Market wraps 24th August 2020
Morning Bell - Jessica Amir
The Aussie futures are eyeing a fall of 0.2% at the open, despite U.S. stocks on Friday scaling to another fresh record high, with the S&P500 up 0.3% and the Nasdaq up 0.4%.
Trump announced he’s considering fast tracking AstraZeneca’s vaccine before the election, while he also authorised plasma treatment in COVID-19 patients. On the economic side, green shoots continued to sprout as the U.S. service sector grew at its quickest pace in 17-months.
What to watch today:
- Afterpay (ASX:APT) reported that it’s expanding into Europe.
- Companies reporting this week: Fortescue Metals Group (ASX:FMG), Nearmap (ASX:NEA), nib (ASX:NHF), St Barbara (ASX:SBM), Super Retail Group (ASX:SUL) and Chorus (ASX:CNU).
Local trading ideas:
- Inghams (ASX:ING) buy rating and price target was upgraded by Bell Potter to $4.10, implying 21% share price growth from Friday’s close. Profit was in line with forecasts and no guidance was given.
- MyState (ASX:MYS) was reiterated as a Bell Potter buy while dropping its price target 9% to $4.10, mainly as a result of not paying a final dividend which drops its payout ratio. What’s important is it didn’t cancel the dividend due to performance but to conserve capital. Bell Potter expects 11% share price growth from Friday’s close.
- Car cooling system company, PWR Holdings (ASX:PWH), had its buy rating and price target upgraded by Bell Potter, giving it a price target of $5.25 after it delivered much stronger results than forecasted last week. Although it didn’t given guidance, PWR is expecting a strong rebound in FY21.