ASX200: Futures Point Northwards, with no Major Stats to Influence

The ASX200

It was back into the green for the ASX200 on Thursday, marking just a 3^rd daily gain from 9 sessions.

Partially reversing a 0.68% decline from Wednesday, the ASX200 rose by 0.13% to end the day at 7,379.20.

There were no major stats from Australia or China to influence the 200 on the day.

The lack of stats left commodity prices and market sentiment towards inflation and the economic outlook to provide direction.

While it was a mixed day for commodity stocks, bank stocks weighed once more, with the big-4 in the red on the day.

The Stats

There were no major stats to provide direction on the day.

The Market Movers

It was another mixed day for the banks. CBA led the way down once more, sliding by 1.55%, with ANZ and Westpac seeing losses of 1.29% and 0.98% respectively. NAB saw a more modest 0.69% loss, while Macquarie Group ended the day up by 1.05%.

Concerns over net interest margins continued to peg back the big-4 on the day.

Commodity stocks also had a mixed session. Newcrest Mining led the way, rising by 1.46%, with BHP Group and Rio Tinto ending the up by 0.22% and by 0.68% respectively.

Fortescue Metals Group Ltd bucked the trend, however, falling by 1.60%.

Other Asian Markets

Elsewhere, it was a bearish session. The CSI300 and Nikkei 225 Seng fell by 0.99% and by 0.30%, with the Hang Seng Index sliding by 1.29%.

The Day Ahead

It’s a particularly quiet day ahead on the Aussie economic calendar. There are no material stats due out of Australia or China to provide direction.

From Japan, inflation figures are also unlikely to cause too much drama.

Away from the economic calendar, however, expect commodity prices and central bank chatter to remain key drivers.

The Futures

In the futures markets, at the time of writing, the ASX200 was up by 8 points.

For a look at all of today’s economic events, check out our economic calendar.