CommSec

The ASX 200 is down 1.9% after heavy falls in the US and Europe overnight. European shares recorded the biggest fall in four months after investors were disappointed by stimulus measures announced by the ECB.

This report is approved and distributed in Australia by Commonwealth Securities Limited ABN 60 067 254 399, AFSL 238814 (CommSec) a wholly owned but non-guaranteed subsidiary of Commonwealth Bank of Australia ABN 48 123 123 124, AFSL 234945 (the Bank).  The Bank and its subsidiaries have effected or may effect transactions for their own account in any investments or related investments referred to in this report. This report is not a recommendation to buy, sell or hold any securities or financial products, and has been prepared without taking account of the objectives, financial or taxation situation or needs of any particular individual.  For this reason, any individual should, before acting on the information in this report, consider the appropriateness of the information, having regard to the individual's objectives, financial or taxation situation and needs and, if necessary, seek appropriate professional advice.  This report is produced by Commonwealth Research based on information available at the time of publishing.  We believe that the information in this correspondence is correct and any opinions, conclusions or recommendations are reasonably held or made as at the time of its compilation, but no warranty is made as to accuracy, reliability or completeness.  To the extent permitted by law, neither the Bank nor any of its subsidiaries accept liability to any person for loss or damage arising from the use of this report.

CommSec Chief Economist Craig James takes a look at the economic data due out in the week ahead, including job ads, ABS labour force, and the NAB business survey.

This report is approved and distributed in Australia by Commonwealth Securities Limited ABN 60 067 254 399, AFSL 238814 (CommSec) a wholly owned but non-guaranteed subsidiary of Commonwealth Bank of Australia ABN 48 123 123 124, AFSL 234945 (the Bank).  The Bank and its subsidiaries have effected or may effect transactions for their own account in any investments or related investments referred to in this report. This report is not a recommendation to buy, sell or hold any securities or financial products, and has been prepared without taking account of the objectives, financial or taxation situation or needs of any particular individual.  For this reason, any individual should, before acting on the information in this report, consider the appropriateness of the information, having regard to the individual's objectives, financial or taxation situation and needs and, if necessary, seek appropriate professional advice.  This report is produced by Commonwealth Research based on information available at the time of publishing.  We believe that the information in this correspondence is correct and any opinions, conclusions or recommendations are reasonably held or made as at the time of its compilation, but no warranty is made as to accuracy, reliability or completeness.  To the extent permitted by law, neither the Bank nor any of its subsidiaries accept liability to any person for loss or damage arising from the use of this report.

US sharemarkets fell as investors responded to the ECB decision and growing expectations of a US rate hike. At the close, the Dow Jones index was down by 252 points or 1.4%. The S&P 500 was down by 1.4% and the Nasdaq was down by 86 points or 1.7%.

Hello All,

Please find today’s Market Update. Feel free to download and disseminate on your radio stations.

Kind Regards,

The CommSec Media Team

This report is approved and distributed in Australia by Commonwealth Securities Limited ABN 60 067 254 399, AFSL 238814 (CommSec) a wholly owned but non-guaranteed subsidiary of Commonwealth Bank of Australia ABN 48 123 123 124, AFSL 234945 (the Bank).  The Bank and its subsidiaries have effected or may effect transactions for their own account in any investments or related investments referred to in this report. This report is not a recommendation to buy, sell or hold any securities or financial products, and has been prepared without taking account of the objectives, financial or taxation situation or needs of any particular individual.  For this reason, any individual should, before acting on the information in this report, consider the appropriateness of the information, having regard to the individual's objectives, financial or taxation situation and needs and, if necessary, seek appropriate professional advice.  This report is produced by Commonwealth Research based on information available at the time of publishing.  We believe that the information in this correspondence is correct and any opinions, conclusions or recommendations are reasonably held or made as at the time of its compilation, but no warranty is made as to accuracy, reliability or completeness.  To the extent permitted by law, neither the Bank nor any of its subsidiaries accept liability to any person for loss or damage arising from the use of this report.

Draghi Disappointment hit stocks 

■	The ECB underwhelmed at the December policy meeting.  Policy was eased, but the market was looking for more.

■	The ECB cut the deposit rate to ‑0.3% and extended its QE program by at least another 6 months to March 2017.

■	The risks to the ECB’s inflation outlook remain to the downside.  The bias is skewed towards more policy action in 2016.

Hello All,

Please find today’s Market Update. Feel free to download and disseminate on your radio stations.

Kind Regards,

The CommSec Media Team

This report is approved and distributed in Australia by Commonwealth Securities Limited ABN 60 067 254 399, AFSL 238814 (CommSec) a wholly owned but non-guaranteed subsidiary of Commonwealth Bank of Australia ABN 48 123 123 124, AFSL 234945 (the Bank).  The Bank and its subsidiaries have effected or may effect transactions for their own account in any investments or related investments referred to in this report. This report is not a recommendation to buy, sell or hold any securities or financial products, and has been prepared without taking account of the objectives, financial or taxation situation or needs of any particular individual.  For this reason, any individual should, before acting on the information in this report, consider the appropriateness of the information, having regard to the individual's objectives, financial or taxation situation and needs and, if necessary, seek appropriate professional advice.  This report is produced by Commonwealth Research based on information available at the time of publishing.  We believe that the information in this correspondence is correct and any opinions, conclusions or recommendations are reasonably held or made as at the time of its compilation, but no warranty is made as to accuracy, reliability or completeness.  To the extent permitted by law, neither the Bank nor any of its subsidiaries accept liability to any person for loss or damage arising from the use of this report.

The local share market has closed in negative territory, hurt by heavy falls in the mining & energy sectors. 

This report is approved and distributed in Australia by Commonwealth Securities Limited ABN 60 067 254 399, AFSL 238814 (CommSec) a wholly owned but non-guaranteed subsidiary of Commonwealth Bank of Australia ABN 48 123 123 124, AFSL 234945 (the Bank).  The Bank and its subsidiaries have effected or may effect transactions for their own account in any investments or related investments referred to in this report. This report is not a recommendation to buy, sell or hold any securities or financial products, and has been prepared without taking account of the objectives, financial or taxation situation or needs of any particular individual.  For this reason, any individual should, before acting on the information in this report, consider the appropriateness of the information, having regard to the individual's objectives, financial or taxation situation and needs and, if necessary, seek appropriate professional advice.  This report is produced by Commonwealth Research based on information available at the time of publishing.  We believe that the information in this correspondence is correct and any opinions, conclusions or recommendations are reasonably held or made as at the time of its compilation, but no warranty is made as to accuracy, reliability or completeness.  To the extent permitted by law, neither the Bank nor any of its subsidiaries accept liability to any person for loss or damage arising from the use of this report.

Santos shares have resumed trade on Thursday after the energy giant completed it $2.5bn capital raising. 

This report is approved and distributed in Australia by Commonwealth Securities Limited ABN 60 067 254 399, AFSL 238814 (CommSec) a wholly owned but non-guaranteed subsidiary of Commonwealth Bank of Australia ABN 48 123 123 124, AFSL 234945 (the Bank).  The Bank and its subsidiaries have effected or may effect transactions for their own account in any investments or related investments referred to in this report. This report is not a recommendation to buy, sell or hold any securities or financial products, and has been prepared without taking account of the objectives, financial or taxation situation or needs of any particular individual.  For this reason, any individual should, before acting on the information in this report, consider the appropriateness of the information, having regard to the individual's objectives, financial or taxation situation and needs and, if necessary, seek appropriate professional advice.  This report is produced by Commonwealth Research based on information available at the time of publishing.  We believe that the information in this correspondence is correct and any opinions, conclusions or recommendations are reasonably held or made as at the time of its compilation, but no warranty is made as to accuracy, reliability or completeness.  To the extent permitted by law, neither the Bank nor any of its subsidiaries accept liability to any person for loss or damage arising from the use of this report.

The ASX 200 is down 0.7%, hurt by heavy falls in the Materials & Energy sectors. Banks are also retreating, with the sector down 0.4%.

This report is approved and distributed in Australia by Commonwealth Securities Limited ABN 60 067 254 399, AFSL 238814 (CommSec) a wholly owned but non-guaranteed subsidiary of Commonwealth Bank of Australia ABN 48 123 123 124, AFSL 234945 (the Bank).  The Bank and its subsidiaries have effected or may effect transactions for their own account in any investments or related investments referred to in this report. This report is not a recommendation to buy, sell or hold any securities or financial products, and has been prepared without taking account of the objectives, financial or taxation situation or needs of any particular individual.  For this reason, any individual should, before acting on the information in this report, consider the appropriateness of the information, having regard to the individual's objectives, financial or taxation situation and needs and, if necessary, seek appropriate professional advice.  This report is produced by Commonwealth Research based on information available at the time of publishing.  We believe that the information in this correspondence is correct and any opinions, conclusions or recommendations are reasonably held or made as at the time of its compilation, but no warranty is made as to accuracy, reliability or completeness.  To the extent permitted by law, neither the Bank nor any of its subsidiaries accept liability to any person for loss or damage arising from the use of this report.

US sharemarkets fell on Wednesday as investors digested latest comments from Fed chief Janet Yellen.  Lower oil prices weighed on energy stocks. At the close of trade the Dow Jones index was down by almost 159 points or 0.9%. The S&P 500 was down by 1.1% and the Nasdaq was down by 33 points or 0.6%.

Hello All,

Please find today’s Market Update. Feel free to download and disseminate on your radio stations.

Kind Regards,

The CommSec Media Team

This report is approved and distributed in Australia by Commonwealth Securities Limited ABN 60 067 254 399, AFSL 238814 (CommSec) a wholly owned but non-guaranteed subsidiary of Commonwealth Bank of Australia ABN 48 123 123 124, AFSL 234945 (the Bank).  The Bank and its subsidiaries have effected or may effect transactions for their own account in any investments or related investments referred to in this report. This report is not a recommendation to buy, sell or hold any securities or financial products, and has been prepared without taking account of the objectives, financial or taxation situation or needs of any particular individual.  For this reason, any individual should, before acting on the information in this report, consider the appropriateness of the information, having regard to the individual's objectives, financial or taxation situation and needs and, if necessary, seek appropriate professional advice.  This report is produced by Commonwealth Research based on information available at the time of publishing.  We believe that the information in this correspondence is correct and any opinions, conclusions or recommendations are reasonably held or made as at the time of its compilation, but no warranty is made as to accuracy, reliability or completeness.  To the extent permitted by law, neither the Bank nor any of its subsidiaries accept liability to any person for loss or damage arising from the use of this report.

The US Federal Reserve Chair, Janet Yellen, has delivered a seminal speech setting out the case for a lift in interest rates and the risks of delaying rate increases while at the same time stressing that the "normalisation" process will be gradual.

Hello All,

Please find today’s Market Update. Feel free to download and disseminate on your radio stations.

Kind Regards,

The CommSec Media Team

This report is approved and distributed in Australia by Commonwealth Securities Limited ABN 60 067 254 399, AFSL 238814 (CommSec) a wholly owned but non-guaranteed subsidiary of Commonwealth Bank of Australia ABN 48 123 123 124, AFSL 234945 (the Bank).  The Bank and its subsidiaries have effected or may effect transactions for their own account in any investments or related investments referred to in this report. This report is not a recommendation to buy, sell or hold any securities or financial products, and has been prepared without taking account of the objectives, financial or taxation situation or needs of any particular individual.  For this reason, any individual should, before acting on the information in this report, consider the appropriateness of the information, having regard to the individual's objectives, financial or taxation situation and needs and, if necessary, seek appropriate professional advice.  This report is produced by Commonwealth Research based on information available at the time of publishing.  We believe that the information in this correspondence is correct and any opinions, conclusions or recommendations are reasonably held or made as at the time of its compilation, but no warranty is made as to accuracy, reliability or completeness.  To the extent permitted by law, neither the Bank nor any of its subsidiaries accept liability to any person for loss or damage arising from the use of this report.

The ASX 200 has closed down 0.15%, hurt by heavy falls in the industrials sector which tumbled 1.8%. Gains from the banks helped to support the market, while mining & energy stocks retreated.

This report is approved and distributed in Australia by Commonwealth Securities Limited ABN 60 067 254 399, AFSL 238814 (CommSec) a wholly owned but non-guaranteed subsidiary of Commonwealth Bank of Australia ABN 48 123 123 124, AFSL 234945 (the Bank).  The Bank and its subsidiaries have effected or may effect transactions for their own account in any investments or related investments referred to in this report. This report is not a recommendation to buy, sell or hold any securities or financial products, and has been prepared without taking account of the objectives, financial or taxation situation or needs of any particular individual.  For this reason, any individual should, before acting on the information in this report, consider the appropriateness of the information, having regard to the individual's objectives, financial or taxation situation and needs and, if necessary, seek appropriate professional advice.  This report is produced by Commonwealth Research based on information available at the time of publishing.  We believe that the information in this correspondence is correct and any opinions, conclusions or recommendations are reasonably held or made as at the time of its compilation, but no warranty is made as to accuracy, reliability or completeness.  To the extent permitted by law, neither the Bank nor any of its subsidiaries accept liability to any person for loss or damage arising from the use of this report.