The S&P/ASX 200 Index closed 55 points or 1.3% lower to 4298 points after popping above positive territory at lunch. In after hours trading, the index is down another 15 points, with Euro and US markets pointing to similar losses. Asian markets experienced similar losses, with Japan’s Nikkei 225 down 0.16% at 9036 points, the
Brokers are almost always biased towards buy recommendations because it is the best way to get, well, brokerage. But with the market at such depressed levels, it is probably not an overly bad call. Goldman Sachs, which thinks there is some hope that Europe is being sorted, is looking for multiples to be higher and
The S&P/ASX 200 Index closed 5 points or 0.1% higher to 4353 points after a very solid open was sold off during the day. In after hours trading, the index is steady, with Euro and US markets pointing to slightly lower or steady opens after the frivolity of last night. Asian markets outperformed, with Japan’s
Time for some perspective – in equity markets around the world, the bulls are popping champagne and hysterically bidding up anything and everything (including iron ore stocks whilst iron ore is crashing), whilst the bears have gone back into hibernation, with sore bottoms and damaged pride. The realists observe that this volatility and switch between
The S&P/ASX 200 Index closed 105 points or 2.4% higher to 4348 points after eventually opening from the bedlam at the open and absorbing the news of a “hellish” deal involving a 50% haircut on Greek bonds to European banks. In after hours trading, the index has climbed a further 20 points, with Euro and
Retail is certainly on the nose, and rightly so. The forces working against it are many, from over geared households to the effect of on-line purchasing. But that does not mean that there is not value in teh sector, especially amongst the bigger players whcih are unliekly to go under. A UBS report asks the
UPDATE 4: Trading has resumed at 2PM (AEDST) , with the market up 2% above 4300 points. UPDATE 3: ASX says trading will go pre-open at 1.40PM and resume from 2PM (AEDST) UPDATE 2: ASX says trading will likely resume from 12.55 onwards. Maybe. UPDATE 1: ASX says some trading has been resumed – doesn’t
Today’s chart comes from my favourite trader, Peter L.Brandt, and explains how the US S&P500 – the equity market that equity markets follow – is stuck “between a rock and a hard place”. As he explains the technicals: the market is arguably a double bottom. The other indexes do not show a similar pattern, but
The S&P/ASX 200 Index closed up 14 points or 0.3% to 4242 points after dropping sharply in the morning session following broad losses on US and Euro markets on Tuesday night. In after hours trading, the index has slipped 20 points, but Euro and US markets are pointing to mixed opens. Asian markets behaved in
With Europe teetering, it is hard to see how one would make a case for property investment of any sort. But some brave, probably scarred souls, are still looking at retail property trusts (AREITS). A Morningstar report notes that the AREIT sector fell “only” by minus 9.5% in the September quarter, which was not as
Bullish commentator Clifford Bennett was recently interviewed and restated his opinion that the ASX200 is on its way to a “100% rally”, and will end up “above 8000 points” in 2 years time. Given this forecast is also some 16% above the historic high reached on 1st November of 2007, and others have continually called
The S&P/ASX 200 Index closed down 27 points or 0.6% to 4227 points in a wayward session coming after a positive follow up session on US and Euro markets on Monday night. In after hours trading, the index has slipped slightly, but Euro and US markets are pointing to similar losses. Asian markets were also
In normal times, an interest rate cut is usually an indication that it is time to get more bullish, or at least less bearish, about equities. But these are not normal times. The signals being sent by negligible or zero interest rates in developed markets are of extreme distress, and that is creating aversion to
The S&P/ASX 200 Index closed up 113 points or 2.66% to 4255 points in a very positive session coming after a strong rally on US and Euro markets on Friday night. In after hours trading, the index has slipped slightly, but Euro and US markets are pointing to slightly higher opens. Asian markets were also
The S&P/ASX 200 Index closed down 3 points to 4141 points in a strange session coming into the EU Meeting this weekend. In after hours trading, the index is up 10 points, with Euro and US markets pointing to slightly higher opens. Before I go on, something happened after “lunch” about 2pm today on the
The S&P/ASX 200 Index closed down 68 points or 1.66% today to 4144 points following heavy falls on commodity markets and poor leads on overnight markets. In after hours trading, the index is steady, with Euro and US markets pointing to small losses. Asian markets experienced similar moves, with Japan’s Nikkei 225 down 1% at
The great disleveraging is continuing to the point where it is almost a deleveraging. I must ask H&H about the semantic distinction. So, OK, we all know that retail is struggling. But at what point is it fairly priced? A Morningstar report notes what is well known, at least for MB readers, that the savings
The S&P/ASX 200 Index closed up 27 points or 0.64% today to 4213 points following the rumor-led rise from overnight US and Euro markets. In after hours trading, the index is steady, with Euro and US markets pointing to modest opens. Asian markets experienced similar moves, with Japan’s Nikkei 225 up 0.35% at 8772 points,
Telstra shareholders have approved the NBN deal, so brokers are unsurprisingly rushing to opine. Telstra offers a high, fully franked yield, so the share price only has to stay stable for it to be a decent play, at least compared with the rest of what is a very uncertain market. According to Citi, which has
Back in September, I posted on the recall of Cochlear’s Nucleus 5 implant – COH’s primary device which makes up the lion’s share of Cochlear’s revenues (see full article here). Since the recall there has been no other information released by Cochlear, who promised to give an update at the AGM. Well, the AGM was held
The S&P/ASX 200 Index closed down 88.5 points or 2.11% today to 4186 points following weak leads from overnight US and Euro markets. In after hours trading, the index is down slightly, with Euro and US markets also pointing to lower opens. Asian markets experienced similar moves, with Japan’s Nikkei 225 down 1.4% at 8749
Fortescue Metals is the main subject of broker attention. The company seems to have pretty stable operations so its price will be very much a reflection of sentiment about iron ore, which is in turn an assessment of China’s economic health. That could well be perilous waters. Still, the fundamentals look almost enticing, were it
You have to wonder if the Germans actually think that a prolonged period before resolution is preferable to something more market friendly and swift. I was only talking with a colleague last week about the different time frames in play at the moment. In Europe you can go to a city where there is a
The S&P/ASX 200 Index closed up 69 points or 1.6% today to 4275 points following a strong finish to the week on US and Euro markets on Friday. In after hours trading, the index is down slightly, with Euro and US markets also pointing to modestly higher opens. Asian markets experienced similar moves, with Japan’s
The phones are quiet in broker land as bearish gloom grips. But the analysts’ reports still have to be produced and in theory such bearish conditions create good opportunities to buy. In theory. Wesfarmers, which is diversified, big and reasonably cashed up, is getting some analyst attention. Goldman Sachs has a buy. Goldman says the stock
Today’s chart is part of a great series of continually updated charts by DShort at his blog here. This puts the current rally in equity markets around the world in context: the chart illustrates the comparative performance of World Markets since March 9, 2009. The start date is arbitrary: The S&P 500, CAC 40 and
In this week’s equities spotlight, we examine an emerging force in the Australian food retail space – Metcash Ltd. The Business Metcash (MTS) is Australia’s leading wholesale distribution and marketing company specialising in grocery, fresh produce, liquor and hardware. The wholesale distribution networks supplies IGA retailers, various liquor stores and Campbells – a distributor of
Qantas (QAN) has been making headlines recently through industrial disputes with their engineering workforce. Shareholders may be concerned the dispute will impact QAN’s image or maybe even its profits through future strike action. Well, investors can rest assured that strike action won’t have much of an impact on QAN’s future. As we can see from
The S&P/ASX 200 Index closed up 93 points or 2.2% today to 4162 points following gains on “undollar” or non-USD risk markets around the world. In after hours trading, the index is up slightly, with Euro and US markets also pointing to strong opens. Asian markets experienced similar moves, with Japan’s Nikkei 225 up 1.25%
Everyone can relax a little it seems the ECB and BOE are on the job, German Chancellor Angela Merkel is making soothing sounds and the market is simply tired of fear and loathing and wants to rally. So all around the world investors are breathing a sigh of relief which is good news for a
