Many in retirement are travelling comfortably, with three key factors contributing to their happiness – good physical and mental health and enough money to enjoy life.
Perhaps the assumption that markets are still anchored by predictable economic policies needs to be challenged. For the first time since the fall of the Berlin Wall, political volatility – once background noise – is potentially reshaping investment risk at a structural level.
ASX shares morning update, the stocks to watch Friday
Takeovers, downgrades and the NASDAQ effect
It was another volatile day for the ASX 200 (ASX:XJO), with the market finishing 0.6% higher, as a weak lead from the US impacted on confidence. The only two detractors were the property and staples sector, with materials and mining once again a highlight, driven by BHP Group Ltd (ASX:BHP), +2.2%, and Rio Tinto Ltd (ASX:RIO), 3.3%.
Afterpay Ltd (ASX:APT) continues to break records, increasing another 11.4% to $73; it seems the company has become the Australian version of the Nasdaq 100, attracting every investor seeking growth despite its sky high valuation. I’m calling it the NASDAQ effect, as whilst I believe the company has some value, it’s simply moved beyond any realm of understanding.
Speaking of the NASDAQ effect, it finished another 0.5% higher whilst the S&P 500 and FTSE 100 both fell 0.6% and 1.7% respectively. Wells Fargo (NYSE:WFC) was a major detractor, down 2.2% after announcing wide ranging staff cuts to deal with the aftermath of COVID-19.
Consolidation and synergies
The superannuation platform space, which offers outsourced administration for financial advisers, remains one of the hottest sectors in the market, after Praemium Ltd (ASX:PPS) announced it was acquiring Powerwrap Ltd (ASX:PWL) for around $55.4 million.
PWL increased 65.7% and PPS 23%, in clear sign that investors expect to see real synergies extracted from this deal. The combined company will have around $28 billion in assets under administration, but a market capitalisation of just $230 million. As a comparison, the leader in the independent platform space, Netwealth Ltd (ASX:NWL) has around $32 billion but is valued at over $2 billion; in my view there is serious value in the smaller players for those with an appetite for risk.
On a more sombre note, Australian home loan applications disappointed, falling 10.2% from April with investment lending down a further 15.6%. When combined with the extension of loan repayment holidays the signs are not good for property or bank profits in 2021 and beyond; my preference is to limit exposure to the embattled sector.
Global earnings
As we move closer to the most anticipated earnings season in over a decade, Treasury Wine Estates Ltd (ASX:TWE) offered a precursor into what investors should be expecting. The company announced weaker sales in all major markets, but particular the US, down 37%, Asia, down 14% and Australia, down 16%, with profits expected to fall 21% to $530 million.
On the other hand, SAP SE (ETR:SAP) which offers enterprise software and systems, announced a stronger than expected recovery in Asia and confirmed its full year outlook, adding 4.6%, but the Eurostox 50 finished 0.8% lower.
German trade appears to be rebounding, with exports improving 9% but imports remaining subdued, growing just 3.5%. Recce Pharmaceuticals Ltd (ASX:RCE) was one of the biggest domestic winners, the $100 million company spiking 54.4% after the CSIRO selected their compounds for upcoming COVID-19 treatment tests.
In a sign of the froth building in Chinese markets, a new IT security company, QuantumCTek Co, turned into a ten bagger immediately upon listing on the speculative exchange, up 924% on day one of trading.
The daily report is written by Drew Meredith, Financial Adviser and Director of Wattle Partners.
