The S&P/ASX 200 (INDEXASX: XJO) is tipped to rebound on Wednesday as ASX futures point to a positive open. Here’s what ASX investors need to know.
ASX share market recap
The ASX 200 fell to a three month low on Tuesday, down 0.7%. The sustained sell-off has been driven by signs of a second wave engulfing Europe and the potential for another round of economic restrictions.
Materials (-0.2%) was among the hardest hit after the iron ore price continued its fall from US$130 per tonne to less than US$120, Fortescue Metals Group Limited (ASX: FMG) dropping 2.0% in the session.
The banking sector followed a negative global yield, National Australia Bank Ltd (ASX: NAB) falling 2.4% as investors fret about the risk of negative interest rates. The issue is that banks cannot charge depositors for leaving money with them, which means their already stretched profit margins reduce even further.
RBA Deputy Governor Guy Debelle delivered a speech on Tuesday, offering little to markets. He highlighted the four remaining options as the RBA seeks to stimulate inflation but didn’t go as far as endorsing negative interest rates. Debelle did, however, confirm the central bank’s preference for a weaker AUD.
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Redcape Hotel delivers record quarter
As a Victorian, news that Redcape Hotel Group Pty Ltd (ASX: RDC), which owns 32 pubs and hotels in Queensland and New South Wales, had delivered a record quarter came with some jealously. The group reinstated its dividend and confirmed first-quarter earnings would be at record levels, up 20% to $24 million.
Global selling in travel and entertainment stocks sent the likes of Webjet Limited (ASX: WEB) and Flight Centre Travel Group Ltd (ASX: FLT) down 6.0% and 4.1% respectively, amid signs the recovery may be even slower than anticipated.
In economic news, payroll jobs have reduced 4.5% since March, with total wages also slumping 4.3%; it was much worse in Victoria where jobs were down 8.3% since the start of March. All eyes are on the Federal Budget in October, with tax cuts all but confirmed following comments by Mathias Cormann on Tuesday.
US markets rebound, tech pushes higher
US markets pushed higher overnight, with investors clearly buying the dips after a sustained sell-off; the Nasdaq up 1.7% and the S&P 500 1.1%. Retailers and technology companies led the way, behind Amazon.com Inc (NASDAQ: AMZN) and Facebook Inc. (NASDAQ: FB), despite any real positive news entering the market.
The UK has reinstated work from home and curfew measures, which we know have an outsized impact on travel and hospitality. The FTSE 100 managed to finish 0.4% higher, as the currency weakened on the news.
Chinese leader Xi Jinping went public with the country’s target to become net carbon zero by 2060; this despite also predicting emissions would continue growing until at least 2030 due to China’s reliance on coal.
Today sees Telsa Inc’s (NASDAQ: TSLA) Battery Day, which sets the scene for the year ahead and will go a long way to confirming whether the 400% share price rally in 2020 has been sustainable.
This article was written by Drew Meredith, Financial Adviser and Director of Wattle Partners. To get in contact with Drew, click here to visit the Wattle Partners website.
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