Australian shares inch higher ahead of US CPI data

Australian shares inch higher ahead of US CPI data

The native share market has crept up after a optimistic US lead, as traders there anticipate one other inflation readout.

The benchmark S&P/ASX200 index on Tuesday closed up 13.1 factors, or 0.18 per cent, to 7,430.9. The broader All Ordinaries rose 14.1 factors, or 0.19 per cent, to 7,628.6.

The modest positive factors got here after the ASX opened at a three-week low, with final week the bourse’s worst since September.

Despite a optimistic lead from Wall Street, the place the S&P500 recouped all of final week’s losses with a 1.1 per cent rally, native shares had been comparatively subdued.

City Index senior market analyst Matt Simpson says traders have had a pause from their bearish run whereas they await US inflation figures.

“There’s been some excitement from equity traders that maybe it’s becoming softer,” he informed AAP.

“You’ve seen US inflation expectations from the New York Fed overnight pull back and positive comments from IMF members overnight as well.

“That’s surprisingly bucked the development.

“With all the hawkish speak from Fed members at the moment, you wouldn’t think equity traders would have much to celebrate but they’re a positive bunch and they sort of took that to heart.”

The coin toss of the CPI knowledge drop, launched somewhat after midnight Sydney time, will drive markets on Wednesday, as traders obsess over the place US terminal charges will land.

“If we get a softer inflation report tonight for the US, suddenly the US dollar is bearish, Aussie dollar is bullish and good for the stock market,” Mr Simpson stated.

Eight of the ASX’s 11 sectors had been within the inexperienced, with solely vitality, supplies and industrials down.

Tech and telecommunications shares carried out greatest, rising 1.27 and 1.15 per cent respectively.

Wisetech Global gained 3.1 per cent, whereas Telstra rose one per cent to a near-one 12 months excessive of $4.14.

Australia’s largest firms, BHP and Commonwealth Bank, remained principally flat at $47.72 and $109.25 respectively. CBA will report half-year earnings outcomes on Wednesday morning.

In the heavyweight mining sector, Fortescue edged 0.2 per cent greater at $22.18 and Rio Tinto dipped 0.7 per cent to $121.50.

The remainder of the large banks completed greater, as NAB and Westpac paved the way with 0.7 per cent positive factors to $31.61 and $23.86 respectively. ANZ was up 0.2 per cent to $25.75.

Reporting season claimed one other scalp in on-line furnishings and homewares retailer Temple & Webster, down 26.9 per cent to $3.62 after a 47 per cent revenue stoop.

Troubled on line casino group Star Entertainment fell an extra 13.5 per cent to a report low of $1.28 after plummeting 20.8 per cent on Monday.

Ansell tumbled 8.7 per cent to $25.52 because the glove producer reported an 11.5 per cent drop in gross sales, notably to well being care suppliers.

Cement producer James Hardie suffered a 4.25 per cent decline to $30.40 after saying its third revenue downgrade this monetary 12 months.

Meanwhile, CSL gained 0.9 per cent to $307.75 after the blood merchandise and influenza vaccine large recorded 10 per cent development to underlying internet revenue, beating analysts’ expectations.

The Australian greenback was up towards most main currencies, shopping for 69.72 US cents in contrast with 69.12 at Monday’s ASX shut.

ON THE ASX:

* The benchmark S&P/ASX200 index completed Tuesday up 13.1 factors, or 0.18 per cent, at 7,430.9.

* The broader All Ordinaries rose 14.1 factors, or 0.19 per cent, to 7,628.6.

CURRENCY SNAPSHOT:

One Australian greenback buys:

* 69.72 US cents, from 69.12 US cents at Monday’s ASX shut

* 91.85 Japanese yen, from 91.32 Japanese yen

* 64.85 Euro cents, from 64.79 Euro cents

* 57.35 British pence, from 57.37 pence

* 109.84 NZ cents, from 109.53 NZ cents.

Source: www.perthnow.com.au