DJ up 62 Nasdaq up 42

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Stocks fell on Thursday, leaving the S&P 500 near the flatline for the year, as investors shifted away from financials and monitored simmering tensions between the U.S. and Iran.

The Dow Jones Industrial Average lost 267.50 points, or 0.54%, settling at 49,395.16. The broad-based S&P 500 slipped 0.28% and ended at 6,861.89. The Nasdaq Composite lost 0.31% and closed at 22,682.73. 

With Thursday’s move, the S&P 500 was up 0.2% for the year, while the 30-stock Dow was higher by more than 2%. The tech-heavy Nasdaq, however, is down more than 2% in 2026.

SPI down 44 - RIO results - RHC to sell Sante - ING chickens out!

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The ASX 200 kicked higher again. Four days in a row, up 79 to 9086 (0.9%). Up nearly 2% this week. Off record highs as jobs data provides reasons for the RBA to raise rates again. Super Thursday and results dominated, some good, some terrible. Banks firmed yet again, certainty. The Big Bank Basket rose to $308.43 (+1.4%). NAB up 2.4% and WBC up 2.7%. MQG also had a good day up 1.6% with insurers better and financials generally firming, ZIP came undone on disappointing guidance and bad debts.  Down 34.4%. MPL also fell 5.6% on some misses on the numbers.  REITs slid with GMG down 4.0% on results, Industrials were patchy, WES fell 5.6% with ALL and JBH falling away. Healthcare was better, CSL up 1.0% and RMD up 1.5%. Tech was better again, WTC up 1.9% and XRO rising 0.8%. HSN kicked again on broker calls. MAQ also firmed on a new debt facility. TNE also a good bounce on broker upgrades. The All-Tech Index continued higher, up 1.1%.

Resources were also firm, BHP and RIO pushing ahead, gold miners better, GMD up 1.9% on results, NEM up 1.4% and oil and gas stocks rallied hard on crude pushing up on Iran fears. STO up 5.6% and WDS up 4.5% with uranium stocks better too. PDN up 5.5% and LOT rising 4.3%.

In corporate news, plenty around. HUB surged 14.2% on good numbers. LIC dropped 7.1% after profits fell, TLS gained 3.6% on better numbers and rise in dividends. SHL and NWH also rising on better numbers.

On the economic front, jobs numbers came in as expected but 4.1% headline rate gives RBA reasons to raise again perhaps.

In Asia, South Korean markets hitting new records. China and HK closed. Japan up 0.9%

US Futures up. DJ down slightly Nasdaq up 2 pts!

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The S&P 500 moved higher on Wednesday, supported by gains in key technology names, as traders weighed the release of the minutes from the Federal Reserve's most recent policy meeting.

The broad-based index climbed 0.56% to end at 6,881.31, while the Nasdaq Composite added 0.78% to close at 22,753.63. The Dow Jones Industrial Average rose 129.47 points, or 0.26%, and settled at 49,662.66.

SPI up 41 – Commodities rally hard – Super Thursday Reporting – WES – TLS – SHL – BXB – PLS

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The ASX 200 kicked higher again. Three days in a row, up 48 to 9007 (0.5%) despite CBA going ex-dividend. Record high back in sight. NAB was the standout today on Q1 results beating expectations, up 4.1%. The Big Bank Basket up to $304.05 (0.2%), financials kicked higher too, MQG up 0.6% and private health insurers roared ahead on government price changes. MPL up 6.0% and NHF up 5.0%. ZIP jumped 8.0% ahead of results, CGF also ran hard on results, up 8.3%. REITs firmed, GMG up 0.9% and SCG rising 1.3%. Industrials were firm too, QAN up 1.0%, TCL up 1.2% and ALL doing well up 2.3%. JBH fell back a little, healthcare still mixed, SIG down 1.0% and COH off 1.0%. In the tech space, some wins starting to hit the screens, TNE up 8.2% on guidance, XRO up 1.8% and HSN soared 16.4% on better-than-expected results.

In resource land, BHP slid 0.9% as copper drifted lower, RIO up 1.3% and FMG up 0.5%. Gold miners eased back as bullion prices fell on Lunar New Year. GMD down 2.9% and NST dropped 0.7%. CSC had a shocker falling 14.0% on very disappointing results and guidance. Lithium stocks bubbled higher, LTR roaring ahead, up 6.2% with PLS up 2.3%. BSL rose 2.6% on an increased bid from SGH. STO fell 0.6% on another disappointment. Uranium stocks bounded ahead, PDN up 5.6% and DYL up 4.4%.

In corporate news, SLC rose 18.2% on an acquisition and better than expected results. AFG rallied off lows after better numbers. Brokers are back. SUN fell 4.4% as profits fell short.

In economic news, the RBNZ left rates unchanged. Locally, the wage price index rose 0.8% in the December quarter and 3.4% annually.

US futures up. Dow Jones up 35 points, Nasdaq up 60.

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Wobbly, uncertain, but they held on. That was the tale of US stocks last night. They opened down but the Nasdaq finished 0.1% higher and S&P 500 much the same. Apple recovered 3% but most of big tech and the chip stocks didn’t do all that much. US financials were positive and mining stocks were mixed. The rotation continues away from AI and tech. Gold and copper were both down, leading their sectors lower. Oil came off the boil as Iranian tensions moderated somewhat but it didn’t seem to hit energy shares as hard as their gold and copper equivalents. The uranium trade seems to have run out of puff. Again, we find the action more likely to be centred on the ASX because it’s such a big week of earnings updates. We’ve seen some big swings both ways, though mostly down it must be said.

SPI Futures up 43 points. ASX set to open higher. NAB and BSL revised bid from SGH.

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Principles – How We Think About Investing
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Disclaimer
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