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Aussie shares edged higher for the first time in five sessions as gains in
resource stocks offset weakness in the big banks and other yield sectors.
The ASX 200 rallied as much as 20 points before caution set in ahead of a slew
of Chinese economic data. By the halfway market, the index had pared its gain
to just seven points or 0.1 per cent at 6168. A close around these levels would
avert the index’s worst losing run since October.
A mixed morning saw gains in resource stocks largely offset by declines in
yield sectors. Resource giants BHP and Rio Tinto spearheaded the rally, rising
1 per cent and 1.4 per cent, respectively, as the metals & mining sector
put on 1 per cent and materials 0.8 per cent.
Energy stocks advanced 1.3 per cent after crude oil closed at a four-month high
in the US overnight. West Texas Intermediate crude rose $US1.39 or 2.4 per cent
to $US58.26 a barrel on news that US stockpiles unexpectedly declined last
week. That helped lift Australian oiler Beach Energy 4.5 per cent, Oil Search
1.8 per cent and Santos 1.4 per cent.
Retailers remained under pressure following yesterday’s soft consumer sentiment
report, with the consumer discretionary sector down 0.5 per cent. The financial
sector eased 0.3 per cent as all four big banks lost ground. Sigma Health,
which yesterday rejected a takeover offer from rival Australian Pharmaceutical
Industries, fell for a second day, shedding 2.8 per cent.
The market had strong overnight leads following gains on Wall Street and after
the British parliament ruled out a no-deal Brexit. The S&P 500 rose 0.69
per cent in the US to a four-month closing high as tepid inflation data gave
the Federal Reserve breathing space on rates and solid durable goods orders
dampened fears for the economy. In Britain, MPs voted against the option of
quitting the European Union without a deal in place.
However, traders here were reluctant to step in before a monthly update from
China that was expected to continue this month’s trend towards soft economic
data. Chinese government data on industrial production and retail sales was
expected to underline the damaging effects of the trade war with the US.
Asian markets traded mixed ahead of the release. China’s Shanghai Composite
eased 0.25 per cent, Hong Kong’s Hang Seng edged up 0.1 percent and Japan’s
Nikkei gained 0.4 per cent. S&P 500 futures were recently down 2.25 points
or 0.1 per cent.
Gold futures this morning eased back from their highest settlement of the
month, lately down $2.20 or 0.2 per cent to $US1,307.10 an ounce. The dollar
was buying 70.75 US cents.
Turning to potential market-moving events over the next 24 hours, the monthly
Chinese economic update will likely set the tone for the rest of the session
here. There are no major economic releases scheduled in the US tonight. The
Brexit debate in the UK moves to a third vote tomorrow morning, with lawmakers
likely to seek an extension to the March 29 deadline for leaving the EU.
