News

Unemployment surprises, ASX down 1.2%, another weak open on Friday Thankfully I’m not an economist, with my prediction that unemployment figures would be worse than the 7.7% expected proven wrong on Thursday.  The unemployment rate unexpectedly fell from 7.5% to 6.8% in August with around 111,000 jobs gained, a large portion in part-time or gig economy roles.  With…

The bull fights back, Alibaba on the prowl, Fed not enough to slow tech sell-off, ASX to fall The ASX 200 (ASX:XJO) followed the strong overseas lead to finish 1.1% higher for the day. Every sector delivered a solid return, with IT, +2.4%, and Communications, +2.1%, leading the way. Employment advertising website operator Seek Ltd (ASX:SEK) was…

Professional investment managers look at valuations all the time. They all know that the price at which a stock was bought has a big impact on the overall percentage return to the investor over the medium-long term. But for the past eight years in Australia and ten years in the US, the value style has…

As Coronavirus cases drop, and talk of CSL’s contracts to manufacture vaccines (that is, AstraZeneca’s and/or the University of Queensland’s candidate, if they are successful) starts doing the rounds, hopefully it shouldn’t be too much longer before second-wave lockdown restrictions ease and the economy is back on track. That is the plan, notwithstanding any unforeseen…

Lacklustre Tuesday, positive China data triggers a global rally, RBA minutes offer little The banking sector was among the weakest on Tuesday, falling 1.4%, with the ASX 200 (ASX:XJO) finishing the day flat. The Australian house price index fell 1.8% on the previous quarter, sending the Commonwealth Bank of Australia Ltd (ASX:CBA) down 1.7% as…

Vaccine trial restart boosts markets, ASX strength to continue, COVID-19 impacting Macquarie Group A positive lead from Wall Street and news that AstraZeneca plc (NYSE:AZN) had resumed their vaccine trial sent the ASX 200 (ASX:XJO) 0.7% higher on Monday. Positive news on the vaccine front support the energy and industrial sectors amid hope of a…

Sell off extends to four weeks, tech takes a breather, a win for ESG The ASX 200 (ASX:XJO) fell to a nine-week loss before finishing down 0.8% for the day and 1.1%; making it the fourth straight week of losses. The selling pressure was centred around financials, falling 1.2%, as geopolitical confrontations with China have…

Rio Tinto Ltd (ASX:RIO) today announced that CEO Jean-Sebastian Jacques, Head of Iron Ore, Chris Salisbury and Head of Corporate Affairs Simone Niven, will be stepping down from their roles following the Juukan Gorge incident. Whilst someone losing their job should never been seen as a positive, is this the first high profile ‘win’ for…

ASX holds onto gains, retail pain on show at Myer (ASX:MYR), another sell off to end the week The ASX 200 (ASX:XJO) managed to stave off weakness in the afternoon, finishing 0.5%, despite a much stronger lead from the US markets. The telecommunications and materials sectors including the likes of Telstra (ASX:TLS) and BHP (ASX:BHP)…

9 in 10 stocks fall, energy under pressure, but ASX to open higher after US relief As the saying goes, sharemarkets take the stairs up and the elevator down. The ASX 200 (ASX:XJO) followed the global lead finishing 2.2% lower, with all but 13 stocks in the index finishing lower. Energy companies including Woodside Petroleum…

Superhero, has launched its platform offering at $5 flat trades for ASX stocks in a bid to capture Australia’s millennial market.

In this piece, we compare two funds in the wholesale infrastructure space: the AMP Capital Core Infrastructure Fund and Magellan’s Infrastructure Fund, both pioneers in the space with a great track record. Infrastructure funds provide investors opportunity to invest in vital assets, such as bridges, airports, toll roads, ports, electricity, gas and water utilities, energy…