KMD Brands’ hugely discounted equity raise, ANZ’s confidence survey drop, and house price doldrums indicate a difficult path forward.
Buoyant US technology stocks stood in stark contrast to the likes of restaurant chain Chipotle.
However, gold prices have had their worst week in years.
An expected rate cut by the Fed, the onward march of AI, and surging gold prices belied what was otherwise a choppy week on global markets.
However, caution grows around the potential risks of pumped-up tech stocks.
While shutdowns have not historically changed the direction of the US economy, there were a couple of differences this time around that could affect how the market eventually reacts.
Tech and growth stocks dragged the markets down, with investors buying into oil and gold.
‘A bet against the US market is a bet against AI and I’m not sure that’s an entirely wise move right now,’ Craigs Investment Partners’ investment director Mark Lister says.
The company’s offer price of US$40 a share undervalues its substantial growth opportunity, reckons Morningstar.
JBWere senior strategist Phil Borkin provides insights about the week that was.