The ASX softened into the weekend with two min drivers weighing on the index. Bond yields were in focus again today with Aussie 2 & 3-year yields rising over 2% to put pressure on risk assets. Weakness across commodities also weighed on the local bourse as the energy and materials sectors felt the most pain. It was surprising to see the tech and consumer discretionary sectors outperform despite the volatility again today. The selloff into the weekend took the week’s losses to -147pts/-2.13%.
- The ASX 200 finished down -95pts/ -1.4% at 6747
- The utilities sector was the best performer, though still
falling -0.43%. Tech (-0.6%) & healthcare (-0.61%) were also in the
red but fared better than most. - Energy (-2.96%), Industrials (-2.45%) & Materials
(-2.31%) were the three sectors to fall by more than 2%. -
Atlas Arteria (ASX: ALX) -9.7%, toll road operator was back trading today after a monster $3.1b
raise. The money will go towards their purchase of a controlling stake in
the Chicago Skyway, the 67% stake costing $US2b. -
Polynovo (ASX: PNV) flat,
spent the afternoon in a trading halt as they prepare to announce FDA
approval for a new product. We expect shares back online by Tuesday. -
ANZ (ASX: ANZ) & NAB (ASX: NAB) both
upgraded expectations for the RBA to hike rates by 50bps at the next
meeting which sent bond yields higher. - Oil was flat in Asian
trade, however, it looks set to post a 3rd consecutive week of
falls on softness last night. Traders are becoming concerned around a drop
off in demand on fears the Fed’s hiking brigade will dampen economic
growth. - Iron Ore was ~1.4% lower in Asia today
- Gold was weak today, down $US2 to US$1662. The level
represents a new two-year low for the precious metal, and gold stocks were
more than happy to trade lower as a result - Asian stocks were weaker today, Japan’s Nikkei down more than
1%, Hong Kong down -0.7% - US Futures are all in the red
ahead of tonight’s ‘triple witching’ options expiry. S&P500
-0.75% and the Nasdaq futures -0.98%
ASX 200 Chart
Sectors this week
Stocks this week
Broker Moves
- Atlas
Arteria Cut to Underperform at Credit Suisse; PT A$6.30 - Pact
Group Rated New Buy at Barclay Pearce Capital; PT A$2.56 - MA
Financial Rated New Hold at Barclay Pearce Capital; PT A$4.86 - Austal
Rated New Underperform at Barclay Pearce Capital - Charter
Hall Group Reinstated Buy at Goldman; PT A$16.50 - Myer
Raised to Accumulate at CLSA; PT 70 Australian cents - MLM AU
Rated New Speculative Buy at Morgans Financial Limited - NAB
Raised to Buy at Citi; PT A$32.75 - Bendigo
& Adelaide Raised to Buy at Citi; PT A$9.75
Major Movers Today
Have a great night
The Market Matters Team
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