Equities

Way back when it was possible to have relatively open conversations with company management and receive mostly unscripted responses. Nowadays the access is limited, and minders watch carefully for any possible deviation from the standard line. The politician response of saying whatever you want regardless of the question has clearly been taken on board. For…

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…

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…

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…

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…

In a year when a global pandemic, recession and record-low interest rates took centre stage, a growing number of specialist managers, including many high-profile names, failed to beat the market last financial year. Yet with market dispersion continuing to grow, active management has never been more valuable. The first quarter of 2020 saw an unprecedented…

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…

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…

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…

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…

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, 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%…