Australian equities

Tough finish to the week, Cochlear (ASX:COH) rallies despite taking a hit, QBE Insurance (ASX:QBE) reports billion dollar loss The ASX200 (ASX:XJO) dropped 1.3% on Friday, sending the benchmark to a 0.2% loss for the week despite a strong series of company reports. Friday’s weakness was driven by the energy sector, which fell 3.6% and mining, -2.4%,…

ASX finishes flat, CSL (ASX:CSL), Wesfarmers (ASX:WES) delivers again, Fortescue (ASX:FMG) delivers record dividend The ASX200 (ASX:XJO) finished flat for the day, but with growing dispersion in underlying company performance. Treasury Wine (ASX:TWE) lead the way, jumping 17.5%, but it was healthcare company CSL (ASX:CSL) that contributed most with the consumer discretionary (+0.6%) and the healthcare (+2.0%) the few winners. Unemployment…

ASX down 0.5%, reporting season peaks, Coles (ASX:COL), Woolworths (ASX:WOW) sold off The ASX200 (ASX:XJO) fell 0.5% on what was one of the busiest days of reporting season, with 20 companies releasing either half-year or quarterly updates. The consumer staples sector was the biggest detractor, falling 3.5% on fears that recent trends will slow, with the property sector…

ASX hits 11-month high, BHP (ASX:BHP) delivers record dividend, Ansell (ASX:ANN) riding the COVID wave  The ASX200 (ASX:XJO) reached an 11-month high and is now nearing 7,000 points once again, with the energy and materials sectors powering the recovery. Zip Co. (ASX:Z1P) continued its stellar 2021 run, adding 10.0% and taking the year-to-date gain to 160%. The company…

Lockdown 3.0, ASX finishes 0.5% lower, Baby Bunting (ASX:BBN) riding COVID-19 boom The ASX200 (ASX:XJO) finished 0.6% lower on Friday, dragging the market to 0.5% for the week. The news of the day was the snap five-day lockdown in Victoria, which naturally sent the industrials sector to significant losses, Qantas (ASX:QAN) fell 4.8% and Webjet (ASX:WEB) 3.9%. Over the week, it…

ASX higher, Commonwealth Bank (ASX:CBA) dividend boost, Lend Lease (ASX:LLC) CEO leaves, Crown Ltd (ASX:CWN) has an uncertain future The ASX200 (ASX:XJO) finished 0.5% higher, with every sector but consumer discretionary adding to returns. IT was once again the standout with both Afterpay Ltd (ASX:APT) and Zip Co (ASX:Z1P) hitting all-time highs as BNPL valuations took another leap forward. Whilst reported…

Earnings season begins, Challenger (ASX:CGF) reverses recent gains, Crown Ltd (ASX:CWN) locked out The ASX200 fell 0.9% as reality sets in after what had been an incredibly strong few weeks. Every sector finished lower lead by yield plays in property and utilities, off 2.1% and 1.4% respectively. All eyes will be on Crown Ltd (ASX:CWN) once it recommences trading after…

Strongest week since November, News Corp (NWS) shows the evolution of media, more record highs The ASX200 (ASX:XJO) finished the week the same way it started, moving 1.1% higher, with a broad-based recovery sending the index to its highest level in 11 months. Mining services provider Worley (ASX:WOR) was the main laggard, falling 8.1% after flagging a significant fall…

ASX down on Victorian outbreak, Origin (ASX:ORG) and AGL Energy (ASX:AGL) downgrade, record trade surplus The ASX200 (ASX:XJO) broke its three day run, falling 0.9% due to a combination of weaker global markets and an unexpected outbreak from hotel quarantine in Victoria. Every sector finished lower, but property (-2.4%) utilities (-2.0%) and energy (-1.2%) were among the…

ASX rallies on the back of QE pump priming, healthcare falls, Tabcorp (ASX:TAH) confirms bid The ASX200 (ASX:XJO) continued its strong start to the week, finishing 1.5% higher after news that the Reserve Bank of Australia would be keeping rates on hold. Every sector barring healthcare finished higher, with IT once again leading the way with low rates used…