ASX 200 afternoon report: 2 April 2024
Find out below who have been the shakers and movers in today’s session on the ASX 200.
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The ASX 200 trades 22 points (-0.28%) lower at 7874 at 3.20pm AEDT.
The ASX 200 has reversed lower this afternoon, retreating from the fresh record high of 7910.5, it struck this morning after trading resumed from the Easter mini break.
Headwinds from Wall Street drove the reversal, as robust US manufacturing data sent yields surging and dampened expectations that the Federal Reserve would cut interest rates in June.
Ahead of Friday night’s all-important Non-farm payrolls report, the risks appear to be for a firmer jobs report, which would likely see the market wave goodbye to expectations of a Fed rate cut in June. Consensus expectations are for the US economy to add 200k jobs in March and for the unemployment rate to hold steady at 3.9%.
Locally, the minutes from the RBA’s board meeting in March revealed that for the first time in nearly two years, the RBA did not consider raising rates. The board noted that GDP was below its historical average, consumption was weak, and inflation was returning to target.
“Members agreed that leaving the cash rate target unchanged at this meeting was the best way to achieve the board’s strategy of supporting a gradual return of inflation to target and the labour market to full employment", it said.
ASX 200 stocks
Iron ore stocks
Following a 28.5% fall during the first quarter of 2024, a rebound in iron ore futures above $100 today has supported most big mining stocks.
- BHP: +1.81% to $45.07
- Rio Tinto: +0.71% to $122.63
- Mineral Resources: + 0.54% to $71.18
- Fortescue: - 1% to $25.44
Energy sector
Stronger-than-expected Chinese and US manufacturing data have boosted the price of crude oil above $84.00 for the first time in five months.
- AGL Energy: +1.38% to $8.46
- Santos: + 0.9% to $7.82
- Beach Energy: + 0.41% to $1.84
- Woodside: + 0.23% to $30.57
Mining sector
ASX-listed gold miners surged after the gold price hit a fresh record high of $2265 overnight.
- Evolution Mining: + 5.17% to $3.77
- Gold Road Resources: +5.22% to $1.66
- Silver Lake Resources: +2.62% to $1.27
- Northern Star Resources: + 2.2% to $14.79
Banking sector
Higher bond yields have weighed on the big banks.
- Macquarie: - 0.69% to $198.32
- CBA: -0.42% to 119.83
- Westpac: -0.3% to $26.02
- ANZ: -0.2% to $29.34
- NAB: + 0.06% to $34.66
ASX 200 technical analysis
Providing the ASX 200 remains above uptrend support at 7700 (from the October 6751 low), we expect it to extend gains towards 7950/8000. However, for active traders, given that the risk-reward of holding longs is deteriorating after its strong run higher and based on signs of bearish RSI divergence, we suggest reducing long positions during the first half of April ahead of a likely pullback in late April/early May.
ASX 200 daily chart
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- Source: TradingView. The figures stated are as of 2 April 2024. Past performance is not a reliable indicator of future performance. This report does not contain and is not to be taken as containing any financial product advice or financial product recommendation.
This information has been prepared by IG, a trading name of IG Australia Pty Ltd. In addition to the disclaimer below, the material on this page does not contain a record of our trading prices, or an offer of, or solicitation for, a transaction in any financial instrument. IG accepts no responsibility for any use that may be made of these comments and for any consequences that result. No representation or warranty is given as to the accuracy or completeness of this information. Consequently any person acting on it does so entirely at their own risk. Any research provided does not have regard to the specific investment objectives, financial situation and needs of any specific person who may receive it. It has not been prepared in accordance with legal requirements designed to promote the independence of investment research and as such is considered to be a marketing communication. Although we are not specifically constrained from dealing ahead of our recommendations we do not seek to take advantage of them before they are provided to our clients.
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