Markets

Week one of the reporting season saw nine companies beat expectations (CSL, RMD, TWE, JHG, AGL, IEL, MGC, NWS, MIN) and six companies miss (CBA, AMP, TAH, NVT, AQG, RIO).

After a turbulent week in the markets, some people are asking if this is the beginning of a new bear market? While it is too early to tell at this stage if this is a major downturn in equity markets it is probably a good time to think about how to invest if – and when – the next bear market or big equity market fall comes around. Whether it’s right now, or next month, or at some other point in the future, it will come, so best to be prepared.

Mining and Energy sectors improved the most, while banks were well supported except for the CBA, which went ex-div yesterday. The Aussie dollar is at 79.40 US cents having advanced on the back of encouraging employment numbers released earlier.

US sharemarkets rose on Wednesday. Investors weighed up data showing softer retail sales and slightly higher inflation data. The Dow rose 253 points or 1.0%, the S&P 500 climbed 1.3% and the NASDAQ jumped 1.9%

Local shares have been boosted by a strong showing from US markets overnight. The ASX 200 is 0.9% or 52 points higher, within touching distance of 5900 points.

Local shares are being held back by CBA which is trading ex-dividend today. Biopharmaceutical group CSL Limited (CSL) is providing the most support following a bumper profit result.

US sharemarkets turned positive on Tuesday, erasing earlier losses, led by a rise in bank and technology shares. Goldman Sachs shares rose by 1.0% and Wells Fargo shares increased by 2.7%. Within the technology sector, shares of Nvidia (+2.0%).

The ASX 200 has finished the session down 0.3% or 14 points to 5,841. The market was weighed down by a 3% fall in CBA shares as the bank traded ex-dividend.

The ASX 200 is up 14 points or 0.2% to 5,834 recovering some of yesterday’s losses, helped by a solid lead from Wall Street.

US sharemarkets continued to bounce back from their worst week in 2 years on Monday. American Express (+3.3%) and Apple (+4.0%) were among the best performing stocks.

The ASX 200 has closed up 35 points or 0.6% to 5,855, regaining some recent losses thanks to gains in the Materials, Healthcare & Telco sectors.

The ASX 200 is down 36 points or 0.6% to 5,801 as investors remain cautious following last week’s volatility.

There was no major economic data but investors responded to news that lawmakers had agreed to a budget deal and an increase in the debt cap. There will not need to be another vote on the debt cap for 13 months.

The local sharemarket has extended last week’s heavy losses, held back by falls in the Telco, Utilities and Financial sectors. The ASX 200 slipped 0.3% or 17 points to 5,820 – adding to last week’s 4.6% plunge.

The ASX 200 has dropped 1.3% in early trade, following a heavy sell-off on Wall Street which saw the DOW plunge more than 1,000 points for a second time this week.

US sharemarkets were again volatile on Thursday as investors adjusted to an environment of strong economic growth and rising interest rates. The Dow Jones fell by 1,033 points or 4.2%. And the Nasdaq was down by around 275 points or 3.9%.

The ASX 200 has dropped 4.6% over the week, its worst weekly performance since January 2016. The sell-off was sparked by volatility on US markets, where the DOW plunged more than 1,000 points twice this week.

The American President’s first comment on the 7% fall of US shares prices earlier this week, having taken credit almost daily over the past year for its rise, was a magnificent piece of Trumpery.

US sharemarkets were choppy on Wednesday. The Dow Jones opened 127 points lower but rose to a high of 381 points, before declining into the close of trade.

The local sharemarket has extended yesterday’s gains, boosted by improvements in the telco & financial sectors. The ASX 200 rose 13 points or 0.2% to 5,890.

The local sharemarket is giving up some of yesterday’s gains, down about 0.10% in early trade. So far this week, the ASX 200 index has fallen about 4%.

The ASX 200 is up about 1%, recovering from yesterday’s sharp 3.2% tumble. It follows a volatile session on Wall Street, where US markets managed to finish in the black.

US sharemarkets rebounded on Tuesday, following the biggest one-day declines in the S&P500 and Dow Jones indices in more than 6 years on Monday. The market remained volatile. At its extremes the Dow was down by 567 points and higher by over 600 point.

The Aussie market partially recovered from recent losses with global markets mostly higher. The ASX 200 closed 43pts or 0.75% higher at 5877pts but well off session highs. Energy & miners boosted the market most as financials lagged.

Losses are widespread on Tuesday after a global rout which saw the DOW plunge 1,175 points or 4.6% – its worst one-day fall in 6.5 years. The ASX 200 is down 162 points or 2.7% to 5,863.

The global sell-off continued on Tuesday with the Australian sharemarket plunging along with Asian markets. The ASX 200 closed down 3.2% or 192 points to 5,833 – its worst daily decline since September 2015.

US sharemarkets fell again on Monday as traders debated how low prices needed to fall to attract fresh buying interest. The energy sector fell the most in line with a lower oil prices. Shares in Wells Fargo fell 9.2% after the Federal Reserve slapped new sanctions on the bank. At the close of trade the Dow Jones was down by 1,175 points or 4.6% after falling by 1,597 points in afternoon trade. The S&P 500 index fell by 4.1%. And the Nasdaq was down by 273 points or 3.8%.

The ASX 200 is down 75 points or 1.2% to 6,046, following a slump on Wall Street and European markets on Friday.

US sharemarkets slumped on Friday. A number of bellwether companies disappointed with earnings reports. And strong wage growth led to fears of higher interest rates. Shares in Exxon Mobil fell 5.1% and Chevron fell 5.6%.

The ASX 200 slumped on Monday following a global sell-off on Friday. The losses were widespread, with the energy, consumer staples & materials sectors leading the declines.

US sharemarkets were mixed on Thursday as investors digested earnings updates. Shares in Facebook rose 3.6% but United Parcel Service was lower by 6.7%. Apple, Alphabet and Amazon report after the bell.

The local sharemarket closed near the day’s highs on Friday, boosted by a rally in the energy and telco sectors. The ASX 200 rose 0.5% or 31 points to 6,121.

We are half way through FY18 and microcap and small caps indexes have continued where they left off in Q1, and then some.

The local sharemarket is extending yesterday’s gains, rising 0.3% in early trade. Financial & energy stocks are going the heavy lifting.

The local sharemarket has made a strong start to February, with the ASX 200 up 0.7% or 42 points to 6,079. Over the month of January, the index slipped 0.5%.

US sharemarkets ended higher in a choppy session on Wednesday. At the close of trade the Dow Jones was up by 72.5 points or 0.3% after being up 261 points at one stage.

The ASX 200 has jumped 52 points or 0.9% to 6,090, buoyed by strong gains in the financial, energy and materials sectors.

The ASX 200 is slightly weaker in early trade, after falling 0.9% yesterday. Inflation data for the December quarter came in weaker than expected, up 0.6% compared with consensus forecasts of +0.7%.