Traders Run out of Steam
Local investors ran out of steam on Thursday as early trade saw the local bourse drift sideways. Most major sectors sat in black with the exception of Gold-based stocks, which surged upwards of 5 % as a sector.
Two of the big four banks traded in mild and losses, while Westpac still remained in a trading halt. Investors look to be liquidating their bank exposure to participate in Westpac’s $3.5 billion capital raising announced to the market on Wednesday.
Material stocks enjoyed investor support on Thursday with BHP and RIO up 1.8% and 2.1% respectively. This week saw the two major miners endure intense downward pressure following crude’s skittish behaviour.
Employment numbers were closely watched ahead of lunch and governed trading sentiment for the remainder of the session. Disappointingly, fulltime employment and total employment change both returned surprisingly negative reads. Unemployment rate remained unchanged at 6.2%. The Aussie dollar reacted immediately to the news and shed almost half a cent. Local stocks strangely rallied 20 points before giving up all the short lived gains only moments after.
In afternoon trade, the Aussie stocks continued to move in a line-ball fashion, with trading volumes on the skinny side. Gold and material stocks performed most of the heavy lifting to keep the index’s head above water. The Local currency is back trading in mid-0.73 ranges. US inflation numbers due overnight may have further downward pressure on the local currency.
Frequently Asked Questions about this Article…
Gold-based stocks surged by over 5% as they were one of the few sectors to perform strongly amidst a generally sideways trading day. This could be due to investors seeking safe-haven assets amidst market uncertainty.
Westpac's $3.5 billion capital raising announcement led investors to liquidate their bank exposure to participate in the offer, which contributed to some of the big four banks trading in mild losses.
Material stocks such as BHP and RIO saw positive investor support, with BHP rising by 1.8% and RIO by 2.1%, despite recent downward pressure from volatile crude oil prices.
The market closely watched the employment numbers, which returned surprisingly negative results. Despite this, local stocks initially rallied 20 points before losing those gains shortly after.
The Aussie dollar reacted to the disappointing employment data by shedding almost half a cent, reflecting the market's concern over the negative employment change.
Overall trading sentiment on Thursday was cautious, with the local bourse drifting sideways and trading volumes remaining low. Investors were particularly attentive to employment numbers and upcoming US inflation data.
Local stocks rallied briefly due to initial optimism following the employment data release, but the gains were short-lived as the market digested the negative employment figures.
The Aussie dollar may face further downward pressure due to upcoming US inflation numbers, which could impact investor sentiment and currency valuations.
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