Market Updates

The ASX 200 jumped 139 points to close the week at 8732 (+1.6%) on a very firm note as hopes built that there will be some resolution, or at least an extension of the ceasefire in the Middle East. There seemed to be a lot of short covering around today after the 125-point fall yesterday. We reversed that today, with the banking sector bouncing back hard, with CBA up 2.2%, NAB up 0.6%, and the Big Bank Basket up to $273.55 (+1.6%). Financials across the board bounced, with MQG up 1.1%, and even ASX rallying slightly, but it was resources that were really carrying the day today, as copper stocks advanced with BHP up 2.9%, RIO up 1.2%, and FMG also doing well, up 2.4%.
The gold miners had a good day yesterday after falling around 7%, with NST up 3.4% and EVN up 4.2%. Copper stocks and lithium pushed higher, with S32 also up 3.0%, although we saw some obvious selling in the oil and gas plays, with WDS unchanged and STO down 0.5%. Uranium stocks firmed slightly in this heady environment. Tech stocks saw some modest buying, with NXT up 1.7%, CAR doing very well, and TNE up 2.0%. Industrials and retail rose slightly. We also saw good buying with JBH up 1.2%, BXB up 0.1%, and QAN doing well on the back of lower crude prices.
In corporate news today, JDO had a great day after expanding its securitisation deal. IEL was trashed 16.2% after Macquarie slashed its target price, and THL soared 26.1% after a non-binding indicative offer from BGH Capital. Nothing on the economic front today. All eyes are on whether Donald Trump signs off on the latest proposal.
Asian markets eased. Japan up 1.4%, HK up 0.7% and China down 1%. US futures up slightly, Dow up 42 and Nasdaq up 29. European markets set to open around 0.2% higher.
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The S&P 500 and Nasdaq Composite closed at records on Thursday as tech resumed its leadership, and traders weighed a reported agreement between U.S. and Iranian negotiators to extend the ceasefire. 
The broader index gained 0.58% to 7,563.63, while the Nasdaq Composite rose 0.91% to 26,917.47. Both indexes also hit intraday all-time highs. The Dow Jones Industrial Average was higher by 0.05% at 50,668.97.
Tech stocks rallied Thursday, after a strong earnings outlook from Snowflake revived enthusiasm around the AI trade. Shares soared 36.5%, posting its best day ever after the cloud-based data platform provider issued rosy fiscal second quarter guidance.
Core PCE slightly better than expected - GDP revised down - SPI up 52 - Gold higher
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The ASX 200 took a dive today, down another 125pts at 8593 (1.4%), as the peace deal in the Gulf is starting to slide away. Banks and gold bore the brunt of the selling, with CBA off 2.1% and WBC down 1.3%, with the Big Bank Basket at $269.32 (-1.9%). Insurers also fell hard, QBE down 2.8% and IAG off 1.6%, with financials generally easier, while ASX continues lower.
REITs also fell as bond yields rose, GMG off 1.2% and SCG down 0.8%. Old-school platforms remained under pressure, SEK down 3.9% and REA off 1.1%. Tech fell hard too, XRO off 2.6% and WTC falling 1.6%. The All-Tech Index dropped 1.1%. Healthcare was also under pressure, CSL fell 1.7% and RMD down 1.4%. Supermarkets held up. Industrials slid, BXB down 2.5% and QAN falling 1.5% as oil prices rose.
Resources were sold down as bullion fell heavily and gold stocks turned nasty, NEM down 7.5% and EVN off 7.7%. Lithium stocks held up, PLS up 0.3%, while rare earths fell, LYC off 2.5%. Uranium stocks drifted lower, PDN down 1.7%. The big iron ore miners were also under pressure, BHP down 1.2% and RIO falling 2.5%.
In corporate news, SDR rallied 8.6% after a new partnership deal. CSL dropped again despite the new CEO topping up his holding. VUL rose 2.3% as its financing package closed. And EOS had a good day, up 4.2% on some new director signings.
On the economic front, April household spending collapsed much more sharply than expected, down 1.1% over the month.
Asian markets eased. Japan off 0.5%, HK down 1.4% and China off 0.1%.
US futures down slightly, Dow down 12 and Nasdaq off 141. European markets set to open around 0.7% lower. Oil up 3% on renewed hostilities.
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The Dow Jones Industrial Average rose to a new record on Wednesday as oil prices retreated, while the S&P 500 eked out a tiny gain, with chip stocks keeping the index’s gains in check.
The 30-stock Dow gained 182.60 points, or 0.36%, for a record close of 50,644.28. The blue-chip index also hit an intraday all-time high. The broad market S&P 500 ticked 0.02% higher to 7,520.36, another closing record. The Nasdaq Composite also edged up 0.07% to end at 26,674.73.
A decline in oil prices lent the Dow some support. U.S. crude oil fell 5.55% to settle at $88.68 a barrel after Iranian state media said the country is committed to restoring commercial traffic through the Strait of Hormuz to pre-war levels within one month.
Oil down 5% Gold falls - SPI down 38
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The ASX 200 started slowly with early losses, but after a benign and better-than-expected CPI read, the bulls were back. The ASX 200 closed up 60 points at 8718 (0.7%). Banks fought back from bigger early losses, with CBA up modestly and WBC down 0.6X%. The Big Bank Basket unchanged at $275.52, whilst other financials improved, with MQG up 1.0%. IFT was having a good day on some broker upgrades, up 5.8%, and HUB was doing well too, up 2.0%. A horror run continued for ASX as it fell another 9.7% on the news yesterday of a further capex blowout and broker commentary today. The industrial space was mainly better, with WES gaining 1.4%, ALL up 3.2%, and GMG also having a good day after the results yesterday. Healthcare perked up slightly, with a good run from CSL up 2.4% and FPH also having another good day, up 4.1%. The tech space was mixed, with TLS down 1.0%, WTC up 1.4%, and TNE up as well. The All -Tech Index rose 2% today.
In resources, it was a mixed session, with lithium stocks a little under pressure. PLS fell 1.9%, and MIN also down slightly, but BHP up 1.5% and FMG also doing well. Gold miners were mixed, with a bias to the upside, as NEM rose 1.3%, and coal stocks again were firm, with YAL up 2.1% and WHC up 2.2%. Uranium stocks were also slightly firmer, with PDN up 2.4%.
In corporate news today, WEB rose slightly following results, with guidance maintained. EDV fell 4.9% after it flagged a major restructure of its wine operations. SXL was up strongly after Gina Rinehart emerged as a major shareholder. KMD was also doing well on a strategic review, up 17.3%. NUF also had a good day, up 13.7%, as profits jumped on higher margins.
In economic news, the monthly consumer price index showed inflation slowed slightly to 4.2%, below the 4.4% forecast. The dollar slid slightly on this news and hopes that the RBA is on hold firmed.
Asian markets were once again gripped by chip fever in South Korea and Taiwan. Records and new trillion-dollar valuations.  Japan up 0.4%, HK down 1.1% and China off 0.6%. Kopsi up 3.6%. Taiwan up 2.4%.
US futures slightly better. Brent crude down 1.6%
No news on peace deal. US Cabinet meeting today.
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Disclaimer
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