Australian Shares

A mixed day here in Asia as Japanese stocks take a dive while locally, the ASX200 is supported by the almost baked in rate cuts coming for the Australian dollar as the GDP print comes in lower than expected.

By Chris Becker  US stock markets have closed where they started again despite a better than expected non-manufacturing ISM print overnight, which initally sent the USD higher but then faded against the majors later in the session.

Risk is taking a holiday here in Asia in response to the slump overnight on Wall Street with the USD gaining strength against most of the majors not providing the usual help.

By Chris Becker  Risk markets are turning cautious despite some potentially positive good news around the US China trade talks, with USD continuing its bull run against the major currency pairs.

Via UBS today: Earnings growth of 3.8% expected in FY19, but driven mostly by Resources Reporting season is now complete.

A generally positive end to the week here in Asia with most stock markets putting on meaningful gains, buoyed by positive numbers out of China and Japan, plus a higher USD suppressing local currencies.

Outside Australia, stocks have dropped across the region as the US/NK summit ends on a whimper, cut short with no agreement.

By Chris Becker  Risk markets remained in a holding pattern again overnight as a slew of macro events and news weighed on any risk taking, sending USD higher.

Stock markets are generally buoyant across Asia today with a few macro releases, including Australian construction data, disappointing to the downside, but having almost no effect on risk taking.

By Chris Becker  Risk markets remained in a holding pattern overnight with US stocks largely unchanged as Treasury yields and USD moved lower, with Fed Chair Powell’s testimony to Senate restating the Reserve’s desire to keep rates on hold.

The good mood from overnight on the basis that the US/China trade talks are progressing forward has turned here in Asia, with red across the board.

By Chris Becker  Market sentiment was buoyed yesterday by the inference by the somewhat positive news surrounding the US/China trade talks, with stocks on both sides of the Atlantic rising, albeit with some hesitation towards the end of the session.

Asian share markets were given a boost this morning with some progress on the US/China trade talks, building on the positive mood on Wall Street on Friday night, with the Chinese Yuan firming to new six month highs against USD.

By Chris Becker  Looking at Chinese stocks first, where last week saw the Shanghai Composite shoot higher after its recent breakout, getting slightly above the 2800 point level as confidence returned.

Asian share markets are following the overnight lead with some mild falls and scratch results across the region.

By Chris Becker  A muted night on risk markets with US stocks retreating and European bourses treading water as continued Brexit and US/Chinese trade talks have stalled – or at least no news is being positioned as bad news.

Asian stocks generally rose across the region with most activity in currency markets as the Chinese coal closure and the latest domestic unemployment print pushed the Australian dollar all over the place.

Rocks everything actually.

By Chris Becker  A better return to form for risk markets overnight with European stocks rallying while US markets edged out with some meagre returns as the latest FOMC Minutes were absorbed.

Asian stocks basically moved together today with solid gains across the region, save Australia as local stocks were pushed down by a higher domestic currency, while gold almost hit $1350USD per ounce.

By Chris Becker  The return of Wall Street saw risk markets nudge a little higher while a surge in USD weakness due to the leaked concerns of the US trade delegation for a more stable Yuan saw major pairs move swiftly against King Dollar, which should provide a headwind to Asian stocks here today.

Asian stocks could not build on their boisterous start to the week with a flat session across the region due to the lack of lead from US markets which were closed overnight.

After today’s longest RBA minutes in living memory, the Australian dollar fell away.

Via UBS today: Reporting season has been better than feared.

By Chris Becker  A holiday on Wall Street and the lack of any economic data or macro news kept risk markets at bay overnight with the USD also little changed.