Original article by David Rogers
The Australian – Page: 28 : 30-Jan-18

The general consensus of analysts is for the S&P/ASX 200 to be trading at around 6,250 points at the end of 2018. However, Citigroup has upgraded its year-end forecast from 6,400 points to 6,600. Tony Brennan of Citigroup notes that there is the potential for further upside if the recent rise in commodity prices is sustained. The S&P/ASX 200 has gained 0.2 per cent so far in 2018, compared with a gain of 7.5 per cent for the S&P 500.

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Original article by David Rogers
The Australian – Page: 26 : 8-Dec-17

Investment banks are generally upbeat about the outlook for Australia’s benchmark S&P/ASX 200 in 2018. Credit Suisse and Macquarie Group both expect it to end the year at 6,500 points, while Citigroup has a year-end target of 6,400 point. In contrast, Morgan Stanley expects the index to end 2018 at just 5,800 points. Meanwhile, Hasan Tevfik of Credit Suisse believes that factors such as the potential for fiscal stimulus, a sharp rise in bond yields and rising capital investment to influence the direction of the sharemarket in 2018.

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STANDARD AND POOR’S ASX 200 INDEX, CREDIT SUISSE (AUSTRALIA) LIMITED, MACQUARIE GROUP LIMITED – ASX MQG, CITIGROUP PTY LTD, MORGAN STANLEY AUSTRALIA LIMITED, GOLDMAN SACHS AUSTRALIA PTY LTD, UBS HOLDINGS PTY LTD, DEUTSCHE BANK AG, BLOOMBERG LP, AUSTRALIAN LABOR PARTY, ORGANISATION FOR ECONOMIC CO-OPERATION AND DEVELOPMENT, UNITED STATES. FEDERAL RESERVE BOARD, EUROPEAN CENTRAL BANK

Original article by Patrick Commins
The Australian Financial Review – Page: 27 : 7-Dec-17

Jason Todd of Macquarie Group is upbeat about the outlook for the Australian sharemarket in 2018, forecasting that it will end the calendar year at 6,500 points. Todd expects the Australian bourse to outperform the US market in total return and local currency terms in 2018, following a stronger performance by Wall Street in 2017. However, he expects the S&P/ASX 200 to finish 2017 at 5,875 points, compared with around the 5,950-point level at present.

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STANDARD AND POOR’S ASX 200 INDEX, MACQUARIE GROUP LIMITED – ASX MQG, DEUTSCHE BANK AG, CITIGROUP PTY LTD, RESERVE BANK OF AUSTRALIA, ADELAIDE BRIGHTON LIMITED – ASX ABC, DOWNER EDI LIMITED – ASX DOW, BORAL LIMITED – ASX BLD, JAMES HARDIE INDUSTRIES PLC – ASX JHX, INCITEC PIVOT LIMITED – ASX IPL, SEEK LEARNING PTY LTD

Original article by Timothy Moore
The Australian Financial Review – Page: 22 : 4-Dec-17

Futures pricing suggests that the Australian sharemarket may lose ground when trading resumes on 4 December. However, a number of factors bode well for the domestic bourse in coming days, including a rebound in the prices of key commodities such as iron ore and expectations that official data will show an improvement in the nation’s economic growth. Investor confidence may also be bolstered by the US Senate’s passing of tax cuts, while investors will also be awaiting the Reserve Bank of Australia’s last board meeting for 2017.

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STANDARD AND POOR’S ASX 200 INDEX, RESERVE BANK OF AUSTRALIA, UNITED STATES. EXECUTIVE OFFICE OF THE PRESIDENT, UNITED STATES. FEDERAL BUREAU OF INVESTIGATION, NATIONAL AUSTRALIA BANK LIMITED – ASX NAB, BANK OF MONTREAL, CAPITAL ECONOMICS LIMITED

Original article by David Rogers
The Australian – Page: 19 & 27 : 8-Nov-17

A number of factors contributed to the S&P/ASX 200’s rise above the 6,000-point level on 7 November 2017, including the Reserve Bank’s decision to leave the cash rate on hold, a rise in the iron ore price and a new record high for the S&P 500. The S&P/ASX 200 has taken nearly 10 years to reach 6,000 points again. Tony Brennan of Citigroup still expects it to reach 6,250 by mid-2018, while Hasan Tevfik of Credit Suisse forecasts that it will rise to 6,500 in 2018.

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STANDARD AND POOR’S ASX 200 INDEX, STANDARD AND POOR’S 500 INDEX, CITIGROUP PTY LTD, CREDIT SUISSE (AUSTRALIA) LIMITED, RESERVE BANK OF AUSTRALIA, LEHMAN BROTHERS INCORPORATED, COMMONWEALTH BANK OF AUSTRALIA – ASX CBA

Original article by David Rogers
The Australian – Page: 27 : 31-Oct-17

Australia’s S&P/ASX 200 index has gained 4.3 per cent so far in October, putting the local bourse on track for its best month since July 2016. Tony Brennan of Citigroup still expects the benchmark index to reach the 6,000-point level by the end of 2017. However, the market may face a number of headwinds. The S&P/ASX 200 Bank Index has risen by 3.5 per cent in October, but November is traditionally a bearish month for the sector. On the other hand, the resources sector is benefiting from the continued strength of commodity prices, while the growing prospect of tax cuts in the US should boost the earnings of companies with significant exposure to the US.

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STANDARD AND POOR’S ASX 200 INDEX, CITIGROUP PTY LTD, STANDARD AND POOR’S ASX 200 BANKS INDEX