Market Updates

The ASX 200 rose 16 points to 8,839 (+0.2%) after a strong start was derailed by better-than-expected jobs data.
Banks were firm, with CBA climbing 0.4% and the Big Bank Basket up to $284.71 Elsewhere, financials eased back following the news from MQG that CEO Shemara Wikramanayake will step down in November to be replaced by Greg Ward. The stock fell 0.5% on the news. We also saw losses in the insurance sector, with QBE down 1.1% and SUN falling 1.9%. Once again, it was the industrials that came under pressure, with the tech space falling hard as US software stocks weakened. XRO dropped 5.0%, WTC fell 7.0%, and TNE also suffered. The All-Tech Index fell 2.9%, with 360 down 5.5% too. Industrials eased back, with TLS down 0.6%, while REA, CAR and SEK also fell. Retail stocks were weaker, led lower by WES. Utilities firmed, with ORG up 0.8%.
Resources were stronger again today, with BHP up 1.5% and FMG rising 1.0%. S32 had another good day, and we saw a bounce in lithium stocks, with LTR up 3.6% and PLS rising 1.9%. Gold miners were also slightly firmer as bullion managed to hold on to recent gains. Coal stocks were better, along with uranium names, with PDN the standout following broker upgrades, up 11.6%.
In corporate news, GDG had a cracker of a day, rising 37.1% after updating its funds under management. STO narrowed its production guidance to 99m to 105m barrels of oil equivalent. Elsewhere, SFR had a good day after reporting record quarterly revenue.
In economic news, the latest jobs data pointed to a resilient economy, with the unemployment rate holding at 4.4%, although most of the employment growth came from part-time jobs. The result is likely to keep pressure on the RBA to raise interest rates.
Asian markets were better, Nikkei 225 up 0.9, HK up 1.4% and China up 0.1% - Korea up 4.3%. US futures drifting lower - Dow down 44 and Nasdaq down 100. Oil firms. European futures off slightly. 
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US stocks closed lower on Wednesday ahead of the start of earnings season for mega-cap technology companies. The S&P 500 shed 0.1%, the Nasdaq 100 lost 0.5%, and the Dow Jones inched down. Software stocks came under pressure before Alphabet's (-1.5%) results, with Microsoft down 1.9% and Meta retreating 2.6%. The technology sector remained volatile as investors reassessed whether AI hyperscalers will continue expanding hardware spending. Tesla dropped % ahead of its earnings release. Most chipmakers rebounded from earlier losses, with Nvidia up 2.3%, Broadcom rising 2.7%, and AMD adding 1.4%. Meanwhile, tensions between the US and Iran escalated after Iranian drone attacks targeted CIA facilities in the Gulf. Oil prices extended gains, fueling inflation concerns and pushing yields higher. Financials traded mixed, with Visa down 0.7% while JPMorgan gained 0.9%. AT&T rose 3.5% after beating earnings estimates, lifting telecom stocks.
SPI up 72! Gold up - Oil up - MQG CEO to retire.
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The ASX 200 closed up 30 points to 8823 (0.3%), with resources back in favour and the gold sector shining. It seemed as though defensive stocks were sold to fund buying in the likes of BHP, which rose 2.5%, and RIO, up 2.5%. The gold miners had a good day, with NST rallying 3.5% and EVN up 4.3%, alongside solid gains across the sector. We also saw gains in the oil and gas space as crude prices headed higher, with WDS and STO both up more than 1%. Coal stocks also performed well, with YAL enjoying a strong session, as did NHC. Uranium stocks were in the green too, with PDN up 6.7% following its quarterly report on its Namibian operations.
Lithium stocks gained a little ground, but LYC fell 3.6% after a disappointing quarterly result highlighted higher costs. Meanwhile, industrials sold off, with the tech sector once again under pressure. XRO fell 2.6%, TNE dropped 2.3%, and NXT gave back some of yesterday's gains. REA, CAR, and SEK also fell, while the healthcare sector was led lower by CSL, down 2.8%. Industrials slipped, with WES down 2.1%, JBH off 1.5%, and BXB easing slightly.
The banking stocks were mostly unchanged, with insurers slipping slightly and the Big Bank Basket closing relatively flat at $283.03 (+0.4%). HUB rallied 4.9% following yesterday's upgrade. REITs also weakened, with GMG down 2.0%, CHC off 1.7%, and SGP falling 1.9%.
In corporate news, WES pulled the trigger on the expansion of its lithium project. RRL announced that a string of encouraging drill results would lead to further exploration, while LYC flagged increased costs associated with its expansion project in Malaysia.
There was nothing of note in local economic news.
Asian markets were weaker, Nikkei 225 up 0.1%, HK down 1.0% and China unchanged - Korea up 2.6%, well off highs.
US futures weaker - Dow down 40 and Nasdaq down 165. Oil firms. European markets set to fall 0.3%
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US stock indices closed higher on Tuesday as a rally in chipmakers lifted the broader market. The S&P 500 added 0.9%, the Nasdaq 100 advanced 1.9%, and the Dow Jones gained 385 points. Semiconductor stocks extended their rebound from last week's rout after strong export data from Taiwan and South Korea reinforced optimism for the sector. Nvidia gained 2% after saying its latest chip designs are reaching customers, while Intel climbed 8.6% on plans for job cuts. Micron (+12.2%), Sandisk (+14.3%), and AMD (+8.1%) surged. The sector rallied ahead of Alphabet's (-1.4%) earnings on Wednesday, which are expected to provide fresh signals on AI infrastructure demand from hyperscalers. Meanwhile, other sectors stabilized despite further escalation between the US and Iran and the resulting rise in oil prices. Treasury yields remained elevated, limiting gains in financial stocks. Elsewhere, GM rose 4.9 % after reporting earnings, while Charles Schwab fell 2.5% after missing estimates.
SPI up 21 - Quarterlies continue - Oil up - Gold up - Commodities up.
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The ASX 200 closed up 2 points at 8,793 after staging a decent rally off the lows as Asian markets turned positive and US futures also moved into positive territory.
Banking stocks eased back, with CBA down 0.4% and NAB, ANZ, and WBC also falling around 1.2%. The Big Bank Basket fell to $281.77 (-0.7%). MQG also took a breather, as did other wealth managers, with HUB down 4.2% despite stronger FUA results.
The industrial space was mixed, with the likes of WES down 1.2%, but ALL up 0.4%, and TLS slipping to finish down 1.8%. Healthcare stocks were also weaker today, with CSL down 1.0% and RMD down 0.9%.
Money shifted into the technology space, with REA up again, XRO rising 2.1%, and WTC up 0.9%. NXT had a good day after revising up its order book, rising 7.7% and dragging up others on the data centre side of things.
In resources, we saw a mixed picture. Lithium stocks continued to struggle as lithium carbonate prices in China fell, with PLS down 1.7% and LTR down 5.1%. BHP managed a 1.3% rise, and gold miners were also firm as gold bounced again off the US$4,000 level, with NST up 3.3% and EVN up 5.6%. Oil and gas stocks were mixed, as were coal stocks, while the uranium sector finished slightly firmer.
In corporate news, TLX climbed 1.4% after second-quarter revenue came in better than expected. Europe's biggest fintech, Revolut, was also granted a banking licence in Australia.
In economic news, the ANZ-Roy Morgan consumer confidence reading rose slightly.
Asian markets were weaker, Nikkei 225 up 2.3%, HK down 0.2% and China up 1.7% - Korea up 3%
US futures better - Dow up165 and Nasdaq up 280. Oil above $90. European markets set to fall 0.3%
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