The local share market posted another strong day, adding 0.7%, as news of the Federal Reserve potentially pausing rate hikes boosted the property and technology sectors, up 3.3% and 2.2%, respectively. The likes of Goodman Group (ASX:GMG) and Scentre Group (ASX:SCG) gained 2.7% and 4.4% each, on hopes that valuations may not fall as far as expected.
The mining and energy sectors were the only detractors, down 1% and 0.5%, with Fortescue Metals Group Ltd (ASX:FMG) dragging the former lower. Shares in the iron ore miner fell by 3.4% despite recording iron ore shipments at the top end of guidance, being 48.9 million tonnes.
It was the opposite story for Macquarie Group Ltd (ASX:MQG) which fell 4.4% after management announced a weakening in profit on a slowdown in trading across global markets. The groups asset management division saw a significant reduction in earnings on less realisation, but banking and financial services remain strong.
Megaport jumps on upgrade, GQG joins Regal bidding party, Perpetual outflows grow
Technology connection firm Megaport Ltd (ASX:MP1) gained 14.4% on Thursday, after the company delivered an early update showing that earnings would be near the top end of guidance, being $25.2 million for the year. This comes on the back of a series of new contract wins and expansion.
Fund manager Perpetual Ltd (ASX:PPT) fell 1.5% after the company announced another $5.1 billion in outflows in the quarter, following as investors leave the merged entity. Total assets remain above $212 billion, with the short-term increase coming from strong market performance.
Sticking with funds management GQG Partners Inc (ASX:GQG) fell just 0.6% despite announcing that it had entered the bidding war for prior investor Pacific Current Group Ltd (ASX:PAC) which is under an offer from Regal Funds Management’s Phil King.
Dow snaps winning streak, Meta surges on ad spend, Bank of Japan set to loosen rates
The threat of a stronger economy saw the Dow Jones snap its longest winning streak in close to 40 years, falling more than 200 points or 0.7%. Among the drivers was news that the US economy expanded at a 2.4% rate during the March quarter, faster than previously expected. The resilience of the economy is seen as a risk for continuing rate hikes. Elsewhere, the focus was on the Bank of Japan which indicated that it was in the midst of releasing its yield curve control to around 0.5% rather than 0.25%, potentially harking the end of loose monetary policy. Shares in Meta Platforms Inc (NASDAQ:FB) were boosted by a stronger than expected result, which saw a revenue increase by 11%, fuelled by a rebound in advertising and AI-supported targetting. It was the opposite story for eBay Inc (NASDAQ:EBAY) which fell more than 10% after management delivered a flat revenue result while noting challenges in growth.