Markets

The local sharemarket gave up yesterday’s gains, slipping 0.2% as healthcare, financial and industrials declined. Westpac shares fell 3.7% as the bank traded ex-dividend.

Almost all sectors are weaker on Thursday, sending the ASX 200 down 0.4% or 23 points to 6,083. Mining & energy stocks are the only bright spots on the market. While Westpac shares are down 4% as the bank trades ex-dividend.

US sharemarkets rose on Wednesday After trading in a 128 point range, the Dow Jones closed higher by 62.5 points or 0.3%. The S&P 500 index rose by 0.4% and the Nasdaq index rose by almost 47 points or 0.6%.

The local sharemarket is improving, helped by gains in the financial, healthcare and energy sectors. The ASX 200 is up 23 points or 0.4% to 6,121.

The ASX 200 managed to edge higher on Wednesday, buoyed by improvements in the financial, materials and energy sectors which offset losses in the telco and utilities sectors.

US sharemarkets fell by around 0.8% on Tuesday, pressured by fears of higher inflation. The Dow Jones closed lower by 193 points or 0.8%. The S&P 500 index fell by 0.7% and the Nasdaq index fell by almost 60 points or 0.8%

The technology sector made a significant improvement today thanks to Afterpay’s launch in the U.S. in collaboration with Urban Outfitters. Banks were generally higher today with the exception of NAB going ex-dividend closing the day down by ~3.41%.

NAB traded ex-dividend today for its $0.99/share interim dividend. Telecom stocks are the leading decline after Telstra’s earnings downgrade announcements. Technology stocks are most improved as a result of Afterpay launching in the U.S.

US sharemarkets rose on Monday but ended off the highs. There was optimism on a perceived easing of trade tensions with China.

US sharemarkets were mixed on Friday. Shares in drugmakers gyrated after US President Trump called for lower drug prices for consumers.

Telstra shares dropped 5% on Monday after the telco warned its full year earnings would be at the lower end of its guidance range. The local sharemarket did manage to finish firmer though, helped by gains from the energy, mining & healthcare stocks.

The local sharemarket is edging higher on Monday, however, losses from ANZ & Macquarie Group – which are trading ex-dividend – are weighing on the market. Telstra shares are also under pressure following a profit warning.

The local market is being helped by a strong lead from Wall Street overnight, where investors were comforted by tame inflation data. The ASX 200 is up 0.3% to 6,135.

The local sharemarket has recorded a sixth straight weekly improvement – its longest weekly winning streak in two years. The buying momentum waned on Friday afternoon though, with the ASX 200 finishing down 2 points, losing earlier gains.

US markets posted firm gains after investors were comforted by tame inflation data. After being up 252 points, the Dow Jones closed higher by 197 points or 0.8%. The S&P 500 index rose by 0.9% and the Nasdaq index lifted by 65 points or 1.0%.

US sharemarkets rose on Wednesday. Energy stocks rose in line with a 3% jump in the oil price after the US withdrew from the Iranian nuclear agreement.

The ASX 200 has finished firmer for the ninth time in the past 10 sessions today. The index was boosted by a rally in the energy sector following a surge in oil prices overnight to 3.5 year highs.

The ASX 200 is being buoyed by a surge in energy stocks after oil prices hit fresh 3.5 year highs overnight. Healthcare, banks and miners are also trading higher, while a 2% fall in the Telco sector is weighing on the market.

The local sharemarket has continued to rise for 8 of the past 9 sessions with a generally positive reaction from last night’s federal budget. The ASX 200 is 18pts or 0.3% higher towards lunch with most sectors higher.

The news of infrastructure spending from the recent federal budget release left the materials sector on a positive end to the day. Energy stocks were up after the US pulled out of the nuclear treaty with Iran.

The US breaks the Iran deal and Aussie’s reading through the budget.

US sharemarkets rose on Monday. Energy sectors led the gains together with tech bellwether Apple.

The ASX 200 has finished the session up 0.10% or 7 points to 6,091, managing to finish in positive territory thanks to gains in the financial and healthcare sectors.

The Australian market is improving slightly at lunch and remains near the best levels in three months. Strong gains from the banks are keeping the market positive while sluggish retail trade data has pushed the Aussie dollar a little lower.

The local sharemarket has made a positive start to the week, with the ASX 200 up 0.5%. Almost all sectors are firmer, with energy, consumer-related stocks leading the gains.

US markets rose by more than 1% on Friday as weaker than-expected wages growth eased investor concerns about inflation. Apple +3.9%) hit an all-time record of US$184.25 after Warren Buffett’s Berkshire Hathaway revealed it purchased 75 million shares.

The local sharemarket has been buoyed by gains from energy and mining stocks on Monday. The ASX 200 closed up 21 points or 0.4% to 6,084 adding to last week’s stellar 1.85% improvement.

The ASX 200 is under pressure on Friday, held back by falls in the financial and energy sectors. The index is down 0.3% – breaking a five-session rally.

US sharemarkets were mixed on Thursday. The Dow Jones index was down nearly 400 points at one stage, dipping below its 200-day moving average, but rallied back from 4-week lows.

The ASX 200 has climbed 1.85% over the week, recording its best weekly performance in 14 months. The index did decline on Friday though, slipping 0.6%.

The ASX 200 has finished higher for a fifth straight session on Thursday with the index closing at a three month high of 6,101.

The recent market rally has continued for a fifth session, with every sector improving on Thursday. The ASX 200 is up 51 points or 0.9% to 6,101.

US sharemarkets ended weaker on Wednesday. Shares in Apple rose by 4.4% after announcing strong earnings results.

The local sharemarket has edged higher again on Wednesday with almost all sectors gaining ground. The ASX 200 finished up 35 points or 0.6% to 6,050.

Local shares have added to recent gains with the ASX 200 ahead by 0.5% at lunch. Industrials & consumer staples are among the most improved with Qantas and Woolworths posting solid quarterly updates. While JB Hi-Fi is slumping on a profit downgrade.

US sharemarkets ended mixed on Tuesday. Shares in Merck, Pfizer and McDonalds weighed on the Dow while technology stocks supported the Nasdaq.

The Reserve Bank of Australia has decided to leave interest rates unchanged at 1.5% for the 21st consecutive month, resulting in real estate stocks being the most improved sector. ANZ shares lifted over 2% after reporting their first half results.