daytrade diaries... november 5 part 2

Half-time round-up:

Local stocks are on target for a seventh losing session in nine after tracking regional markets lower this morning.

At lunchtime the ASX 200 was down 25 points or 0.56% at 4514, dragged lower by selling in the financials sector (-0.6%), mining (-0.8%) and property trusts (-2.0%). Most sectors were underwater but bucking the trend were industrials +0.9%, energy +0.6%, gold +0.5% and health +0.4%.

Sentiment was briefly boosted by news of a takeover bid for Transurban but index gains evaporated as Asian markets opened lower. Japan's Nikkei was recently down 1.18%, South Korea's Kospi down 0.6% and Hong Kong's Hang Seng -0.97%.

In economic news, Australia's trade balance slipped further into the red last month, but less than analysts tipped. The trade deficit was $1.85 billion for the month, more than a revised gap of $1.65 billion for August. Analysts had predicted the gap would rise to $2.15 billion for September.

Dow futures were a mildly bearish -30. Crude oil futures drifted around 30 cents lower to $79.90 a barrel. The spot gold price retreated more than $4 to $1088.20.


Another dreary morning here. Just one paltry scalp on THX completed. Grabbed some FGL at 5.29 - looking for a few cents this arvo. Struggled to find trades these last two days. Glad the first part of the week generated an income because it has been hard going since Tuesday.