ASX 200 afternoon report: 13 February 2025

The ASX 200 trades 17 points (0.22%) higher at 8554 as of 2.55pm AEDT.

ASX 200 reaches new record high amid robust earnings

The ASX 200 surged to a fresh record high of 8575.2, exceeding its previous peak of 8566.9 in late January. Today’s gains come on the back of a solid start to earnings season and expectations that the Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA) will commence cutting interest rates at its Board meeting next week.

Building on a robust 4.75% gain in January, the index has bounced back from a weak start to February, as it was buffeted by tariff-related headlines.

Strong revenue growth boosts Temple and Webster's stock

Furniture and homewares group Temple & Webster's share price skyrocketed to a fresh record high at $16.78 before easing to be trading 13.73% higher at $16.24 after it reported first half (H1) 2025 earnings. Among the highlights, its revenues surged 23.6% to $313.7 million, and its net profit after tax rose 118% to $9 million.

Treasury Wine Estates' cautious guidance

Treasury Wine Estates's share price fell 5.07% to $10.58 after reporting solid earnings before interest and tax (EBIT) of $391.4 million but stated that full-year EBIT would be at the lower end of its forecast range of $780 million to $810 million.

The company also announced the suspension of plans to sell low-cost brands Wolf Blass, Lindeman’s, Yellowglen, and Blossom Hill due to insufficient offers from potential buyers.

ASX 200 stocks

Financial sector

The ASX 200’s recovery has been led by the ASX 200 financial sector, which has gained 1.26% for the month, bolstered by a stunning 3.62% rise in Commonwealth Bank of Australia (CBA), the majority of which has followed its H1 2025 earnings report, delivered yesterday.

• CBA rose 0.14% to $166.20
• Westpac added 0.98% to $34.99
• National Australia Bank (NAB) climbed 0.63% to $41.37
• Macquarie gained 0.57% to $236.95
• Australia and New Zealand Banking Group (ANZ) rose 0.32% to $31.33

Materials sector

Overcoming a challenging end to 2024, the ASX 200 materials sector is on track for its second consecutive month of gains, having risen over 2.5% month-to-date. This resurgence is fuelled by higher iron ore prices, which are trading near $108 per tonne, and increased optimism towards China in the absence of heavier United States (US) tariffs.

• Mineral Resources surged 6.22% to $33.82
• BHP gained 2.29% to $41.06, on track for its highest close this year
• Rio Tinto rose 1.45% to $120.73
• Fortescue climbed 1.45% to $19.60

Technology sector

The ASX 200 information technology (IT) sector has also performed well, up 0.96% midway through February.

• Appen gained 3% to $2.92
• DroneShield regained some altitude, adding 2.45% to $0.63
• WiseTech Global increased by 1.64% to $125.44
• Tyro Payments rose 1.25% to $0.81

Healthcare sector

Sigma Healthcare's share price gained 6.52% to $2.93 after completing its merger with Chemist Warehouse today. The deal, 14 months in the making, values the combined entity at nearly $30 billion and is expected to generate annual earnings of $1 billion.

ASX 200 technical analysis

Technically, the ASX 200 continues to trade within the bullish trend channel it has spent the past 12 months. After rebounding from the lower bound of the trend channel in late December, the ASX 200 has since made fresh record highs to be eyeing the top of the trend channel, now at about 8670.

Providing the ASX 200 holds above support at 8380 - 8360(closing basis), the uptrend remains in place, and the ASX 200 can continue higher towards the 8670 area.

ASX 200 daily chart

• _{Source: TradingView. The figures stated are as of 13 February 2025. 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.}