Today’s Headlines

• ASX 200 closes down 31 at 6023.5
• High 6053 Low 6011.
• RBA Governor talks up wages growth.
• Across the board losses with banks and BHP leading.
• Energy stocks weaken as staples fall away finally.
• Infrastructure stocks catch a bid from APA takeover.
• AUD eases to 75.71c
• Bitcoin under serious pressure at US$6578
• AUD Gold steady at $1295.
• US futures up 41.
• Asian markets mixed with Japan up 0.41% and China CSI 300 down 0.85%

STOCK STUFF

Movers and Shakers

• KGN -6.88% after Kogan and Shafer sell 6m at 700c.
• BLA -1.98% more woes on cash position.
• AGO -trading halt- getting weirder as Gina joins the Atlas Club.
• APA +20.92% takeover from CKI.
• WGN +5.28% finding good support.
• IRI +3.55% broker upgrade.
• BAL -6.57% ceasing to be substantial shareholder.
• NAN -3.23% broker downgrade.
• GTY +14.75% takeover approach at 210c cash.
• LIC +2.68% follows Gateway higher.
• MIN -5.15% acquisition and plans scuppered.
• WTC -4.83% gloss wearing off.
• GXY -4.75% KDR -4.13% US car makers after local supply.
• AU1 -23.08% large trade triggers steep sell off.
• WBC -0.29% restructuring loan book.
• AGL +2.52% broker upgrades.
• Speculative stock of the day: Nothing special.
• Biggest risers – APA, GTY, WGN, OMH, YAL and IRI.
• Biggest fallers – CUV, KGN, BAL, MIN, WTC and GXY.

TODAY

• APA Group (APA) +20.92% Has reported this morning they have received an unsolicited takeover offer worth $13B from Consortium led by Hong Kong’s CKI Group. Cash deal $11 per share.
• Investa Office Fund (IOF) +0.19% Has entered into an agreement with Blackstone to acquire all units in IOF for $3.08B.
• Challenger (CGF) – 1.32%Has lifted FY18 guidance 8-12%, normalised net profit before tax is now expected to be around $545-565m.
• Kogan (KGN) -6.88 The two directors Ruslan Kogan and David Shafer have reluctantly accepted a lower bid for 6m shares this morning and have committed to no more share sales until at least September 2018.

ECONOMIC NEWS

• Consumer confidence lifted 5.6% last week. All sub-indices posted gains. The jump in confidence is likely driven by the strong 1Q GDP result last Wednesday.
• The Westpac Melbourne Institute consumer-sentiment index edged up to 102.1 from 101.8 in May.

• Philip Lowe (the Gov) has warned the current pace of wages growth is not compatible with his goal of keeping inflation at 2.5%, and is eroding the nation’s “sense of shared prosperity,” and makes much-needed productivity enhancing economic reforms more difficult to achieve. Whistling in the dark.

BOND MARKETS

ASIAN MARKETS NEWS

• North Korea says Trump will lift sanctions. China claims victory in negotiations. Lost in translation.
• ZTE hit hard after US fine down 38% to a 1-year low.
• Toyota will invest US$1bn in Grab a ride sharing app.

EUROPE AND US MORNING HEADLINES

• US Judge says yes to AT&T/Time Warner deal. Administration warned not to challenge the decision.
• Glencore has written off US$5.6bn with its JV in the Congo. Cobalt country.
• Tesla is sacking 9% of its workforce in major restructuring.
• More Brexit unrest in the UK with stories of three ministers talking about a second referendum.
• Stuffed crust as UK Domino’s finance chief quits suddenly. Another one who cannot cope with the fast pace of fast food. The UK business has a number of JVs with the Australian arm.

And finally………………

PRIEST: “Praise the Lord!”

 

CONGREGATION: “Hallelujah!”

PRIEST: “Will everyone please turn on their Tablet, PC, iPad, Smart Phone, and Kindle Bibles to 1 Cor. 13:13.   And please switch on your Bluetooth to download the sermon.”

P-a-u-s-e……

“Now, Let us pray committing this week into God’s hands.   Open your Apps, BBM, Twitter and Facebook, and have a chat with God”

S-i-l-e-n-c-e

“As we take our tithes and offerings, please have your credit and debit cards ready.”

“You can log on to the church Wi-Fi using the password ‘Lord909887.’

The ushers will circulate mobile card swipe machines among the worshippers:

Those who prefer to make electronic fund transfers are directed to computers and laptops at the rear of the church.   Those who prefer to use iPads can open them.

Those who prefer telephone banking, take out your cell phones to transfer your contributions to the church account.

The holy atmosphere of the Church becomes truly electrified as ALL the smart phones, iPads, PCs and laptops beep and flicker!

Final Blessing and Closing Announcements:

This week’s ministry cell-meetings will be held on the various Facebook group pages where the usual group chatting takes place. Please log in and don’t miss out.

Thursday’s Bible study will be held live on Skype at 1900hrs GMT. Please don’t miss out.  . You can follow your father on Twitter this weekend for counselling and prayers

May God bless you and have nice day!

 

Clarence 

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