Insights

It's part of human nature to give more weight to the short term rather than the long term. The desire for instant gratification...

Aussie stocks shook off overnight leads to open Friday trade in slight green. After four straight sessions of attrition, the local bourse made small tracks to regain the 250 points lost across the trading week. Investors did their best to cling onto early gains, but concentrated selling in the Big Banks gave way to wide losses.

Although higher iron ore prices and calmer bond markets provide a couple of positives for markets today, investors head into the last day of a tough trading week with plenty to be cautious about. There is no reason yet to suggest that the recent bond rout has come to an end. However, the fact that selling momentum was arrested in international bond markets last night will give equity investors some pause for relief today.

The rout in global bond market continues. US, French, German and UK ten year bonds yields are at six month highs as markets move towards a post QE world. The draining of global liquidity will continue to affect all asset prices, with high yielding Australian shares particularly vulnerable. Despite gains on US and European forces, lower commodity prices and further selling down of yield plays could see the Australia 200 index finish in the red for the fourth session in a row.

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The ASX200 has disappointed for the second consecutive day, sliding near 55 points in an expansive rout.

Investors will be faced with an interesting set of macro developments when trading resumes on the stock exchange this morning.

Another European deferral and stronger US data pushed shares higher overnight. A strengthening USD and subsequent pressure on commodity prices may take the gloss off the positive momentum this morning, although the dominant influence on today's share market performance is likely to be the RBA's interest rate decision and accompanying statement this afternoon.

The Australian Stock Market followed its international counterparts and was sold off from the open this morning. At the lowest point, the ASX 200 was down 94 points. The selloff changed course after China's PMI showed the manufacturing sector continued to expand which lifted Hong Kong and China's indexes after last Thursday and Friday's policy driven sell off.

The German pharmaceutical and chemical company is reinventing itself for the better.

This week we look at South32, Aristocrat Leisure, Independence Group, Suncorp and ALS.