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The six mistakes investors (and advisers) make
There’s nothing like a market correction to trigger a crisis in confidence for investors and advisers alike. Having been rewarded for taking on more risk and allowing ever-greater levels of concentration to creep into portfolios, a widespread, Trump-driven sell-off is beginning to bring diversification back into focus again.
Alternative allocations: The insiders community analyses the trade-offs in 2025
Bringing together our insiders community to share perspectives, debate strategies, and refine their approach to portfolio construction is always an enlightening exercise.
Do we really want less choice for Australian retirees?
Last week’s conveniently ‘leaked’ government proposal on its plans to revolutionise retirement income for all Australians has brought retirement back into the headlines. The detail aside, the proposal couldn’t have come soon enough.
How to invest as interest rates fall
So, interest rates have finally been cut in Australia. Once again, our central bank took longer than most expected to ease financial conditions for Australian borrowers, but with every decision, there are winners and losers.
SOA much more to advice than just the statement
“Everyone has a plan until they get punched in the face.” While not known for his financial advice, Mike Tyson’s famous quote likely resonates with those planning for and entering retirement.
New year, new connections and new ideas
Investing is often seen through the lens of numbers, charts, and performance metrics. But at its core, investing is about people. It’s about the relationships we build, the trust we foster, and the communities we create.
Like Melbourne weather, adviser education standards change again
Not happy with the government’s settings on adviser education standards? Well, wait five minutes and they’ll change. Is the latest change a return to the bad old days, or simply common sense prevailing?
When risk rises, stick to the plan
A sound investment framework and coherent plan is always advisable, but it’s particularly important when markets are gyrating.
Investment paradigm shifts as portfolio positioning overtakes performance
With markets at all-time highs and term deposits paying 5 per cent, the focus needs to shift away from relative returns and back towards positioning for “consistent, absolute” returns that accommodate present market risks.
Future Fund prognostication failure reminds us that markets don’t care what you think
Australia’s sovereign wealth fund’s prediction of a tough year for investors didn’t come to pass, but they’re not the only well-resourced manager that missed the mark. For investors, this period is a reminder that investment patterns may exist, but markets certainly aren’t beholden to them.
Advice industry needs more critical thinking about alternative assets
The benefits of alternative investments are clear, but rapid growth in the product set has made the optimal use of alternatives in portfolios unclear. As markets reach all-time highs, it may be time to re-think how we treat the asset class.
Portfolio drift remains a clear and present danger for client portfolios
The traditional method of protecting client portfolios from drift remains entirely valid. It’s ostensibly cheaper to run portfolios without managed accounts, but it does take more time to do so and probably takes on more risk.
Why breaking your advice business could be the best thing for it
The solutions to practice inefficiency might be completely foreign, but the challenges of service delivery have a habit of changing, so the methods employed to meet those challenges need to evolve in tandem.
Concentration risk and the scourge of lazy portfolios
Lazy portfolios can be overconcentrated, overdiversified, full of yesterday’s winners, devoid of structured asset allocation, full of misallocated positions or agnostic to markets and client expectations. All of this is happening more than it should.
SMSF market twists itself into new shapes, but will advisers follow?
It seems that while the older generations may be tilting towards simplification, the younger generations are looking for control and engagement. For financial advisers, this is a trend worth noting.
Advice fees still hinge on FUM, but the future may well be flexibility
Clients have a right to know how advisers justify a fee of $15,000 per year when the investment income on a $1.5 million portfolio is only $75,000, says Drew Meredith. Maybe they should also have a hand in deciding how the fee is calculated.
AI boom supports ASX, Block Payments profit jumps, Next DC hits all-time high
The Australian sharemarket posted a positive finish to the week, gaining 0.4 per cent, but with the S&P/ASX200 still managing to lose 0.2 per cent across the five days. The technology sector was buoyed by NVIDIA’s massive result overnight, with data centre operator Next DC (ASX:NXT) adding 1.9 per cent and hitting another all-time high […]
Difficult conditions suit small caps, active management: Atchison
Australia may not have the Magnificent Seven tech stocks, but a heavy top end on the ASX means concentration risk is just as present, Atchison’s says. According to Australian Ethical, that puts the domestic small companies sector right in frame for investors.
ASX weakness on earnings, Woolies CEO to step down, CSR in European takeover bid
Both Australian benchmarks fell 0.7 per cent on Wednesday, as weakness in the consumer staples sector, which fell 4.3 per cent, offset gains in technology, which added 2.2 per cent. Woolworths (ASX:WOW) fell 6.6 per cent after the company announced the departure of long time CEO Brad Banducci after a TV outburst, with the company […]
ASX retreats amid CSL outlook gloom and US inflation data jitters
The ASX extended its decline today, succumbing to a second consecutive session of losses. Investor sentiment was dampened by a weaker-than-anticipated outlook from biotech heavyweight CSL Limited and heightened anticipation surrounding key US inflation data. The benchmark S&P/ASX 200 closed down -0.2 per cent, with only four of the eleven industry sectors registering gains. The […]
Market (ASX:XJO) falls on RBA call, technology sinks, retailers surge despite sales hit
Both Australian benchmarks fell on Tuesday for the second straight day, with the S&P/ASX200 (ASX:XJO) down 0.6 per cent with the energy sector, up 0.4 per cent, the only highlight. The selloff was led by the technology and materials sectors, which fell 1.8 and 1.3 per cent, with Fortescue (ASX:FMG) down 2.9 per cent as […]
Financial advice and the power of language
Most advisers know the value of changing their language when switching from industry speak to client discourse, but many still fall into the trap of distancing themselves from clients by using jargon and buzzwords.
The advice business that thrives will align towards its true niche
To make advice work, advisers need to home in on the centre of their business proposition, sometimes at the expense of their better intentions.
The Australian market falls, weighed down by financials and energy
The S&P/ASX 200 index dropped by 0.4 per cent with ten out of eleven sectors falling. The energy sector mirrored the softer oil prices, experiencing a 0.9 per cent decline. Brent crude approached $US81 per barrel, having lost approximately 12 per cent in the last three weeks due to escalating concerns about global demand and the de-escalation of risk […]
A sea of red across Australian Equities on Friday
A sea of red was noted on Friday as with the ASX200 closing down -0.55 per cent, dragged by financials falling -0.9 per cent, impacted by the banking sector with Commonwealth Bank down 0.9 per cent, ANZ down 1.3 per cent, Westpac down 1.3 per cent, and NAB down 1.7 per cent. Energy also weighed on markets falling 1.5 per cent on Friday, and 4 […]
All Ords (ASX:XAO) gains on Fed rate pause, Origin sinks despite offer, banks surge
The local share market was buoyed by the Federal Reserve’s decision to keep rates on hold and hope that the RBA may do the same on Tuesday. The All Ordinaries gained 1 per cent and the S&P/ASX200 0.9 per cent on a strong day for the market, with the interest rate sensitive sectors in technology […]
All Ords (ASX:XAO) drops on Middle East escalation, energy outperforms, Liontown slumps
The local share market posted a negative end to the week, with both the S&P/ASX200 and All Ordinaries falling 1.2 per cent on Friday, dragging the benchmarks 2.1 per cent lower for the week. The only sector posting a gain on Friday was energy, buoyed by expectations of an oil price above US$100 per barrel […]
Tech, real estate buoy ASX (ASX:XJO), Bapcor sinks on slowing sales, RBA meeting now ‘live’
The local share market snapped its losing streak, with both the All Ordinaries (ASX:XAO) and S&P/ASX200 (ASX:XJO) gaining 0.4 per cent on a settling of bond yields and the latest Reserve Bank meeting minutes. According to the new governor, the board had considered raising and now sees November as a ‘live’ meeting with the potential […]
Markets hit by risk off sentiment, ASX200 (ASX:XJO) down 0.3 per cent, Israel-Hamas crisis pushes energy higher
Both the key Australian indices fell on Monday, with the S&P/ASX200 falling 0.3 per cent and the All Ordinaries 0.4 per cent with the technology sector the biggest detractor, down 2.8 per cent. The primary culprits were Xero (ASX:XRO) and WiseTech (ASX:WST) which fell 3.4 and 2.3 per cent respectively as the Israel-Hamas crisis made […]
CSL continues to weigh on the Australian stock market
CSL continues to weigh on the Australian stock market The S&P/ASX 200 saw a minimal increase of just 2.6 basis points, closing at $7091. Out of the 11 industry sectors, six managed to finish in positive territory. The healthcare sector was a major drag, declining 4.5 percent, impacted by CSL which continued its downward trend, falling an astonishing 6.3 […]
Australian stock market rallies as markets price in future rate cuts.
The S&P/ASX 200 bounced back above the $7000 on Tuesday finishing 1 percent higher, boosted by a more cautious stance taken by US Federal Reserve members, and signs of easing inflation in Australia. This positive performance came after remarks from Federal Reserve Vice Chairman Philip Jefferson and Bank of Dallas President Lorie Logan suggested that the recent […]
Energy and gold lift following Middle East conflict
The S&P/ASX 200 finished up 0.2 percent on Monday, driven by energy and gold. This surge in energy and gold stocks was catalysed by a 4 percent rise in oil prices across the Asian region following a series of violent incursions by Hamas into Israel over the weekend. In response to this geopolitical turmoil, investors sought refuge […]
What makes a good financial advice client?
When a client posed the question to Wattle Partners adviser Drew Meredith it caught him off guard: “Am I good client?” they asked. “How could I be better?”
Materials, Energy, and Technology fall.
The S&P/ASX 200 Index closed lower -0.6 percent on Wednesday, primarily driven by a sell-off in materials and energy stocks. The energy sector suffered the most on Wednesday, finishing lower at -1.8 percent, moderating from its recent gains. Woodside, a major oil and gas company, saw a -2.2 percent drop to $37, while Santos slid -1.9 percent to […]
Australian market higher on Tuesday, but barely
The Australian share market moved higher on Tuesday, as investors assessed conflicting data releases, one showing weakening consumer sentiment but the other indicating business conditions improving. The benchmark S&P/ASX200 index managed to finish 14.6 points, or 0.2 per cent, higher at 7206.9, with the broader All Ordinaries index tracking that rise in percentage terms, adding […]
Major Banks and Iron Ore Miners bolster the S&P/ASX200 on Tuesday.
The S&P/ASX 200 finished the day higher, up 0.5 percent after initially falling by 0.2 percent earlier in the trading session. The broader All Ordinaries also rose by 0.4 percent. On Monday, the Australian stock market rebounded from earlier losses, breaking a four-day losing streak. This recovery was attributed in part to a strong performance by iron ore mining […]
Iron ore hits market (ASX:XJO), AMA tumbles on raising, Platinum remains under pressure
Both benchmarks weakened into the close, as both the S&P/ASX200 (ASX:XJO) and All Ordinaries (ASX:XAO) fell 0.2 per cent on Friday. The weakness was driven by the materials sector, which fell 1 per cent, driven lower by BHP (ASX:BHP) and Fortescue (ASX:FMG), down 1.2 and 2.4 per cent. The highlight was the utilities sector […]
All Ords (ASX:XAO) sinks on China, rates weakness, Liontown surges again
Both local benchmarks, including the S&P/ASX200 fell 1.2 per cent on Thursday, as pressure continues to build from poor global economic data. A surge in bond yields in the US, on the back of higher oil prices, has hit valuation and growth hopes once again, while further signs of slowing growth in China, hit the […]
Did the Future Fund get it wrong?
The Future Fund’s decision to take risk off the table resulted in a lacklustre return and criticism from the super sector. But advisers know the journey matters as much as the destination.
Market (ASX:XAO) sinks despite GDP data beat, oil rallies on supply cuts
The local share market weakened again on Wednesday, with the All Ordinaries down 0.7 and the S&P/ASX 200 (ASX:XJO) falling 0.8 per cert as seven sectors fell by more than 1 per cent. The rare highlight was the energy sector, which gained 1 per cent on the back of the oil price surging above US$90 […]
ASX (ASX:XAO) down on RBA, GDP outlook, Origin, Qantas struggle
The local share market closed broadly flat on Tuesday, with both the S&P/ASX200 (ASX:XJO) and All Ordinaries falling 5 and 9 points respectively. The primary culprit was a weakening utilities sector which fell 1.2 per cent behind a 2.9 per cent selloff in Origin Energy (ASX:ORG). The weakness came despite news that the NSW Government […]
Market (ASX:XAO) gains on Liontown bid, Qantas continues to sink
The local sharemarket started the week strongly, with the All Ordinaries (ASX:XAO) managing a 0.5 per cent gain, and the S&P/ASX200 (ASX:XJO) up 0.6 per cent. The move was driven by positive sentiment in the materials and energy sectors, up 2 and 1.6 per cent, as acquisition activity continues to grow. This time it was […]
Market (ASX:XJO) hit on Qantas, Fortescue woes, China stimulus boosts sentiment
Both the All Ordinaries (ASX:XAO) and S&P/ASX200 (ASX:XJO) fell 0.4 per cent on Friday, but still managed to deliver a 2.3 per cent gain for the week. The mining and retailing sectors remain under significant pressure, despite news of stimulus from the Chinese banking sector. Shares in Fortescue (ASX:FMG) fell another 5.3 per cent after […]
Whitehaven and Woodside go ex-dividend.
The S&P/ASX 200 index concluded up 0.1 percent and the All-Ordinaries index performed even better, edging up by 0.15 percent. The energy sector displayed the weakest performance, with Whitehaven Coal dropping 9 percent, and Woodside dropping4.1 percent, as both companies went ex-dividend on Thursday. On the other hand, the communication services sector emerged as the top performer, with Telstra, TPG Telecom, and Carsales all recording gains of […]
Why I’m committed to ESG, despite the momentum shift
As advisers we tend to forget the incredible position in which we sit, as the stewards of client capital, with the power to determine what types of companies deserve or warrant additional investment. Our advocacy effectively provides capital to these companies to continue to grow and evolve.
Inflation figures moderate downward, as 9 of 11 sectors lift.
The S&P/ASX 200 concluded up 1.2 percent, and the All Ordinaries also rose by 1.2 percent. Australia’s monthly consumer price indicator yielded an unexpected outcome on Wednesday, fuelling the share market to achieve its most robust single-day surge in over six weeks. The inflation gauge for July exhibited a drop to 4.9 percent from June’s 5.4 percent, catching numerous […]
Iress plummets an astonishing 36% after selling its managed funds business.
The S&P/ASX 200 finished lower on Monday down 0.5%, mirroring the subdued sentiment across Asia due to China’s central bank delivering a rate cut that fell short of investor expectations. The S&P/ASX 200’s weakest performers on Monday were information technology and consumer staples. Iress experienced the most significant fall, down 35.6 percent, after the company suspended its interim dividend […]
Australian materials slump for the week, amid weak economic data out of China
The S&P/ASX 200 eked out a mere 2.1 points increase on Friday, which helped reduce its weekly decline to 2.6%. This marks the most significant weekly drop in the Australian stock market since September 2022. The mining sector bore the brunt of the markets downturn, plummeting 4.3% throughout the week due to a series of weak economic […]
Higher-than-expected US retail spending hits Australia.
The S&P/ASX 200 Index plummeted -1.5 percent on Wednesday, reaching its lowest point in a month as all 11 sectors fell off the back of stronger US retail spending, and weak Chinese data. Stronger-than-expected retail spending from the US heightened concerns that the Federal Reserve may need to sustain higher interest rates to control inflation. US retail […]
Local market (ASX:XAO) weakens, but posts winning week, Star surges on tax ruling, Boral the highlight
Winners were few and far between on the share market (ASX:XJO on Friday, with the benchmark finishing 0.2 per cent lower, with only the retail and healthcare sectors posting positive returns, up 0.8 and 0.3 per cent. Casino owner Star Entertainment (ASX:SGR) was the standout, with shares finishing 18 per cent higher after the company […]
The unseen toll on financial advisers
Despite the emotional expenditure required to hold someone’s hand in the darkest hours of their life, whilst retaining a high degree of professional acumen, it is both a responsibility and an honour. But it can leave a scar, writes Drew Meredith.
Patience pays off as ethical, growth weightings shine amid volatility
Investing in quality takes patience, as does investing sustainably. The convergence plays well for those looking to build a portfolio with ESG parameters, something Australian Ethical believes will benefit from net-zero tailwinds in the future.
ASX dips on healthcare, earnings, Mesoblast tanks on FDA queries, Block hit by growth
The local market (ASX:XJO) managed a 0.2 per cent gain on Friday, overcoming significant weakness in the healthcare sector, which fell 1.2 per cent. Broader strength in the energy and technology sectors, up 1.1 and 1.3 per cent, were enough to overcome the weakness, with Karoon (ASX:KAR) gaining 4.2 per cent on higher energy prices. […]
What goes up, must come down – depending on the time horizon.
The S&P/ASX 200 fell by -1.3%, and the All Ordinaries declined by -1.2% as markets consolidated gains and absorbed news across borders of US treasury downgrades by Fitch. Interestingly all 11 sectors finished in the red (whilst the day earlier all sectors finished in the green) with the largest detractors being utilities, financials, and real estate. In line with […]
Australian sectors push higher, as the RBA pauses on interest rate hikes.
The S&P/ASX 200 finished up +0.5%, and the All Ordinaries rose +0.5% as all sectors finished in the green following the RBA’s decision to keep rates on pause for the second consecutive month. Interest rate sensitive Information Technology finished highest up +1.14% for the day, driven by WiseTech shares up +0.9%, Xero up +1.4% and NEXTDC up +2.4%. Late in trading, the real estate sector […]
Australian healthcare rises, whilst our trusted supermarkets take a hit.
The S&P/ASX 200 finished marginally higher up +0.1%, with 8 of the 11 sectors finishing in the green. The marginal rise was influenced by gains in healthcare stocks, whilst losses were noted in consumer staples, utilities, and technology companies. Consumer Staples (-.8%) was the worst performing sector in the Australian market, influenced by supermarket chains Woolworths -1.3%, Coles -0.9% and IGA […]
Are we still building portfolios for a zero-rate environment?
Interest rates were never meant to be so low for so long. Wattle Partners principal Drew Meredith ponders whether the hangover has some investors lagging; are too many hanging onto risky assets, when low-risk returns are so easy to find?
ASX (ASX:XAO) hits five month high, Fortescue sinks despite strong production, Macquarie takes earnings hit
The local share market posted another strong day, adding 0.7 per cent, as news of the Federal Reserve potentially pausing rate hikes boosted the property and technology sectors; up 3.3 and 2.2 per cent respectively. The likes of Goodman Group (ASX:GMG) and Scentre (ASX:CSG) gained 2.7 and 4.4 per cent each, on hopes that valuations […]
ASX (ASX:XJO) hits three month high on falling inflation, Austal sinks on downgrade
The local share market managed a 0.9 per cent gain, taking it to a five month high on the back of another confirmation of falling price levels and inflation. The materials sector was the standout, prior to Rio Tinto (ASX:RIO) delivering a strong quarterly update, gaining 1.8 per cent, while financials also added 1.1 per […]
Miners push ASX200 (ASX:XJO) higher on China stimulus, retail hit on Domino’s weakness
News that the Chinese government was committed to supporting a slowing economy with economic stimulus were enough to drive both the All Ordinaries (ASX:XAO) and S&P/ASX200 (ASX:XJO) to a 0.5 per cent gain. Both the materials and energy sectors did all the heavy lifting, gaining 2.7 per cent and 1.2 per cent respectively. It was […]
Market falls on tech, iron ore weakness, Newcrest sinks as Newmont disappoints, Atlas down despite strong traffic
Weakness in the technology sector drove local shares lower on Friday, with the S&P/ASX200 (ASX:XJO) and All Ordinaries (ASX:XAO) both dropping 0.2 per cent on Friday. Despite this the 200 managed to finish the week in positive territory with a 0.2 per cent gain, driven by a recovery in the financial sector, up 2.7 per […]
ASX flat on strong jobs data, utilities, real estate weaken, MinRes surges on cancelled deal
Positive earnings surprises continue to outweigh the negative, with the likes of Flight Centre (ASX:FLT) and Nuix (ASX:NXL) gaining strongly after offering updates to the market. The S&P/ASX200 (ASX:XJO) gained just 1 point, with the financials and technology sectors the key drivers, adding 0.4 per cent respectively. News that unemployment remained fixed at 3.5 per […]
Opportunities abound, but don’t let recency bias have the last laugh
Investors and advisers have a tendency to extrapolate recent events into the future, and the last six months have shown how dangerous this can be. For those reviewing and building portfolios as the new financial year begins, five key issues should be front of mind.
Sharemarket closes higher for first time this week, Ampol jumps on volumes, iron weakens
Local markets were buoyed by an improving global economic backdrop and the flow through of some positive corporate results. The energy and financial sectors drove the market, adding 1.7 and 1.5 per cent respectively, with the former benefitting from an earnings upgrade from Ampol (ASX:ALD). Management now expect earnings of $800 million in the first […]
Market (ASX:XAO) weakens on RBA minutes, property, industrials under perform, Ansell sinks on input costs
Mixed messages from bond markets and the Reserve Bank sent both the All Ordinaries (ASX:XAO) and S&P/ASX200 (ASX:XJO) finishing 0.2 per cent lower. The property and industrial sectors sank by 1.6 and 1.2 per cent respectively after the release of the latest round of RBA minutes that suggested further rate hikes were likely despite clear […]
Market (ASX:XJO) finishes flat, retailers gain, Whitehaven delivers production update
Eight of the 11 key sectors of the Australian share market moved higher on Monday, led by industrial and consumer discretionary businesses, with both gaining 0.6 per cent. Despite the strength, weakness in the energy and materials sectors, down 0.8 per cent, pulled the S&P/ASX200 (ASX:XJO) five points lower for a negative start to the […]
Share market (ASX:XAO) bounces on bond yields, healthcare underperforms, BHP jumps
Falling inflation continued to drive the market higher on Friday with both the All Ordinaries (ASX:XAO) and S&P/ASX200 (ASX:XJO) gaining 0.8 per cent. The market was buoyed by a significant drop in bond yields, which benefited the technology and communication sectors, both adding 1.7 per cent, with Block (ASX:SQ2) gaining 5.2 per cent on the […]
Share market surges on US inflation retreat, property, technology jump, gold miners jump
The Australian market followed a strong US lead, with both the S&P/ASX200 (ASX:XJO) and All Ordinaries (ASX:XAO) jumping more than 1.6 per cent on Thursday. It was all about the continued march lower of US inflation, which bodes well for the rest of the world, with headline inflation falling to 3 per cent in June. […]
ASX (ASX:XJO) gains on oil, iron ore rally, Incitec unit gets a bid, RBNZ on hold
Both major Australian markets gained 0.4 per cent on Friday, with the All Ordinaries (ASX:XAO) benefitting from a significant jump in the energy sector. Signs of a slowing of Russian oil supplies saw the oil price surge, benefitting the likes of Woodside (ASX:WDS) and Santos (ASX:STO) which gained 2.7 and 1.2 per cent. It was […]
All but 12 stocks gain on positive day, ASX (ASX:XAO) up 1.5 per cent, Megaport surges
Just 12 of the top 200 companies listed on the ASX posted a negative return on Tuesday, with the S&P/ASX200 (ASX:XJO) and All Ordinaries (ASX:XAO) gaining 1.5 per cent. Among the key triggers was news that the Chinese government was set to extend economic support and stimulus measures amid a slowing property market and the […]
Sharemarket sinks on China data, ASX (ASX:XJO) down 0.5 per cent, commodities sink
Only the technology sector was immune from the selloff on Monday, gaining 0.2 per cent, behind a rally in Block (ASX:SQ2) shares. Both the All Ordinaries (ASX:XAO) and S&P/ASX200 (ASX:XJO) fell by 0.5 per cent with the staples and industrial sectors taking the most significant hits, falling 1 and 0.9 per cent. The biggest detractors […]
Active v passive reimagined: When imperfect is perfect
The popular debate lacks nuance. Neither are foolproof but both can play a crucial role in building portfolio resistance and balancing the risk/reward dynamic.
Market (ASX:XJO) on US rate concerns, Star sinks, Magellan outflows grow
The local share market was dragged lower by concerns of further rate hikes in the US, with both the All Ordinaries (ASX:XAO) and S&P/ASX200 (ASX:XJO) falling by 1.2 per cent with just the technology sector finishing higher, gaining 0.1 per cent. The materials and retail sectors were the biggest laggards both falling 1.9 per cent, […]
ASX (ASX:XAO) down on banks, AMP hit by class action, China economic data underwhelms
The Australian sharemarket broke its FY24 winning streak on Wednesday, with the All Ordinaries (ASX:XAO) dropping 0.3 and the S&P/ASX200 (ASX:XJO) down 0.4 per cent as the healthcare and financial sectors dragged the market lower. Embattled wealth manager AMP (ASX:AMP) was the biggest detractor, with shares falling 6.1 per cent after the Federal Court ruled […]
RBA keeps rates on hold (finally), ASX (ASX:XJO) gains, Costa bid confirmed
News that the Reserve Bank of Australia had decided to pause the most aggressive period of rate hikes in recent memory saw both the All Ordinaries (ASX:XAO) and S&P/ASX200 (ASX:XJO) surge to a 0.5 per cent gain on Tuesday. This strong start to the new financial year was powered by the financials and property sectors, […]
Sharemarket (ASX:XJO) bounces to start financial year, Costa under offer, Redox floats
The local market started the week and financial year on a positive note, with both the S&P/ASX200 and All Ordinaries (ASX:XAO) gaining 0.6 per cent on Monday. The technology sector was the only detractor with the likes of Wisetech (ASX:WST) and Technology One (ASX:TNE) dropped 2.9 and 2.2 per cent on the back of a […]
ASX (ASX:XJO) sinks on growing recession risk, energy shares tumble, Endeavour looks deeper
The local sharemarket followed a weak global lead with both the All Ordinaries (ASX:XAO) and S&P/ASX200 (ASX:XJO) dropped 1.3 per cent on Friday, following a 1.6 per cent fall the day prior. Oil and energy prices remain the biggest influence, with the once popular sector falling 4 per cent on Friday and 4.9 per cent […]
Local market (ASX:XJO) gains 1.1 per cent on Friday, AGL surges on upgrade
The local sharemarket delivered a fifth straight day of gains on Friday, finishing 1.1 per cent higher on the back of a strong rally in the energy sector. The sector finished 3.5 per cent higher, buoyed by the likes of Woodside (ASX:WDS) and Santos (ASX:STO), which finished 3.5 and 4.1 per cent higher. But all […]
Marker (ASX:XJO) gains on debt ceiling, commodity prices, Adairs lower guidance
The local market delivered a strong end to the week with the S&P/ASX200 (ASX:XJO) gaining 0.5 and the All Ordinaries (ASX:XAO) 0.6 per cent on the back of a strong rally in the commodity sector. Champion Iron (ASX:CIA) and BHP (ASX:BHP) were standouts, adding 5.6 and 2.8 per cent each as investors grew more confident […]
ASX (ASX:XJO) gains 0.3 per cent on debt ceiling vote, lithium, energy hit as healthcare rallies
It was a reasonably slow down for market-moving news on the sharemarket, with both the All Ordinaries (ASX:XAO) and S&P/ASX200 finishing 0.2 per cent higher on the back of 7 of the eleven sectors improving. The key driver was the passing of the negotiated debt ceiling deal through the House of Representatives in the US, […]
ASX sinks on inflation, energy prices, Whitehaven tanks, China hits materials
The local sharemarket was dragged lower by the energy sector, which fell 2.5 per cent, sending the All Ordinaries (ASX:XAO) down 1.5 and the S&P/ASX200 (ASX:XJO) down 1.6 per cent. The driver was continued weakness in the price of coal and other energy sources, with Newcastle coal prices falling another 4 per cent on Wednesday, […]
Market (ASX:XJO) lower on property, energy, Paladin dumped on nationalisation
The local sharemarket paused for breath on Tuesday, with both the All Ordinaries (ASX:XAO) and S&P/ASX200 (ASX:XJO) falling 0.1 per cent. The property sector was the biggest detractor, down 0.9 per cent behind the likes of Charter Hall (ASX:CHC) which fell 2.2 per cent. Shares in popular uranium miner Paladin (ASX:PDN) tanked by close to […]
Market (ASX:XJO) gains 0.9 per cent, ALS drops despite profit jump, IDP stock dives
Both the All Ordinaries (ASX:XAO) and S&P/ASX200 (ASX:XJO) finished stronger on Monday, up 0.8 and 0.9 per cent, buoyed by an impending approval of an extension to the debt ceiling in the US. Real estate gained 1.9 per cent and financials 1.2 per cent, as bond yields fell amid a surge in confidence. The materials […]
Sharemarket gains on tech, financials, AUB jumps on capital raise, AMP hit with more fines
The local sharemarket (ASX:XJO) finished 0.6 per cent higher on Friday, buoyed by a near 6 per cent gain in Xero (ASX:XRO) which pushed the technology sector 2.2 per cent higher. The financial sector also performed strongly, gaining 1.5 per cent, on the back of another surge in insurance companies including Insurance Australia Group (ASX:IAG). […]
ASX gains on growing unemployment, property jumps, KMD revenue soars.
The local market (ASX:XJO) managed a strong gain on Thursday, finishing 0.5 per cent higher, on news that the unemployment rate had jumped to 3.7 per cent from 3.5 per cent. This is the first evidence of a slowing economy under the weight of surging interest rates and saw the technology sector boosted by 2.9 […]
ASX weakens on property sector, US inflation data ahead, Comm Bank lifts profits
The local sharemarket took a breath ahead of another important US inflation print on Tuesday night with the S&P/ASX200 (ASX:XJO) falling 0.2 per cent on little news. 9 of the eleven sectors finished lower lead by the property sector, which fell 1.4 per cent amid growing concerns about commercial property valuations, Charter Hall (ASX:CHC) was […]
ASX gains despite global weakness, ANZ, Macquarie deliver record results, property outperforms
The local market managed a strong finish to the week, gaining 0.4 per cent on Friday, as ANZ Bank (ASX:ANZ) delivered a better than expected earnings result. However, it was the property sector that outperformed gaining 2 per cent behind rallies in Dexus (ASX:DXS) and Goodman Group (ASX:GMG) which both gained more than 3 per […]
ASX overcomes NAB weakness, financials slump, gold miners surge again
The financial sector was the biggest detractor on Thursday, falling 2.5 per cent on the back of a weaker than expected profit result from the National Australia Bank (ASX:NAB). Despite the weakness, the S&P/ASX200 managed to fall just 0.1 per cent, with almost every other sector finishing higher, led by property which gained 2 per […]
Market falls on Amcor downgrade, despite upbeat retail sales, AV Jennings revenue slumps
The sentiment has once again turned negative in Australia as a series of mixed messages are shared with the market. The S&P/ASX200 finished 0.9 per cent lower on Wednesday, dragged down by the energy sector, which fell 2.1 per cent on the back of a near 5 per cent fall in oil prices overnight. Among […]
Industrials, property push ASX lower, RBA hikes again, Woolworths guides to higher sales
The local market fell sharply on the back of an unexpected 0.25 per cent interest rate increase by the Reserve Bank of Australia. The news took the cash rate to 3.85 per cent, adding more pressure to household balance sheets and came despite most experts suggesting hikes had come to an end. The hardest hit […]
ASX boosted by the energy sector, Origin upgrades outlook, Best & Less gets a bid
The local sharemarket finished 0.4 per cent higher on Monday, buoyed by the energy and utilities sectors, which gained 1.3 and 1 per cent, despite the oil price continuing to fall. The sector was buoyed by an earnings upgrade from Origin Energy (ASX:ORG) which sent shares 0.5 per cent higher with AGL Energy (ASX:AGL) also […]
ASX falls three points on RBA reset, materials sink, retailers outperform
The local sharemarket managed to keep losses to just 3 points on Thursday despite a significant selloff in the materials sector, which fell 2 per cent. This was driven by weakening commodity prices and the likes of BHP (ASX:BHP) and Mineral Resources (ASX:MIN) falling 5.5 and 2.6 per cent respectively. The cyclical financial and retail […]
ASX falls on RBA minutes, lithium price slides, property market hit
The Australian sharemarket reversed course on Tuesday, falling 0.3 per cent after the Reserve Bank released the minutes from its latest board meeting. According to the summary, there is a strong case for further rate rises, which triggered weakness in property related sectors led by Domain Group (ASX:DHG) which fell by 2.6 per cent. Across […]
ASX gains despite mining selloff, Regis, AMA sink on downgrades
The local market managed to post a positive start to the week with the S&P/ASX200 gaining 0.3 per cent on the back of a rally in the more cyclical property and retailing sectors. Real estate gained 1.3 per cent and the discretionary sector 0.7 with Star Entertainment (ASX:SGR) a highlight, finishing 4.9 per cent higher. […]
ASX powers ahead, materials sector jumps on iron ore, EML Payments surges
The local market finished the week strongly, gaining 0.8 per cent on Friday, and 3.2 per cent for the week. Once again, the cyclical financial and materials sectors drove the gains, adding 1.9 and 0.5 per cent with both Rio Tinto (ASX:RIO) and BHP Group (ASX:BHP) adding 2.5 per cent. The former benefited from an […]
ASX rallies on weaker inflation data, oil rallies on supply curbs, Fortescue jumps
The local market opened weaker on Wednesday, hit by worsening sentiment offshore, but ultimately finished 0.2 per cent higher. The rally was led by the materials and energy sector which both gained 1.2 per cent, buoyed by news that a disagreement between Iraq and Kurdish officials had led to a reduction in supply. The healthcare […]
ASX gains 1 per cent, takeover bid sends lithium sector higher
The local market continues to overcome weakening global economic sentiment, with the S&P/ASX200 powering to another 1 per cent gain on Tuesday. The market was buoyed by the mining and energy sectors, which gained 4.1 and 2.2 per cent respectively on the back of a suite of takeover offers. The highest profile of which was […]
ASX finishes lower on bank weakness, Block under attack, Estia gets a bid
The local bourse finished 0.2 per cent lower taking the weekly loss to 0.6 per cent with the financial sector the biggest detractor, finishing 1.1 per cent lower. Poor sentiment around the outlook for banks contributed to a 1.2 per cent drop in Commonwealth Bank (ASX:CBA), while the materials and utilities sectors outperformed, gaining 0.6 […]
ASX sinks at the close, seven sectors lower, Soul Patts record profit
Global sentiment continues to drive daily market movements in Australia, with the S&P/ASX200 falling 0.7 per cent on Thursday. Just two of the markets nine sectors finished higher, that being communications and consumer staples, up 0.1 per cent each, with the materials and technology sector the hardest hit by recessionary concerns, falling 1.1 and 0.8 […]
ASX gains ahead of US Fed decision, gold miners sink on outlook, Woodside’s record day
It was another positive day for the local market with the S&P/ASX200 adding 0.9 per cent on growing optimism that the spiralling global banking crisis will cause a slowdown in the pace of rate hikes. The Federal Reserve is set to meet overnight, with bond yields remaining well below levels of just two weeks ago […]
ASX buoyed by financial sector, rate pause hopes, Domino’s upgraded
Sharemarkets continue to navigate the escalating global banking crisis, with the S&P/ASX200 managing to deliver a 0.8 per cent gain on the back of a 1.2 per cent surge in the financial sector. The rally was led by the likes of Macquarie (ASX:MQG), up 3.3 per cent, as recent transactions highlighted the continued support for […]
ASX rallies into the close, Liontown surges, Close the Loop in acquisition mode, banks rally
The local market powered into the close, overcoming early losses to finish 0.4 per cent higher. The energy and financial sectors were central to the positive move, adding 2.3 and 0.9 per cent respectively. All four major banks gained, led by the National Australia Bank (ASX:NAB) which was 1.7 per cent higher on the day. […]
Bank run spreads to Credit Suisse, ASX falls, materials, energy in focus
Another day, another recapitalisation of bailout of a major bank. It was all about global giant Credit Suisse (SWX:CSGN), the company that had been in the news in recent weeks due to a run of poor quarters and growing outflows from the bank. The Swiss National Bank was forced to offer as much as $81 […]
ASX rallies as regional banks recover, retail underperforms, China growth returns
Positive sentiment continues to return to the local market, with the S&P/ASX200 gaining 0.9 per cent on Wednesday. While the technology sector was the biggest gainer, finishing up 2.4 per cent, a broad-based improvement in the financial and banking sector was central to the rally. Australia’s regional banks, despite having significantly more capital requirements than […]
Market sinks on contagion fears, technology, energy hit, Computershare sinks
The local market has now given back most of the gains achieved in 2023, falling 1.4 per cent on Tuesday as concerns of further bank runs spread around the world. The threat was triggered by the bankruptcy and subsequent bailout of Silicon Valley Bank after it’s many accountholders sought to withdraw a significant amount of […]
Tools needed so advisers can tackle greenwashing challenge
As potential clients become more discerning, advisers must have a framework through which to consider investments for inclusion in portfolios, but also to extract the most personal of information from clients.
Super caps: Keep calm and carry on (for now)
The Treasurer’s plan to limit concessional tax treatment within super at $3M comes without a lot of the details required for effective retirement planning. Making bold changes now could be costly, says Wattle Partners principal Drew Meredith.
ASX stages late rally, but falls for fourth straight week, iron ore surge continues
The local market managed to finish the week on a positive note, gaining 0.4 per cent, but ultimately capping a fourth straight week of losses to finish 0.3 per cent lower. On Friday, it was all about the mining and energy sectors with Rio Tinto (ASX:RIO) gaining 1.6 per cent and BHP (ASX:BHP) 0.6 per […]
Australian market struggling for energy
The benchmark S&P/ASX 200 Index fell 39.8 points, or 0.5 per cent on Thursday to 7490.3; while the broader All Ordinaries index dropped 44.7 points, or 0.6 per cent, to 7695.8. Energy was in the spotlight, with the Mike Cannon-Brookes-backed AGL Energy plunging 82 cents, or 10 per cent, to $7.12 after the company downgraded full-year earnings guidance, cut its dividend and reported […]
Newcrest, Nuix provide market highlights
The benchmark S&P/ASX200 index on Wednesday advanced 26 points, or 0.4 per cent, to 7,530.1, while the broader All Ordinaries closed 27.4 points to the good, also 0.4 per cent, at 7,740.5. Goldminer Newcrest added another 65 cents, or 2.6 per cent, to $25.60, taking its gain to almost 14.5 per cent since it received a $24.5 billion takeover offer from US […]
Has there been a better time for retirees to invest?
Ever since the GFC interest rates around the world have been on a trajectory to zero, which acted as a proxy tax on investing for retirement for millions. But the current economic is a whole new ball game, writes Drew Meredith.
Inflation jumps to 33-year high
Australian shares ended a five-day winning streak on Wednesday, and the Aussie dollar rose, after the markets learned that inflation in Australia had risen to its highest point since 1990, at an annual rate of 7.8 per cent in the December quarter, beating economist forecasts of 7.6 per cent. Even the Reserve Bank’s preferred measure of “trimmed mean […]
Miners motivate market
Upgrades in expectations for lithium price growth helped to lift the Australian sharemarket on Tuesday, driving a strong day for miners. Broker UBS lifted its lithium price forecast as much as 50 per cent, and the lithium players saw plenty of green. Pilbara Minerals gained 25 cents, or 5.2 per cent, to $5.08, while fellow producer Allkem was up […]
BNPL back in town
The S&P/ASX 200 continued its strong early-2023 form on Monday, advancing 5.1 points, or 0.1 per cent, to a fresh nine-month high of 7457.3 points. The broader All Ordinaries index added 7.9 points to 7,674.2. It has been quite some time since the buy now, pay later (BNPL) stocks were on a tear, but the former darlings turned the clock […]
Bringing performance into context after a shocking 2022
Australia may have fared better than its international peers, but markets still took a pummelling in 2022 with traditional safe havens and equities alike bearing the brunt in a wildly dislocated market.
ASX hits April highs, energy, materials gain, mixed results for lithium stocks
The local market managed to finish what appeared a mixed week on a positive note, gaining 0.2 per cent. Powered by the energy and materials sectors, up 1.4 and 0.9, on news of higher iron ore and oil prices, the S&P/ASX200 managed a 1.7 per cent gain for the week. Whitehaven Coal (ASX: WHC) was […]
Tepid jobs data eases rate fears
The local share market advanced to a fresh eight-month high on Thursday after weaker-than-expected jobs data showed the Australian economy slowing, raising expectations for less aggressive rate hikes from the Reserve Bank. The benchmark S&P/ASX200 index closed on Thursday up 41.9 points, or 0.6 per cent, to 7,435.3, its best level since April 22. The broader All Ordinaries gained 38.9 points, […]
Market limps to eight-month high
It was a mixed day on the local market on Wednesday, with six of the 11 sectors higher, and the upshot being a 0.1 per cent rise in the benchmark S&P/ASX 200 index, to 7393.4. The broader All Ordinaries Index added 11.9 points, or 0.2 per cent, to 7,609.5. The market was not exactly off to the races, but […]
Market mulls mixed China data
A better-than-expected performance by China’s economy in the December quarter was not enough to inspire the Australian stock market on Tuesday, perhaps overshadowed by a data release showing a fall in China’s population for the first time in decades. According to a release from China’s National Bureau of Statistics, the population of mainland China was 1.411 billion people at the end […]
From engagement to divestment: Woodchip mill saga a microcosm of ESG’s global path
Being independent used to be enough to attract new clients, says Wattle Partners’ Drew Meredith. Today, they are increasingly demanding alignment with their own values.
Energy drives ASX higher, Mineral Resources bid, Fletcher takes a hit
The local bourse couldn’t manage a positive week, with a negative lead from Wall Street and renewed rhetoric around rate hikes impacting on sentiment. The S&P/ASX200 finished down 0.8 per cent with energy and industrials the rare winners, up 0.4 and 0.2 per cent, while the tech and utilities sector both fell by more than 2 per cent. Block (ASX: SQ2) […]
Weaker Chinese data, aggressive Fed floor local stocks
The Australian share market struggled on Thursday, with sentiment hit by a weaker-than-expected economic update out of China, and an aggressive statement from the Federal Reserve saying that at least 75 basis points in rate hikes – or 0.75 percentage points – is in the offing in 2023 as the US central bank continues its fight against […]
Aussie market rises across the board
Local stocks enjoyed a positive lead-in from Wall Street, after the US consumer inflation figure rose 7.1 per cent in the year to November, less than economists had expected and down from a 7.7 per cent annual rise in October. The S&P/ASX200 index gained 48 points, or 0.7 per cent, on Wednesday, to 7251.3, while the broader All Ordinaries gained 49.5 […]
Banks boost local bourse
A strong performance by the banking sector led the Australian share market on Tuesday, as traders and investors cast a wary eye ahead of the monthly US inflation readout overnight.The benchmark S&P/ASX200 index gained 22.5 points, or 0.3 per cent, to 7203.3, while the broader All Ordinaries gained 18.6 points, or 0.2 per cent, to 7389.2. The banks were inspired […]
Hammered Origin leads market lower
The S&P/ASX 200 fell 0.5 per cent, or 32.4 points, to 7180.8 on Monday, dragged lower by losses across the utilities sector, which contains Origin Energy – and the big electricity and gas supplier were hammered 61 cents, or 7.8 per cent, lower to $7.19, amid fears that the federal government’s intervention into the gas market could see Brookfield and EIG Group walk away […]
ASX gains, but down 1.7 per cent for the week, Healius sells assets as iron ore surges
The local market managed to end the week on a positive note, adding 0.5 per cent, as continued strength in the iron ore price sent the materials sector close to 2 per cent higher. The rally was led by BHP (ASX: BHP) which gained 2.7 per cent, and Fortescue (ASX: FMG) which added 2.8 per cent, with the technology […]
China COVID easing fails to negate market fears
Geo-political and economic worries mounted for the local share market on Thursday, with the upshot being a slide of 53.9 points, or 0.8 per cent, in the benchmark S&P/ASX200 index, to 7,175.5 points while the broader All Ordinaries index lost 53.8 points, or 0.7 per cent, to 7,369.4. Seven of the ASX’s 11 official sectors retreated, with energy the worst hit as […]
Market fails to bite on solid economic data
Local shares followed Wall Street lower on Wednesday, despite the release of data showing that the Australian economy grew by 0.6 per cent in the September quarter, for an annual growth rate of 5.9 per cent, a strong result coming off the back of the final wave of COVID-19 lockdowns in 2021. The quarterly figure was slightly […]
Although expected, rate rise weakens market
The Australian share market eased on Tuesday as the eighth consecutive rate hike from the Reserve Bank saw the cash rate lifted by 0.25 percentage points, to 3.1 per cent – up from 0.1 per cent in just seven months. The rate hike was mostly expected, and the central bank indicated that further tightening was in store in […]
Market up ahead of likely rate rise
Despite plenty of uncertainty around what the Reserve Bank will announce with the cash rate this morning – although consensus expects that the central bank will lift the cash rate by another 25 basis points, to 3.15 per cent – there was a reasonably positive mood afoot on the local stock market on Monday, with the benchmark S&P/ASX […]
ASX falls, but up 1.3 per cent for the week, Santos sinks on exploration, Premier delivers record trade
The week ended poorly for the domestic sharemarket, with the energy sector (down 2.5 per cent) dragging the S&P/ASX200 0.7 per cent lower. Real estate also fell 2.6 per cent with healthcare and communications the highlights, gaining 1.1 and 0.8 per cent. The property sector sold off heavily amid news that global giant Blackstone had seen […]
ASX jumps on Fed policy, Cochlear competition concerns, return forecasts upgraded
The local market joined the global rally in risk assets with the S&P/ASX200 finishing 1 per cent higher on Thursday on the back of Jerome Powell‘s dovish comments in the US. A peak in the cash rate may well be in sight, which has moved the Dow Jones out of bear market territory. The biggest beneficiaries were the materials and […]
ASX gains on inflation data, energy, materials surge, Temple & Webster jumps
What began as another rough day for the S&P/ASX200 finished on a much more positive note, as the market closed at its high, 0.4 per cent higher. The standout sectors were energy, up 1.8 per cent, real estate and materials, both up 1.3 per cent, with New Hope Coal (ASX: NHC) and Whitehaven Coal (ASX: WHC) `gaining 6.8 and 8.4 per […]
ASX gains as China protests slow, Collins Food tanks, consumer sentiment up
The local market managed to deliver another gain, the S&P/ASX200 adding 0.3 per cent as signs of improvement in China supported a rally in key commodity prices. Rio Tinto (ASX: RIO) gained 3.5 per cent and Fortescue (ASX: FMG) 2.2 per cent after the latter named a new CEO, Fiona Hick, who was previously part of the Woodside’s Australian leadership team. An important […]
China threat hits ASX, RBA says sorry, Frazis to leave BOQ
It was a tough start to the week in Australia, with little in the way of a US lead, all eyes were on growing unrest in China, which ultimately saw the S&P/ASX200 fall 0.4 per cent on Monday. Both the energy and materials sectors detracted, down 1.7 and 0.9 per cent as a surge in COVID-19 cases […]
Capital flows matter: How ESG can avoid becoming an echo chamber
For ESG discourse to matter, it must translate into quantifiable action. That means broadening the conversation beyond the close circle of sustainability converts and having tough conversations about capital flows.
CBA hits new high, ASX gains, EML jumps on Chairman’s departure
The local sharemarket finished the week on a positive note, with the S&P/ASX200 gaining 0.2 per cent as more than half of listed companies gained. The standouts were property, utilities and the retail sector all of which finished 1.1 per cent higher. Among the biggest contributors though, was the Commonwealth Bank (ASX: CBA) which gained 1.1 per […]
ASX strength continues, energy sinks on coal sales, Harvey Norman, Nick Scali shine
Performance across the key sectors of the S&P/ASX200 continues to diverge with a weak day for energy, down 1.8 per cent, offset by gains in the technology and real estate sectors, which both added 1.2 per cent. Vicinity Centres (ASX:VCX) was a highlight, adding 4.1 per cent following the departure of its CEO, while Whitehaven […]
ASX rally gathers steam, Qantas profit jumps, coal, energy rallies
The local market continues to gather steam ahead of a number of major economic announcements, with the S&P/ASX200 finishing 0.7 per cent higher. The rally was driven by a surge in the energy and utilities sectors both up 1.6 and 1.3 per cent as coal and oil prices rallied on another production cut. Whitehaven Coal […]
ASX hits five month high, Virgin Money jumps, crypto stocks dumped
The local market reached a five month high on Tuesday, buoyed by the energy and materials sectors once again, which finished 2.6 and 1.2 per cent in the positive, the S&P/ASX200 gained 0.6 per cent. The standouts remain in energy, or coal at least, with Whitehaven (ASX:WHC) and New Hope (ASX:NHC) up more than 7 […]
Australian sharemarket down on commodities, QBE costs spike, Nanosonic tanks
The S&P/ASX200 commenced the week in the same manner it finishes, falling 0.2 per cent after holding onto a gain of as much as 0.3 per cent during the day. Both the technology and materials sectors were behind the weaker finish, falling 1.5 per cent respectively as the investors await more global economic data. Shares in insurer QBE […]
BHP ups bid for OZ Minerals, market flat, NIB Holdings jumps on sales
All eyes were on the materials sector on Friday, after BHP (ASX: BHP) lobbed a best and final bid for copper producer OZ Minerals (ASX: OZL). The offer of $28.25 per share was approved by the board and will now proceed to due diligence. Despite the size of the offer, the market barely moved with the S&P/ASX200 gaining 0.2 per but […]
Sharemarket gains despite energy weakness, Webjet recovery continues, Seek guidance on track
The S&P/ASX200 managed another small gain on Thursday, adding 0.2 per cent as strength in all sectors barring energy and materials, down 2.1 and 1.2 per cent each, managed to offset losses in the coal mining companies. The biggest detractors were New Hope (ASX: NHC) and Whitehaven Coal (ASX: WHC) which lost more than 6 per cent each as coal prices […]
S&P/ASX200 falls on quarterly updates, Graincorp dividend hike, Nufarm lifts
The S&P/ASX200 fell 0.3 per cent on Wednesday, with 8 of the eleven sectors finishing the red led by utilities, down 1.5 and retailers, down 1.3 per per cent. The highlight once again was the energy and materials sectors, which gained 1.2 and 0.7 per cent. Shares in Oz Minerals (ASX: OZL) entered a trading halt on rumours that […]
Tech paces market as oil, lithium slide, AGL board renewed
The local market fell 0.1 per cent on Tuesday under the pressure of a weaker energy sector, down 0.9 per cent, after OPEC+ cut their expectations for oil demand in 2023 and beyond; shares in Beach Energy (ASX: BPT) fell 2.8 per cent. It was a similar story for the lithium sector, with broader commodities falling 1 per cent […]
Market flat despite commodity surge, Elders sinks on update, oil price jumps
The local market finished slightly lower, down 0.2 per cent, as a jump in commodities, particularly iron ore, offset losses across every other sector. The materials sector gained 3.4 per cent along with energy, after the oil price moved about US$90 per barrel once again. Iron ore was the highlight with Champion (ASX:CIA) gaining 12 per cent, Fortescue (ASX:FMG) […]
It never hurts to ask
All advisers have a role to play in the transition to ESG, and it will be a spectrum of outcomes rather than a binary one. One thing we cannot forget, however, is the powerful role that capital flows can have on creating change.
Market soars on inflation data, China restrictions, technology in focus
The local market rode the US inflation data wave, gaining 2.8 per cent on Friday, buoyed by the hope that interest rate hikes may be set to ease. Every sector finished higher outside of utilities, as Origin Energy (ASX:ORG) reversed 3.2 per cent as investors digest the recent takeover offer; the company was still up […]
Market drops despite massive Origin takeover bid, Xero CEO quits
The local market weakened as crypto turbulence spread into global equity markets, with the S&P/ASX200 falling 0.5 per cent. Half of the markets sectors were lower, led by energy and technology, down 2.1 and 1.9 per cent respectively. The standout was utilities, which gained 13 per cent on the back of a massive takeover bid […]
Gold miners lift market, Orica, NAB deliver strong reports, News sinks
The local market was buoyed by an unexpected surge in the price of gold, which moved beyond US$1,700 per ounce once again. The result was a 2.5 per cent gain in the materials sector offsetting losses in eight of the remaining sectors with St Barbara (ASX:SBM) and Regis (ASX:RRL) the highlights, up 13 and 12.7 […]
Market overcomes energy weakness, James Hardie sinks on weak property market
The S&P/ASX200 gained another 0.4 per cent on Tuesday with a broad-based rally managing to overcome a selloff in the energy sector. The staples and utilities sectors were strongest gaining 1.3 and 1.4 per cent, with healthcare and financials not far behind. Energy, however, fell by more than 2.3 per cent on a weaker oil price and […]
Commodity push market higher, Westpac profit flat, banks sold down
The local bourse managed a positive start to the week, with signs of an improving economic outlook in China boosting the commodities sector. Materials gained 3.4 per cent behind 5 per cent rallies in BHP (ASX:BHP) and Fortescue (ASX:FMG), supporting a 0.6 per cent improvement in the S&P/ASX200. Energy also rallied 1.4 per cent despite […]
Block jumps, market finishes higher, CSR, Pendal deliver
The local sharemarket capped another positive week, closing 0.5 per cent higher on Friday on the back of a surge in the oil price. The energy sector gained 3.4 per cent behind a jump in Woodside (ASX:WDS) and Santos (ASX:STO), while another five sectors were down lead by healthcare, which fell 0.8 per cent. The […]
Woolies sees inflation impact, Perpetual rejects new bid, AUB lifts guidance
Shares in Woolworths (ASX:WOW) neared a one year low, falling 3.5 per cent, after the company delivered another quarterly update. While the headline numbers were solid, with sales up 1.8 per cent to $16.36 billion, concern was raised about the impact of food price inflation of 7.3 per cent in Australia, and whether this will impact on […]
Market flat ahead of Fed decision, Amcor slides, building approvals slump
The local market managed a small gain on Wednesday, adding 0.1 per cent, as strength in the energy and materials sectors, up 1.1 per cent each, offset losses in property and technology. Among the standouts were a rally in fund manager Perpetual (ASX:PPT), which gained 5.5 per cent, and Rio Tinto (ASX:RIO) which finished 2.4 per cent higher. Amcor […]
Another 0.25 per cent hike, market rallies, the end is near
The local market was spurred on by a smaller than expected cash rate increased by the Reserve Bank of Australia. The 25 basis point increase once again proved that what the market ‘prices in’ isn’t always correct, quite the opposite. As early as this morning the National Australia Bank (ASX:NAB) suggested that there was a real risk of […]
Tech pushes market to gain, rate decision ahead, EML slump deepens
The local market followed a strong overseas lead to post another 1.2 per cent gain on Monday, spurred higher by a rally in the technology and discretionary sectors, which added 2.6 and 2.7 per cent respectively. The strength was broad based with only the energy sector contracting, as smaller and mid-cap companies took centre stage […]
Market sinks on commodities, real estate gains, Brainchip tanks
The local market finished the week on a negative tone, falling 0.9 per cent as the country’s largest iron ore miners were hit by further falls in the price of the commodity. The entire sector fell 4 per cent driven loan by a 9.2 per cent fall in Champion Iron (ASX:CIA), an 8.2 per cent drop […]
Four on the trot for the Aussie market
The local sharemarket advanced for a fourth straight day on Thursday, with a strong performance by the energy and mining sectors outweighing losses by three of the big four banks. The benchmark S&P/ASX200 index closed up 34.2 points, or 0.5 per cent, to 6845.1, with the broader All Ordinaries rising 37.2 points, also 0.5 per cent, to 7042.3. Driving Thursday’s […]
Aussie market shrugs off inflation reading
The local share market managed a small gain on Wednesday despite the latest inflation reading surprising on the upside, raising the possibility that the Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA) could become more aggressive on rate hikes. The benchmark S&P/ASX200 index finished Wednesday up 12.3 points to 6810.9, a gain of 0.2 per cent, while the broader All Ordinaries index climbed 11.4 points, […]
Local market making baby steps
The Australian share market crept higher on Tuesday ahead of the second Budget statement of the year, with the benchmark S&P/ASX 200 Index adding 19.2 points, or 0.3 per cent, to 6798.6, while the broader All Ordinaries rose 15.3 points, or 0.2 per cent, to 6993.7. Every sector was up except for energy and mining, in which investors were busy assessing […]
Miners push market into the green
The miners led the local market higher on Monday, with the S&P/ASX 200 Index advancing 1.5 per cent, or 102.6 points, to 6779.4, while the broader All Ordinaries gauge ended up 108.5 points, or 1.6 per cent, to 6978.4. Gold stocks were prominent in the rise, after the yellow metal’s 1.8 per cent gain to $US1,658 an ounce in New […]
When preparing for the worst is fraught with danger
With central banks running out of meaningful avenues to impact economies and markets rife with volatility, many investors will be tempted to dial back risk as much as possible.
Energy offsets losses, Adairs confirms, coal stocks at record levels
A sustained rally in the energy sector, which finished 2 per cent higher on Friday, wasn’t enough to reverse broader losses with the S&P/ASX200 ultimately finishing 0.8 per cent lower. The utilities and real estate sectors were the hardest hit, falling 2.3 and 1.8 per cent on growing concerns about the regulatory environment for the […]
Bonds make life difficult for shares
Thursday saw a retreat from the benchmark S&P/ASX 200 Index, which dropped 69.4 points, or 1 per cent, to 6370.7 points, while the broader All Ordinaries Index surrendered 81.1 points, or 1.2 per cent, to 6,918.7. The bond market sell-off extended as benchmark risk-free US 10-year bond yields added 2 basis points to 4.15 per […]
Solid effort from Aussie market
The Australian share market backed-up its Tuesday effort with a solid performance on Wednesday, with the benchmark S&P/ASX200 index gaining 20.9 points, or 0.3 per cent, to 6,800.1, while the 500-stock All Ordinaries index added 23.6 points, or 0.3 per cent, to 6,999.8. Among the big miners, Rio Tinto eased 26 cents, or 0.3 per cent, to $94.01; South32 slipped 8 cents, […]
Resources lead local bourse
A strong lead-in from Wall Street gave solid impetus to the Australian market on Tuesday, and the result was a lift of 114.8 points, or 1.7 per cent, in the benchmark S&P/ASX 200 Index, to 6779.2; while the broader S&P/ASX All Ordinaries index added 121.9 points, or 1.8 per cent, to 6976.2. Resources led the rise, […]
Aussie market starts new week on a downer
An ugly 2.4 per cent slide in the S&P 500 index on Wall Street at the weekend was never going to give the Australian market a boost as it opened the week, and so it proved, with the benchmark S&P/ASX200 index closing down 94.4 points, or 1.4 per cent, to 6664.4 on Monday, and the […]
Global rally supports market, energy, financials jump on UK caution
The S&P/ASX200 managed to offset the majority of the week’s losses on Friday, finishing 1.8 per cent higher on the back of a significant jump in the energy and utilities sectors. Every sector finished higher on the day. The likelihood of a disorderly transition of the energy sector and increasing oil prices globally supported energy […]
Banks, Qantas pace market ahead of inflation data, ELMO jumps on private equity interest
The local market overcame selling pressure ahead of awaited US inflation data to post a small loss of 0.1 per cent. The financials sector was the standout, gaining 1.4 per cent, with the likes of National Australian Bank (ASX:NAB), up 2 per cent, buoyed by the improving profitability of Bank of Queensland which reported yesterday. […]
Bank of Queensland boosts market, energy declines, GM buys into Queensland Pacific
The local sharemarket managed to overcome global weakness, posting a 2.5 point gain behind a significantly rally in the financial sector, up 1.9 per cent. The property sector also added 1 per cent, with energy and utilities falling 1.5 and 2.2 per cent following significant commentary around the future of energy policy in Australia. Shares […]
Local market weakens, as guidance flows in, Platinum outflows continue
The S&P/ASX200 continued to weaken as the guidance flows in from numerous sectors of the economy. The industrials sector was the rare highlight, gaining 0.4 per cent, with the energy and technology sectors finished down 1.6 and 1 per cent respectively. Among the biggest drivers was a continued weakening of the AUD even as the […]
Market weakens on US recession risk, Tabcorp acquisition, gold stocks hit
The local market opened the week on a negative note, with the threat of US recession sending every sector lower. The rate sensitive sectors were the hardest hit, with utilities falling 3.2 per cent and technology 2.6 per cent behind the likes of Zip Co (ASX:ZIP) which fell 7.4 per cent. Among the biggest losers […]
Market caps best week in two years, GQG outflows, AGL board members cut
The local sharemarket finished the week on a negative tone, falling 0.8 per cent, but it wasn’t enough offset the exuberance on Tuesday. Only the energy sector managed to post a positive result on Friday, up 1 per cent, behind a rally in Origin (ASX:ORG) and Santos (ASX:STO) which gained 1.2 and 1.9 per cent. […]
Market flat, OPEC+ cuts boost energy, utilities, institutions leave Magellan
The local market finished just 2 points higher today, all but a rounding error, as gains in the energy and utilities sectors, up 2.2 and 1.1 per cent, offset losses in the consumer and property sectors, which were down 0.8 and 0.7 per cent. The highlights remain from the traditional fossil fuel sectors as Woodside […]
RBA slows rate hikes, market surges in response, oil, materials lead the way
The local sharemarket delivered it’s best one day return since the worst of the pandemic, with the S&P/ASX200 gaining 2.6 per cent on Tuesday. The move was driven by a slight shift in narrative and policy by the Reserve Bank of Australia, which decided to increase the cash rate by 25 rather than 50 basis […]
Market awaits RBA decision, energy, utilities rally, Core Lithium raises capital
The local sharemarket finished 0.3 per cent lower to begin the new quarter, with strength in the utilities, energy and property sectors not enough to offset broader weakness in the market. The energy sector gained 1 per cent after OPEC+ announced its intention to cut oil production in response to falling prices, just as investors […]
Resources lift local market
The energy sector powered the Australian sharemarket on Thursday, with a 2.8 per cent gain on the back of the apparent sabotage of the Nord Stream sub-sea pipelines linking Europe and Russia. This helped the benchmark S&P/ASX200 index to gain 93 points, or 1.4 per cent to 6,555, while the broader All Ordinaries advanced 100.8 points, or […]
Local market back in the green
After three consecutive losing days, the Australian sharemarket turned northward again on Tuesday, led by the resources stocks. After being scorched on Monday, the ASX’s coal and lithium stocks rallied on Tuesday as global markets stabilised, as did energy prices, despite rising recession risks. The S&P/ASX 200 Index added 26.8 points, or 0.4 per cent, […]
Resources, energy drag market lower
With the worst losses in two years for the ASX’s mining and energy sectors, there was no way that the Australian share market’s major indices were gaining ground yesterday, and so it unfolded. The mining sub-index slid 5.3 per cent, its worst day since a 6.8 per cent fall on May 1, 2020, while the […]
Gambling operator woes highlight draconian advice industry regime
The inability of major casino operators – and many other ‘respected’ professions – to run a clean sheet is galling for an advice industry beset with stifling levels of regulation.
Aussie market eases to two-month low
Utilities and tech shares dragged the S&P/ASX 200 lower on Monday, as the benchmark lost 19.2 points, or 0.3 per cent, to 6,719.9 points, its lowest closing level in two months. Real estate was the only sub-index to post a gain, led by heavyweight real estate investment trust (REIT) GPT, which gained 9 cents, or […]
Energy reversal hits market, inflation drags ASX lower, Atlas Arteria falls
It was a sea of red on the S&P/ASX200, with the market closing down 1.5 per cent on Friday, resulting in a 2.1 per cent loss for the week. A reversal in the energy sector, triggered by a resolution of potential railroad strikes sent the energy sector down 3 per cent, with Whitehaven Coal (ASX:WHC) […]
ASX gains on energy, coal, Woodside’s Paris ambitions, Tyro’s new CEO
The Australian sharemarket managed to follow the US, posting a gain of 0.2 per cent on Thursday with the energy sector leading the way, up 3.7 per cent. New Hope (ASX:NHC) and Whitehaven Coal (ASX:WHC) gained 6 and 4.6 per cent respectively on news of the US railroad workers strike which could increase the cost […]
Market sinks on US inflation, property, tech lead selloff, Atlas capital raising
The local market fared better than global shares on Wednesday, falling 2.6 per cent in comparison to the 5 per cent drop in the Nasdaq. There was red across the board, led by the property and retail sectors, with the likes of Charter Hall (ASX:CHC) and Wesfarmers (ASX:WES) dropping more than 4 per cent on […]
Four straight winning days, consumer, property sectors outperform, Ramsay deal cut
The local market managed a fourth straight day of gains, adding 0.6 per cent behind a strong performance from the property and consumer facing sectors. Property finished 1.7 per cent higher ahead of what is expected to be a weaker US inflation reading while Star Entertainment (ASX:SGR) also gained 4.5 per cent. The latter occurred […]
Commodity prices boost local market
Australian shares advanced for a third straight day on Monday, driven by the materials sub-index, which rode rising commodity prices to a 2.2 per cent gain. The S&P/ASX 200 benchmark advanced by 70.3 points, or 1 per cent, to 6964.5, while the broader All Ordinaries index closed up by a similar percentage, lifting 69.2 points […]
Affordability drives discussion, but it isn’t the right question
The question, in my view, isn’t what is affordable. It’s this: what price should we be willing to pay for long-term financial security?
RBA spurs market to gain, Mineral Resources rockets, Nuix jumps
The local market was buoyed to a significant 1 per cent gain for the week, following a strong day on Friday. The 0.7 per cent gain was driven by the energy and materials sector which gained 1.1 and 3.3 per cent respectively on news of a potential split of Mineral Resources (ASX:MIN). Rumours that the […]
RBA speech boosts market, Link deal set to proceed
The Australian sharemarket surged in the afternoon, gaining more than 1.6 per cent after the Reserve Bank Governor flagged a more cautious approach to future rate rises. Every sector finished the day higher and significantly so with the technology sector gaining 2.8 per cent as bond yields fell. The top performers were Life360 (ASX:360), Megaport […]
Market retreats, healthcare, currency boost, Metcash upgrades
The Reserve Bank of Australia’s aggressive pursuit of a neutral interest rate policy setting has offered a challenging backdrop to the sharemarket this week, with the S&P/ASX200 falling 1.4 per cent on Wednesday. It wasn’t rates alone, however, with the oil price falling to levels not seen since January 2022 as concern grows about the […]
Rate Rises the New Normal
After a positive start, the local market turned tail after the Reserve Bank board lifted the cash rate target by 50 basis points to 2.35 per cent, its highest level since December 2014, at its meeting yesterday. The central bank has now raised interest rates for five months in a row, in its most aggressive […]
Energy woes power local market
Energy powered the Australian market higher on Monday, with a 4 per cent rise in the S&P/ASX 200 Energy index at the heart of market sentiment, as oil, gas and coal prices rose. The energy action helped the benchmark S&P/ASX 200 advance 23.5 points, or 0.3 per cent, or to 6852.2, while the broader All […]
Miners push market to poor week, financials bounce on Friday, AMP loses contract
The local market capped off the worst week in several months, falling another 0.3 per cent and taking the weekly loss to 3.9 per cent. On Friday it was the financial sector leading the way on hopes that the economy may remain strong, bounced 0.7 per cent, with the more defensive healthcare and real estate […]
Market weakness continues on bond yields, Suez Canal blocked again, BHP goes ex
The local sharemarket continued its recent weakness, falling another 2 per cent for the first day of spring. Australia’s largest company, BHP (ASX:BHP) was the biggest detractor falling 7.6 per cent, or $3.09 cents as the stock went ex-dividend. This is a regularly forgotten impact of the payment of dividends, which totalled $2.56 plus franking credits, as […]
Market rallies despite energy weakness, Harvey Norman sales improve, toll road recovers
The S&P/ASX200 almost turned around a sharply weaker start to trading on the final day of August, falling just 0.2 per cent on Wednesday. In a reverse of recent days, the energy sector was the biggest detractor after the European Union warned of a potential intervention in energy markets and China faces another COVID-19 outbreak. […]
Australian Super’s fee plan needs a second look
Fee raises at the nation’s biggest super fund have raised questions about the benefits of scale. If Australian Super has to increase fees, what chance do smaller funds have?
ASX jumps as Woodside delivers bumper profit, building approvals tank, as energy prices surge
The local market managed to overcome another weak global lead, gaining 0.5 per cent on Tuesday, with the energy sector a key support. Gaining 1.4 per cent on the back of a strong inaugural report by Woodside Energy (ASX:WDS) the sector was second only to technology, which gained 1.8 per cent. Renewed conflict in Libya […]
Powell comments send market lower, Fortescue beats guidance, retail strength continues
The local market followed an increasingly negative global lead, ultimately finishing 2 per cent lower. The sole driver was commentary from Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell from the Jackson Hole summit, which suggested aggressive central bank action was unlikely to slow any time soon. The result was just four companies posting increases on the day, […]
Two down, three up for the local market
After two solid falls to start the week, the Australian market put three straight rises together by the end of Friday, to get itself back into the green for the week – but only just. The benchmark S&P/ASX 200 eased 10.4 points, or 0.2 per cent, for the week, to end at 7,104.1. while the […]
Resources plays boost local market
The Australian share market took a positive lead from US markets into Thursday and was also buoyed by Asia-Pacific news and earnings results. The benchmark S&P/ASX200 index gained 50 points, or 0.7 per cent, to 7048.1, while the broader All Ordinaries was up 49.6 points, also 0.7 per cent, to 7291.9. The gains followed news of […]
Earnings results flow in apace
After a two-day drop caused by interest rate jitters in global markets before the Jackson Hole Economic Policy Symposium this weekend, the S&P/ASX 200 index ended Wednesday 36.3 points, or 0.5 per cent, higher at 6,998.1 points, while the broader S&P/ASX All Ordinaries Index gained 43.1 points, or 0.6 per cent, to 7,242.3. Earnings results […]
Skittish market heads lower
With a nervous mood prominent in the markets ahead of the Federal Reserve symposium this week, and earnings results pouring in, it was a difficult session for the local market on Tuesday. The benchmark S&P/ASX200 index closed down 85.1 points, or 1.2 per cent, to a nearly three-week low of 6961.8, while the broader S&P/ASX […]
Banks, miners lead market lower
The benchmark S&P/ASX200 index finished Monday down 67.6 points, or 0.9 per cent, to 7046.9, in its worst session since July 11, while the broader S&P/ASX All Ordinaries lost 71.5 points, or just under 1 per cent, to 7287.2. The market is in a state of flux as June 30 earnings results flood-in, and also ahead […]
Holding the line – the real adviser challenge
The tendency to relent to client commentary, which in many cases is driven by headlines and sentiment, is one of the biggest detractors from long-term returns.
‘Whole portfolio liquidity’ takes on the alternatives challenge
Alternatives don’t have to be African coal mines; in many cases they’re just normal assets like equity or business loans wrapped up in a private market structure.
Fossil fuels push market to fifth weekly gain, Ingham’s, TPS slump on weak earnings
The local market brushed off a number of weaker earnings results to post the slimmest of gains, finishing 1.7 points higher on Friday. This took the S&P/ASX200 to a fifth straight weekly gain of 1.2 per cent with the market now less than 10 per cent off the multi-year highs reached in January this year. […]
Market retreats, Origin write-downs hit profit, Medibank hit by returns
The Australian share market has experienced a similar reporting season trend to global markets with the trend being towards much better than expected results and far less volatility than predicted. The S&P/ASX200 fell 0.2 per cent with energy and healthcare both gaining more than 1 per cent, but technology and utilities reversing once again. On […]
Senior secured credit stands out as yields surge
As inflation rises, senior secured loans offer a relatively undiscovered respite.
Market snapback likely to be ‘short-lived’, short positions warranted: Sage
With bad news priced in, long-short manager Sean Fenton is positive on returns.
Market gains on huge day of reporting, CSL returns to profit, Santos delivers records
The local market overcame a brisk selloff in giant healthcare group CSL (ASX: CSL) to post another 0.3 per cent gain. The consumer sectors were the key drivers, with staples and discretionary finishing 1.7 and 1.4 per cent higher respectively following Walmart’s strong report overnight. The property sector also benefitted from a strong report by […]
Rally continues, BHP delivers record dividend, Challenger profit slumps
The Australian share market is showing few signs of slowing down, delivering another positive day with a 0.6 per cent gain. Daily moves are being driven by a generally positive reporting season with the materials, up 1.7 per cent, the key winner alongside healthcare and consumer staples. Both energy and property retreated one per cent […]
Market buoyed by rate outlook, earnings season accelerates, Nearmap gets a bid
The local bourse opened the week on a positive note, gaining 0.5 per cent despite a more mixed day across the sectors. Energy and financials were the primary detractors falling 0.8 and 0.2, with reversals in Beach (ASX: BPT) and Bendigo Bank (ASX: BEN) which were down 11.1 and 8.4 per cent on weak updates. […]
Weakening into the weekend
The Australian market limped into the weekend, with the benchmark S&P/ASX200 index on Friday finishing down 38.5 points, or 0.54 per cent, to 7032.5, while the broader All Ordinaries lost 36.6 points, or 0.5 per cent, to 7288.8. The energy sector was the only shining light, up 2.3 per cent for its best day in almost […]
US inflation news buoys market
Australian shares followed the US market higher on Thursday after the world’s largest economy reported easing inflationary pressures, helping to lower interest rate expectations. The benchmark S&P/ASX 200 gained 78.3 points, or 1.1 per cent, to close at 7,071 points, while the broader S&P/ASX All Ordinaries rose 86.7 points, or 1.2 per cent, to 7325.4 points. Most […]
ASX reverses gains as energy falls, tech, communications near highs, Orica sinks
The local market gave up early gains to finish broadly flat on Thursday after a strong week in the market. Four sectors finished in the red, led by energy and materials, down 2.2 and 1.1 per cent respectively. The key driver has been growing concerns about a weakening in demand for oil and gas, a […]
What are you missing in fixed income portfolios?
The events of 2022 have brought the fixed income and defensive allocations of multi-asset portfolios back into the spotlight.
‘When bonds didn’t act like bonds’
The ‘unorthodox’ policy of quantitative easing has been central to the excesses in markets, says JP Morgan’s Liang.
Market overcomes rate hike to deliver gain, Appen, Credit Corp sink, mortgages fall
The local market has managed to overcome another 50-basis point rate hike by the Reserve Bank
Aussie market gains, energy utilities support 7 week high, United Malt sinks
The positive run continued with the S&P/ASX200 gaining 0.7 per cent on Monday, the first day of August following a strong finish to July.
Currency key to investability, as shorts pay off
An actively managed global fund manager said something along the lines of “the challenge in 2022 won’t be in outperforming the index, but rather in generating a positive return
Benign risk of default drives credit opportunity
History has shown that investing into bank loans and credit markets at or near current valuation levels has delivered high single digit and double digit returns over the long-term.
Market rally continues as bond yields fall to three-month low, Origin doubles revenue
The local sharemarket delivered another positive week for investors with the S&P/ASX200 gaining 0.8 per cent on Friday taking the weekly gain to 2.2 per cent. Added to last week’s 2.8 per cent gain and the market is down just 6.7 per cent for the year. Every sector barring healthcare added to the strong result […]
Local market follows global lead, Atlas Arteria deal dumped, Macquarie’s bumper profit
It was another strong day for the local market with the S&P/ASX200 gaining 1 per cent on the back of a broad-based rally. Materials and energy remained the standouts, gaining 2.4 and 1.3 per cent, with the utility sector down 1.8 as both AGL Energy (ASX: AGL) and Origin (ASX: ORG) slumped. Macquarie Group (ASX: […]
Private equity continues expansion into mass affluent
Private equity (PE) has continued to stand out as an asset class amid the pandemic but particularly in light of the significant selloff in growth stocks that has occurred in 2022.
With short-term investors heading to the exit ‘opportunity’ arises in small caps
Australia’s leading ethical investment firm, Australian Ethical, has been among those to bear the brunt of the at times ‘brutal’ sharemarket selloff that has hit the S&P/ASX200 and S&P500 alike in 2022.
‘Categoric repricing of risk’ in credit markets open opportunity
Having just experienced one of the weakest periods for credit and fixed income markets since the GFC, “now is the time” to step back into the asset class according to Jeff Boswell
SOAs do little to address information asymmetry
While the focus of the advice industry groups has very much been around making the day to day lives of those in the industry easier, the likes of the AFCA, Vanguard and several law firms have offered insight into the impact on the consumer.
Stocks deliver best week since March, tech surge continues, Magellan boost
The S&P/ASX200 delivered the best week since March this year gaining 2.8 per cent despite weakening slightly on Friday. The driver has been a turnaround in the outlook for interest rates and signs of a slowing economy, with the tech sector up 7.1 per cent for the five days. On Friday it was all about […]
BlackRock-nabtrade partnership brings more competition to ETF market
The National Australia Bank’s Private Wealth division this week announced a partnership with the world’s leading index fund manager, BlackRock.
Passive funds dominate ETF flows despite volatility
BetaShares this week released its Half-Year Review of the exchange traded fund industry, with a few surprises in store for one of the most popular parts of the investment sector.
‘Incredible’ dispersion in balanced fund returns
2022 has marked just the fifth financial year of negative returns since the SG became compulsory in 1992. This should not be a surprising result.
Aussie market falls on commodity weakness, Pendal outflows jump, coal miners surge
The local market finished the week on a negative tone, falling 0.7 per cent and taking the five day loss for the S&P/ASX200 to 1.1 per cent. The biggest driver on Friday was a broad selloff in commodity markets following a weak economic growth result in China, the sector fell 3.2 per cent. Iron ore […]
Tech rallies despite inflation data, unemployment hits 40 year low, assets fall at Netwealth and AE
The local market managed another positive finish, gaining 0.4 per cent backed by an unexpected rally in the technology sector. Nine of the 11 sectors gained, with technology 2.1 per cent higher, with only real estate and financials detracting, down 1.1 and 0.8 per cent each. Shares in Netwealth (ASX: NWL) bucked the trend gaining […]
Balanced super fund returns in the red
The term “hold on for dear life” came to explain the events of 2020 and 2021, as did “buy the dip.” For those beginning investing for the first time their experience couldn’t have been more positive.
Secular themes continue to surge despite growth selloff
. Whether it was renewable energy, carbon or cryptocurrency, investors of all types are naturally optimistic, often seeking to allocate capital to the sectors and businesses that are building towards the future.
Recession or not, challenges are real: Neuberger
The biggest question on the minds of every investor in the world today is clear: will the US experience a recession?
‘Dramatic outflows’ from bond funds in June: Calastone
It was clearly an incredibly tough beginning of the year for advisers and consultants building multi-asset portfolios.
Local market gains, energy falls on oil price correction, ANZ to buy MYOB
It was another positive, but mixed, day for the local market with seven of the 11 sectors finishing higher and contributing to a 0.2 per cent gain. The dispersion between the winners and losers is beginning to narrow after an incredibly volatile period. On the positive side were the consumer and technology sectors, which gained […]
ASX manages gain, Zip cans Sezzle deal, Eagers upgrade, Lake hit by short seller
The local market managed to overcome increasingly negative global sentiment ahead of an important US earning season that begins later this week, finishing 0.1 per cent higher. The stalwart blue chips were the standout with financials, consumer staples and healthcare increasing 0.7, 1.2 and 1.1 per cent respectively. The Commonwealth Bank (ASX: CBA) gained 1.2 […]
Local market begins on weaker note, EML loses CEO, Costa flags citrus issues
The Australian market couldn’t carry over a positive week for the US market, falling throughout the day to finish 1.1 per cent lower. There were very few highlights outside of the healthcare sector, which gained 0.1 per cent, while every other sector finished lower. Materials and technology continue to be hit on the back of […]
Quality of advice review focused on advisers, not consumers
As one of the lawyers at the coalface of supporting impacted consumers both before and after the revelations of the Royal Commission, Maurice Blackburn is in a unique position to provide input into the Quality of Advice review.
Federal Government pauses YFYS rollout
News that the rollout of the Your Future Your Super (YFYS) test beyond My Super products would be paused has been met with positive and negative commentary from the investment industry.
News, Regulation, SMSFs, Strategy, Super
China stimulus news good for markets
It was a solid week last week for the Australian market, advancing on four of the five days. The S&P/ASX 200 gained 138.1 points, or 2.1 per cent, for the week, to end at 6,678, while the broader S&P/ASX All Ordinaries index added 156.6 points, or 2.3 per cent, to 6,877. The All Tech index […]
Miners help Aussie market
The benchmark S&P/ASX200 index finished at the highs of the day on Thursday, up 53.5 points, or 0.81 per cent, to 6648.0. The broader All Ordinaries rose 52.6 points, or 0.78 per cent, to 6836.9. A 1.9 per cent rise in Singapore iron ore futures, to $US113.30 a tonne, helped the big miners, with BHP up […]
Retirement calculators ‘must not advertise or promote’ product: Regulators
Under the updated RG276, ASIC has made it clear that any retirement calculator must be agnostic to product.
Local market fights commodity jitters
A tech rebound – possibly a dead-cat bounce – tried to drive the Australian market higher on Wednesday, but the concerns on commodity prices more than outweighed this. By the close, the benchmark S&P/ASX 200 had shed 34.8 points, or 0.52 per cent, to 6,594.5, while the broader All Ordinaries surrendered 33.8 points, or 0.5 […]
Rate rise surprises no-one
As widely expected, the RBA raised the cash rate by 0.5 percentage points yesterday, taking it to 1.35%, as widely expected. This is the fastest back-to-back increase in rates since increases of 0.75% and 1% in November and December 1994 respectively. But the RBA remains upbeat on the economy and employment, despite remaining concerned about […]
Warning: interest rate rise ahead
The Australian share market ended in the green on Monday, despite investor skittishness ahead of today’s Reserve Bank board meeting. The central bank is widely predicted to lift its cash rate by another 50 basis points today, which would take it to 1.35 per cent, in the intensifying effort to rein in surging inflation, which […]
One in two advisers now embracing ESG
“Greenwashing” has once again been highlighted as the major challenge for the financial advice industry when it comes to embracing responsible and ethical investment options.
Release reins of general advice to reset market: Vanguard
The closing of submissions for the Quality of Advice review saw a flurry of detailed proposals released in recent weeks.
Marks on the ‘dismal science’ of economics, true sources of alpha
Legendary hedge fund billionaire and investor Howard Marks, founder of Oaktree Capital, is one of the most respected finance commentators in the world, by virtue of his clarity and understanding of the market cycle.
Market reverses gains, commodities, energy sink, Brambles cut CostCo deal
The Australian market started the session on a positive note, moving as much as 1 per cent higher on the first day of the new financial year but ultimately sank to a 0.4 per cent loss. The realisation that an interest rate-driven slowdown in the global economy may hit commodity demand saw both energy and […]
Positioning portfolios for fabled ‘soft landing’
While several weeks ago now, the threat of 75 basis point hikes is no longer in the future, it has and will likely happen more than once in 2022.
Local market gains on earnings, Tassal gets a bid, BWX slumps
The local market managed to deliver another strong day, the S&P/ASX200 finishing 0.9 per cent higher. Five sectors were lower, albeit only slightly, with consumer discretionary the biggest detractor on concerns that higher interest rates will cut disposable incomes. This sent the likes of JB Hi-Fi (ASX: JBH) and Zip Co (ASX: ZIP) down 3.9 and […]
Market buoyed by Wall Street, gold stocks tank, OZ Minerals downgrade
A positive lead from Wall Street, in which bad news on the economy became good news for stocks, resulted in the ASX gaining 1.9 per cent to begin the week. Every sector was higher, with energy and financials gaining 2.6 per cent each, buoyed by hopes that rate hikes may not be as aggressive as […]
High court ruling gives certainty on binding nominations
Self-managed super funds have once again returned to popularity in recent years, with establishments seeing growth once again, as more Australians become engaged with their retirement assets.
Regulator warns underperforming funds on member comms
Bringing oversight to a multi-trillion dollar sector was important, but the regulations are far from perfect, with many suggesting they effectively direct industry funds toward an indexed approach, or alternatively, don’t appreciate the nuances of investing for the very long-term.
Supply-side remains the biggest contributor to inflation
After years of benign levels of inflation, the “beast” as it is known, reared its ugly head once again in April 2021, just as the world was emerging from the pandemic.
ASX snaps losing streak, Qantas cuts debt, Vulcan surges on big deal
The local market has reversed two straight weeks of losses, posting a 0.8 per cent gain on Friday which took the S&P/ASX200 to a weekly gain of 1.6 per cent. The rally was powered by the unloved sectors in technology, property and retailers which were up 6, 2.5 and 2.2 per cent respectively as lower […]
Market overcomes lithium rout, Lake Resources continues to tank, property outperforms
The selloff in lithium stocks has returned once again, with the likes of Pilbara (ASX: PLS) and Liontown (ASX: LTR) pushing the commodities sector to a 1.5 per cent loss. Along with the energy sector which fell 2.1 per cent is now officially in a bear market, these were the only two sectors to post […]
Fires, floods, pandemic, war – what comes next?
In a recent blog post, Joseph Koh, portfolio manager of the Schroder’s Australian Equities Long-Short strategy, compared the current market environment to the Four Horsemen of the apocalypse.
Associations band together to reset advice regulation
As submissions were released this week, they were accompanied with commentary from several industry leaders about the massive burden and challenges being place on advisers via overly prescriptive and punitive legislation.
Market struggles to maintain gains, Crown Sydney approved, coal remains in focus
The positive sentiment couldn’t be maintained on Wednesday with weakness in the technology and financial sectors sending a 0.5 per cent gain to a 0.2 per cent loss. Energy and utilities remain in focus, gaining 1.5 and 2.1 per cent with NZ energy provider Mercury (ASX: MCY) and fuel refiner Ampol (ASX: ALD) gaining 4 […]
Markets weaken on threat of recession, commodities, energy tank, Vicinity upgrades
The local market open on an unexpectedly positive tone but ultimately finished 0.6 per cent lower as commodity and energy prices fell across the board. The selloff in energy and materials finished at 5.1 and 4.6 per cent respectively, amid growing concerns about the outlook for the global economy. Uranium miner Paladin (ASX: PDN) was […]
Put client consent on hold for three years: AFA
June 10 was the closing date of what may well become the most important review of the financial advice industry in its short history
What you don’t own matters more than what you do
. The confluence of events, which has seen the traditional negative correlation between long duration bonds and equities quickly turn positive, has had a significant impact on investment returns.
SMSF specialist training should be ‘set in stone’: SMSF Association
The peak body for those advising self-managed super funds, the SMSF Association, has called for a higher education requirement for the sector.
ASX caps worst week in two years, Humm deal off, oil falls
The local market capped its worst week since March 2020 falling 1.8 per cent on Friday and dragging the S&P/ASX200 down 6.6 per cent for the week. This followed a 4.2 per cent drop in the prior week which now has the index nearing a bear market. Comments from the RBA Governor this week heightened […]
ASX sinks to another loss, Link tanks on competition concerns, NZ contracts
Australian shares were as much as 1.1 per cent higher during Thursday’s session following the Federal Reserve decision to hike interest rates by 0.75 per cent, but ultimately finished 0.1 per cent lower. The major detractors were the consumer staples and utilities sectors, falling 1 and 1.6 per cent with the latter hit by the […]
Is this the beginning, rather than the end for the 40/60?
2022 has been a torrid year for both bond and equity markets, but particularly those outside Australia. Following Friday’s weak close, the S&P500 is now down close to 19 per cent for the calendar year to date and the US government bond index is down around 13 per cent.
Markets suffer worst drop since pandemic began, ASX enters correction, Polynovo a rare winner
Anyone keeping up with the news overnight is aware of the headlines. $88 billion lost in a single day, market crumbles, stocks tank; there will be no lack of hyperbole following the worst day for the S&P/ASX200 since March 2020. The market fell by close to 5 per cent during the session, following a rough […]
ASX falls in worst week since 2020, Atlas bid, Douglass returns
The local market was pushed lower by the global turnaround in interest rates with the S&P/ASX200 falling 1.3 per cent to finish the week. Every sector was lower, led by property, which fell 2.9 per cent on concerns that higher interest rates will hit valuations, while another six sectors dropped more than 1 per cent, […]
Rate hike ‘changes the journey not the destination’
The Reserve Bank’s decision to hike interest rates by more than 50 basis points, double that predicted by the majority of economists “changes the journey, not the destination,” according to Charlie Jamieson of Jamieson Coote Bonds.
A transformational alternative future for AGL
Leading responsible investment manager, Australian Ethical, this week highlighted the unique challenges facing investors in a response to the events at AGL Energy in recent weeks.
Banks lead market lower
The struggles of the big banks and mortgage lenders in the wake of this week’s rate rise continued on Thursday, with the financials sub-index losing 2.2 per cent and helping to drag the benchmark S&P/ASX200 index 101.4 points, or 1.4 per cent lower, to an almost four-week low of 7019.7. The broader S&P/ASX All Ordinaries fell 106.6 points, or […]
Twelve Ukraine-driven disruptions that are set to change the world
The Russia-Ukraine war has seemingly moved from the headlines in most of the developed world, with most attention now being paid to the challenge of a jump in the cost of living and the impact of higher interest rates on repayments and property prices.
Yellow glow on ASX. Banks bomb out. US indices lower, energy up.
Yellow glow on ASX Resources came to the rescue on the Australian share market on Wednesday, with surging uranium and oil and gas stocks more than compensating for a shocker from the banks. A call from Goldman Sachs that Brent crude would average US$140 a barrel between July and September, up 17 per cent from its prevailing […]
Market falls on 50 basis point rate hike, confidence slips, every sector weaker
The Australian sharemarket was on hold ahead of the RBA’s latest board meeting and interest rate decision. A somewhat unexpected 0.50 per cent increase in the cash rate to 0.85 per cent saw the S&P/ASX200 slump by 1.5 per cent. The large move was predicted by only a few experts with the RBA highlighted the fact that inflation had […]
Local market down ahead of RBA meeting, energy, Tabcorp standout
The local market couldn’t shake off a weak global lead, opening the first week of June with a 0.5 per cent fall. It was a market full of lowlights, with the industrials, technology and materials sectors all falling by more than 1 per cent, dragged down by previously popular growth names including Tyro (ASX:TYR) and Hub24 (ASX:HUB) which fell […]
Rate hike cycle overestimated: Franklin’s Canobi
Whilst there are growing signs that inflation is moderating around the world, whether in the US, UK or Australia, some 125 of the world’s central banks are current in the process of tightening monetary policy.
Local market posts another positive week, iron ore surges, energy crisis beckons
The local market finished the week on another positive note, despite the return of concerns about the aggressiveness of central banks around the world, with the S&P/ASX 200 posting a 0.9 per cent gain on Friday. It was propelled by the materials sector, with copper and iron ore miners benefitting from the loosening of lockdowns but more […]
Market weaker on healthcare, ASX adds female CEO, Wesfarmers warning
The local market continued on a negative trend to open the month of June with the S&P/ASX 200 falling 0.8 per cent on the back of a broad-based selloff. The biggest detractor was the healthcare and technology sectors, falling 1.8 and 2.5 per cent respectively as US Federal Reserve members continue to predict aggressive rate hikes. Cochlear (ASX:COH) and CSL (ASX:CSL) […]
‘Green’ trading evident in broker volumes
AUSIEX, one of Australia’s leading wholesale brokerage firms, this week highlighted the growing popularity of ESG and sustainable investment trades.
“We are in a different world” where industry dynamics will drive returns
“We spend the majority of our research time on understanding industries,” explained Catherine Allfrey, portfolio manager of Wavestone Capital, when presenting to leading financial advisers at The Inside Network’s Equities Symposium in Perth last month.
Lithium stocks tank on price concerns, market finishes higher, Origin pulls earnings
The local market managed to eke out a positive return on Wednesday, gaining 0.3 per cent on the first trading day of June. Another rally in the iron ore price, which supported the likes of Fortescue (ASX:FMG) and BHP (ASX:BHP), the latter up 2.3 per cent, wasn’t enough to dig the materials sector out of […]
Local market turns on bond yields, oil prices spike, Star ‘unsuitable’
The domestic market managed to reverse the prior day’s gains, falling 1 per cent on Tuesday after US bond yields jumped on further central bank commentary. This coincided with agreement on further bans on Russian oil imports which sent the oil price above US$120 per barrel. Every sector was lower, led by technology and financials, […]
US inflation bumps market higher, technology boom, AGL capitulates
The weakest monthly inflation print in close to two years offered the best possible backdrop for the local market on Monday, with the S&P/ASX200 gaining 1.5 per cent. Technology was the standout, up 4.6 per cent, with only a small handful of companies falling on a buoyant day for the market, led by AGL Energy […]
‘Era of structural inflation’ will require change of approach
‘An era of structural inflation is upon us” explained Con Michalakis, head of investments at Statewide Super, speaking at The Inside Network’s Equities and Growth Assets Symposium, held recently in Adelaide for the first time. Challenged with setting the scene for the full-day discussion on equity and growth allocations, Michalakis drew upon his extensive experience […]
‘Anomalous’ short-term underperformance of EM set to reverse
“Have we really thought about the investment implications of a world in which inflation is persistent?” That was the question posed by Dr Joseph Lai of Ox Capital.
ASX defies gravity, energy and retailers push market higher, Appen tanks
The local market delivered a strong finish to the week, gaining 1.1 per cent on the back of a strong global lead. The primary driver was a weakening of the rhetoric from Chair Powell in relation to the course of rate hikes in the coming months. Energy and discretionary retailers were the standouts, gaining more […]
Appen left at the altar. Market heads lower. Good week continues for US markets.
Appen left at the altar A bizarre blink-and-you-missed takeover approach came and seemingly went for one of the local market’s tech leaders Appen, which develops the datasets for machine learning and artificial intelligence. Canadian company Telus International sprang a $9.50 a share bid on the company, which said it would talk to Telus to try to […]
‘Analyst vacuum’ an enduring alpha opportunity in small caps
Australian portfolios are not appropriately positioned for the risk and reward on offer from the multitude of asset classes and sectors available, contended Nick Cregan of Fairlight Asset Management.
Plotting the return to duration
Bond markets have effectively become the ‘freight train’ of a long series of other assets, with a surge in bond yields pulling nearly every other asset class lower.
Pressure builds on greenwashing with SEC to tighten screws
It appears that regulators around the world are getting more serious on ESG, with the US Securities Exchange Commission, similar to Australia’s ASIC, announcing a number of proposals targeted at the growing trend of ‘greenwashing’.
Aussie market creeps higher. US markets lift.
Aussie market creeps higher Despite a steady diet of news of war, global slowdowns, China lockdowns, inflation and higher rates, the Australian share market managed to rise on Wednesday, as measured by the benchmark indices. The S&P/ASX200 index added 26.4 points, or 0.4 per cent, to finish at 7,155.2, while the broader S&P/ASX All Ordinaries index […]
China sniffles hurt market. Tech weakens Wall Street, Dow holds up
China sniffles hurt market The Australian share market was weighed down on Tuesday by concerns that COVID-19 lockdowns have hurt economic growth in China, the benchmark S&P/ASX 200 index finished down 20.1 points, or 0.3 per cent, to 7,128.8, while the broader S&P/ASX All Ordinaries closed 0.35 per cent, or 25.7 points, lower to 7,373.2. Commonwealth […]
Election, what Election? Codan, Elders bust out. Green arrows on Wall Street.
Election, what Election? A change of government was yawned-off by the Australian share market on Monday; after being up by 50 points in morning trading, the benchmark S&P/ASX 200 index closed just 3.3 points higher, at 7,148.9. The broader S&P/ASX All Ordinaries rose 7.9 points, or 0.1 per cent, to 7,398.9. All four big banks declined, with […]
‘Let professionals be professionals’: The call ahead of Quality of Advice Review
Given the flood of changes and regulatory oversight that has resulted from the Royal Commission, it likely comes as a surprise to many that the impending Quality of Advice Review, was actually a recommendation of Commissioner Hayne.
Cybersecurity the latest challenge for stressed advice industry
Cybersecurity has become the latest battle facing the under pressure, stressed financial advice industry following a landmark court ruling.
Market rallies on China policy, tech jumps, Woolies buys mydeal.com.au
The Aussie market benefitted from the news that the Chinese Government had cut a key interest rate and a late rally in US markets to post a 1.2 per cent gain to finish the week. The result was driven by a jump in the technology and discretionary sectors, up 4.6 and 2.0 per cent after […]
Follow the leader, consumer businesses send ASX lower, travel is back
The local market couldn’t overcome growing concerns about stagflation, an instance when the economy slows as inflation increases, with the S&P/ASX200 falling 1.7 per cent on Thursday. The losses were broad-based, with every sector but healthcare falling, led by the consumer sectors. Healthcare gained 0.1 per cent with the discretionary and staples companies down 3.1 […]
Investors should prepare for the private market valuation hit
The Morningstar-owned private markets publication Pitchbook this week highlighted the growing risks in the economy along with the potential impact of higher interest rates on the popular venture capital and private equity sectors.
Financial Services Council flags priorities for Advice Review
There is growing pressure on the long-awaited Quality of Advice review to deliver real change to an industry that has been saddled with layer after layer of regulation, compliance and paperwork.
Four straight gains, iron ore surges, BlueScope upgrades, Boral downgrades
The domestic market was buoyed by a jump in the iron ore price as Chinese lockdowns continue to ease with the S&P/ASX200 gaining 1 per cent on the back of a 2.5 per cent jump in the materials sector. Only the staples sector finished lower, falling 1 per cent behind a 1.1 per cent fall […]
Little by little, market recovery continues, James Hardie upgrades, Bramble’s bid halted
The domestic market is slowly chipping away at recent losses, with the S&P/ASX200 gaining another 0.3 per cent on Tuesday behind a rally in the energy and utilities sectors. The energy sector was buoyed another 2 per cent by a rally in the oil price amid signs that Chinese demand may recover, with both Woodside […]
China weakness sends market lower, Brambles confirms takeover talks, Qube jumps
The local market commenced the week on a more positive note, with the S&P/ASX200 gaining 0.3 per cent on the back of a strong performance from the industrials sector, which finished 2.4 per cent higher. Technology shares also rallied behind the likes of Xero (ASX: XRO) up 2.1 and 4.4 per cent as falling bond […]
Professional Year reporting reduced
After a tumultuous few years that have seen reporting, compliance and information gathering requirements reach extreme levels, ASIC appeared to offer some respite this week.
Mixed views on Federal Government property proposals
The Liberal Party joined the ALP in focusing on housing affordability during their formal campaign launch this week.
Amazon and the value vs. growth challenge
Value investing has been the clear winner of the first third of 2022, with the tech-heavy Nasdaq leading losses in global sharemarkets.
Market turns on tech sector, Block, Xero surge, gold miners weaken
The local market finished the week on a high note, gaining 1.9 per cent on the back of an incredible surge in the technology sector. The mid-session turnaround in the Nasdaq pushed the technology sector to a 6.9 per cent gain after the US-listed payment provider and owner of Afterpay, Block (ASX: SQ2) gained 15 […]
Tech sinks local market, Commonwealth Bank profit up, Bitcoin ETF launches
The technology sector all but sunk the local market today with the S&P/ASX200 sinking 1.8 per cent on the back of an 8.2 per cent fall in the sector. Every other sector was lower, with energy and real estate down more than 2 per cent and financials outperforming by falling just 0.8 per cent. Just […]
The ethics of retail
The last few years have seen both massive opportunities and challenges for ethical and ESG-focused investors.
Top of the pops – top global funds had one thing in common
March stands out as being one of the most difficult periods for investors in a generation. On the one hand, bond markets send fixed income to its worst return in more decades, and on the other, equity markets were sold off broadly on valuation concerns as bond yields ended a forty-year downward trend.
Market rallies off lows, Asia turns, Magellan hires new CEO
The domestic market managed to eke out a small gain, recovering from as much as 1 per cent down to send the S&P/ASX200 0.2 per cent higher on Wednesday. Positive signs from Asia, including a broadly expected jump in Chinese inflation contributed to the settling of nerves with the materials sector recovering 0.9 per cent. […]
Local stocks fight back, weight of numbers push market lower, Pendal’s surprise
The local sharemarket followed global markets lower, with the S&P/ASX200 opening as much as 2.5 per cent lower. The day’s trade was a story of the weight of numbers, with every sector barring communication finishing lower, but more companies gaining than falling. The size and scale of weakness in energy and commodities, down 2.1 and […]
Stocks down as China extends lockdown, property, tech selloff, Westpac reports
There are few signs that the global selloff is slowing down, with a weak US lead on Friday contributing to another 1.2 per cent fall on the S&P/ASX200. The threat of higher interest rates and inflation are now been compounded by news that the Chinese government had extended lockdowns in key capital cities potentially adding […]
Inflation more nuanced, so what’s the likely path for rate hikes?
The Reserve Bank of Australia officially joined the hiking party this month, and while the implications for Australian homeowners and businesses is important, it has little impact on the global economy.
The tables have turned after quarter from hell
“Patience is a virtue” may well be the best way to explain the performance of the Australian sharemarket in the March quarter.
Selloff worsens, every sector lower, tech slumps, Macquarie delivers bumper profit
The local market closely followed the global lead with the S&P/ASX200 experiencing its worst session since Russia invaded Ukraine. All 11 sectors of the market were lower with technology and real estate the hardest hit, down 4.5 and 3.4 per cent for the day, whilst consumer staples naturally outperformed, falling just 0.2 per cent behind […]
Mining and energy boost market
The Australian share market followed Wall Street on Thursday, sharing the American market’s optimism that the Federal Reserve could tame inflation without triggering a recession. The benchmark S&P/ASX 200 index finished Thursday up 60 points, or 0.8 per cent, to 7,364.7, while the broader S&P/All Ordinaries gauge rose 74.4 points, or just under 1 per […]
Australia, the lucky country again?
During March, Australia’s sharemarket unexpectedly claimed pole position against the majority of the world’s larger and more developed markets.
Toll roads, everyday needs offer ‘true’ inflation hedge
The near $1 billion Martin Currie Real Income Fund has been preparing for an outbreak of inflation since 2021, according to Ashton Reid, Portfolio Manager of the domestically focused strategy.
Stability, simplification, abolition of Safe Harbour, FDS proposed
“We are at a critical crossroad, with an aging population, and the “Great Australian Wealth Transfer” at our doorstep” explained Lifespan Financial Planning CEO Eugene Ardino in an open letter to Scott Morrison and Anthony Albanese on the eve of the Federal Election.
First day of new interest-rate environment was a slight downer for Australian share market.
The first day of a new interest-rate environment was a slight downer for the Australian share market, with the benchmark S&P/ASX 200 easing 11.5 points, or 0.2 per cent, to 7304.7 points. The gauge has lost 1.8 per cent this week, to be down 1.9 per cent since the start of the year. The S&P/All […]
Interest rate rise hits Aussie market
The first interest rate hike in Australia in 11-and-a-half years took centre stage on the Australian markets yesterday. The Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA) lifted the cash rate by 25 basis points, or 0.25 percentage points, taking it to 0.35 per cent, and signalled that more rate rises were ahead, as the central bank seeks […]
Don’t believe the inflation hype
From the outset, it is important to highlight that I do not disagree that interest rates should be higher than the current ’emergency’ settings by the Reserve Bank of Australia.
In-house scoring the future of ESG
ESG investing and everything that comes with it have grown in both popularity and importance in recent years.
ASX gains but down for the week, every sector rallies, Kogan tanks, Origin up on energy prices
The domestic market continues to outperform our global peers, with the S&P/ASX200 gaining 1.1 per cent on Friday, but still finishing the week 0.5 per cent lower. Every sector was higher, led by technology and communications which gained 2.2 and 1.9 per cent, and nine of the market’s 11 sectors gained more than 1 per […]
‘Blatant mispricing’ in Aussie bond yields
2022 has been a difficult time for most investors, but for none more so than bond fund managers. The New Year’s resolution of global central banks to (finally) aggressively combat accelerating inflation has seen an incredible surge in bond yields in Australia and around the world. A case in point is the Australian 10 Year […]
Market down on inflation fears, AMP sells to Dexus, Life360 tanks
The local sharemarket followed a weak global lead, falling 0.8 per cent on Wednesday but with the fear spreading to broader sectors of the market. In the opposite to yesterday’s trade, energy and utilities outperformed gaining 1 and 0.6 per cent respectively, with the materials sector also benefitting from a breather on Chinese selling. Whitehaven […]
China lockdowns hit sharemarket, materials, energy slump, EML tanks
News that Beijing was set to follow Shanghai into massive lockdowns to avert the threat of Omicron sent global share markets into a shockwave in this shortened week. The S&P/ASX200 fell another 2.1 per cent with every sector lower, led by the materials and energy sectors which fell 5.1 and 4 per cent respectively. The […]
Did Russia expose ESG?
“I believe that ESG is, at its core, a feel-good scam that is enriching consultants, measurement services and fund managers, while doing closer to nothing for the businesses and investors it claims to help.” All over the world, jaws are dropping at that statement, which could hardly be more incendiary for many people in the […]
Passive flows creating opportunity in ‘less efficient’ global smalls
Global smaller companies, defined broadly as those valued anywhere between $300 million and $5 billion, are offering one of the most compelling valuation opportunities in 20 years, says Simon Wood of Ausbil Investment Management. Speaking at The Inside Network’s leading Equities and Growth Assets forum this month, Wood highlighted the unique opportunity set and its […]
Volatility supports ‘reshaping’ of Magellan’s global strategy
Magellan Financial Group (ASX:MFG) has remained in the headlines on a near daily basis, with continued uncertainty around the return of CIO and Founder Hamish Douglass. With outflows in recent months exceeding $20 billion, which is more than most fund managers in Australia hope to manage, naturally the attention has been heavily focused on the […]
Market rally sustained, NZ inflation hits 30 year high, Challenger, Brambles surges on upgrade
It was another positive day for the local sharemarket with retreating bond yields and more positive stock-specific news sending the S&P/ASX200 another 0.3 per cent higher. In a surprising turn, both the materials and technology sectors underperformed, down 2.6 and 1.6 per cent respectively, while the real estate and industrial sectors added over 2 per […]
Smart money caught out on Russia exposure
Industry-leading finance data and research consultancy bfinance this week released the results of its “snap” What are investors thinking now? study and survey. Completed amid the geopolitical and market upheaval in March 2022, the survey of 418 institutional investors across 39 countries offers a real-time insight into what they were concerned about. First and foremost […]
Property tenants are ‘saying one thing and doing another’
“Better lucky than good” explained Max Swango, managing director of Invesco’s Global Real Estate Team when referring to the tailwind that has seen institutional-grade property become one of the most popular asset classes in the world. He wasn’t referring to bond yields, as many thought, but rather the massive shift in investment priorities and allocations […]
Pricing power is the only counter to inflation pressures
‘A thief in the night’ was the title of Stephen Hayes’ session at last weeks’ Equities and Growth Assets Symposium hosted by The Inside Network. Tasked with confronting the most significant and pressing issue facing investors and asset allocators around the world, Hayes managed to summarise it quite simple ‘pricing power’ is what really matters. […]
Where all men think alike, no one thinks very much
“Where all men think alike, no one thinks very much.” – Walter Lippman This quote was the premise of one of Australia’s longest-standing investment managers, Paul Moore, when presenting at the industry-leading Inside Network Equities and Growth Assets Symposium this month. Commenting on the seemingly never-ending and ubiquitous “groupthink” that pervades investment markets, he suggests […]
Market flat as commodities fall, Ramsay’s massive payday, Santos announces buyback
It was a flat day for the local bourse, with the S&P/ASX200 managing to deliver a gain of just four points or 0.05 per cent as the dualling pull of falling commodity prices and a surge in healthcare offset each other. The materials sector was down 1.5 per cent and energy 0.6, with every other […]
Market rallies despite rate hike discussion, City Chic tanks, AMP nearing sale
The shortened week has begun positively with the S&P/ASX200 gaining 0.6 per cent despite lower-than-normal volumes. The release of the RBA’s policy meeting minutes dominated the conversation with commentary around the proximity of rate hikes now suggesting they will come sooner rather than later. The result was the perceived ‘inflation hedges’ within the market outperforming, […]
FinClear set to launch private market trading platform
Magellan’s investment in fast growing fintech FinClear is becoming more prescient by the day, with the company this week announcing they will shortly be rolling out a share registry dedicated to private companies. In 2021, the group took over third party clearing house Pershing, which took their technology-driven platform to adminstering some $130 billion in […]
Advisers have become ‘overly reliant’ on capital growth to drive returns
“It’s not about forecasting if it is going to rain, one should always carry an umbrella” explained Hugh Selby-Smith when discussing the ‘system challenge’ facing investment advisers as we move deeper into 2022. Speaking at The Inside Network’s Equities and Growth Assets Symposium in Sydney, Selby-Smith delivered a wide-ranging, thought-provoking presentation on the significant challenge […]
Akambo sets a course to the future of advice
One of Australia’s fastest growing wealth management and financial advisory firms, Akambo Financial Group, this week announced a merger with Melbourne-based First Financial, effective immediately. The group will combine to manage more than $3 billion on behalf of a diverse range of clients. It marks one of the most significant deals in the financial services […]
Market falls as yield surge, oil price hit, gold miners shine
It was another weak day for the local market with every major sector falling on Tuesday and dragging the S&P/ASX200 down another 0.4 per cent. The primary driver remains the oil price, which fell by 4 per cent, and the surging bond yields impacting valuations. This trend has benefitted the gold mining sector which contributed […]
Market reverses early gains, bond yield hits 3 per cent, GrainCorp jumps
It was another volatile day for the S&P/ASX200, with the market trading significantly higher before reversing gains to finish up just 0.1 per cent. The market and individual sectors continue to diverge on a daily basis as the pressure of the 10-year Australian government bond yield impacts valuations very differently. The financial and banking sector […]
Global economy in the middle of a ‘classic slowdown’: BCA
To understand where the global economy stands today, we must look to the past and most importantly back to the business cycle, explained Irene Tunkel, Chief US Equity Strategist at BCA Research. Speaking at The Inside Network’s Equities and Growth Assets Symposium last week, Tunkel highlighted the unique challenges facing every investor in the world. […]
The biggest contribution changes in a decade
Both houses of Parliament quietly passed what may well be the biggest changes to super contribution rules in a decade. With the Treasury Laws Amendment Bill just only awaiting Royal Assent, 2022 will see retirees and soon to be retirees provided with significantly greater flexibility in putting additional cash into superannuation. The most important and […]
Market weakens as unwind looms, Platinum hits record low, GrainCorp surge continues
A strong rally to close out the week, with the S&P/ASX200 finishing 0.5 per cent higher, wasn’t enough to offset downward pressure during the week, with the market ultimately losing 0.2 per cent. Performance was varied on Friday, with materials and industrials both outperforming, gaining 1.3 and 0.9 per cent amid surging commodity prices and […]
Tech pushes market lower, Magellan jumps despite outflows, defensives the standout
The threat of quantitative tightening extended to Australia on Thursday, with the S&P/ASX200 being dragged down another 0.6 per cent almost solely due to the technology sector. Just three sectors finished higher during the session, being perceived defensive companies in the utilities and staples sector, with the technology sector falling another 3.4 per cent. The […]
Australian Ethical to bulk up with potential fund merger
Leading responsible and sustainable investment manager Australian Ethical (ASX:AEF) this week announced their intention to merge with industry fund Christian Super. If completed, the combined entity would manage some $9 billion and serve around 100,000 members across the country. Christian Super, and similar religious-leaning super funds were some of the earliest adopters of the ESG […]
Why higher rates don’t have to mean the end of fixed income
There has been a saying in markets for the last few years that fixed-income investments, favoured for their guaranteed returns and correlation benefits, have actually become “fixed-loss.” The driving factor was the threat (and now, realisation) that bond yields and cash rates were set to turn higher, reversing a four-decade tailwind. Naturally, these types of […]
RBA ‘losing patience’, market pulls back from all-time high, iron ore surge
Tuesday was a similarly strong day for the Australian market, with the S&P/ASX200 moving within 1 per cent of an all-time high; despite the incredibly difficult geopolitical backdrop. That was until the Reserve Bank of Australia delivered its latest board meeting result and associated explanation. Whilst rates remained on hold at 0.1 per cent, analysts […]
Fund manager merger, commodity rally stokes market, China turning the corner
April has begun just as March finished, with the domestic market rallying on what was generally stock-specific news. The S&P/ASX200 gained 0.3 per cent despite a broad spread of performances, with six sectors higher led by utilities, up 1.1 per cent, whilst tech and materials also rallied 1 per cent; Fortescue (ASX: FMG) was a […]
Why Morningstar is doubling-down on Aussie fundies
The “widow-maker” in the Australian investment context has long referred to those willing or stupid enough to take a short position on the “big four” banks. Being such a huge part of the benchmark and with clear government support, betting against the sector has carried too much career risk for many. But in 2021 and […]
The most important measure of manager performance
The proliferation of data and information has done little to improve the outcomes of self-directed investors. With information on almost any issue and a social media system built to reinforce our own beliefs or views in many cases, making sound investment decisions has never been harder. As an experienced financial adviser, I like to think […]
This is where pension funds are looking to deploy capital
Global investment consultant and support network to the pension fund industry, bfinance, this week released its latest Market Intelligence and Market Trends report, covering the final quarter of 2021. While the world has changed dramatically since the calendar turned over, there are some powerful insights for financial advisers and other asset allocators. According to its […]
Minimum pension reduction offers opportunity for advisers
Among the Federal Budget proposals that received the least fanfare was the extension of the ‘temporary’ relief on the minimum drawdowns for account-based pensions. Whilst the media attention on the legislative change immediately highlights the fact that it benefits the wealth more than the rest, it affords an entire generation of Australians greater flexibility. Few […]
ASX gains for third week, energy weakens, BHP, lithium stocks drive market
The Australian market continues to defy weakening market sentiment, falling less than 0.1 per cent on Friday with the S&P/ASX200 ultimately gaining 1.2 per cent and delivering a third straight week of gains. On Friday, energy and materials came roaring back with BHP (ASX: BHP) the primary contributor, but broad-based gains in lithium stocks also […]
ASX falls to finish the quarter, Tabcorp demerger steps up, surge in job vacancies
The Australian market managed to finish the quarter 0.7 per cent high in price terms, but down just over 1 per cent on an accumulation basis. This was despite the market finishing near its lows on Thursday, down 0.2 per cent. The only positive contributions came from the rare earth and commodities sector with materials […]
Financial advice lessons from Billions
While watching one of the most popular TV series in recent years, Billions, which follows the story of hedge fund billionaires, you wouldn’t necessarily expect to gain business ideas or insights. Perhaps investment ideas given that the characters in the series are known for pushing the limits to generate the maximum return possible, but definitely […]
Is the wind turning against bonds?
“Bonds won’t exist in 10 years,” were the words of Vimal Gor, one of the most well-known and respected fixed income managers in the country. He was announcing his departure from Pendal Group, where he had managed as much as $22 billion in fixed income strategies over a multi-decade career. In recent years, Gor has […]
ASX closes on breakeven, Telstra CEO steps down, lithium, technology surge
In what can only be described as a remarkable turnaround, the domestic sharemarket is closing in on breakeven for 2022, with the S&P/ASX200 gaining another 0.7 per cent on Wednesday. A positive lead from the US and signs of a ceasefire in Ukraine saw every sector barring energy and materials rally, with technology the standout, […]
Market flat despite negative news, bond yields spike, Star CEO steps down
There was little in the way of positive news on Monday, with the market ultimately capitulated to a lack of direction, gaining just six points to start the week. Just four of the 11 sectors finished higher but among them were the markets two biggest, being materials and financials, which gained 1.3 and 0.6 per […]
Are stock markets rejecting venture capital valuations?
Venture capital has been one of the most popular and profitable sectors in which to operate and invest in the last few years. Traditionally, and ultimately still, the primary domain of the ultra-wealthy, pension funds and statutory investors, the sector has delivered returns exceeding 20 per cent a year for many years now. Private equity […]
ASX hits two month high, Premier disappoints, healthcare under pressure
The Australian market remains resilient to the threat of higher energy prices with the S&P/ASX200 gaining another 0.3 per cent to finish the week. The result was driven by a rally in the energy, materials and utilities sectors, which gained 0.9, 1.3 and 1 per cent respectively. Investors are clearly flocking to perceived inflation hedges […]
Crown not fit but retains license, ASX higher on utilities, ANZ’s digital dollar
The local market managed to eke out another small gain on Thursday finishing 0.1 per cent higher powered by the utilities sector which gained 2.6 per cent. The sector is benefitting from growing demand for energy and improving gas prices with Origin (ASX: ORG) a major contributor gaining 3.0 per cent. The energy sector also […]
Why bailing-out could cost your clients their retirement
While global sharemarkets have recovered much of the ground lost due to the Ukraine crisis, US Federal Reserve moves and surging energy costs, there is a general feeling that equities remain on the precipice of a bear market, or at the very least, an extended correction. Whether it is our inherent pessimism towards markets, or […]
The number one expectation of financial advisers in 2022
The number one expectation Australians have of financial advisers in 2022 is quite straightforward, according to the Responsible Investment Association Australasia (RIAA); they must know about responsible investment. That is according to the more than one thousand people interviewed for the latest Values to Riches survey, 64 per cent of which suggested this was a […]
Six common misconceptions about inflation
Inflation has been garnering headlines throughout the world in 2022. Economists, journalists, and investors across the entire asset-class spectrum are all seeking to understand the implications of an inflation rate that has reached multi-decade highs. Yet despite all the headlines, the concept, trends and issues remain poorly understood, that is, according to a recent white […]
Market rally extends, Block hits record, Uniti bidding war
The run of positive days continues to defy expert predictions of market chaos as bond yields increase, with the S&P/ASX200 gaining another 0.5 per cent despite another bump in the 10-year government bond yield. The technology sector tracked the gains of the Nasdaq adding 3.5 per cent as sector leader Block (ASX: SQ2) jumped 7.5 […]
ASX rallies on commodities, Ramsay Asia under offer, Macquarie profit to surge
The Australian sharemarket continues to overcome weak sentiment, gaining 0.9 per cent to take the S&P/ASX200 to a two-month high. The market is set to deliver the largest quarterly outperformance against the US S&P500 in a decade. The biggest contributor was the commodities sector, with materials jumping 3.3 per cent behind a 5.1 per cent […]
Market weakens as Ukraine impasse continues, Block surges, Qube announces buyback
Market weakens as Ukraine impasse continues, Block surges, Qube announces buyback It was looking like another strong day for the market with the S&P/ASX200 trading positively throughout most of the session, but ultimately finishing 0.2 per cent lower. US futures were the primary contributor with a growing impasse in negotiations between Ukraine and Russia blamed […]
ASX surges on Chinese outlook, Ukraine talks, tech rally continues
It was another strong day for the local market with the S&P/ASX200 gaining 1.1 per cent primarily due to a strong global lead. The Chinese Hang Seng continued its strong recovery gaining close to 6 per cent in a single session, further boosting the domestic technology sector which gained 3.6 per cent. Industrials were next best up […]
Market gains on oil price fall, travel stocks jump, Magellan rallies on buyback
The tanking oil price has offered relief to the share market but will likely take some time to spread into the price of fuel, with the S&P/ASX200 gaining 1.1 per cent on Wednesday. The rally was widespread with every sector finishing higher but energy naturally the worst, gaining just 0.2 per cent. Hopes that interest rates will […]
Market weakens on Chinese lockdowns, commodity demand, Uniti jumps on bid
It was another difficult day for the domestic market with the Nasdaq entering a bear market and Chinese technology continuing to selloff putting further pressure on sentiment and the ASX’s position as a ‘risk on’ market. Ultimately the S&P/ASX200 fell another 0.7 per cent on Tuesday with energy and materials the biggest detractors, down 2.9 and 3.7 […]
Financials push market higher, Fed meeting ahead, Gor leaves Pendal
The Australian share market has remained remarkably resilient despite the broadening sanctions against Russia and greater economic implications, with the S&P/ASX200 finishing 1.2 per cent higher on Monday, a public holiday in Melbourne. All eyes were on the financials sector which was the standout, gaining 2.5 per cent behind a rally in ANZ (ASX: ANZ) and Commonwealth Bank (ASX: CBA) shares […]
Russia, Ukraine and the challenge of transparency
Low-cost or “passive” investing has been touted as the biggest innovation in finance for the last several decades. The idea is simple, mastered by the likes of BlackRock and Vanguard: to replicate a major index, like the S&P500 or S&P/ASX200, and offer this to investors in a simple investment vehicle at the lowest cost possible. […]
ASX surges on energy weakness, travel sector bounces, Sydney cash delivered
It was another strong day for the S&P/ASX200 (ASX: XJO) with the market looking through challenging headlines and volatility towards what will otherwise be a resurgent economy. The market finished 1.1 per cent higher with 6 of the eleven sectors gaining more than 2 per cent. Technology and property were the standouts, gaining 3.3 and 2.5 per […]
Market rallies despite volatile backdrop, technology outperforms, Origin buyback
The S&P/ASX200 (ASX: XJO) has delivered another positive day despite the incredibly negative backdrop with issues ranging from inflation to commodity price uncertainty and the Ukraine invasion. The market finished 1 per cent higher with the technology and communication sectors central to the performance, up 3.2 and 2.4 per cent respectively. The highlights of today were mainly […]
Market weakens, defensive stocks outperform, Nickel up 100 per cent in two days
The selling pressure continued on Wednesday with the S&P/ASX200 falling 0.8 per cent as uncertainty around the world continues to grow. Recent winners in energy and materials led the selloff down 3.6 and 3.3 per cent respectively with BHP (ASX: BHP) and Rio Tinto (ASX: RIO) among the hardest hit, falling 3.7 and 4.3 per cent. Among the strangest moves in recent […]
ASX down as oil nears US$140, AUD rallies, ‘pens down’ on AGL bid
The trends of the last two weeks look to set to accelerate for the rest of March with the S&P/ASX200 following the lead of US futures to fall another 1 per cent to open the week. As has been the case since the invasion of Ukraine began, the energy sector remains the biggest beneficiary gaining 5.3 per cent with Woodside (ASX: […]
Market sinks on ‘nuclear’ concerns, iron ore rally continues
News that the Russian invasion of Ukraine had resulted in a fire at one of the country’s many nuclear reactors sent shockwaves through global markets, with Fukushima returning to front of mind. Shares in Paladin (ASX: PDN) bore the brunt, falling 14 per cent but trading as much as 25 per cent lower, as investors once again […]
ASX continues strength on commodity surge, dividend payments drag, bond yields jump
The Government bond market is now experiencing more volatility than the equity market, with the Australian 10-year yield increasing 10 basis points today, whilst the S&P/ASX200 gained 0.5 per cent once again. Just four of the 11 key sectors were lower, led by Consumer Staples, which fell 2.3 per cent, primarily due to Coles (ASX: COL) moving to ex-dividend and […]
Commodities, State of the Union ballast volatile markets, tale of three themes
President Biden delivered his annual State of the Union address during the session, with strong commentary around Ukraine and targeted investment into domestic manufacturing capacity supporting US futures and ultimately pushing the S&P/ASX200 up another 0.3 per cent. Despite the positive day, seven of the 11 major sectors were down with cyclical companies in the property and the […]
Tech powers market higher, quality in focus, Zip raises $148 million
The Australian share market continued the post-invasion recovery, with the S&P/ASX200 gaining 0.7 per cent to begin the month of March; this comes after finishing February just 1.1 per cent higher. The technology sector was the biggest contributor with Block (ASX: SQ2) gaining 12.7 per cent, sending the sector 5.7 per cent higher despite a 6 per cent fall in […]
ASX grinds out another gain, materials surge on supply uncertainty, Zip buys Sezzle
Rumours that Russia and Ukraine were being encouraged to come to the table for peace discussions supported the market on Monday, with the S&P/ASX200 gaining 0.7 per cent. Mining, materials and energy remain the biggest contributors as the conflict raises questions around supply chains, with the former adding 3.0 per cent and the latter 1.4 per cent. […]
Insignia and the $9 trillion tailwind
Insignia Financial (ASX:IFL), previously known as IOOF, delivered a solid profit result last week, reporting a 79 per cent increase, hitting $117.9 million for the half. The company remains a rare, outside of the industry fund sector, vertically integrated financial services business, with operations spanning platforms, asset management and most importantly financial advice. It has […]
Market steadies as tech surges, Harvey Norman, Kogan report
The Australian sharemarket followed a strong global lead, finishing 0.1 per cent higher taking the weekly loss to just 4.3 per cent despite the war in Ukraine. On Friday, it was the technology sector that outperformed, gaining over 8 per cent, almost entirely due to a 32 per cent surge in Afterpay’s new owner Block (ASX: SQ2) which was a […]
Market falls as Russia enters arm conflict with Ukraine, Cimic surges, Appen tanks
Global sharemarkets were shaken by the inevitable news that Russia had finally attacked various targets in Ukraine, all but declaring war on the nation. Whilst the implications are likely to be localised, the impact on the oil price and its role within the global economy will be felt far and wide. In a positive for […]
Perennial brings institutional nous to solve the defensive income problem
Speak with any financial adviser today, and it’s likely that their biggest investment concern isn’t related to the equity component of their portfolio. After two years of strong markets, most are sitting on strong returns despite the recent uptick in volatility. With the near-consensus view that interest rates are set to move higher sooner rather […]
US, Euro inflation to drop sharply in 2022
Inflation has remained in the headlines through February and will likely continue to do so throughout the remainder of the year. Yet whilst the headlines suggest both inflation and interest rates are heading higher in a straight line, the real world impact is far more nuanced and uncertain. This was the central focus of a […]
Bond yields to decline as rate expectations bubble reverses
Traditional fixed income allocations, whether in the form of corporate or government bonds have been on the nose in 2022 and most of 2021 for that matter. The threat of inflation and associated rate hikes led many to rename the sector as ‘fixed loss’ rather than fixed income. Andrew Canobi, co-Portfolio Manager of the flexible […]
Strong reports overcome Russia concerns, IT, comms send market higher, Woolies cuts dividend
The Australian market overcame increasingly weak global sentiment to post a gain of 0.6 per cent on Wednesday. Whilst the events in Ukraine and associated impacts on the price of energy remain a major concern, another bumper day for reporting season pushed the market higher, with the technology and communication sectors faring best. WiseTech (ASX: WTC) […]
ASX falls as Russia enters Ukraine, Cochlear, Hub 24 jump on upgrades
The unexpected run of earnings and profit surprises in 2021 wasn’t enough to offset geopolitical concerns from Russia, sending the S&P/ASX200 down 1 per cent on Tuesday. The losses remain focused around the higher valued IT and discretionary sectors, which were down 3.2 and 2.7 per cent respectively. Energy has been the biggest beneficiary given Russia’s key […]
US-Russia talks soothe market, Cannon-Brookes in AGL bid, Tyro tanks
The Australian sharemarket looked to be succumbing to overseas weakness on Monday, falling as far as 0.7 per cent before rebounding in the afternoon, to gain 0.2 per cent for the session. On what was a massive day for reporting season all eyes were on Russia, with the US and Russia agreeing to talks in part […]
The challenge of consensus for financial advisers
Most financial advisers have likely been inundated with phone calls in recent weeks as markets took a negative turn following another prosperous year for investors. Loss aversion is one of the most basic human instincts, which makes informed and prudent investing incredibly difficult during periods of change. This natural instinct is perfectly leveraged by the […]
Three-week high for Aussie market, enjoy it while you can
Surges from CSL and BHP powered the Australian sharemarket to a three-week high on Thursday – but the market is likely to struggle today following overnight falls in the US. Australia’s benchmark S&P/ASX 200 Index gained 11.3 points, or 0.2%, to 7296.2, its highest level since January 20. The healthcare sector led the rise, up just under 3%, led by CSL, which saw […]
Earnings help push local market higher
Healthy earnings results from the likes of CSL, Treasury Wine Estates and Pro Medicus helped to push the Australian sharemarket higher on Wednesday, offsetting losses from the major resource stocks as iron ore and oil prices fell. The benchmark S&P/ASX 200 Index gained 78 points, or 1.1%, to 7284.9, following a strong lead from Wall Street on Tuesday night, […]
BHP cash river pours onto market
Tuesday’s market highlight came before the opening, when diversified miner BHP reported a bumper half-year result. Strong commodity prices – in particular, record iron ore and coking (steelmaking) coal prices, and buoyant copper prices – enabled BHP to pay a record interim dividend for the third straight year. Revenue rose by 27%, to US$30.5 billion ($42.7 billion), while underlying […]
Aussie market pushes higher, against trend
The Australian sharemarket pushed higher on Monday, led by the resources stocks, as petroleum producers gained on fears of an imminent Russian invasion of Ukraine and gold miners rose on the back of gold’s traditional role as a safe-haven asset in times of geo-political stress. The S&P/ASX 200 Index rose 26.6 points, or 0.4%, to 7243.9 points, […]
January’s volatility only a “light shower”: Talaria
“Don’t ask yourself if it’s going to rain, ask yourself if you have an umbrella, in case it does,” says Hugh Selby-Smith, co-chief investment officer and head of research at specialist global equity manager Talaria Capital. Drawing on decades of experience, the firm’s January investor update offered both a history lesson and an insight into […]
Market takes backward step, Magellan’s struggles continue
A promising February on the Australian ran into a roadblock on Friday, with the benchmark S&P/ASX 200 Index surrendering 71.2 points on the day, or 1.0 per cent, to 7217.3 points. While that was the biggest loss in more than two weeks, the index was still up 1.4% for the week, in its second straight rising week. Ten […]
Market rides NAB profit, keeps February rise going
After a bruising 6.4% loss in January, the Australian share market is trying to pick up the pieces, with Thursday being its sixth positive session in eight trading days so far in February, and a third straight gain. The benchmark S&P/ASX 200 index gained 20.2 points, or 0.3 per cent, to 7,288, while the broader All Ordinaries also closed about 0.3 per cent […]
Advice firms ‘drowning’ in meetings hitting productivity
Global consulting firm McKinsey recently posed the question “have you ever asked why it is so difficult to get things done in business today – despite seemingly endless meetings and emails?” Apparently Zoom fatigue is a real thing and despite more time being ‘present’ with colleagues, productivity is leaving a lot to be desired. A […]
The burden of outperformance
January fund manager returns are beginning to creep in, and it doesn’t look pretty. The Nasdaq finished as much as 9 per cent lower, with the S&P500 and Dow Jones down more than 5 and 3 per cent respectively. The dispersion of fund manager returns continues to grow, with the worst down as much as […]
ASX rally continues, CBA boosts dividend, Mineral Resources falls
The S&P/ASX200 continued a recent strong run gaining another 1.1% on Wednesday with Commonwealth Bank (ASX: CBA) a key contributor. The financial and technology sector are seeing strong support as earnings season steps up another gear, they gained 2.6 and 4.2% respectively. In an about-face from recent weeks, the energy and material sectors underperformed after BHP (ASX: BHP) fell due to another warning […]
Market recovers ground, Macquarie delivers record quarter, iron ore surge continues
The S&P/ASX200 recovered the ground lost on Monday, increasing 1.1% on Tuesday as the iron ore price showed no signs of slowing down. Having oscillated between a new commodity supercycle and a bear market, a resumption of steel production supported a 2.2% jump in the materials sector and 3.7% for BHP Group (ASX: BHP). Every other sector was higher barring technology, which fell […]
Market recovers during the day, Douglass takes leave, Graincorp upgrade
The S&P/ASX200 managed a solid fightback during the session falling as much as 1% at the open but finishing down just 0.1% for the day. There were only three sectors higher, being energy, materials and technology gaining 1.6, 0.8 and 0.6% respectively, whilst the healthcare and real estate sectors both fell 1.3%. Among the largest drags on the market, today was ANZ Banking Group (ASX: ANZ) […]
‘Hybrid alternatives’ the future for 40/60 portfolio
Leading investment bank JP Morgan recently released its 2022 Global Alternatives Outlook, which seeks to understand the key trends and risks facing investors over the next 12 to 18 months. Since 2020 the “alternative” assets have seen record capital flows, as advisers sought to add further diversification to portfolios and gain access to the advertised […]
No shortage of triggers for the next stock market selloff
Speaking ahead of the Federal Reserve’s much anticipated announcement, Paul O’Connor, head of multi-asset at global manager Janus Henderson, highlights that there are many more risks on the horizon than interest rates alone. In terms of the adjustment that markets are making in light of a potentially higher discount rate, “it is far from obvious […]
The death of the 40/60 is overstated
The 40/60, or balanced, portfolio has seen a growing stream of eulogies as “experts” the world over suggest it is broken. The reason, they surmise, is the diversification-based investment approach relying too much on long-duration assets, and the threat of interest rate hikes seeing bond and equity market correlation move to one. While there are […]
ASX breaks three-week losing streak, REA beats, Boral goes ex-capital return
The S&P/ASX200 looked beyond the sharp selloff in technology stocks overnight to post a 0.6% gain on Friday. The result was broad-based with almost every sector higher, with materials, energy and technology all finishing over 1% in the black. This came despite Meta’s massive selloff in the US session. Boral (ASX: BLD) shares fell 41.8%, representing the amount of the capital return and special […]
ASX falls as tech tanks, Westpac profit flat, Xero, Novonix slump
The S&P/ASX200 fell throughout the day, finishing 0.1% lower with all eyes on the Morningstar Investment Conference. The technology sector carried most of the selling pressure, falling 5.9% in a single session, with utilities and materials the only sectors settling higher. Popular lithium miner Novonix (ASX: NVX) fell close to 15% despite any news on the company, with numerous other technology names not far behind. Xero […]
‘Air pockets’ the risk as earnings season extends
If you only looked at the share prices of global equity managers GQG Partners (ASX:GQG) and Magellan Financial Group (ASX:MFG), you would be forgiven for thinking they were groups heading in very different directions. Yet the annual updates delivered by their high-profile chief investment officers, respectively Rajiv Jain and Hamish Douglass, highlighted a few similarities. […]
Banking on the ‘other side of the market’ amid sell off
Platinum Asset Management’s latest quarterly update makes for difficult reading, with every fund excluding the Japan product underperforming the market over both the last three and 12 months. The story has been almost identical to that of Magellan, with both firms taking a “conservative” approach amid “overvalued” markets. Where Magellan (ASX: MFG) has erred on […]
ASX rallies on strong global lead, Amcor sales slow, ERA’s big clean up
It was another strong day for the S&P/ASX200, overcoming negative sentiment around valuations and inflation to deliver another 1.2% gain. Almost every sector finished higher, with utilities the primary underperformer after Origin Energy (ASX: ORG) dropped 2.6%. The standout was energy once again, gaining 2.8% and materials, which finished 2.0% higher as investors flocked to both construction material providers, Boral (ASX: BLD) […]
Market gains on RBA hold, Boral delivers big capital return, ELMO upgrades
It was another positive day for the market, with the S&P/ASX200 gaining 0.5% after the Reserve Bank confirmed it would be taking no action on rates once again. Concerns about a slowdown in global growth have seen a recovery in the more rate-sensitive sectors of the market with technology and utilities leading the way again, gaining 2.6 and 2.4% respectively. Materials were […]
Market consolidates, Ansell tanks on downgrade, ARB jumps
The S&P/ASX200 wasn’t able to capitalise on the strong finish in the US on Friday, continuing to underperform the world’s largest market falling 0.2%. Financials were the biggest detractor falling 1.8% with the likes of Commonwealth Bank (ASX: CBA) and Macquarie (ASX: MQG) falling 2% each. The rally was squarely in the beaten-down technology and retailing sector, up 3.7 and 1.3% with Zip Co (ASX: […]
Senate inquiry highlights challenge facing advisory market
The Compensation Scheme of Last Resort, or CSLR, has become something of a lightning rod for the finance industry in 2022; and yet we are less than a month into the year. While almost every impacted party agrees on the importance of the new scheme, few can agree on who should pay for it, and […]
“Jury is still out” on China returning to economic leadership
Anyone shopping for basic goods or reading the papers in recent months has likely had more than enough of the “supply chain issues” that many businesses are facing. While many of these are self-inflicted, whether due to our closed borders, the running-down of inventory or a plethora of other issues, they are indeed real. Unfortunately, […]
Australian-first net-zero global equities fund launched
Well-known for its market leading, retiree-focused, franking-credit-driven Australian equity income funds, asset manager Plato Investment Management has gone green. Powered by the same detailed quantitative analysis that has driven tits portfolios since inception, the group this week announced the launch of the Plato Global Net Zero Hedge Fund. The fund will be “managed with a […]
Trees of green, volatility, bond yields fall, market rallies, ResMed reports
Australian investors had some respite on Friday, as volatility disappeared and the S&P/ASX200 gained 2.2% to finish the week. There was little news driving the rebound, aside from perhaps the realisation that whilst rates may rise sooner than expected, they remain fixed near zero. CSL (ASX: CSL) was a major contributor, gaining 3.2% after a difficult week, but it was […]
ASX200 enters correction on Fed rate hike, energy, utilities outperform, Kogan tumbles again
It was an eventful day in global markets, with the US indices initially trading higher after learning that the Federal Reserve were considering increasing the cash rate for the first time in many years in March this year. The market turned quickly, with the selloff in technology accelerating once again. Australia was not immune, with the market […]
Advice tech shakeout predicted for 2022
The last two years have been a near-perfect storm of activity for many financial advisers. The onset of the pandemic placed significant pressure on advisers to respond to client queries at a time of immense stress; many advisers were trying to deal with a flood of new clients as industry numbers dwindled and the big […]
‘Optimism and opportunity’ for Aussie equities in 2022
“Optimism and opportunity” are the best way to describe the outlook for the Australian equity market in 2022 according to Reece Birtles, of Martin Currie. In his role as chief investment oficer, reading the broader themes is as important as assessing the underlying portfolio companies. As the headlines in the financial press remain fixated on […]
Momentum trade sees market at ‘extremes’
While all eyes remain focused squarely on whether inflation is “transitory” or not, “persistent” is the adjective that value manager Allan Gray uses to describe the position of the equity market. Speaking in its monthly update, the firm’s Australian managing director and chief investment officer Simon Mawhinney flagged the “exuberance for some stocks and disdain […]
Red everywhere, inflation data sends market lower, momentum stocks hardest hit
The S&P/ASX200 opened the day reasonably well despite growing negativity in the markets ahead of the Federal Reserve’s impending rate decision. But the release of Australian CPI data reversed that trend with the market trading more than 3 per cent lower but ultimately finished 2.5 per cent or 180 points down. At this point, it is important to keep the […]
Market defies selling pressure, Uniti on the market, Adairs slumps
A spate of headlines over the week naturally put pressure on the S&P/ASX200 today, with the index falling 1% at the open but finding support throughout the day to finish down just 0.5%. It was quite a negative day, with the technology, utilities and materials sectors taking the biggest hit, in many cases due to company-specific results. The winners […]
Markets in ‘thrall of the Fed’, overly hawkish on rates
“Learning to live with COVID will be the major theme of 2022,” according to Ken Leech, chief investment officer of leading fixed income manager Western Asset. But not necessarily in the way we think. As the Omicron variant ravages Australia and other parts of the developed world, Leech highlights continuing travel restrictions and lower vaccination […]
Advisers ‘spoiled for choice’ with alternative assets, correlation key
If we are truly honest about the state of the Australian investment industry when it comes to alternatives, we were very much a backwater for many years. That is, at least, at the mass market, retail, or wholesale level. For many years, the best alternative assets advisers could access were the so-called “black boxes” of […]
Funds flows favour the brave; what they say about 2022
Australian investors ploughed as much as three times more money into equity-focused managed funds in 2021 than they did in 2020. Being the preferred source of investment vehicle for the majority of financial advisory groups and investment platforms, it provides a unique indicator into the sentiment within the advisory market. According to global funds researcher […]
ASX suffers worst week since 2020, every sector down, Nuix, Whitehaven report
The S&P/ASX 200 suffered its worst week since 2020, finishing Friday 2.3% lower and losing 2.9% over the last five days. On Friday, every single sector on the market was lower, in fact just 12 companies in the top 200 managed a positive return, Boral Ltd (ASX: BLD) being one of them, gaining 2.1%. Whilst the threat of higher interest rates […]
ASX holds ground, gold miners surge, unemployment dips
The S&P/ASX200 (ASX: XJO) managed a small gain, finishing 0.1 per cent higher despite 7 out of the eleven sectors finishing underwater today. The highlight of the session was the materials sector, which gained 3.1 per cent behind a massive surge in gold miners. The biggest detractor was the communications sector with the likes of Seek (ASX: SEK) and TPG Telecom (ASX: TPG) falling by more than […]
Professional investors turning to illiquidity and alternatives in search of returns
Leading investment consultancy bFinance this week released its Insurer Investment Survey, which seeks to understand the investment intentions of the holders of about US$5 trillion ($6.9 trillion) in global capital. With insurance statutory funds among the most powerful investors in the world, the survey provided unique insights into their intentions and strategy. Running a profitable […]
Dixon Advisory files for voluntary administration
On Wednesday, Dixon Advisory & Superannuation Services, the division of ASX-listed E&P Financial Group (ASX:EP1) that was focused on delivering financial advice to high-net-worth clients for several decades, filed for voluntary administration. This marks the beginning of the end for what initially appeared to be an Australian success story. According to the ASX announcement, administrators […]
Investor’s risk making the ‘cardinal sin of investing’ – Howard Marks
It shouldn’t take one of the most successful self-made hedge fund billionaires to remind us, but the warning may well be timely. In Howard Marks’ latest missive, titled ‘Selling Out’, the author highlights the biggest mistake or ‘cardinal sin’ of investing. That being to ‘sell out’ of otherwise quality assets on little more than a […]
ASX down 1%, Megaport falls as tech weakness continues, Dixon in administration
The S&P/ASX200 couldn’t overcome another negative lead from the US, with bond rates and reporting season driving the market again. Only two of the markets 11 sectors posted a positive result, with technology continuing its selloff falling 2.6% and the healthcare sector, down 1.6% also underperforming. Once again, energy remains the highlight as oil moved towards multi-year highs with the likes of Origin (ASX: ORG) benefitting […]
JB HiFi shines on down day, materials real estate gain, Ampol profit jumps
The S&P/ASX200 finished 0.1% lower as consumer confidence dropped over 7% to the lowest point since the vaccination announcement in November 2020. The market remains mixed with cyclical sectors including energy and materials, up 0.2 and 0.6% respectively, whilst the more defensive healthcare sector underperformed, falling 1.2%. All eyes were on the retail sector, however, with JB HiFi (ASX: JBH) jumping 6.9% and overcoming […]
Energy, retailers push market higher, good news for AdBri, Wesfarmers trading update
Energy, retailers push market higher, good news for AdBri, Wesfarmers trading update The S&P/ASX200 managed to start the week on a relatively strong footing with corporates awakening from their slumber to deliver some first half updates. The energy and retailing sectors were the highlights on Monday, gaining 1.4 and 2.2% respectively. The biggest influence on the market was Wesfarmers (ASX: WES) […]
Tech weightings the key driver of factor performance in 2021
The simplest trade may well have been the most profitable since the pandemic began. Backing big tech, the FANGs, or even the S&P500 in which they are more dominant than ever, has been a sure-fire way to deliver the strongest returns in decades to investors in balanced portfolios. But just how important have they been, […]
Ringing the bell for low returns
The US sharemarket has compounded returns exceeding 18 per cent per year since the depths of the Global Financial Crisis. Despite the all-too-consistent prognostications in nearly every year since, that the market has become over-valued, investors have clearly been rewarded for taking risk. Has this performance been driven solely by central bank policy, as many […]
Is Bitcoin’s correction a precursor for the market?
One of the most powerful, and potentially long-standing, impacts of the pandemic was the so-called democratisation of investing. With over a billion people stuck at home, many of whom were in secure work, or alternatively the beneficiaries of the largest stimulus package in history, a large portion turned to investing to fill the time. At […]
ASX closes up 0.11%, Afterpay share price plummets
Rates send markets lower, Magellan loses ‘material’ client, gold miners shine The local market benefitted from a strong overseas lead but managed to deliver a gain of just 0.1 per cent on Friday. The technology sector continues to be the largest drag, falling 3.9 per cent for the day and 4.5 per cent for the week, with energy […]
ASX finishes down 0.4 per cent as CSL drags
Market weaker despite positive lead, unemployment falls, CSL down on acquisition The S&P/ASX200 (ASX: XJO) didn’t follow global markets higher, finishing down 0.4 per cent as CSL (ASX: CSL) dragged both the healthcare sector, down 5.1 per cent and the market lower. The reason was the completion of their capital raising at an 8 per […]
Forward looking measures to drive ESG says Perennial
The suggestion that investing in a more responsible or sustainable manner detracts, rather than adds to returns has now been debunked, with research proving the gap no longer exists. This message is central to Damian Cottier, Portfolio Manager of the Perennial Better Future Trust, and his mission to deliver strong returns whilst contributing to a […]
The year that was; our most-read articles
Given the seeming obsession with the impending inflation outbreak in Australia, and around the world for that matter, one could be excused for thinking this would be among the most-read articles for the year. In fact, it was quite the opposite, with our readership of Australia’s leading financial advisers looking for positivity, not fear. Big-name […]
Subtle shifts highlight the new paradigm for fixed-income investors
A quiet announcement from one of Australia’s leading industry/union super funds at the beginning of December piqued my interest. The announcement came amid a busy week for investment announcements, with nearly every investor offering up an outlook statement. But this one was much more straightforward and delivered without any fanfare. It was the decision by […]
Labor to scrap FASEA education requirement
“An Albanese Labor government will properly recognise your experience,” were the words of Labor spokesman Stephen Jones this week when presenting at the Independently Owned Financial Advisers in Australia (AIOFP) conference. The AIOFP has been among the staunchest critics of the massive increase in compliance and regulatory requirements being placed onto the sector, so it […]
As adviser numbers dwindle, pressure turns to industry funds
As the FASEA exam deadline of 1 January 2022 nears, the significant impacts on the financial advice industry continue to garner headlines. According to reports, total adviser numbers have now fallen to below 19,000 with many more set to leave in 2022. Similarly, statistics suggest there are as many as 2 million unadvised clients in […]
ESG question answered: ‘green’ super funds outperform
The Responsible Investment Association of Australasia delivered an early Christmas present for ESG investors and trustees alike, confirming the long-debated question as to whether ‘green’ or ‘responsible’ super funds outperform. The answer was a resounding yes for those funds that are categorised as leaders according to the RIAA’s extensive survey and due diligence process. The […]
ALRC seeks to reduce ‘undue complexity’ in financial services laws
“Undue complexity”. “Byzantine complexity”. “Elephantine proportions”. These are just a few of the superlatives used to describe one of Australia’s most important pieces of legislation, the Corporations Act 2001. The legislation turned 20 years old this year and whilst it has played an important role in simplifying the financial services landscape, few would disagree with […]
Lessons from the short side
There has long been a saying in Australian investment circles that shorting the Big Four banks was the “widow maker”. The same could be said for a short selling strategy in general during what has been a near decade long bull market. It takes a different kind of mindset to launch a short selling strategy […]
As Omicron shakes the market, was Hamish Douglass right?
Magellan Financial Group (ASX:MFG) and its founder Hamish Douglass have been a lightning rod for investors, analysts and the media in recent months. After over a decade of outperformance, Magellan’s flagship global fund came back to earth, with Douglass’ unwillingness to chase returns in ‘value’ stocks seeing the fund underperform. Combine that with the decision […]
Optimism will always win in the digital economy
Financial advisers can’t be faulted for feeling pessimistic about the future as another year comes to an end. The last few years have seen the advisery world turned upside down, with those who remain paying for the sins of others. But regulation is only one part of the story, as their primary role providing strategic […]
Factors come to the fore amid volatility
The COVID-19 pandemic and associated market sell-off became an unexpected testing ground for many of the more recent advancements in financial markets and investing. One growth area that has passed with flying colours, according to its predominantly institutional proponents, is factor investing. Defined as an investment approach that seeks to target specific drivers of returns […]
Industry fund transparency push to level the playing field
There was both despair and positivity when the much-anticipated changes to the transparency of industry super fund proposals was released recently. Both 2020 and 2021 have seen growing pressure on the industry fund sector from the Coalition government and a number of committees as they sought to lift the lid on the massive part of […]
Leading ethical manager backs Nuix, adds water exposure
Australia’s longest standing responsible investment manager, Australian Ethical, has continued to sustain the top quartile performance of their Australian equity strategies, with a surge in assets under management seemingly having little influence on their returns. In their latest quarterly update, the group highlighted the events of COP26, but with a broader focus suggesting the conference […]
‘Persistent inflation and rising volatility ahead’ – Franklin’s Desai
“To work, or not to work” was the title of Franklin Templeton’s Chief Investment Officer of Fixed Income, Sonal Desai’s latest white paper. The detailed analysis on the US labour market offers insights into the future that lies ahead for Australia but also into the unique and difficult conditions the world is in as we […]
The only prices that matter for investors
If you are an avid reader of the daily financial press, you could be forgiven for thinking that inflation is here to stay and that its time to stock-up on gold, inflation-linked bonds and cash to protect yourself. Such is the fervour of the inflation debate that headlines are now calling-out central banks to raise […]
Inaugural Impact report offers roadmap for greater adoption
Investment markets have a reputation for being ultra-competitive, with the concept of a zero-sum game meaning one investor’s loss is another’s gain. Yet in the fast growing “impact” investment sector, it appears the opposite is true, with managers seemingly revelling in the success of others. This was likely among the reasons behind the release of […]
Is the property boom already over?
“House prices could fall 20 per cent” read the headlines last week. Chris Joye, the founder of fixed-income manager Coolabah Capital, wasn’t seeking headlines, but rather being realistic in his latest piece. Having kept track of the entire cohort of mainstream economists for several years now, Joye continues to stand out as being the most […]
Emerging market surprises are nothing new: Martin Currie
Reflecting on a decade of investing in emerging markets, specialist asset manager Martin Currie succinctly summarised its experience by highlighting that “surprises are nothing new.” Such has been the rapid rate of change in the expansive world of less-developed economies that things rarely turn out as expected, but also, and arguably most importantly, the worst […]
TRINAAA and why it’s time to focus on risk
TRINAAA: ‘There really is no alternative at all’. What began as TINA, or “there is no alternative,” has expanded into TRINAAA. The term was coined to describe the unique situation in which investors from all around the world find themselves, as bond yields and fixed-income returns moved to zero, forcing risk-taking upon even the most […]
Munro doubles down on climate as search for ‘structural growers’ expands
Sustained strong performance has not caused complacency at global equity manager Munro Partners, which this week announced the launch of a new ‘climate’ dedicated equity strategy. After successfully navigating the taper tantrum, Trump election and the pandemic, CIO Nick Griffin has identified what Munro believes is a $30 trillion opportunity, and split its Climate “area […]
Net-zero knowledge gap no barrier to investment
What do investors really want? This is the question asked by Ninety One, an Anglo-South African asset management firm in its latest Planetary Pulse survey. The survey spoke with more than 6,000 individual investors across ten countries including the UK, Germany, Singapore and the US, to understand their views on the pressure of Net Zero […]
Pressure on advisers to sharpen crypto knowledge
Coalition Senator Andrew Bragg may have become a hero to digital asset and cryptocurrency enthusiasts in Australia and around the world. The release last week of the Senate Select Committee on Australia as a Technology and Financial Centre’s Final Report flagged a number of recommendations that will further the legitimacy of the burgeoning sector. The […]
Inflation misdirection: why tapering won’t stop the bull market
‘Inflation risk is real’. ‘Federal Reserve turns hawkish’. ‘Tapering to begin in November’. These were the headlines that followed Federal Open Market Committee (FOMC) member Randal Quarles’ speech at a conference last week. Yet the headlines once again highlight the risk of confirmation bias that afflicts even the most objective, professional investors. While the headlines […]
‘Buy the dip’ sees record ETF inflows
Australia’s exchange-traded fund sector continued its stellar recent run, with record inflows of $2.9 billion in September 2021. Issuer BetaShares’ Australian ETF review report shows a sector of the market in strong health despite increasing volatility. Record inflows were just enough to see assets under management increase, albeit only slightly, for the month, but posted […]
Markets to grind ‘lower and lower’ amid paradigm shift
“We haven’t seen a secular bear market for nearly 40 years,” said Johnathan Ruffer, chairman of UK-based multi-asset manager Ruffer, in the firm’s third-quarter update. The outspoken contrarian delivered something of a warning for the cohort of “clever” economists, political journalists and hedge fund managers who think they can understand what is going on in […]
Investing in a world where ‘money is free’
Both Magellan (ASX:MFG) and Platinum Asset Management (ASX:PTM) have been gaining plenty of unwanted attention lately. Both their hallmark strategies are suffering from periods of underperformance, the former due to a lack of cyclical exposure, and the latter an ingrained value focus. It is somewhat interesting therefore that both are banking on China as being […]
Don’t get seduced by yesterday’s returns, says Douglass
“Money makes money. And the money that money makes, makes money” – Benjamin Franklin To many, this quote likely stands out as being one of the most capitalist comments that could be made. But the quote refers not to greed, but rather to the benefits of compounding returns. Franklin’s line has been encapsulated in the […]
Tech sell-off an opportunity, not a threat
It didn’t take long to see headlines about another technology sector sell-off feed through the market. It seems like a monthly occurrence that the threat of higher bond yields sends the technology sector into free fall. The most common explanation any time that bond rates increase, and the tech-dominated Nasdaq or S&P500 fall, is that […]
Recency bias in a world of meme stocks
One of the most important roles of a financial adviser is to assist investors in navigating their own ‘behavioural biases.’ The world of behavioural finance was little known until a few years ago, before being made famous by The Undoing Project, Michael Lewis’ biography of Daniel Kahneman and Amos Tversky, two of the founding fathers […]
Emerging markets on ‘cutting edge of global trends’
Emerging markets, but primarily China, have garnered the majority of headlines in recent weeks. Whether it was the implications of Australia’s submarine deal with the US, the impending collapse of Chinese property development giant Evergrande, or the regulatory ‘crackdowns’, sentiment towards investing in the region has rarely been worse. Despite the laundry list of issues, […]
Why Blackrock is bullish on China
Listening to a podcast this week, it was eye-opening to hear an alternate view to the current simplistic views being espoused about markets being ‘overvalued’ or in ‘bubble’ territory. The point made on the popular Animal Spirits podcast was that the paradigm of markets has changed in the last few decades. Those who invested through […]
Advisers can capitalise on YFYS
Whether we like it or not, the industry super fund sector has been one of the biggest competitors to financial advisers supporting retail clients. The combination of significant marketing budgets, strong headline returns and a near-clean-sheet through the Royal Commission has made the industry funds synonymous with superannuation in Australia. I have little doubt that […]
It’s communication, not performance, that is the key to success in advice
One of the more interesting learnings from the pandemic so far has been the varying methods of communication used by political, media and industry leaders alike. What becomes even clearer, listening to far too many press conferences, is how important it is to use words that resonate with your audience. Nowhere is this fact more […]
Profiting from old economy companies
The Firetrail Absolute Return strategy has experienced a difficult few months after an extended period of outperformance. The long-short strategy, which seeks to balance its long and short positions to remove the so-called ‘market risk,’ had seen a number of stock-specific issues dragging performance lower before staging a recovery in August and September. Portfolio manager […]
The devil is in the detail
BHP has been the most talked-about company in recent weeks, for both good and bad reasons. Investors had first to digest the massive merger deal with Woodside Petroleum (ASX: WPL). Then it was the the decision to delist from the London Stock Exchange dual-listing and bring the listing home to the ASX. The highlight, no […]
‘Look through the macro’ and focus on the company
“Look through the macro” were the words used by portfolio manager Adam Chandler in a recent update on Claremont Global’s high-conviction global equity strategy. In a recent update delivered after the stellar US reporting season the group stressed the importance of “organic” rather than headline growth in its approach. Having invested through the crises in […]
Responsible AUM grows 30 per cent, leaving market behind
As covered in Ishan Dan’s article here, the Responsible Investment Association of Australia (RIAA)recently released their Benchmark Report for 2021. It is somewhat of a temperature check on the investment management industry with the RIAA increasingly standing out as the leader in responsible investment accreditation and assessment. According to the Australian Bureau of Statistics some […]
Fighting the bull
The environment has seemingly never been better for investors. After an incredible collapse in 2020 sharemarkets have staged a remarkable comeback, with the likes of the Nasdaq Composite Index near-doubling from their lowest 2020 levels. Buoyed by monetary policy, excess savings and in many cases, investors stuck at home with little else to do but […]
Getting too close to the fire
Sharemarkets, excluding dividends, are now as much as 70 per cent higher than their March 2020 bottoms. Overseas the recovery has been even stronger, with the Nasdaq Composite Index having doubled over the same period, and the S&P 500 having delivered over 50 record closes already this year. Complacency is now kicking in, according to […]
Iron ore – just the beginning, or beginning of the end?
“Iron ore remains a commodity that polarises the market” according to Ausbil’s local investment team. Among the stable of strategies is the Ausbil Global Resources Fund which, as the name suggests, must have a strong view on almost every major commodity. 2021 has been dominated by talk of another commodity super cycle. Buoyed by massive […]
In a world flush with debt, look to Japan says Schroders
After being a dirty word for close to a decade, ‘value’ investing has been back in vogue, for a few months at least anyway. Spurred on by the approval of COVID-19 vaccines in late 2020 the ‘recovery’ trade which involved increasing exposure to cyclical sectors like energy and banks has paid off in the short-term […]
Charter Hall’s ‘custodian’ approach pays off
You could be forgiven for thinking 2020 was a difficult year for property investors. The onset of the pandemic impacting all asset classes in unforeseen ways, no more so than property. As we have seen in other asset classes, there is still little certainty in what lies ahead beyond lockdowns, social distancing and the reopening […]
Could politicising super depoliticise it?
Coalition Senator Andrew Bragg has been outspoken in his concerns about the growing power of the industry (or union) superannuation sector. Between himself and fellow Coalition member Tim Wilson MP, they are singlehandedly putting the blowtorch on a sector that avoided the worst of the Royal Commission. In a paper this week titled Competition for […]
Liquid alts – Building a pandemic proof portfolio
The 2010s was somewhat of a torrid time for the hedge fund sector, as the pressure for lower costs and more transparency collided with a period of weaker returns. Institutional research consultant bfinance this week published a white paper, titled “How to build a hedge fund portfolio,” that offers some unique institutional insights for the […]
Dealing with design and distribution obligations
It’s a wonder that financial advisers have much time to actually provide advice to their clients in 2021. Following a whirlwind of regulatory changes, education requirements, platform outages and increased reporting, more time than ever is being spent on compliance. The latest in the string of regulatory changes is the “Design and Distribution Obligations,” or […]
Attention advisers: Stop undercharging
Listening into a webinar this week, there was an extensive discussion about the fact that very few, if any, financial advisers in the industry are pricing their clients appropriately. The theme of the discussion may well be right; however, the fact that it was delivered by a number of ‘experts’ who were unlikely to have […]
Eight ways to win more HNW clients
High-net-worth (HNW) investors are the holy grail for any competent financial adviser. These are typically educated, experienced professionals and business owners who are seeking to establish long-term relationships and trust the adviser as an expert. Naturally, attracting these clients to your firm consistently is highly competitive and extremely difficult. As is typically the case, despite […]
Pandemic exposes folly of macro
It has been a difficult few years, or perhaps decades, for forecasters of all kinds. Whether it was election polling that failed to predict both Trump’s and Morrison’s stunning wins, or the UK’s Brexit; spiralling coronavirus case numbers; or those calling for massive property market and economic pain throughout 2020, the end result was the […]
Advice in the age of free trading
“If something is free, you are the product” This quote attributed to sculptor Richard Serra in 1973 was well ahead of its time, but offers a unique insight into the evolution of financial markets in the 2020’s. Just last week we witnessed the initial public offering of Robinhood Markets, a platform made popular for ‘zero […]
Separating good stock picking from momentum
Hindsight is a wonderful thing. Looking back at the events of the last 18 months, it becomes abundantly clear what actions both investment advisers and fund managers should have taken, yet this offers little in the way of insights into the future. As it stands today, almost every active fund managers should have delivered 20%+ […]
Who will repay the debt?
Despite a brief moment in the sun during the depths of the pandemic, Modern Monetary Theory or MMT, somewhat disappointingly remains on the fringes of economic and financial market analysis. Mainstream economists, but particularly politicians from both ends of the spectrum, continue to stoke fear of ballooning government debt, and flag inflationary concerns that simply […]
Outlook for global growth shares ‘better than ever’
Munro Partners and its chief investment officer, Nick Griffin, seem to have a unique ability to look beyond the day-to-day noise that occurs in financial markets and frame the opportunity for global growth equities in seemingly simple terms. Since starting from scratch at $0 in assets in 2016 the group recently surpassed $1 billion in […]
Recalibrating the ‘s&it’ filter for the digital age
It is an all-too-common occurrence these days that a financial adviser meets a prospective client following a significant inheritance, divorce or in the worst-case death of a partner, with the surviving party having little in the way of financial let alone investment experience. The sheer strength of asset markets in recent years is that almost […]
Rethink needed in the pursuit of retirement income
Leading equity manager Martin Currie has suggested the superannuation, advice and wealth management industry may have it all wrong, in its new research piece titled ‘Investing for a sufficient retirement income’. In the paper, chief investment officer Reece Birtles advocates for a “rethink” of the traditional risk-return-dominated approach to portfolio construction, suggesting a “sufficient income […]
Pandemic hindsight reiterates the value of advice
Global asset manager Natixis Investment Managers recently released their latest Global Investor Survey. Undertaken with the support of CoreData Research, the ‘pulse check’ of global markets surveyed some 8,550 individual investors from around the world, 400 of which were located in Australia. Titled ‘The next normal’ the report asks the important question of whether investors […]
Looking for exposure to the booming semi-conductor sector?
Not a day goes by that we don’t hear about the massive semiconductor shortage created by the pandemic. Supply chains around the world which span Europe, Asia the US and most importantly Taiwan are struggling to come to terms with a massive surge in demand for computer chips at a time when the ramp up […]
Is a commodity super cycle possible in a greening economy?
Leading investment bank JP Morgan this month released an article titled “Are commodities still a good inflation hedge amid decarbonization?” The piece, penned by Kerry Craig, Ian Hui and Gareth Lam, offers a detailed analysis of what may be one of the most popular ‘reflation’ trades occurring at the present time. One would struggle to […]
The missing piece behind a dovish central bank policy
Christopher Joye and his growing team at Coolabah Capital regularly stand out among the smartest minds in the industry. Whether analyzing the topic of credit spreads in bond markets or COVID-19 infection rates, they have shown an innate ability to look beyond headline data and connect the dots with what is occurring in the real […]
SMSFs back in vogue as investors seek control
This week saw the release of the Australian Taxation Office’s (ATO’s) latest quarterly data on the self-managed super fund (SMSF) sector. The information provides a unique insight into what has been a sector under pressure for many years now, as both regulators and industry fund alternatives fine-tuned their focus. The takeaway from the latest publicly […]
Where this top performing small cap manager is looking now
2020 and much of 2021 have been fertile hunting grounds for smaller-company investors in Australia. So much so, that the last 12 months has seen an influx of new managers raising money to invest in pre-IPO, IPO, and other fast-growing small-cap sectors. Firetrail’s Australian Smaller Companies Fund, while launched in February 2020, is no Johnny-come-lately. […]
The ten most important action points for SMSF trustees
The end of the financial year is closing in fast after what has been a tumultuous period for many in Australia. Despite a reasonably uneventful year for superannuation legislation and policy changes, opportunities abound for superannuants and investors of all kinds. One of the most important roles of a financial adviser is to prompt and […]
Minimum pension reductions extended until 2022
Prime Minister Scott Morrison took the opportunity at this week’s Liberal Party meeting to confirm that the minimum pension drawdown standards would be reduced for another financial year. The so-called COVID-19 measures were set to apply for the 2019-20 and 2020-21 financial years in light of the financial losses experienced by investors during the pandemic. […]
“That was probably a mistake”
Warren Buffett is the first to admit that active investors can’t get it right every time, doing so once again at the Berkshire Hathaway (NYSE: BRK.A) annual shareholders meeting last week. The quotes of Buffett are an enigma in themselves, with the man himself suggesting investors adopt an indexed approach, but being among the most […]
‘To finish first, you must first finish’ – Douglass flags valuation concerns
Media pressure continues to grow on Hamish Douglass and the $100 billion Magellan Financial Group. After years of outperformance the flagship fund has been caught off guard by what Douglass himself described as “the best month in 26 years” that was November 2020. As markets continue to move forward, Douglass and Magellan remained steadfast deciding […]
Has Tencent beaten Facebook at their own game?
Emerging markets, including China and India, have been among the most popular destinations for investors in recent months, with many attracted to their diversification benefits. There remains a common misconception that these countries are still the “manufacturer for the world,” but the companies that now inhabit these countries, in many cases, have surpassed their developed […]
Another bumper year for super funds despite the pandemic
Superannuation research house Chant West, part of the Zenith Investment Consulting group, this week published their quarterly performance update on the industry fund sector. Despite the volatility experienced in March, which spanned both bond and equity markets, returns continue to surprise on the upside in March. Chant West’s research seeks to differentiate between the, at […]
Can banks still be trusted for dividends in 2021?
May is shaping up to be one of the most important months for dividend-focused Australian investors, with bank reporting season beginning on May 3, with Westpac’s interim result. The unexpected strength of the sector was brought to light this week after two of the three main ratings agencies upgraded their views on the sector, on […]
Investors getting bullish but a wall of money still on the sidelines
Similar to the Australian Investor’s Association in Australia, the AAII or American Association of Individual Investors, is a significant source of information for self-directed investors of all types. Running a series of events and with a huge following, the association is well positioned to measure the pulse of the industry. According to their latest Asset […]
Are we talking about the wrong bubble?
“Am I worried about asset prices rising too quickly? At the moment, I don’t see anything that’s unsustainable”. “I recognise that low interest rates are one of the factors contributing to higher housing prices and that high and rising housing prices raise concerns for many people.” “There are various tools, other than higher interest rates, […]
Performance test potential catalyst for advice renaissance
A key plank of the highly touted Your Future Your Super legislation is the ‘performance test’ that will apply to industry super funds and other My Super products. The sector had been somewhat immune from targeted regulation for several years, outside of aggressive questioning from Parliamentary committees and sailed through the Royal Commission ultimately unscathed. […]
Three business ‘upgrades’ for advisers in 2021
Despite hope that the vaccines would see a return to normal life in 2021, it appears we will live through at least another 12 months of uncertainty. Few people, outside of the obvious, have felt the emotional and operational brunt of the pandemic more than financial advisers. Most advisers I speak to were inundated with […]
Is internalisation the best way forward?
It was surprising to hear that one of the Platinum Asset Management’s top performing managers, Joseph Lai, Portfolio Manager of the Platinum Asia Fund, had left the firm over Christmas. The fund had performed exceptionally well in 2020 and was a highlight of an otherwise difficult year for the ‘value’ shop which saw the trend […]
ASX flat as value rotation continues
ASX flat as value rotation continues, Premier (ASX:PMV) hits record The ASX200 (ASX:XJO) eked out a 0.1% gain for the day, with the ‘value’ rotation in full swing. The strengthening oil price combined with a weaker USD sent the sector 4.2% higher, Origin Energy (ASX:ORG) and OilSearch Ltd (ASX:OSH) were the key beneficiaries, up 3.0% and 6.0% respectively. ORG has been further […]
ASX200 slide continues
ASX200 slide continues, tech darlings under pressure, Altium (ASX:ALU) revenue falls, weaker open ahead The ASX200 (ASX:XJO) couldn’t hold sustain early gains, falling another 0.3% on Tuesday with the financial sector the only real positive. National Australia Bank (ASX:NAB) lead the sector higher adding 1.1% as signs of higher bond rates are likely to support higher net interest […]
ASX down 0.9%, Bitcoin falls 20%
Blistering start slows, ASX down 0.9%, bond rates higher, Bitcoin falls 20% After a blistering opening to the year in which the ASX200 (ASX:XJO) added 2.6%, attention once again turned to the economic outlook, sending the ASX200 down 0.9% on Monday. Every sector but energy weakened, with the IT sector the hardest hit falling 2.2%, Afterpay (ASX:APT) a key detractor down […]
ASX struggles under COVID-19 weight
ASX struggles under COVID-19 weight, banks fall, retail sales recover The ASX200 (ASX:XJO) struggled today, falling 1.1%, as concern around the NSW COVID-19 outbreak weighed on sentiment at the same time that volumes fall ahead of the Christmas break. Every sector finished lower apart from healthcare, IT, and real estate, the latter benefitting from better than expected retail sales figures. […]
ASX finishes flat
ASX finishes flat, border closures hit travel, AGL Energy downgrades, weaker open ahead The ASX200 (ASX:XJO) finished flat to begin the week, with news that US politicians finally agreed on a USD$900 billion stimulus package not enough to offset the NSW outbreak and subsequent border closures. Every sector was lower apart from materials and consumer staples, with the latter benefitting […]
Winning streak hits seven weeks
Winning streak hits seven weeks, A2 Milk (ASX:A2M) and Mesoblast (ASX:MSB) battered The ASX200 (ASX:XJO) managed to overcome a 1.2% fall to cap off the seventh straight week of gains, adding 0.5%. The IT sector continued to lead the way behind Afterpay (ASX:APT), finishing 5.9% higher, whilst energy lost 2.4% as the US economy appeared to weaken. The biggest […]
Santa rally continues
Santa rally continues, all eyes on financials, Rex Airlines (ASX:REX) gets approved The ASX200 (ASX:XJO) finished 0.7% higher after a positive overseas lead, with every sector finishing higher. Attention once again turned to the technology sector, with BNPL players Afterpay (ASX:APT) and Zip (ASX:Z1P) finishing 4.2% and 6.7% higher. While these companies have been flagged as Australia’s technology leaders, the true nature of […]
China flags iron ore concerns
ASX 200 falls 0.4%, China flags iron ore concerns, Vicinity (ASX:VCX) confirms dividend A weak global lead pushed the ASX200 (ASX:XJO) down 0.4% today, with the China Iron and Steel Association flagging concerns about the ballooning iron ore price at the same time that maintenance hit export volumes in November. BHP (ASX:BHP) and Fortescue (ASX:FMG) bore the brunt down 2.3% and 3.1% respectively. Yet […]
Six must-make changes for 2021
The time seems right to review my investment strategy calls of 2020 and put forward some ideas on the most important action to take before the year comes to a close. In general, the big calls have delivered, particularly the decision to hedge any overseas exposure, with the AUD staging a remarkable rally on the […]
Advisers regain control of their future
To say the last few years have been testing for advisers would be a gross understatement. The reverberations of the Hayne Royal Commission, which highlighted important issues, though mainly those faced by vertically integrated institutions, has led to a big increase in compliance costs and regulatory hurdles. The result in many cases has been the […]
ASX 200 lifts as Wesfarmers (ASX:WES) and Afterpay (ASX:APT) hit records, IOOF acquisition waved through
The ASX200 (ASX:XJO) continued its winning streak, adding another 0.3% on Monday as US futures ticked higher with the Pfizer (NYSE:PFE) set to be in use this week. It was a day of records that powered the market though, with Wesfarmers (ASX:WES) and Afterpay (ASX:APT) moving 2.7% and 8.8% both hitting all-time highs. The former […]
Six consecutive weeks of gains
Six consecutive weeks of gains, CSL (ASX:CSL) lower as vaccine pulled, Fortescue (ASX:FMG) overtakes ANZ Bank (ASX:ANZ) The ASX 200 (ASX:XJO) finished the week on a negative note, falling 0.6%, but managed to deliver its sixth straight week of gains, adding 0.1% over the five days. The majority of the weakness was driven by the 3.2% fall in CSL (ASX:CSL) […]
ASX breaks seven day winning streak
ASX breaks seven day winning streak, AUD starting to bite, tech under pressure The ASX200 (ASX:XJO) couldn’t take it’s winning run beyond seven days once again, falling 0.7% on the back of weakness in the technology sector, down 2.1%. The weakness was twofold, with Facebook (NASDAQ:FB) facing US legal action seeking to have the company’s Instagram and […]
FASEA to be disbanded, exam still required
2021 may be shaping up as the ‘Year of the Financial Adviser’. After what has been a tumultuous and stressful few years for the industry, promises of a more streamlined regulatory framework may finally be coming to fruition. Assistant Minster for Superannuation and Financial Services, Jane Hume, and Treasurer Josh Frydenberg had a business day […]
ASX higher, Australian Super on the prowl, IPOs sink
The ASX 200 managed to deliver another positive day in what has become an incredible end to the year. Yet the story changes on a weekly basis, with last week’s winners becoming this week’s losers. Today it was the consumer staples, +1.1%, and healthcare, +0.8%, sectors pushing the market higher with Woolworths (ASX:WOW) benefitting from Metcash Ltd’s […]
Rio and BHP near all-time highs
ASX 200 starts the week higher, Metcash (ASX:MTS) smashes expectations, Rio, BHP near all-time highs, negative lead The ASX 200 (ASX:XJO) weakened throughout the day but managed a fifth straight positive session closing 0.6% higher. Once again, the majority of the buying pressure came from the commodities sector, specifically iron ore, after the price spiked another […]
Five straight winning weeks for the ASX
Five straight winning weeks for the ASX, Nuix (ASX:NXL) leads IPO frenzy The ASX 200 (ASX:XJO) adding 0.3% on Friday behind continued strength in the materials and financials sectors, sending the index to its five straight weekly gain, albeit just 0.5%. The standout by far was Sandfire Resources (ASX:SFR) which added 28.6% as copper prices […]
Iron ore hits seven year high
Miners push ASX higher, iron ore hits seven year high, Macquarie (ASX:MQG) on the hunt The ASX200 (ASX:XJO) added 0.4% on Thursday almost entirely on the back of the iron ore and mining sectors. Fortescue Metals (ASX:FMG) and BHP Ltd (ASX:BHP) were the leaders adding 13.3% and 4.9% respectively after the price of iron ore surged to […]
Cheaper, more diversified and delivering
With attention focused on the record-breaking run of the Dow Jones Industrial Average (DJIA), which now sits above 30,000 points for the first time, smaller companies continue to be neglected. Yet with the Russell 2000 currently over 20% higher in November alone, perhaps the tide is beginning to turn. One of the core premises of […]
Recession is over
Choppy day for ASX200, recession is over, Pfizer (NYSE:PFE) vaccine approved in UK, soft open ahead It was a mixed day for the ASX200 (ASX:XJO), rallying strongly at the moment, falling 1% during the day but ultimately finishing flat. The materials sector was one of the few bright spots, with BHP Group (ASX:BHP) and Rio Tinto […]
Santos (ASX:STO) net zero carbon by 2040
ASX overcomes weak start, interest rates on hold, Santos (ASX:STO) to be net zero carbon by 2040, strong open ahead Every sector on the ASX finished higher to start December, the ASX200 (ASX:XJO) adding 1.1% with consumer discretionary and financials the highlights. APRA released a scathing review of Westpac Bank’s (ASX:WBC) internal culture, but the […]
Treasury Wine (ASX:TWE) drained
ASX falls but adds 10% in November, Treasury Wine (ASX:TWE) drained but Chinese economy improving The ASX200 (ASX:XJO) dropped 1.3% to finish the month as markets digested the more aggressive approach taken by the Chinese on Friday. All sectors but IT fell with utilities and consumer discretionary the hardest hit on export concerns. Despite the […]
ASX staring down best month since 1998
ASX staring down best month since 1998, Treasury Wine (ASX:TWE) corked by China, but iron ore immune The ASX200 (ASX:XJO) finished higher for the fourth straight week adding 1.0% despite falling 0.5% on Friday. The vaccine-led recovery means the index is sitting on the best gain in over 30 years whilst leading our global peers having now controlled […]
Bega Cheese (ASX:BGA) with a big buy
ASX rally slows, Origin Energy (ASX:ORG) confirms outlook, Bega Cheese (ASX:BGA) with a big buy, ASX to open lower The ASX 200 (ASX:XJO) end its winning streak following the weaker economic news from the US, the market falling 0.7% on Thursday as traders seemed to be tiring. It was those sectors and companies that have performed strongest […]
Are P/E ratios a misleading indicator?
As it stands, the ASX’s November 2020 performance could be the best in over 50 years. It seems impossible when you consider the state of the “real” economy, which is effectively on government life-support following enforced economic lockdowns. Such has been the strength of the recovery that estimates suggest the S&P/ASX 200 now trades on […]
Expected returns ‘lowest they’ve ever been’
Leading global ‘distressed debt’ manager Howard Marks and his Oaktree Capital firm are well-known for their sometimes combative and private equity approach to investment. The firm has increased its work in Australia in recent years after achieving some success buying-out and breaking-up the Blue Sky Alternative Asset Management empire, and more recent involvements with Virgin […]
US markets pointing to flat open
More of the same, 2020 ASX losses evaporate, Harvey Norman (ASX:HVN) falls on strong profit, US markets pointing to flat open The ASX200 (ASX:XJO) weakened throughout the day finishing 0.6% higher, but has now overcome all losses sustained in 2020 and is on track for the best November in several decades. The sustained recovery on […]
Oil price hits nine month high
ASX 200 (ASX:XJO) 1.3% higher, oil price hits nine month high, AUD rallies, Dow hits 30,000 The ASX200 (ASX:XJO) saw another strong day adding 1.3% on the back of the ‘trifecta’ of COVID-19 vaccines with hopes for an economic recovery resulting in the oil price hitting a nine-month high. As can be expected, energy stocks benefited most, […]
ASX 200 at nine month high
ASX 200 at nine month high, Ampol (ASX:ALD) announces off-market buy back, US markets stronger on vaccine hopes The ASX200 (ASX:XJO) got off to a positive start to the week, adding 0.4% and hitting a nine month high. The strength was broad-based but primarily coming from travel and energy-based sectors with the latter adding 2.8% […]
Commonwealth Bank’s (ASX:CBA) best week
ASX keeps delivering, Commonwealth Bank’s (ASX:CBA) best week since 2011, US markets flat It was a strong week for the Australian market, the ASX200 (ASX:XJO) heading 2.1% higher despite an ASX shutdown on Monday and a weak close on Friday. The strength was clearly driven by the financial sector with CBA enjoying its best week […]
Seek (ASX:SEK), BlueScope Steel (ASX:BSL)
Seek (ASX:SEK), BlueScope Steel (ASX:BSL) upgrade guidance, unemployment surprises, US markets offer positive lead The Australian market (ASX:XJO) eked out a fourth straight gain finishing 0.2% higher with the financial and IT sectors the biggest contributors; up 1.2% each. For the financials Westpac Banking Corporation (ASX:WBC) led the way adding 2.3% after the release of better than […]
Disruptive innovation delivered a 90% return for ARK
The Dr Cathie Wood-led ARK Investment Management is facing a different kind of pressure as 2020 draws to a close. According to Bloomberg, ARK’s ETF distributor, Resolute Investment Managers, is seeking to exercise an option acquired in 2016 to buy a controlling stake in the business. The ARK Invest strategy has been a clear winner […]
Crown (ASX:CWN) shutdown
ASX delivers third straight increase but weak open ahead, Crown (ASX:CWN) shutdown, anaemic wage growth The ASX200 (ASX:XJO) experienced another positive, albeit somewhat mixed, day with the banking sector (+1.7%) forcing the market higher by 0.5%. The travel sector was the key detractor as an outbreak in South Australia combined with profit taking hitting confidence. […]
Charter Hall (ASX:CHC) and Centuria (ASX:CIP) continue to acquire
ASX up and running, to open weaker, Charter Hall (ASX:CHC) and Centuria (ASX:CIP) continue to acquire The ASX (ASX:ASX) managed to open on time Tuesday after significant issues to begin the week, though management flagged some ‘settlement’ issues had also arisen, sending the share price 1.5% lower. In terms of the ASX200 (ASX:XJO) it was […]
Moderna (NYSE:MRNA) vaccine 94% effective
Sharemarket to open strongly, Moderna (NYSE:MRNA) vaccine 94% effective, ASX (ASX:ASX) system failure, US markets hit record The S&P/ASX200 (ASX:XJO) managed just 25 minutes of trade this morning before its new settlement system failed, closing down the market for the day. Before the shutdown it was a positive start, the market finished 1.2% higher on the […]
Can credit replace lost dividends in a zero-rate world?
As 2020 comes to a close, investors of all kinds are faced with what seems to be a once-in-a-lifetime dilemma; how to generate an income in a zero-rate world. Despite clear evidence that investing in stocks solely for their income has generally detracted from, rather than added to, long-term returns, the nature of the Australian […]
ASX stocks down 0.2%
ASX stocks down 0.2%, ‘Go long’ says star investor Bill Ackman, Ramsay Healthcare (ASX:RHC) reports, positive open ahead The ASX200 (ASX:XJO) fell for the second straight day finishing down 0.2% but managed to add 3.2% for the week. The reasons were clear, positive news on a COVID-19 vaccine coming from Pfizer (NYSE:PFE) sent beaten down […]
ASX to open lower, Telstra (ASX:TLS) outperforms
ASX 200 (ASX:XJO) falls 0.5%, Telstra (ASX:TLS) outperforms, US market falls ASX to open lower It was a mixed day for the ASX200 (ASX:XJO) taking a breather after what has been a hectic few days. Most sectors were down, with telecommunications and consumer discretionary the standouts, adding 1.9% and 1.0% on company specific news. Wesfarmers […]
Six-member SMSFs one step closer
It’s been a long time coming, yet it may finally be here. The arbitrary cap on the allowable number of SMSF members, limiting funds to just four people, appears set to be lifted. The legislation has been delayed due to the pandemic but the proposal to increase the maximum number of members from four to […]
Rotation rally continues, ASX 1.7% higher
Rotation rally continues, ASX 1.7% higher, Commonwealth Bank (ASX:CBA) reports, US markets mixed, ASX to open positive The rotation rally continued on Wednesday as investors adjusted portfolios to what appears to be a sooner than expected return to normal. Every sector finished higher, with COVID beneficiaries including Consumer Discretionary (+0.7%) and healthcare (0.2%) among the ‘weakest’. […]
ASX rallies on vaccine news
ASX rallies on vaccine news, cyclical rotation in full flight, Westfield (ASX:URW) jumps 43.5% The ASX 200 (ASX:XJO) finished just 0.7% above open despite trading as much as 2.5% higher during the day on news of Pfizer’s (NYSE:PFE) successful vaccine trials. For those interested, reports suggest that the treatment has 90% efficacy in protecting from […]
Optimism abound, ASX up 4.4% for the week
Optimism abound, ASX up 4.4% for the week, Macquarie (ASX:MQG) profit falls 32% The week finished where it began, the ASX 200 (ASX:XJO) adding 0.8% taking the gain to 4.4% with every sector finishing the week higher. The key driver was real estate (+8.3%) and consumer discretionary (+6.8%) businesses the key drivers as a combination of loosening border restrictions […]
An election win for investors, Nasdaq, S&P 500, and ASX 200 finish higher
Markets to open higher, ASX up 1.3% on the back of CSL (ASX: CSL), National Australia Bank (ASX: NAB) profit crushed, ‘Nirvana’ for sharemarkets. The ASX 200 (ASX: XJO) delivered another strong day as it became more clear that Joe Biden would be the next President of the United States. Despite the election still being […]
Biden now likely to win Presidency
ASX finishes flat, Biden now likely to win Presidency, Woolworths (ASX:WOW) continues to pivot The ASX 200 (ASX:XJO) finished broadly flat for the day, oscillating between a loss of 1.5% to a slight gain as initial election results filtered through. The day, though, was a story of two sectors, financials and banks and banks taking […]
The real value of financial advice is 5.2% p.a.
Delivering value in spades It has been a difficult few years for financial advisers following the Royal Commission. The Commission uncovered some long-standing issues that were predominantly associated with the vertical integration of advice and investment management, resulting in a much needed professionalisation and cleanout of the industry. This has continued into 2020 with thousands […]
ASX worst week since April, AMP under offer
ASX stumbles to worst week since April, AMP (ASX:AMP) under offer, Resmed (ASX:RMD) upgrades earnings The ASX 200 (ASX:XJO) delivered its worst week since April, falling 3.9% after Friday’s 0.5% weaker close. That said, it was a strong month given the background of uncertainty with the index 1.9% higher. By far the news of the day was under […]
Seek (ASX:SEK) under short attack
Sentiment shifts US market rallies, JB Hi-Fi (ASX:JBH) sold off, Seek (ASX:SEK) under short attack It’s looking like a tough end to October after what has been a very strong month. The ASX 200 (ASX:XJO) fell 1.6% on Thursday due to a weak global lead. As highlighted, new economic restrictions are combining with a market […]
Inflation returns, Coles (ASX:COL) sales boom
Inflation returns, Coles (ASX:COL) sales boom, US staggers down 3%, ASX to open over 1% lower The ASX 200 (ASX:XJO) staged a solid comeback after a weak opening, finishing 0.1% higher. The strength came from the consumer staples and IT sector, up 1.8% and 3.0%, with some new and old names contributing. On the newer side, was grocery retailer Coles Group (ASX:COL) […]
RBA: Recession is over, ASX 200 slumps 1.7%
RBA: Recession is over, ASX200 slumps 1.7%, stronger open ahead The ASX 200 (ASX:XJO) finished off the day’s lows falling 1.7% on Tuesday after a weak global lead. The good news in Victoria is being offset by a raft of new lockdown measures across Europe and signs the pandemic is unlikely to slow soon. On […]
ASX falls, Coca-Cola Amatil (ASX:CCL) under offer
ASX falls, Coca-Cola Amatil (ASX:CCL) under offer, IPOs now falling flat The ASX 200 (ASX:XJO) weakened 0.2% to start the week, with the announcement of a release of Victorian Stage Four restrictions not enough to trigger a rally. The IT and Banking sectors lead the market lower, with Westpac Banking Corporation (ASX:WBC) falling 0.4% after […]
Super funds back to breakeven – the members?
Superannuation research house Chant West released their latest update on the performance for the September quarter. Industry groups quickly jumped on the news highlighting the fact that “nearly eight months after the COVID-19 crisis, superannuation funds have clawed back nearly all of the losses”, according to Research Director Mano Mohankumar. Looking closely at the data, […]
Another negative week for the ASX
Another negative week for the ASX, Trump-Biden debate, Link (ASX:LNK) undervalued The ASX 200 (ASX:XJO) finished 0.1% lower on Friday keeping the index in negative territory for the week, down 0.2%. The IT sector was the highlight, adding 1.8%, behind strength in Afterpay (ASX:APT), Zip Co (ASX:Z1P) and Link Administration (ASX:LNK). Management of LNK responded to the $5.20 […]
ASX pares losses, Healius (ASX:HLS) delivers
Volatility continues, ASX pares losses, Healius (ASX:HLS) delivers, AMP (ASX:AMP) sold off, positive morning ahead The ASX 200 (ASX:XJO) pared early losses to finish down just 0.3% on Wednesday, with oil prices the biggest detractor. The oil sector fell 1.8% as oil prices pushed lower on concern of weaker demand. Woodside Petroleum Ltd (ASX:WPL) reported quarterly production had […]
ASX broadly flat, retail sales decline again
ASX broadly flat, retail sales decline again, TPW smashed, flat lead The ASX battled to a flat finish on Wednesday, adding 0.1%, with gains in energy and financials offsetting weakness in the consumer sectors. Retail sales results were released with every state apart from the NT falling in September, national sales were down 1.5%. This was the second […]
ASX 200 hits seven month high
ASX 200 hits seven month high, CSL (ASX:CSL) bounces, Cimic (ASX:CIM) sells Thiess, weaker open ahead The ASX 200 (ASX:XJO) rallied 0.9% to start the week, buoyed by the hope of Victorian economic restrictions being lifted at the end of the month. The index has reached a seven month high as a confluence of domestic […]
Positive week for global markets
Another positive week for global markets, property sinks, reality setting in for Atlas Arteria (ASX:ALX) It was another positive week for global markets, the ASX 200 (ASX:XJO) finishing 1.2% higher despite falling 0.5% on Friday. Similarly, US markets have overcome the ‘will they or wont they’ stimulus discussions, with the S&P 500 and Nasdaq up 0.2% […]
RBA planning more QE, ASX rallies
RBA planning more QE, ASX rallies, Virgin CEO out, US markets pare falls The ASX 200 (ASX:XJO) rallied 0.5% on a mixed day. The key result today was a slightly better than expected unemployment result, the rate increasing to 6.9% despite Victoria shedding another 1.1% of jobs. Queensland stands out with the highest level of unemployment at 7.7% […]
ASX falls 0.3%, US falls offering weaker lead
It ends at seven, ASX falls 0.3%, Bank of Queensland surprises, US falls offering weaker lead The ASX 200 (ASX:XJO) couldn’t keep its unbeaten run going, falling 0.3% on Wednesday, overcome by a combination of factors. The materials sector was among the biggest detractors, falling 0.9% after the unexpected announcement overnight that Chinese steel mills were ordered […]
Telstra (ASX:TLS) dividend boost
Seventh heaven, China bans coal, Telstra (ASX:TLS) dividend boost, US markets fall The ASX 200 (ASX:XJO) reached its highest point in seven months, passing 6,200 points after improving 1.0% on Tuesday. This takes the rally to seven straight days with all sectors except materials finishing higher. The financial sector continues to outperform as economic conditions […]
Link (ASX:LNK) under offer
Six days in a row, Link (ASX:LNK) under offer, banking rally, US rally continues The market managed to eke out a six-straight day of gains, finishing 0.5% higher to start the week. The banking sector experienced a late rally adding 1.2% with ANZ Banking Group Ltd (ASX:ANZ) the leader. But it was the technology sector that […]
ASX up 5.4%, S&P 500 up 3.9%
Markets have strongest week in months, ASX up 5.4%, S&P 500 up 3.9%, stimulus on again The ASX 200 (ASX:XJO) delivered its strong week since April, finishing 5.4% higher despite finishing flat on Friday. It was a similar story in the US, with the S&P 500 adding 0.9% on Friday and 3.9% for the week. The […]
Zip (ASX:Z1P) up 9%, US markets creep higher
Longest winning streak since July, go slow at Transurban (ASX:TCL), Zip (ASX:Z1P) up 9%, US markets continue to creep higher The ASX 200 (ASX:XJO) has delivered its longest winning streak since July, finishing 1.1% higher as the budget stimulus continues to reverberate through markets. The announcements have been well received by the corporate sector, despite several shortcomings. […]
ASX budget bounce, IPOs closing in
ASX budget bounce, a long list of winners, IPOs closing in, US markets hit one month high The ASX 200 (ASX:XJO) overcame a weak lead form the US to deliver its strongest budget bounce since 2002, jumping 1.3%. It will likely take several weeks to digest the true implications of this budget, particularly those sectors that […]
Market update; ASX struggles higher
ASX struggles higher, rates on hold, giant gold merger, US stocks fall The ASX 200 (ASX:XJO) struggled to a 0.3% gain on Tuesday, the energy, +2.3%, and materials sector, +1.1%, the key contributors. The biggest news was the ‘merger of equals’ between Australian gold miners Saracen Minerals (ASX:SAR) and Northern Star Mining (ASX:NST). The merger […]
Market update; ASX finishes 2.6% higher
Rollercoaster continues, ASX finishes 2.6% higher, Budget night ahead, US rallies 1.6% The ASX 200 (ASX:XJO) delivered its strongest day in four months, adding 2.6% despite the public holiday in NSW and much lower volume as a result. The positive news was threefold; the Government announced that tax cuts would be brought forward and back […]
Can Trump pull a Bradbury?
Before last week’s positive COVID-19 test, there was little doubt President Trump was on the comeback trail. Amid signs of an economic recovery, positivity around hopes for a vaccine, and progress on another fiscal stimulus package, all was looking up for a second term. Then came the ‘Presidential Debate,’ in which Trump brought Democratic candidate […]
Market update; Trump positive COVID-19
Trump’s positive COVID-19 test sparks volatility, ASX falls 1.4% Volatility is on the rise, the ASX 200 (ASX:XJO) falling 1.2% at the open before gradually recovering. The index then capitulated on the news of President Trump’s positive COVID-19 test as investors quickly shifted to a risk off mood. The ASX 200 finished the day 1.4% […]
Market update; fiscal stimulus in focus
October starts on the front foot, fiscal stimulus in focus, property improving October started better than September finished, the ASX 200 (ASX:XJO) finishing 1.0% higher as Prime Minister Scott Morrison began announcing his fiscal stimulus package and US Congress appeared to be nearing a deal on one of their own. The Federal Government is turning to […]
Market update; ASX 200 falls 2.3%
ASX 200 falls 2.3%, oil price tanking on second wave concerns, utilities profits hit, US posts a positive finish The ASX 200 (ASX:XJO) finished Wednesday 2.3% lower taking the loss to 4.0% for the month; the first negative result since March and down -1.4% for the quarter. The energy sector led the losses, down 4.2%, as a combination […]
Market update; ASX finishes flat
ASX finishes flat, BOQ loan impairments increase, weak overseas lead market to open lower The ASX 200 (ASX:XJO) ultimately finished flat, after trading as much as 0.8% higher during the session. Industrials and tech companies offered support, adding 0.7% and 2.4% behind Sydney Airport (ASX:SYD) and Afterpay Ltd (ASX:APT). SYD reacted positively to news that the […]
Market update; ASX opens weaker
ASX opens weaker, travel rallies on Tasman bubble, strong open ahead The ASX 200 (ASX:XJO) finished 0.2% lower to open the week, increasing the likelihood of the first negative month since March. The real estate of A-REIT sector was among the few positives, with Scentre Group (ASX:SCG) and GPT Group (ASX:GPT) finished over 2% higher […]
Tech vs. valuation
With the end of the month comes another round of investment manager portfolio updates. This week we move our attention to tech company valuations, with the Nasdaq 100 down close to 7% in the last month. The August updates from Hyperion Asset Management, one of the top-performing global equity strategies over the last 12 months, […]
ASX update; ASX 200 higher
Loosening the reins, ASX 200 higher, banks rally, US recovers on stimulus hopes The ASX 200 (ASX:XJO) staged a stunning recover, finishing the day 1.5% higher leading to a 1.7% improvement for the week. The financial sector, up 3.7%, contributed over half the recovery on its own, ANZ Banking Group Ltd (ASX:ANZ) and National Australia Bank […]
If you can’t beat them, buy them
While the active versus passive debate rolls on, and on, across the investment world, some active managers have gone to the ‘dark side’, at least partially, by adding more quantitative inputs for new strategies, such as thematic investing. The concept of ‘thematic’ investing, which describes the strategy of identifying sectors of the economy expected to […]
ASX update; Westpac (ASX:WBC) whacked
Volatility settles in, ASX falls, Westpac (ASX:WBC) whacked, positive start ahead The market looks to be ending the week on a negative note, the ASX 200 (ASX:XJO) falling 0.8% on Thursday, following a weak global lead. This was well above the lows of the session, at one point hitting -1.7%, with no sector spared. Westpac Banking […]
Social media for financial advisers
I’m not sure about you, but it took me at least a few weeks into the first lockdown to really become comfortable with video-conferencing and engaging with clients in new and unique ways. If you still haven’t embraced the change, perhaps stop reading now…..With the initial hurdle passed, it’s time to move on to the […]
ASX update; strongest in three months
Strongest day in three months, Service Stream (ASX:SSM) leads on NBN expansion, US sell of continues, ASX to open lower The ASX 200 (ASX:XJO) recovered strongly on Wednesday, bouncing 2.4% higher with just seventeen stocks finishing lower. The industrial sector lead the market higher, 4%, boosted by 4% behind a strong recovery in Transurban Group (ASX:TCL) […]
ASX update; second wave hits Europe
Financials, miners hit as the second wave hits Europe, RBA guidance, strong open ahead The ASX 200 (ASX:XJO) fell to a three month low on Tuesday, down 0.7%. The sustained sell off has been driven by signs of a second wave engulfing Europe and the potential for another round of economic restrictions. Materials (-0.2%) was […]
ASX update; Magellan takes a swing
ASX nears three month low, Magellan (ASX:MFG) takes a swing, US markets head lower The selling pressure continued on Monday, the ASX 200 (ASX:XJO) falling another 0.7%, now nearing the low points of June. The selling was widespread, National Australia Bank Ltd (ASX:NAB) and BHP Group Ltd (ASX:BHP) down 1.4% and 1.2% respectively. The biggest […]
Introducing the NEATs
Video games have traditionally been associated with laziness, requiring someone to stay at home in a dark room when they could be doing more ‘productive’ things with their lives. How things have changed! The 2019 Fortnite World Championships attracted 40 million entrants chasing a US$30 million ($41 million) prize pool, with the finals televised in […]
What’s better than a unicorn?
The stellar run in the Nasdaq 100 index, which has seen it reach new all-time highs some 40 times already in 2020, shows no signs of slowing. With such strength and a willingness of investors to look beyond short-term losses, a single-file, socially distanced line of “unicorns” is awaiting their piece of the action. The […]
ASX update; Alibaba on the prowl
The bull fights back, Alibaba on the prowl, Fed not enough to slow tech sell off, ASX to fall The ASX 200 (ASX:XJO) followed the strong overseas lead to finish 1.1% higher for the day. Every sector delivered a solid return, with IT, +2.4%, and Communications, +2.1%, leading the way. Employment advertising monopoly, Seek Ltd […]
ASX update; COVID-19 impacting Macquarie Group
Vaccine trial restart boosts markets, ASX strength to continue, COVID-19 impacting Macquarie Group A positive lead from Wall Street and news that AstraZeneca plc (NYSE:AZN) had resumed their vaccine trial sent the ASX 200 (ASX:XJO) 0.7% higher on Monday. Positive news on the vaccine front support the energy and industrial sectors amid hope of a […]
SMSF Association launches online training
The SMSF Association have launched a comprehensive series of online modules as they seek to evolve the delivery of the SMSF Specialist Advisery (SSA) designation. The highly coveted designation requires an extensive amount of knowledge across taxation and superannuation law, which has traditionally been delivered through short study guides culminating in a detailed examination. The […]
ASX update; a win for ESG
Sell off extends to four weeks, tech takes a breather, a win for ESG The ASX 200 (ASX:XJO) fell to a nine-week loss before finishing down 0.8% for the day and 1.1%; making it the fourth straight week of losses. The selling pressure was centred around financials, falling 1.2%, as geopolitical confrontations with China have […]
ASX update; retail pain on show at Myer (ASX:MYR)
ASX holds onto gains, retail pain on show at Myer (ASX:MYR), another sell off to end the week The ASX 200 (ASX:XJO) managed to stave off weakness in the afternoon, finishing 0.5%, despite a much stronger lead from the US markets. The telecommunications and materials sectors including the likes of Telstra (ASX:TLS) and BHP (ASX:BHP) […]
ASX shares update; 9 in 10 stocks fall
9 in 10 stocks fall, energy under pressure, but ASX to open higher after US relief As the saying goes, sharemarkets take the stairs up and the elevator down. The ASX 200 (ASX:XJO) followed the global lead finishing 2.2% lower, with all but 13 stocks in the index finishing lower. Energy companies including Woodside Petroleum […]
ASX shares update; US markets continue to fall
US markets continue to fall, ASX to open lower, rent collections improve, payroll data The ASX 200 (ASX:XJO) continued its recovery, adding 1.1%, with every sector but Consumer Staples finishing higher. Healthcare was the highlight once again, CSL Ltd (ASX:CSL) continuing to see support following yesterday’s announcement of production agreements for COVID-19 vaccines, finishing 2.1% […]
ASX market update; Victorian lockdowns extended
Victorian lockdowns extended, markets remain calm, Labor Day holiday in the US, ASX to open higher The market responded positively to news that the majority of Victorians will remain under stringent lockdown measures well into November; the ASX 200 (ASX:XJO) finishing 0.3% higher. Transurban Group (ASX:TCL) was among the hardest hit from the announcement, with […]
‘Undiscovered’ $60 billion manager
The Rajiv Jain-led global equity manager, GQG Partners, was this year named ‘Undiscovered Manager of the Year’ by independent research house Morningstar.
ASX shares update; ANZ suggests the worst is yet to come
Worst day since May 1, US stems losses, ANZ suggests the worst is yet to come The ASX 200 (ASX:XJO) delivered its worst day since May 1, falling 3.1% on Friday, following the lead of global markets. With the US markets heading lower on concerns of technology sector valuations, the local sector fell 5.6% on […]
ASX shares update; US markets down over 4%
It’s back: US markets down over 4%, dividends the story of the day, a deal with the devil The ASX 200 (ASX:XJO) finished another 0.8% higher, with everything but the IT, materials and utilities sectors adding to the rally. As reporting season comes to an end, dividend payments are driving daily movements with BHP Group […]
ASX shares update; markets look past recession to the future
Turnaround: markets look past recession to the future, AMP in hot demand, another positive lead ahead The ASX 200 (ASX:XJO) staged a remarkable recovery, adding 1.8% even as we received confirmation that the economy had contracted by 7% in the June quarter. The rally was broad-based with industrials and materials improving on the back of […]
ASX shares update; QBEs culture crisis, RBA looking dovish
August gains lost in a day, QBEs culture crisis, RBA looking dovish, higher open ahead With reporting season complete, markets are once again turning to economic data and vaccine hopes. It wasn’t a great start to Spring, with the ASX 200 (ASX:XJO) falling 1.8% and giving back nearly all the gains achieved in August. The […]
ASX market update; fifth straight month for the ASX
Weak open ahead, Fifth straight month for the ASX, IOOF loads up
Understanding alternative assets
In an environment of low interest rates and seemingly overvalued sharemarkets, advisers are naturally flocking to alternative asset classes to eke out returns. Yet not all alternative assets are created the same. The COVID-19 sell off and subsequent recovery has truly seperated the good from the bad. In this webinar, PIMCOs Chris Santore, will shine […]
ASX shares update; AUD hits a 12 month high
ASX 200 down 0.9%, Federal Reserve boosts US markets, AUD hits a 12 month high The ASX 200 (ASX:XJO) finished 0.9% lower on Friday and down 0.6% for the week; the second straight week of losses. Selling was broad-based but particularly coming from materials, down 1.8%, as Australia upped the trade war ante following PM […]
Market update – Federal Reserve loosens inflation reins
It was a mixed day for the market, the ASX 200 (ASX:XJO) finished 0.2% higher despite trading up as much as 0.8% during the day.
Woolies, Link Admin, Ramsay & Afterpay
Pandemic tailwind to flow into 2021 for Woolies Woolworths Ltd (ASX:WOW) delivered a weaker than expected result, despite a 6% increase in revenue to $63.6 billion for the financial year. Net profit fell to $1.166 billion with the biggest hit coming from the mothballed Hotels division. Sales revenue improved across the board with Australian and […]
Specialist Asian equity strategy hiring for growth
Benchmark-beating Stonehorn Global Partners, a specialist Asian equity team of ex-Macquarie personnel, has expanded its Australian team after a $300 million year. The team that gave up managing $4 billion in assets at Macquarie Equities to build their own business in 2019 have delivered exceptional returns in their Stonehorn Asia Equity All-Cap Fund, adding 18.6%, […]
Finally, a win for retirees
The ATO delivered some positive news, approving fractional property investment platform Domacom’s’ application to broaden the use of the $300,000 downsizer contribution.
Financial Planner’s market update – Dividend season pushes markets lower
The ASX 200 (ASX:XJO) fell 0.7% for the day pushed lower by dividend payouts from Telstra Corporation Ltd (ASX:TLS) and AGL Energy Ltd (ASX:AGL) among others.
Financial Planner’s market update – ASX to open strongly
The ASX 200 (ASX:XJO) finished 0.5% higher behind a strong rally in financials, up 2.5%, following positive comments on a potential COVID-19 treatment.
Market update; Qube (ASX:QUB), Ansell Ltd (ASX:ANN), Hub 24 Ltd (ASX:HUB)
Qube Holdings Ltd (ASX:QUB) reported a 9% improvement in underlying revenue, increasing to $1.8 billion driven by a strong first half to the financial year.
Charting a course to the future
Charter Hall Group (ASX:CHC) delivered one of the surprises of earnings season last week, once again exhibiting the importance of quality when it comes to investments in property.
Financial Planner’s market update – AMP cleans house, ASX 200 to open higher, Trump relents
The ASX 200 (ASX:XJO) overcame a weak lead from overseas markets to finish 0.3% higher, behind another rally in Wesfarmers Ltd (ASX:WES), up 1.5%.
Finally, some positive action at AMP; All is not well in America; Fortescue pumping out records; Isolation beards boosting Shaver Shop
Finally, some positive action at AMP AMP Ltd (ASX:AMP): Management at AMP finally bowed to public pressure with Chairman David Murray, Director John Fraser and recently appointed CEO of AMP Capital Boe Pahari all stepping down over the weekend. Importantly, Debra Hazelton who is also a board member of the Treasury Corporation of Victoria will […]
Financial Planner’s market update – market flat for the week, positive lead from the US, manufacturing recovering
Market flat for the week, positive lead from the US, manufacturing recovering The ASX 200 finished 0.2% lower for the week, down just 0.1% on Friday, despite a strong US lead. Suncorp Group Ltd (ASX:SUN) was the highlight, beating expectations despite reporting a 33% fall in profit and finishing up 11% for the day. Over […]
Financial Planner’s morning report – Market to open strongly as tech rally continues
Retailers at all-time highs, market to open strongly as tech rally continues The ASX 200 (ASX:XJO) fell another 0.8% today, as weaker than expected earnings result and more pessimistic view from the US Federal Reserve impacted sentiment. Most weakness came from the healthcare and financial sectors, representing a substantial portion of the market, however, the […]
ASX shares morning update; healthcare the runaway winner
The market (ASX:XJO) finished at a six month high, adding 0.7%, as the reporting season went up another gear.
The travesty of Mayfair Platinum – and why there are more to come
Clearly, we should have seen it coming. A launch party full of B-grade celebrities on a pristine beach in a cyclone ravaged region, it had all the hallmarks of a disaster. This week saw the regulator taking action against the Mayfair Platinum Group, including its subsidiaries IPO Wealth, Mayfair 101, and M-Notes among others. The […]
Financial Planner’s morning report – ASX finished 2.0% higher after adding 0.6% on Friday
The ASX 200 (ASX:200) finished an important week 2.0% higher after adding 0.6% on Friday.
Financial Planner’s morning report – ASX to open flat, AMP delivers, Telstra feeling the pressure
The ASX 200 (ASX:XJO) started the day strongly, but finished on its lows (-0.7%) as investors digested a flurry of earnings reports from AMP Ltd
Financial Planner’s morning report – ASX to open higher, CBA profit falls 11%, SEK dividend cancelled
The ASX 200 (ASX:XJO) jumped out of the blocks this morning after the Commonwealth Bank of Australia Ltd.
Financial Planner’s morning report – ASX set for a weak open, $2bn for Sydney Airport (ASX:SYD), James Hardie (ASX:JHX) wins market share
It was another busy day as reporting season ramped up, the ASX 200 (ASX:XJO) finishing 0.5% higher as signs of slowing Victorian COVID-19 cases boosted National Australia Bank Ltd (ASX:NAB), rising 2.4%.
How one bond manager made 11% in the June quarter
When we saw this headline we assumed it was from one of Lazard’s global equity strategies across its $170 billion portfolio.
Webinars you don’t want to miss…
GAM Investments As has become the norm in these unique circumstances, GAM Investments, the Swiss-based 170bn asset manager will be running it’s Asia Conference virtually this year. GAM have always stood out as industry leading managers with a particular specialty in alternative and absolute return strategies, including their Systematic and Alternative Risk Premia options. The […]
Financial Planner’s morning report – Vic case numbers buoy the ASX, more property pain, banks keep running
The ASX 200 (ASX:XJO) hit a three week high to start the week, adding 1.8% as slowing Victorian Coronavirus case numbers boost confidence.
Financial Planner’s morning report – positives all round, JobKeeper extended, RBA bearish
The ASX 200 (ASX:XJO) finished the week 1.3% higher after gaining 0.6% on Friday. Materials (4.4%) and Energy (4.9%) were the standouts
Financial planner’s morning report – ASX to open higher, retail pain for Myer, Resmed dives
The ASX 200 (XJO:ASX) finished another 0.7% higher with BHP Group Ltd (ASX:BHP) contributing close to 40% of the gain alone, after rallying another 4.9% as iron ore prices hit USD$114 per tonne.
Financial Planner’s morning report – ASX to open higher, gold at record levels, US-China trade talks
The ASX 200 (XJO:ASX) finished down another 0.7% on Wednesday, pushed lower by healthcare (-1.7%), industrials (-1.5%) and consumer staples (-1.2%).
Financial Planner’s morning report – risk on, gold down, more clarity on Victoria’s state of disaster
Risk on, gold down, more clarity on Victoria’s state of disaster The ASX 200 (ASX:XJO) followed a global lead higher, adding close to 200 points to finish up 1.9% for the day. Every sector was positive, with IT and energy particular standouts adding 3.2% and 2.6% respectively, following better than expected manufacturing data in the […]
Queenslanders drain retirement savings
Despite coming through the COVID-19 lockdowns seemingly unscathed, it seems that Queenslanders have been dipping the hardest into their superannuation under the early release clauses.
Financial Planner’s morning report – state of Disaster, banks under pressure, but a positive start ahead for the ASX
The ASX 200 (XJO:ASX) managed to fight off the widespread implications of Victoria’s ‘State of Disaster’ announcement, finishing flat for the delay despite nearly all businesses now being forced to close down.
VFMC alumnus moves to CBUS
Justin Arter, who previously headed the $62 billion portfolio managed by the Victorian Funds Management Corporation, has taken the role as CEO of industry fund CBUS Super.
Financial Planner’s morning ASX report – ASX down -2.0%, value is dead, long live the FAANG’s
The ASX 200 (XJO:ASX) fell 2.0% on Friday, but managed to hold onto a 0.5% gain for the month; it’s fourth straight winning month.
What we read this week, leading White Papers
All that glitters, active vs. passive and why a closer look at infrastructure.
ASX 200 set to fall Monday; 3 things investors need to know Monday
The Australian share market and ASX200 (ASX: XJO) finished the week down 0.2%, with the renewed confidence following the extension of the JobKeeper program offset by China’s growing combativeness and weakness in the US technology sector.
Financial Planner’s morning report – Friday
Treasurer Frydenberg provided his long-awaited budget update, which was just that an update, offering little in the way of guidance into the future. The Government are predicting unemployment will peak at 9.25% across the country, with ballooning deficits adding $250 billion to the debt pile.
Financial Planner’s morning report – Thursday
The ASX 200 (ASX:XJO) finished off its lows for the day, falling 1.3%, as both Victoria and several US states hit record COVID-19 case levels, denting market sentiment.
Financial Planner’s morning report – Wednesday
Despite an increasing chorus of experts suggesting the technology sector has moved beyond reasonable levels, the rally continues. The ASX 200 (ASX:XJO) added 2.6%, hitting a six week high, with a 5.7% rally in the IT sector among the largest contributors.
Webinars you can’t miss
As working from home has become the new normal for most people, there are still many opportunities for advisers and investors to cut through the noise and hear insights from some of the best investment managers and research teams with a range of webinars being hosted online every day.
Financial Planner’s morning report – Tuesday
The ASX 200 (ASX:XJO) continued its recent weakness, falling 0.5% on Monday, as concerns of a secondary outbreak in NSW and escalating deaths in the US hit investor confidence.
Financial Planner’s morning report – Monday
Sideways….a weak opening ahead It was another bumpy, albeit positive, week for markets with the ASX 200 (ASX:XJO) gaining 0.4% on Friday and finishing around 2.0% higher for the week. The primary driver remained Australia’s main recovery hope, commodity exports, with the materials sector finishing 4.2% as the iron ore price remained above USD$115 per […]
Economic Outlook: Part 2
Despite being the secondary epicentre of COVID-19 the European experiment may be turning the corner, with unprecedented events finally delivering consensus on fiscal and monetary policy. This is not without pain, with the economy contracting 3.6% in March behind multi-decade record contractions of 5.3% in France and Italy and 5.2% in Spain. The ECB is predicted a 9% contraction in growth for the year.
6 Pearls of Wisdom From June
What a month, with markets rallying again, capping off the strongest quarter for the ASX in more than 20 years. The technology-focused Nasdaq reached all-time highs and the S&P 500 had its best quarter since 1938. The month continued the ‘changing of the guard’ trend, with the old-fashioned, capital intensive sectors, such as property, energy […]
Economic Update: What happened and what’s next for the economy
The quarter saw an onslaught of record-breaking economic data, as Australia officially entered its first recession in nearly 30 years. The economy contracted a comparatively strong 0.3% in the March quarter and is expected to fall as much as 8-10% in June as the worst of the economic shutdowns hit. It’s clear that Australia’s world leading fiscal stimulus is very much needed to support a recovery.
Six reasons Telstra will lead markets post COVID-19
As a change of pace, I’ve taken a look at the outlook for Telstra both during and post COVID-19. The share price fell from a high of around $4.0 in February to around $3.04 in mid-March and still sits around $3.15 today. That’s a 20% fall despite the company being significantly sheltered from the events […]
Six must make changes to portfolios before 30 June
As the financial year comes to a close, it’s worth reflecting on what we have just experienced; not just in investment terms, but our health and community. COVID-19 will have long-lasting impacts on our lives and has resulted in one of the most unique investment environments in history. Markets experienced one of the fastest collapses […]
Institutional investors reveal COVID-19 impact
Global asset manager State Street Corporation released a survey of institutional and sovereign wealth investment professionals last week. The report offered insights into a survey of 640 executives spanning defined benefit funds (33%), corporate pension plans (25%) insurance (32%) and sovereign wealth funds. The report was commissioned through data collection group CoreData and provided some […]
ASX 200 expected to rise, 5 ASX shares to watch
Wednesday proved to be another wild day for markets with Australia’s ASX 200 index down over 1% at the open, only to rally 2% and finally finish 5 points down as the session ended.
Financial Planning morning report – Wednesday
The ASX 200 experienced its best day in over seven weeks on Tuesday, adding 2.9% to 5,780 points, with all sectors increasing. The Australian share market has now regained 31.2% from its March lows.
Financial planner daily report – ASX shares to rise at the open
In the USA, it was Memorial Day. However, a strong lead from the local futures market was enough to send the ASX 200 to an 11-week high on Monday, but over 2% for the day.
Financial planner morning report – Monday
It was another strong week for global markets with the ASX 200 rising 1.7% and the Dow Jones ending up 3.3% last week, as reporting season continued.
Financial Planner morning report Friday
It seems to me that global markets are stuck in a trading pattern, oscillating between euphoria when signs of a vaccine are announced, to despair as new economic results and increasingly protectionist policies are released around the world.
Financial Planner morning report – Thursday
Here’s the Financial Planning news you need to know. Overnight, global share markets recovered on the back of an improving crude oil price, now $32 per barrel, and an uptick in airline bookings, sending both sectors up 4% in the US.
Financial planning daily report – ASX to open lower
The S&P/ASX 200 (ASX:XJO) is expected to open lower on Wednesday following weak leads from Wall Street.
Financial Planner morning report Tuesday
A covid cure on the horizon? US-based drugmaker Moderna revealed positive results from its human trials of a Coronavirus vaccine, treating those yet to suffer from the disease with some positive results.
Daily report Monday – from Xero to profit, ASX 200 to open up, and is retail dead?
The ASX 200 (ASX: XJO) is set to open higher, China and Australia trade tensions to ease, Xero reports and more.
Financial Planner morning report – markets in a two-step
Here’s what Australian financial planners and advisers need to know on Thursday morning…
Financial Planner Morning Report – Wednesday
The ASX 200 is likely to start trading lower on Wednesday, according to futures contracts in Sydney.
Financial Planner Morning Report – global markets mixed
The ASX 200 is likely to open slightly lower on Tuesday according to the Sydney Futures Exchange, following mixed results from global markets overnight.
Markets Diverging From Economics – Monday update
Markets around the world finished last week on yet another strong note with the USA’s S&P 500 up 1.7% on Friday and Australia’s ASX 200 remaining weaker but improving 0.5%.
ASX 200 set to open flat on Friday: what Advisers need to know
The local sharemarket is tipped to open flat on Friday morning, according to SPI futures.
Financial Adviser Thursday Market Report
Global markets failed to overcome a chorus of politicians calling for a loosening of social distancing and shutdown measures.
Renewables bring might to the race for returns
There is little doubt that the world as we know it will change as a result of the COVID-19 outbreak and subsequent shutdowns. But how much? No one truly knows, but there is little doubt the task of investment and financial advisers has becoming increasingly difficult. With bond markets offering little to no income and […]
ASX morning report – what you need to know Wednesday
The ASX 200 once again pushing throughout the day, to finish up 1.6% and the S&P 500 similarly strong, finishing 0.9% higher.
Financial Planner Tuesday Morning Report – What You Need To Know
Australian share market is expected to open higher on Tuesday with the SPI futures pointing to a positive open. Here’s what’s making headlines.
Today’s Financial Planner Market Update
The final week of April left investors around the world with a conundrum: to follow markets, or the economic data?
ASX opens lower Friday, Microsoft report upbeat
ASX shares opened lower on Friday with the All Ords index down 3% before midday on Friday, following overseas markets downward.