Market Updates

The ASX 200 clawed back early losses to close down 8 on the day at 9,264 points (0.1%). Up 3.2% for the week. It was a mixed picture across the market as investors waited for the US non-farm payrolls (NFP) report tonight and watched for further developments in the Middle East.
The banks slipped back, with CBA down 1.0% and WBC down 1.6%, while MQG also eased after recently hitting record highs, falling 1.1%. The Big Bank Basket fell 1.1% to $295.90. Financials were generally softer, with the sector under pressure and ZIP also slipping 3.4% following XYZ's results. REITs were mixed, with GMG down 1.0%, but CHC up 0.76%. Industrials were largely flat, with SGH down 1.25% and QAN down 1.12%, while the retail sector barely moved. Healthcare stocks took a breather, with RMD falling 8.3% on concerns around margins and inflation pressures. Technology stocks had a better session, with WTC up 4.3% and XRO up 1.5%, possibly receiving support from the 32% climb in Atlassian after its results were released after hours.
Resources were once again the place to be, although the iron ore names were mixed. RIO gained 0.8%, while FMG slipped 2.3%. Lithium stocks, which have been heavily sold off for some time, finally found some buyers, with PLS rallying 6.5% and LTR also pushing higher by 9.3%. Gold miners were slightly firmer, with NST up 2.3% and NEM up 2.7%, while oil and gas stocks continued to perform well. Coal stocks also improved, alongside uranium names. PDN rose 3.3%, while NXG also enjoyed a better session, gaining 2.2%.
In corporate news, JHX added 5.8% following an increase in quarterly income, while NCK slipped 0.7% despite UK operations helping support its results. AQZ returned from a trading halt and rose 6.1% after providing clarification around the Qantas transaction. There was little locally on the economic front, although investors digested the latest Chinese export and import data.
Asian markets were mixed, with the Nikkei 225 down 0.2%, Hong Kong up 0.4%, China up 1.3%, and Korea off 0.6%. US futures were mixed with the Dow down 67 points and the Nasdaq up 72. US non-farm payrolls in focus.
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US stock indices closed lower on Thursday as a rebound in energy prices revived concerns that the Fed could raise interest rates next month. The S&P 500 fell 0.2%, the Nasdaq 100 lost 0.4%, and the Dow shed 464 points. Yields rose alongside wholesale fuel prices as investors reassessed the prospects for restoring shipping through Hormuz. Reports indicated that Iran plans to bar US and Israeli vessels from the waterway and require compensation from countries it considers hostile before allowing passage. Hawkish comments from FOMC members were reinforced by reports that Fed Chair Warsh is willing to raise rates if inflation rises further. Financial stocks weakened, with JPMorgan down 0.8% and Morgan Stanley losing 2.1%. Credit-sensitive hyperscalers were mostly lower, with Alphabet down 1.3%. Western Digital sank 13% after a disappointing guidance. Sandisk lost 6.8% as its results missed expectations. SpaceX rose 6.1% as $101 billion worth of shares exited their post-IPO lockup.
SPI down 4 - Gold drifts - Oil up - NCK results - NFP in focus tonight - Atlassian jumps 32% on results.
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The ASX 200 put in another solid day, rising 44 points to 9,272 (0.5%), as the banks and gold stocks shone. We did see higher levels earlier in the session, but some of the enthusiasm was sapped by a fall in the Kospi, while BHP and RIO finished slightly mixed. CBA rose 0.9% and NAB gained 0.4%, with financials generally firmer. The Big Bank Basket rose to $299.21 (+0.6%) Insurers slipped, however, with QBE down 1.0%, while the REITs also eased, with GMG down 1.7% and SCG off 1.3%. Healthcare continued its recent strength, with CSL up 1.3% and RMD rising 0.3%.
Technology had a mixed session, with WTC falling 1.5% and XRO gaining 0.4% as the sector paused for breath after recent gains. Industrials were generally firmer, while retailers had a good day, led by JBH, up 2.9%, and HVN, which rose 1.2%.
In the resource sector, the gold price pushed higher again, dragging the miners with it. EVN rose 3.8% and NST added 3.2%. There was little to report in lithium, with the sector drifting slightly higher. Uranium stocks eased modestly, while coal stocks were stronger, with WHC up 2.5%. Oil and gas stocks were little changed as investors continued to wait for further developments in the Iranian talks.
In corporate news, REA rose 3.4% after posting an 11% increase in revenue. AMP also had a strong session after announcing a 57% jump in half-year profit and unveiling a $150m share buyback. Meanwhile, BPT fell after reporting a 21% decline in underlying FY profit, while AQZ surged 30% before entering a trading halt as it renegotiates contracts with QAN. Nothing on the economic front today.
Asian markets were weaker, with the Nikkei 225 down 0.99%, Hong Kong down 1.7%, China down 0.8%, and Korea off 4.6%. US futures were flat with the Dow up 118 points and the Nasdaq down 83. 
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US stocks closed near record levels on Wednesday as an improving macroeconomic backdrop and strong corporate earnings supported sentiment. The S&P 500 inched down 0.2%, closing near yesterday's record. while the Dow added 263 points to reach a record 54,349. Crude oil prices extended their decline after Iran said it had reached an agreement with Oman on a proposed shipping route through the Strait of Hormuz, while US officials signaled progress in talks aimed at restoring trade flows through the region, easing concerns over energy-driven inflation. Credit sensitive sectors, including major banks, outperformed. Arista Networks rose 3.6% after reporting stronger-than-expected revenue. Eli Lilly gained 4.9% after beating revenue estimates and raising its full-year guidance. In contrast, the Nasdaq slipped 0.8%. SpaceX slumped 13.6%, giving back the previous session's gains, while AMD dropped 7% despite doubling data center revenue.
SPI down 9 - Gold shines - AMP buyback - REA and NWS results
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The ASX 200 climbed to a record high today, up 79 pts to 9225 (0.9%) as buyers returned to the resources sector.
The rally was led by BHP, up 3.3%, and RIO, up 2.3%. We also saw strong buying in LYC, which gained 4.8%, while the gold sector rallied across the board as the bullion price pushed higher on hopes of a resolution to the Iran conflict. NST rose 5.5%, EVN gained 6.0%, and BSL also finished up 3.0%.
The oil and gas sector moved lower, led by WDS, down 3.5%, and STO, which fell 2.2%. Uranium stocks pushed higher, with PDN up 4.2% and DYL rising 3.9%. Lithium stocks posted modest gains, with LTR bouncing 2.9% from its recent lows.
The banks eased on valuation concerns, with CBA down 1.6% and ANZ off 0.7%, leaving the Big Bank Basket down at $297.30 (-1.1%). MQG hit fresh record highs, while the broader financial sector also performed well, with ZIP up 7.8% and PNI jumping 8.4% following better-than-expected results.
Industrials also enjoyed a solid session, with BXB up 1.3%, QAN rising 2.7% on the back of lower oil prices, and SGH up 1.9%, continuing its recent strength. The technology sector rallied strongly once again, with WTC up 5.8%, XRO gaining 2.1% and 360 rising 3.7%. Healthcare also had a good day, with CSL up 1.2% and RMD gaining 2.7%.
In corporate news, EDV fell 1.4% after results showed the group flagging a $311m hit and profit down 14.7%. LNW posted better-than-expected quarterly results, and NEU jumped 18.2% on an update on Daybue sales. In economic news, China’s services activity expanded at its weakest pace in nearly two years
Asian markets were firm, with the Nikkei 225 up 3.5%, Hong Kong unchanged, China up 1.6%, and Korea up 4.4%. US futures were firmer, with the Dow up 192 points and the Nasdaq up 102 points. European markets are set to open higher. 
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Disclaimer
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