Morning Update: ASX 200 Set for Gains as S&P 500 Achieves Sixth Consecutive Day of Increases

by admin

Morning Market Wrap – April 30, 2025

ASX 200 futures are up 28 points (+0.34%) at 8:30 am AEST.

Key Highlights:

  • The S&P 500 has achieved its finest six-day gain since March 2022, recovering nearly all losses from post-Liberation Day.
  • Market momentum was primarily driven by positive trade news, albeit with limited specificity.
  • A busy day for quarterly earnings reports is anticipated, featuring results from companies like Champion Iron and Perseus Mining.

Overnight Market Summary (AEST)

Date: April 30, 2025, 8:21 am

Major Indices:

Name Value % Change
S&P 500 5,561 +0.58%
Dow Jones 40,528 +0.75%
NASDAQ Comp 17,461 +0.55%
Russell 2000 1,977 +0.56%

Country Indices:

Country Value % Change
Canada 24,874 +0.31%
China 3,287 -0.05%
Germany 22,426 +0.69%
India 80,288 +0.09%

Commodities (USD):

Commodity Value % Change
Gold 3,321.05 -0.49%
WTI Oil 60.42 -2.63%

Currency:

Currency Value % Change
AUD/USD 0.6385 -0.70%

Cryptocurrency:

Cryptocurrency Value % Change
Bitcoin (USD) 94,588 +0.02%
Ethereum (AUD) 2,814 +0.15%

U.S. Market Performance

  • Stock Market Movement: U.S. stocks closed positively, with the S&P 500 recording its sixth consecutive gain, climbing 7.8% and nearly offsetting its losses from post-Liberation Day.
  • Trade Developments: The market’s uptrend was largely attributed to positive trade news, such as tariff adjustments affecting the automotive sector.
  • Macro Data Anticipation: Markets are in a holding pattern ahead of significant economic data releases and earnings reports from four major tech firms.

Notable Stock Updates:

  • Amazon indicated it wouldn’t disclose the impact of U.S. tariffs.
  • Pfizer cited tariff-related uncertainties discouraging domestic investment, projecting $150 million in extra costs due to tariffs.
  • Coca-Cola is maintaining its price points even amidst rising input costs due to the trade conflict.

Economic Highlights:

  • Spain’s GDP growth has slowed to 0.6% in the first quarter, remaining above the average for the Eurozone.

ASX Insights Today

  • Alcoa is assessing its operations in Spain following a power outage.
  • Champion Iron reported Q4 production figures slightly below analyst expectations.
  • Perseus Mining achieved a production figure that exceeded consensus estimates for gold output.

Upcoming Focuses

  • Market Trajectory: The ASX 200 has surged approximately 1.7% since the April 3 tariff announcement, influenced by strong performances across various sectors.
  • Quarterly Earnings: A heavy day of earnings reports is expected, with significant market movements previously seen following varied results.

Broker Actions

  • Catalyst Metals: Downgraded to Hold, target increased to $6.30.
  • Sandfire Resources: Downgraded to Neutral, target raised to $10.90.

Key Events on the Economic Calendar (AEST):

  • Today: Australia’s inflation rate data.
  • Thursday: Chinese Manufacturing PMI.
  • Friday: Reports from various European nations on GDP.

Stocks Trading Ex-Dividend:

  • April 30: Bank of Queensland – $0.18.
  • May 1: Om Holdings and others.

This highlights an active market landscape, with diverse movements across sectors and commodities driven by macroeconomic influences, earnings reports, and ongoing trade developments.

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