The S&P/ASX 200 (ASX: XJO) is expected to edge lower when the market opens on Friday. Here’s what ASX investors need to know as we head into the weekend.
ASX 200 back in the green, Afterpay share price surges
The ASX 200 finished another 0.4% higher on Thursday with Afterpay Ltd (ASX: APT) a key contributor, jumping 9.7% and sending the entire tech sector up 4.7% for the session. The trigger appeared to be the listing of US competitor Affirm (NASDAQ: AFRM), which jumped 98% upon listing and seems to be bringing buy now pay later to the mainstream for US investors.
Selling pressure continues to come from the materials sector, which fell 0.7% as the recent momentum in iron ore prices slows, sending Fortescue Metals Group Limited (ASX: FMG) down 1.6%.
Going back to tech, homegrown healthcare specialist Pro Medicus Limited (ASX: PME), founded by current CEO Sam Hupert, continued its strong recent run adding 15.0% after signing another major contract in the US.
Pro Medicus provides image and data sharing solutions for radiologists and similar specialists, with the seven-year $40 million deal with Intermountain Healthcare allowing the company to enter an important region in the US. The deal marks the fifth such win in just six months as the company moves from growth to scale and profitability.
Interview with Dr Sam Hupert, the future of medical imaging
Australian Ethical assets hit $5 billion, Centuria devalues offices
The Centuria Office REIT (ASX: COF) held steady after devaluing its $2.3 billion portfolio of offices by just 0.8% or $17 million. According to management, external valuations were completed on 13 of the fund’s 23 properties, which are spread across the country, but valuations barely changed. This seems a little hopeful in my view, with offices around the country still deserted, employees preferring to work from home and now bond rates heading higher in recent weeks.
On a more positive side, Australian Ethical Investments Limited (ASX: AEF), which I must disclose I am an investor in, reported that it had finally reached $5 billion in assets under management, a target set in 2015 when it managed just $1.5 billion. The group, which offers ethically-focused superannuation and Australian and global equity products, saw record inflows of $420 million in the first half of the financial year; shares were 1.5% higher.
Meanwhile, the Chinese continue to buck the global trend, reporting an 18.1% increase in exports on 2020 levels, well above estimates of 15%, with the global restocking of inventory clearly benefitting the economy.
US falls ahead of Biden speech, Trump impeached
US markets have fallen ahead of an impending ‘stimulus’ speech by President-Elect Biden, with the potential for another US$2 trillion in stimulus flagged. The S&P 500 fell 0.4% and the Nasdaq 0.1%, with value sectors including airlines and energy the key outperformers.
Donald Trump was impeached for the second time after Republicans voted against the President in the House, with a Senate hearing to be held in the coming weeks.
On the positive side, the US Treasury Department has blocked an attempt to ban US investors from holding the major Chinese tech names including Alibaba (HKG: 9988), Tencent (HKG: 0700) and Baidu (NASDAQ: BIDU), all of which rallied by over 5.0%.
Sticking with the technology theme, global leader in semi-conductor manufacturing TSMC (2330: TPE) reported record quarterly revenue and profit on the back of huge demand for its fast chips from new 5G handsets, profit hitting US$5.1 billion a 23% increase; shares finished 2.2% lower.
Investment manager Blackrock (NYSE: BLK) reported US$185 billion of inflows into its iShares ETF products in the December quarter, taking total assets under management to US$8.68 trillion, with every style region and product type gaining funds. Blackrock stock fell 5.0% on concerns that margins were shrinking.