Markets

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…

The eye of the beholder More than ever, one considers prospects from the domain within one resides. Locally, we in Victoria naturally have a bleak view compared to the states with few COVID cases. Have a conversation with associates in the US on nearly any topic and inevitably strongly held views are exposed. Opinions on…

In the first of a series on Australian biotech success stories, we start with some of the outstanding medical device stocks on 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.

The recent slavery scandal surrounding the fast fashion brand Boohoo has further intensified the focus on the “S” element within ESG factors.  The “S” pillar has been gaining prominence since the start of the pandemic, with increased attention on how companies treat their workers.

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.

A focus on oil and gas abandonment and implications for the ASX.

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.

The figures show quite a confusing picture. According to the data, an unemployment rate of 7.4 per cent is the worst rate Australia has seen since November 1998 despite the addition of 210,000 jobs, which is a huge increase.

The South China Sea conflict has largely been a case of ‘failure to act’ whilst the law of the sea has been flouted. China continues to exert military control over its neighbours over the hotly contested waterways, completely unabated.

While more and more Australian investors get comfortable with investing overseas, it’s fair to assume that Latin America is not on most people’s map of the investable universe – “there be dragons,” as the old mariners used to say.

Liquidity is said to be the driver of this cycle. No hiding here as central banks provide largesse without restraint, while governments fret about re-election cycles to spew money at any likely voter.