Markets

Environmental (E), Social (S), and Governance (G) analyses consider a multitude of issues within the E, S, G pillars. For example, MSCI, one of the mainstream ESG data and rating providers, scores companies using ten themes and 37 different factors across E, S, and G categories. However, while these scores can provide useful information about…

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) 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…

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…

Stock markets have always been a win-lose situation, but the odds are skewing even further towards a handful of successful companies, according to a new analysis by Australian-based global manager Hyperion Asset Management. In bad news for value and passive investment styles, the study argues that, historically, only a small proportion of listed companies have…

The investment grade (IG) REIT sector is certainly one of the worst affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. Across the June quarter, only 77% of revenues (rent etc.) were collected, with the retail sector collecting just 58% of contracted revenues. Net tangible asset values (NTAs) across the market declined 5.2%, driven lower predominantly by devaluations in…

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. …

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…

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…

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…

Trillion-dollar French asset manager Amundi released their November Cross Asset Strategy report last week, with gold bullion and active management among their highest conviction calls. The group is renowned for their institutional investment capacity but particular their ESG or Sustainability credentials. With Pfizer’s (NYSE: PFE) vaccine news coming shortly after the release, CIO Pascal Blanque…

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…