daytrades august 15 afternoon

Thanks Endless. Half-time round-up:

Regional markets continued to recover this morning, boosted by rising US futures and improving risk appetite.

At lunchtime the ASX 200 was ahead 73 points or 1.8% at 4246, with all sectors except gold miners trading higher. The largest gains were in materials +2.6%, energy stocks +2.2%, industrials +2% and health +2%.

Most Asian markets extended the recovery that began towards the end of last week. Japan's Nikkei added 0.87% this morning and Hong Kong's Hang Seng put on 1.86%, but Shanghai eased 0.19%. Dow futures responded by rising 41 points or 0.4%.

In domestic economic news, the cost of living increased 4.5% over the last year, thanks to rises in interest rates, fruit, fuel, alcohol, tobacco and electricity. Car sales had their biggest surge in 11 years as supply disruptions caused by the Japanese tsunami abated. Sales increased 8.6% in July from the month before as imports from Japan neared normal levels.

Crude oil futures put on 10 cents this morning at US$85.40 a barrel. Spot gold was $2.310 weaker at US$1,744 an ounce. The dollar was buying US$1.0419.


Nice up-swing this morning for buy-and-hold investors but not much intaday movement for day traders. At least not where I want to buy. Would like to see another pullback to reload. Sold a few more AUN into day three of the rally. Watching FER on pullback. Slow morning.