Afternoon trading February 13

Thanks @shovel40, @Fiji1 and morning crew.

Half-time wrap:

The share market struggled for traction as earnings disappointments offset gains for the major banks, supermarkets and some miners.

The ASX 200 reached mid-session two points or 0.03% ahead. Newmont, BHP, Rio Tinto and the big four banks kept the market near break-even.

A big week of corporate earnings took a turn for the worse as the market punished trading updates from CSL -2.73%, Macquarie Group -1.95%, Seven West Media -10.91%, Breville -12.26%, Seek -8.81% and James Hardie -4.59%. Challenger got a better reception, rising 7.14%.

In economic news, consumer confidence climbed to a 20-month high as Australians welcomed a likely end to rate hikes and the prospect of tax cuts. The Westpac-Melbourne Institute Australia consumer confidence index firmed 6.2% this month to 86 points.

Business conditions deteriorated by two points to +6 last month, dipping below the long-term average of +7. Business confidence edged up to +1.


Personal trading: Pip from RDN. Got another couple on the go, but they're low volume and struggling to provide the bounces I was looking for. Not sure if either has a pulse.