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The stellar run in the Nasdaq 100 index, which has seen it reach new all-time highs some 40 times already in 2020, shows no signs of slowing. With such strength and a willingness of investors to look beyond short-term losses, a single-file, socially distanced line of “unicorns” is awaiting their piece of the action. The…

Helping Australians save money during the recession.

ASX nears three month low, Magellan (ASX:MFG) takes a swing, US markets head lower The selling pressure continued on Monday, the ASX 200 (ASX:XJO) falling another 0.7%, now nearing the low points of June.  The selling was widespread, National Australia Bank Ltd (ASX:NAB) and BHP Group Ltd (ASX:BHP) down 1.4% and 1.2% respectively.  The biggest…

ASX 200 ekes out a gain, tech profit taking continues, Trump bans WeChat Global markets continued their negative trend on Friday, the ASX 200 (ASX:XJO) falling 0.3%, but managing to finish the week up a solitary 5 points; outperforming most global markets. It was a similar story in the US, with both the Nasdaq and…

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…