Markets

The local share market came under pressure on Tuesday, with the ASX 200 slipping 0.8% or 48 points to 5,757. The banks lost ground, after Moody’s downgraded the credit ratings of 12 local lenders.

The local share market has kicked off the week in positive territory. However, consumer stocks are suffering heavy falls in response to news that Amazon will pay $13.7bn to buy upscale grocer Whole Foods.

The big news on Friday was Amazon paying US$13.7bn (~A$18bn) in cash to buy organic grocery chain Whole Foods. Wal-Mart fell 4.5%, Costco dropped 7% and Kroger slumped 9%.

The ASX 200 has gained 31 points or 0.5% to 5,805, lifted by improvements in the Financial, Utilities and Telco sectors. Consumer staples fell 1% after Amazon’s purchase of upscale grocer Whole Foods.

The local share market is up 0.4% at mid session, helped by broad-based gains across most sectors. The miners are the main drag on the market, with the materials sector down 0.3%.

US sharemarkets fell in line with European markets on Thursday. Technology and energy were the weakest sectors and a firmer greenback weighed on exporters.

The local share market has finished a volatile week in positive territory, with the ASX 200 rising 0.2%. Over the week, the index gained 1.7%, its strongest weekly performance since March 31.

The local share market is losing ground, giving up some of this week’s stellar gains. The ASX 200 is down 74 points or 1.3% with both the energy and materials sectors suffering heavy falls.

US markets were mixed overnight as the Federal Reserve raised rates and announced plans to reduce its $4.5 trillion balance sheet this year. The Dow finished at fresh record highs.

The local share market has fallen 1.2%, dragged lower by losses from the energy, mining & financial stocks.

The local share market is improving again on Wednesday, after recording its best one-day gain in seven months yesterday. The ASX 200 is up 42 points or 0.7% to 5,815.

US sharemarkets rose on Tuesday with technology, bank and energy stocks leading the gains. US Treasury also unveiled plans to revamp financial regulations.

The local share market has extended yesterday’s rally with the ASX 200 climbing 61 points or 1.1% to a one month high of 5,833.

The local share market has shrugged off a negative lead from Wall St. The ASX 200 is up 0.6%, boosted by stellar gains in the financial sector. Healthcare, Utilities and Energy stocks are also improving.

US sharemarkets fell on Monday with technology stocks again leading the declines due to profit-taking. Shares in Apple fell by 2.4%.

A rally in the financial sector has helped the ASX 200 surge 1.7% today to 5,772 – its best one-day gain in seven months.

US sharemarkets were marginally higher in a volatile trading session on Thursday. The testimony of former FBI director James Comey to the Senate intelligence committee contained no surprises.

Caution dominated the local session on the ASX as participants digested a surprise outcome in the UK election. The conservatives failed to capitalise on their lead in the polls. A hung parliament could further complicate the Brexit process.

I had dinner the other night with an endangered species: a fund manager who is overweight Aussie banks.

Local shares have seen volatile trade to date on Friday as participants contend with the unexpected prospect of a hung UK Parliament which could potentially hamper the Brexit process.

The local share market is retreating for a fourth straight session, as investors remain cautious ahead of the UK election. The ASX 200 is down 4 points or 0.1% to 5,663.

US sharemarkets rebounded in late afternoon trade after former FBI director James Comey released written testimony ahead of his appearance in front of a Senate intelligence committee.

The local share market has finished a volatile session higher, helped by gains from the financial and healthcare stocks.

The local share market is recovering some earlier losses after data out this morning showed the economy grew by 0.3% in the March quarter, in line with market expectations.

US sharemarkets ended lower on Tuesday. Investors are wary about a raft of economic and political events over the next few days.

The local share market has managed to finish unchanged – recovering from a four month low. Gains from healthcare, telco & financial stocks were offset by losses from consumer staples & utilities.

US sharemarkets ended slightly lower on Monday. Investors digested new product announcements from Apple. Shares in Alphabet (parent company of Google) hit $1,000 a share in the session. Economic data was broadly in line with forecasts.

The ASX 200 has closed near the lows of the day, down 87 points or 1.5% to 5,667. Every sector declined, with energy and utilities among the worst performers.

The local share market is down 0.9% at mid-session, with investors cautious ahead of tomorrow’s economic growth data. Today’s current account deficit was worse than market expectations, fuelling concerns GDP may decline in Q1.

US sharemarkets rose on Friday, underpinned by gains in technology and industrials. But shares in the energy sector fell in response to lower oil prices. The Dow Jones rose by 62 points or 0.3%, the S&P 500 index lifted by 0.4% while the Nasdaq gained 59 points or 0.9%. Over the week the Dow rose 0.6% with the S&P 500 up 0.9% and the Nasdaq gained 1.5%.

The Australian share market has kicked off the week in negative territory – held back by heavy falls from the banks. The ASX 200 ended the session down 33 points or 0.6%.

The ASX 200 is down 0.6% at mid-session with investors cautious ahead of this week’s economic growth data release. Financial, Materials & Energy stocks are weighing on the market.

Since hitting a two-month low on Tuesday, the local sharemarket is improving for the fourth day. Almost all sectors are improving with the exception of Utilities.

US sharemarkets rose on Thursday with all three major indices closing at fresh record highs. The upbeat economic data supported investor sentiment.

Despite hitting a two month low on Tuesday, the local sharemarket has steadily improved since and had its best day in nine weeks on Friday. Almost all sectors rose today while Industrials were standouts this week.

The other big event this week was America’s withdrawal yesterday from the Paris climate agreement.

US sharemarkets eased on Wednesday with financials weighing on key indexes. The Dow Jones fell by almost 21 points or 0.1%, the S&P 500 index lost 0.1% while the Nasdaq fell by 5 points or 0.1%.