s&p 500

Machines and the Mind Around 70%-80% of equity market volume is driven by algorithmic trading. There are a host of actors in this process, from hedge funds, exchange-traded funds (ETFs) and commodity trading advisers (CTAs). It also includes fundamental investors that refine their positions, for example, “percentage of volume” (POV) execution that matches ‘buy’ or…

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…

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…

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…

Investors are piling into COVID-hit international companies amid a share trading boom. According to ASIC’s analysis of trading volumes during the COVID period, share trading volumes among retail investors have doubled. With that in mind, international share trading has become a lot easier, but can still come at a substantial cost, with added tax implications,…

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, 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, 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…

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…

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…