Between the Bells

Morning Bell 18 August


Listen Later

The Aussie share market looks like it will attempt to erase some of yesterday’s 0.8% fall, with the futures suggesting a lift of 0.5% at the open. 

Overnight the U.S. stocks ended mostly higher, with the NASDAQ hitting another new all-time high after rising 1%. Broad sentiment was high as U.S. homebuilder levels climbed to their highest points in 21 years, supported by record-low interest rates which boosted building demand. 

What to watch today:

  •  On the economic front, the RBA meeting minutes will be released. 
  • Companies reporting: BHP (ASX:BHP), Coles (ASX:COL),  Cochlear (ASX:COH) and Westpac (ASX:WBC).
  • BHP (ASX:BHP) reported that its underlying attributable profit fell 1% to US$9.06 billion. At a first glance, it looks like that’s in line with Citi’s expectation, but weaker than what the market was expecting. Total dividends for the year fell from US$1.23 to US$1.20, including a US55¢ final dividend. 
  • Coles (ASX:COL) reported full year results with profit better than expected from continuing activities up 7% to $951 million.
  • Westpac (ASX:WBC) cancelled its interim dividend and reported a quarter cash profit of $1.3 billion.  

Local trading ideas:

  • JB Hi-Fi (ASX:JBH) announced strong results yesterday but was downgraded by Bell Potter from a hold to a sell with a $44.00 target. Despite JB Hi-Fi and The Good Guys delivering double-digit sales growth on the back of COVID-19, the stock is now looking expensive at 20 times earnings, that’s why it was downgraded to a sell. Yesterday JBH rocketed up 4.9% to $49.60. 
  • Altium (ASX:ALU) also reported better than expected result yesterday. However, ALU did allude to slowing growth for the next five years, which is why Bell Potter reiterated ALU as a sell with a $31.25 target. Yesterday it rose 1.3% to $33.92. 
  • Imdex (ASX:IMD) earnings were in line with expectations, but net profit was below expectations due to higher depreciation costs. Bell Potter reiterated the stock as a hold and increased its price target to $1.38. Yesterday it gained 2.9% to $1.42.
...more
View all episodesView all episodes
Download on the App Store

Between the BellsBy Bell Direct


More shows like Between the Bells

View all
CommSec Market Update by CommSec

CommSec Market Update

16 Listeners

Motley Fool Money by LiSTNR

Motley Fool Money

82 Listeners

NAB Morning Call by Phil Dobbie

NAB Morning Call

20 Listeners

Your Wealth by NAB

Your Wealth

8 Listeners

The Rules of Investing by Livewire Markets

The Rules of Investing

13 Listeners

Equity Mates Investing Podcast by Equity Mates Media

Equity Mates Investing Podcast

61 Listeners

Australian Investors Podcast by Rask

Australian Investors Podcast

21 Listeners

Buy Hold Sell, by Livewire Markets by Livewire Markets

Buy Hold Sell, by Livewire Markets

5 Listeners

The Call from ausbiz by ausbiz

The Call from ausbiz

6 Listeners

The COB from ausbiz by ausbiz

The COB from ausbiz

1 Listeners

Stock Take by Intelligent Investor

Stock Take

5 Listeners

SBS On the Money by SBS

SBS On the Money

0 Listeners

On the Couch by Marcus Today

On the Couch

4 Listeners

Market Updates by Marcus Today

Market Updates

1 Listeners

the daily moo by Moomoo Australia & New Zealand

the daily moo

0 Listeners