Half-year results 'so far, so good'
Miners have predictably been the stars, dividends are still hot and banks look solid.
Patrick Commins writes on Markets specialising in Equity Markets, Currencies, Debt Markets. Based in our Sydney newsroom, Patrick is Markets deputy editor and has over six years experience as a journalist.
Miners have predictably been the stars, dividends are still hot and banks look solid.
This reporting season may show that life among many listed Australian businesses remains a slog.
Overseas buying "largely underpinned" the blockbuster bank share price gains of recent months, analysts say.
A slippery oil price and sharp reversal in investor sentiment dragged the ASX into the red for the first time this year.
Banks led a broad ASX sell-off, ending a five-day winning streak as the mood among investors turns markedly bearish, with iron ore and gold miners the exceptions.
Economists are hopeful that a reasonable Christmas shopping period will make for a constructive quarter of consumer spending and help stave off fears of a recession, despite "tepid" retail sales growth in November.
The ASX's powerful rally continues as shares charge through 5800 points thanks to strong buying in the big banks, as the benchmark top 200 index breaks into bull market territory.
Housing approvals rebounded strongly in November, but the data is unlikely to herald a change in a declining trend from 2016's peaks, economists said.
Uncertainties around Trump's policy agenda and the pace of US rate rises are the twin worries hanging over investors, and this week could provide insight into these interrelated issues.
Why the government should pay back your mortgage debt, according to maverick economics professor Steve Keen.
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