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CFDs are complex instruments. 72% of retail client accounts lose money when trading CFDs, with this investment provider. You can lose your money rapidly due to leverage. Please ensure you understand how this product works and whether you can afford to take the high risk of losing money.

ASX 200 afternoon report: May 8, 2023

Your ASX 200 afternoon report.

Source: Bloomberg

The ASX 200 trades 52.5 points (0.73%) higher at 7272.5 at 3:00pm AEST.

A positive lead from Wall Street on Friday night saw the ASX 200 add a quick-fire 72 points (1%) to a high of 7292.4 this morning - the majority of which it is holding onto with just under an hour of trading left in the session.

The better session on Wall Street came as jobs and earnings reports showed the US economy remained resilient. The rally was also supported by talk of a short-selling ban on US banks, which appears to have, for now, ended the latest episode of the US banking crisis.

For the Aussie banks, a better-than-expected earnings result from Westpac, including NPAT of $4bn (vs $3.8bn expected), saw its share price add 2% to $21.78. NAB gained 1.43% to $26.96, and CBA gained 0.70% to $96.79. ANZ fell 0.3% to $23.76.

Locally, economic data released today was mixed.

The NAB Business Confidence index increased by 1 point to zero, it's highest reading since January. However, building approvals fell -0.1% in March, which means the March quarter was the weakest for building approvals since 2012. The lack of new supply is concerning, with record levels of demand from migration set to come.

A 4.33% rally in the price of crude oil on Friday to above $71.00 boosted the ASX Energy sector looking to end a three-week losing run. Heavyweight Woodside added 3% to $34.10, Beach Energy added 2.5% to $1.45, Santos added 1.7% to $7.28. Gains also for coal miners as New Hope Coal added 3.9% to $5.27, and Whitehaven Coal added 3.9% to $7.07.

Lynas Rare Earths surged 12% to $7.38 after it announced its license to operate in Malaysia is valid until January 1, 2024. Rio Tinto added 2.76% to $112.39, Fortescue added 1.83% to $20.62and BHP group added 1.73% to $44.81.

Lithium stocks surged following a bullish broker report that noted a 30% bounce in China carbonate prices and a 20% bounce in hydroxide prices, likely marked a turning point for lithium markets. Core Lithium gained 7.5% to $1.04. Iluka Resources added 5.55% to $11.60. Lake Resources added 6% to $0.53c, and Pilbara Minerals added 4.55% to $4.60.

ASX 200 technical analysis

The ASX 200 fell 3% in the first week of May at last week’s 7141 low.

Should we see another dip in the coming weeks, there is a strong layer of support between 7100 and 6900 coming from the 200-day moving average, uptrend support and year-to-date lows.

Aware that should the ASX 200 see a sustained break below 6900, there is little in the way of chart support until 6400.

ASX 200 daily chart

Source: TradingView
  1. TradingView: the figures stated are as of May 8, 2023. Past performance is not a reliable indicator of future performance. This report does not contain and is not to be taken as containing any financial product advice or financial product recommendation.

This information has been prepared by IG, a trading name of IG Markets Limited. In addition to the disclaimer below, the material on this page does not contain a record of our trading prices, or an offer of, or solicitation for, a transaction in any financial instrument. IG accepts no responsibility for any use that may be made of these comments and for any consequences that result. No representation or warranty is given as to the accuracy or completeness of this information. Consequently any person acting on it does so entirely at their own risk. Any research provided does not have regard to the specific investment objectives, financial situation and needs of any specific person who may receive it. It has not been prepared in accordance with legal requirements designed to promote the independence of investment research and as such is considered to be a marketing communication. Although we are not specifically constrained from dealing ahead of our recommendations we do not seek to take advantage of them before they are provided to our clients.

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