ASX 200 afternoon report: 20th of March 2023
ASX 200 market update as of 20th of March, 2.45 pm AEDT.
The ASX 200 trades 83 points lower (-1.19%) at 6911 at 2.45 pm.
Hopes that this morning’s announcement that UBS would acquire Credit Suisse would restore confidence in skittish equity markets have been crushed as the ASX 200 slumped back towards key support at 6900.
While the UBS-CSFB announcement has removed a banking pressure point in Europe, concerns remain around the state of the two-tier banking system in the US. This refers to deposits at the too-big-to-fail banks now carrying a Fed guarantee which is in stark contrast to the smaller regional banks that do not.
This situation will continue to encourage deposit outflows from regional into larger banks. For evidence of the type of financial dislocation this contributes to, look no further than the share price of First Republic National Bank, which fell 75% last week.
Banking sector
More broadly, a banking crisis is typically followed by increased funding costs, tighter regulation, and slower loan growth – a toxic combination for bank stocks regardless of size.
- Macquarie fell 3.3% to $169.98
- ANZ fell 0.89%
- Bank of Queensland fell 0.61%
- NAB fell 0.46% to $28.16.
Energy sector
There is no respite for the Energy sector, which is already on the canvas after being pulverised over 10% in the past fortnight.
- Woodside Energy fell 1.66% to $31.41
- Beach Energy fell 1.12% to $1.33
- Santos fell 1.08% to $6.86.
Coal mining sector
Another day of heavy falls for coal miners as the price of coal extended its decline to over 55% during the first three months of 2023.
- New Hope fell 4.6% to $4.95
- Whitehaven fell 4.57% to $6.38
- Coronado Coal fell 2.41% to $1.73.
Consumer-facing stocks
Consumer-facing stocks have fallen as households face tighter lending standards from financial institutions.
- a2M fell 4.71% to $6.07
- Blackmores fell 3.27% to $71.31
- Kogan fell 2.24% to $3.92
- Super Retail Group fell 1.94% to $12.12.
Gold sector
ASX 200 gold miners shined after gold soared towards $1900 on safe-haven flows.
- St Barbara added 12.28% to $0.64c
- Evolution Mining added 10.47% to $2.85
- Northern Star added 8% to $11.77
- Regis Resources added 7.85% to $1.90.
ASX 200 technical analysis
Providing the ASX 200 can hold above support 6910/00, we will continue to view the pullback from the February 7567 high as a correction and expect a rebound to follow. However, should the ASX 200 see a sustained break below support 6910/00, a retest of the bottom of its 12-month range at 6410 is possible.
ASX 200 daily chart
- TradingView: the figures stated are as of March 20th, 2023. 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 Markets Limited. 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. See full non-independent research disclaimer and quarterly summary.
Explore the markets with our free course
Learn how shares work – and discover the wide range of markets you can spread bet on – with IG Academy's free ’introducing the financial markets’ course.
Put learning into action
Try out what you’ve learned in this shares strategy article risk-free in your demo account.
Ready to trade shares?
Put the lessons in this article to use in a live account – upgrading is quick and easy.
- Trade on over 13,000+ popular global stocks
- Protect your capital with risk management tools
- React to breaking news with out-of-hours trading on 70 key US stocks
Inspired to trade?
Put your new knowledge into practice. Log in to your account now.
Live prices on most popular markets
- Equities
- Indices
- Forex
- Commodities
Prices above are subject to our website terms and agreements. Prices are indicative only. All share prices are delayed by at least 15 minutes.
Prices above are subject to our website terms and agreements. Prices are indicative only. All shares prices are delayed by at least 15 mins.
