The ASX 200 kicked higher again. Three days in a row, up 48 to 9007 (0.5%) despite CBA going Ex-Dividend. Record high back in sight. NAB was the standout today on Q1 results beating expectations, up 4.0%. The Big Bank Basket up to $304.05, Financials kicked higher too, MQG up 0.6% and private health insurers roared ahead on government price changes. MPL up 6.0% and NHF up 5.0%. ZIP jumped 8.0% ahead of results, CGF also ran hard on results, up 8.3%. REITs firmed, GMG up 0.9% and SCG rising 1.3%. Industrials were firm too, QAN up 1.0%, TCL up 1.2% and ALL doing well up 2.3%. JBH fell back a little, healthcare still mixed, SIG down 1.0% and COH off 1.0%. In the tech space, some wins starting to hit the screens, TNE up 8.2% on guidance, XRO up 1.8% and HSN soared 16.4% on better-than-expected results.

In resource land, BHP slid 0.9% as copper drifted lower, RIO up 1.3% and FMG up 0.5%. Gold miners eased back as bullion prices fell on Lunar New Year. GMD down 2.9% and NST dropped 0.7%. CSC had a shocker falling 14.0% on very disappointing results and guidance. Lithium stocks bubbled higher, LTR roaring ahead, up 6.2% with PLS up 2.3%. BSL rose 2.6% on an increased bid from SGH. STO fell 0.6% on another disappointment. Uranium stocks bounded ahead, PDN up 5.6% and DYL up 4.4%.

In corporate news, SLC rose 18.2% on ana acquisition and better than expected results. AFG rallied off lows after better numbers. Brokers are back. SUN fell 4.4% as profits fell short.

In economic news, the RBNZ left rates unchanged. Locally, the wage price index rose 0.8% in the December quarter and 3.4% cent annually.

US Futures up. DJ up 42 Nasdaq up 64.

HIGHLIGHTS

  • Winners: SLC, HSN, SXE, NWL, MAH, SHA, MFG
  • Losers: CSC, SPZ, HLS, ALK, SHV, CUV, CU6
  • Positive Sectors: Tech. Financials. Retail. Lithium. Uranium. REITs.
  • Negative Sectors: Gold miners. Coal.
  • ASX 200 Hi 9009 Lo 8980. Very narrow range. CBA ex dividend.
  • Big Bank Basket: Rises to $304.05 (0.2%)
  • All-Tech Index: Up 1.6%
  • Gold: Steady at $6981
  • Bitcoin: Lower at US$68753
  • 10-year yields: 4.72%
  • AUD: Steady at 70.69c.
  • Asian markets – Japan up 1.3% China and HK closed.
  • US Futures up. DJ up 16 Nasdaq up 64.

MARKET MOVERS

  • SLC +18.2% good results and acquisition.
  • SXE +14.7% good results beat.
  • HSN +16.4% good results.
  • SHA +12.6% results bump.
  • MFG +12.2% results bump.
  • PEN +8.3% US uranium play.
  • SKS +8.1% don’t jinks it!
  • CSC -14.0% results and guidance miss.
  • SPZ -8.5% results yesterday.
  • HLS-6.8% results.
  • JDO -4.5% broker downgrades.
  • EDE -4.4% profit taking.
  • NYR -7.4% capital structure update.
  • PNC -10.1% results presentation.
  • Speculative Stock of the Day: Nothing on any volume.

ECONOMIC AND OTHER NEWS

  • The Reserve Bank of New Zealand has left the official cash rate at 2.25%, in line with the market expectations.
  • The wage price index rose 0.8% in the December quarter and 3.4% annually, according to seasonally adjusted data released by the ABS today. Quarterly wage growth of 0.8% was in line with the September quarter. Annual growth in wages rose 3.4%, up from 3.3% in the September quarter.
  • Emerging markets remain well positioned for continued outperformance in 2026, supported by attractive valuations, a weaker US dollar and easing monetary policy in the region, according to Eastspring Investments.
  • TechOne CEO: Some SaaS companies will die. “Not all SaaS companies are created equal … there’s a very specific type of SaaS that’s going to die.”
  • Japan exports growth surges to over 3-year high, up nearly 17% in January, as shipments to China soar. Growth was sharply higher than December’s 5.1%, and beat Reuters-polled economists’ estimates of 12%.
  • Shipments to the U.S. fell 5%, after declining 11.1% in December. Washington is Japan’s second-largest trading partner.
  • Warner Bros throws ownership battle open by giving Paramount a week to up its offer.
  • Perplexity drops advertising as it warns it will hurt trust in AI.
  • Here’s a headline you don’t see every day! Japan’s largest toilet maker is undervalued AI play, says activist investor.

And finally…

If at first you don’t succeed…

Then skydiving probably isn’t your thing.

Does refusing to go to the gym count as resistance training?

Clarence

XXXXX