Weekly Wrap

Moody's Ratings says in a new report that Australian listed companies (carrying Moody's ratings) ended the June 30 fiscal year in good shape. They expect these companies (like BHP, Scentre, Dexus, Santos, Woolworths, Coles, Wesfarmers, Brambles, CSL, BlueScope Steel) to weather the economic slowdown.

The OPEC+ oil alliance has blinked, delaying a planned easing of production cuts as global oil prices continue to slump.

Gold prices are hovering near record highs above $2,500 per ounce, making it a standout year for gold enthusiasts. However, one top investment strategist suggests the precious metal’s impressive run may soon come to an end.

From the December 2024 half-year, Target will cease to exist as an independent entity in terms of its sales reports within Wesfarmers' public reporting.

After-hours trading can often be a volatile time in the US stock market, as companies release their earnings reports and investors react to the results. The most recent session was no exception, with several major companies making significant moves following their earnings announcements.

Shares in Warren Buffett's Berkshire Hathaway became the first U.S. non-tech company to reach a $1 trillion market value on Wednesday, continuing its impressive 2024 rebound.

Since the beginning of last year, the major winners in the market have been big tech stocks. However, looking a bit further back reveals a different story, one that could re-emerge in the market’s future.

Nvidia's revenue more than doubled in the past quarter, continuing its streak of impressive growth and surpassing market expectations. The US chipmaker also authorised another $50 billion share buyback as earnings soared over the past year.

Nearly $90 billion flowed into U.S. money market funds in the first half of August, as investors sought to secure attractive yields ahead of an anticipated interest rate cut by the Federal Reserve next month.

Western investors have surged back into gold, positioning themselves for anticipated U.S. interest rate cuts this year, driving prices to record highs this week.

A potential takeover of 7-Eleven's parent company, Seven & i Holdings Co., by Canadian retail giant Alimentation Couche-Tard, is likely to face significant antitrust scrutiny, particularly in the United States, according to a retail analyst.

China's electricity consumption is on the rise, particularly during summer months when heatwaves drive up air conditioning usage, leading to record-breaking levels of electricity production.

Chinese authorities have restricted access to a key data source on inward investment as global funds continue to withdraw from the country’s stock market, raising the possibility that 2024 could mark the first year of net equity outflows.