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Hmmm - it would appear that in the course of my tweaking the RantMachine, I have introduced what we used to call 'negative improvements'. Notice that with few exceptions, the company name has been replaced by the stock code in the text.
This is annoying - not because it has happened, but because the error does not appear consistently; that makes it hard to find. The logic is easy to understand - if an error stems from a bad line of code, then the error ought to always manifest itself, and is easy to trace... find the bad line, edit it, and Bob's your uncle.
When an error is intermittent (and irregularly intermittent, at that) it means it is being generated by interactions between parts of the code. If two or more scripts run consecutively (or in parallel, even) then it might be interactions between parts of different scripts. It makes debugging a pain in the butt.
It's a bugger - and is similar to an error which manifested itself in the USRant machine (which is why there have been no USRants for a while now). The USRant problem took me ages to track down and fix, but it's done now - so make sure you tell the world that from tomorrow onwards there USRant will return in all its Rant-y glory.
I've also managed to convince my good friend Alex to join TeamMM - he will be providing options and ForEx hints, and forming an important part of the macro brains trust (along with me, and - fingers crossed - Mav). Alex is a former NYMEX house trader, a Columbia grad, and has just finished some postgrad work at the most prestigious grad school in Europe... but no boasting.
So onward and upward, dearest Reader, onward and upward. TALLY HO and YOIKS AWAY!
OK... calm down, young Stopper... no more exclamation points. Let's see how the nuffnuffs amused themselves today in the Strayan markets...
Major Market Indices
The broad market - the All Ordinaries (XAO) - advanced modestly, rising 25.4 points (0.64%), finishing at 3982.7 points.
That closing print is a tad misleading, since nobody except the crooks enjoyed that price. That is to say, at 4 p.m. the index was basically unchanged - then there was some flagrant manipulation of the closing print during the settlement period.
The low for the day was 3904.1 - set at 11:33 am Sydney time - a lovely little double bottom which you can see on the chart a little further down the page..
Total volume traded on the ASX was 1.61bn units, 31.3% above its 10-day average. The ASX's daily listing of all stocks included 1156 different 3-letter FPO's which traded (i.e., had non-zero trade volume). Of these, 591 issues rose, with volume in rising issues totalling 680.1m units; decliners numbered 336 counters, and between them they traded aggregate declining volume of 703.6m shares.
Of the 493 All Ordinaries components, 283 rose while 140 fell. Aggregate volume within the All Ords was evenly split - 565.1m shares traded in gainers while 584.15m shares traded in the day's losers.
The Index that forms the cash basis for the SPI Futures - the S&P/ASX 200 (XJO) - posted a modest rise of 16.9 points (0.42%), closing out the session at 4018 points.
| Name | Close | +/-(%) |
|---|---|---|
| All Ordinaries | 3982.70 | 25.40 (0.6%) |
| ASX 20 | 2447.60 | 6.50 (0.3%) |
| ASX 50 | 4066.60 | 6.10 (0.2%) |
| ASX 100 | 3311.60 | 9.10 (0.3%) |
| ASX 200 | 4018.00 | 16.90 (0.4%) |
| ASX 300 | 3996.60 | 19.40 (0.5%) |
| ASX Mid-Cap 50 | 3609.50 | 44.50 (1.2%) |
| ASX Small Ordinaries | 1852.70 | 52.90 (2.9%) |
The "heavy hitters" of the Australian market - the ASX 20 Leaders (XTL) - advanced by under a percent, adding 6.5 points (0.27%), closing out the session at 2447.6 points.
Among the 20 big guns, the outcome favoured the upside, but only just - the 11 advancing sectors just triumphed the losing sectors. The 21 stocks which make up the index traded a total of 201.56m units; 11 index components rose, with rising volume amounting to 63.02m shares, while the 8 decliners had volume traded totalling 94.3m units. The major percentage gainers within the index were
- WDC (WDC), +$1.55 (10.44%) to $16.40 on volume of 11.7 million shares;
- WES (WES), +$0.68 (3.27%) to $21.47 on volume of 3.2 million shares;
- CSL (CSL), +$0.96 (2.71%) to $36.40 on volume of 1.9 million shares;
- SGB (SGB), +$0.70 (2.59%) to $27.70 on volume of 2.4 million shares; and
- FGL (FGL), +$0.11 (1.96%) to $5.72 on volume of 14.6 million shares.
On the less salubrious side of the big-cap fence, the following stocks were the worst-performed within the index:
- WPL (WPL), -$1.28 (2.97%) to $41.88 on volume of 3.4 million shares;
- BXB (BXB), -$0.21 (2.58%) to $7.94 on volume of 8.5 million shares;
- BHP Billiton (BHP), -$0.61 (2.13%) to $27.99 on volume of 20.8 million shares;
- AMP (AMP), -$0.08 (1.46%) to $5.41 on volume of 9.3 million shares; and
- ANZ (ANZ), -$0.2 (1.14%) to $17.36 on volume of 10.8 million shares.
At the other end of the market-cap spectrum lie the denizens of the ASX Small Ordinaries (XSO) - which had a bit of a moonshot, stacking on 52.9 points (2.94%), closing out the session at 1852.7 points.
Among the stocks that make up the Small Caps index, 133 index components finished to the upside, and of the rest, 56 closed lower for the session.
The 207 stocks which make up the index traded a total of 458.02m units: volume in the 133 gainers totalling 244.43m shares, with trade totalling 199.2m units in the index's 56 declining components. The major percentage gainers within the index were- MRE (MRE), +$0.51 (96.23%) to $1.04 on volume of 7.7 million shares;
- AFG (AFG), +$0.06 (77.22%) to $0.14 on volume of 5 million shares;
- CMR (CMR), +$0.16 (53.45%) to $0.45 on volume of 977.8 thousand shares;
- PEM (PEM), +$0.08 (51.61%) to $0.24 on volume of 2.6 million shares; and
- City Pacific Limited (CIY), +$0.04 (42.86%) to $0.13 on volume of 220.2 thousand shares.
In the red-zone of the little-stock index, the following list represents the biggest downers (in terms of percentage decline):
- WYL (WYL), -$0.22 (24.44%) to $0.68 on volume of 4.6 million shares;
- MAE (MAE), -$0.05 (21.74%) to $0.18 on volume of 2.1 million shares;
- Rubicon Europe Trust Group (REU), -$0 (20%) to $0.00 on volume of 5 million shares;
- MMX (MMX), -$0.15 (16.48%) to $0.76 on volume of 816.6 thousand shares; and
- ADY (ADY), -$0.01 (16.13%) to $0.03 on volume of 102.1 million shares.
Index Changes
| Code | Name | Close | +/- | % | Volume |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| XAO | All Ordinaries | 3982.7 | 25.4 | 0.64 | 1288.2m |
| XFL | ASX 50 | 4066.6 | 6.1 | 0.15 | 488.5m |
| XJO | ASX 200 | 4018 | 16.9 | 0.42 | 1014.5m |
| XKO | ASX 300 | 3996.6 | 19.4 | 0.49 | 1205m |
| XMD | ASX Mid-Cap 50 | 3609.5 | 44.5 | 1.25 | 280.3m |
| XSO | ASX Small Ordinaries | 1852.7 | 52.9 | 2.94 | 436.1m |
| XTL | ASX 20 | 2447.6 | 6.5 | 0.27 | 189.6m |
| XTO | ASX 100 | 3311.6 | 9.1 | 0.28 | 768.8m |
Market Breadth
| ASX20 | XTO | XJO | XAO | XSO | Market | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Advances | 11 | 57 | 123 | 283 | 133 | 591 |
| Declines | 8 | 38 | 69 | 140 | 56 | 336 |
| Advancing Volume | 63m | 280.4m | 462.6m | 565.1m | 244.4m | 680.1m |
| Declining Volume | 94.3m | 378.6m | 448.5m | 584.2m | 199.2m | 703.6m |
GICS Industry Indices
Among the 11 industry indices, 7 registered an advance for the session, the remaining 4 lost ground.
The best performing index was Property Trusts (XPJ), which added 55.9 points (5.78%) to 1022.9 points. The 21 stocks which make up the index traded a total of 303.49m units; 15 index components rose, with rising volume amounting to 145.5m shares, while the 5 decliners had volume traded totalling 143.66m units. The major percentage gainers within the index were
- MDT (MDT), +$0.02 (22.37%) to $0.09 on volume of 10.8 million shares;
- ING Office Fund (IOF), +$0.14 (14.51%) to $1.11 on volume of 2.7 million shares;
- CER (CER), +$0.01 (12.24%) to $0.11 on volume of 5.7 million shares;
- CPA (CPA), +$0.13 (10.92%) to $1.32 on volume of 4.6 million shares; and
- GMG (GMG), +$0.09 (10.65%) to $0.94 on volume of 38.3 million shares.
Second in the index leadership stakes was Consumer Discretionary (XDJ), which gained 38.1 points (3.03%) to 1295.1 points. The 24 stocks which make up the index traded a total of 92.19m units; 13 index components rose, with rising volume amounting to 67.79m shares, while the 8 decliners had volume traded totalling 14.57m units. The major percentage gainers within the index were
- MMG (MMG), +$0.19 (17.76%) to $1.26 on volume of 927.5 thousand shares;
- MCG (MCG), +$0.20 (13.88%) to $1.60 on volume of 3.4 million shares;
- FLT (FLT), +$1.34 (10.63%) to $13.95 on volume of 167.4 thousand shares;
- NWS (NWS), +$1.22 (8.95%) to $14.85 on volume of 7 million shares; and
- WAN (WAN), +$0.45 (7.89%) to $6.15 on volume of 438.5 thousand shares.
The bronze medal for today goes to Healthcare (XHJ), which climbed 189.6 points (2.18%) to 8897.5 points. The 9 stocks which make up the index traded a total of 12.92m units; 6 index components rose, with rising volume amounting to 7.02m shares, while the 2 decliners had volume traded totalling 5.75m units. The major percentage gainers within the index were
- ANN (ANN), +$0.60 (5%) to $12.60 on volume of 684 thousand shares;
- RMD (RMD), +$0.17 (3.56%) to $4.95 on volume of 1.5 million shares;
- CSL (CSL), +$0.96 (2.71%) to $36.40 on volume of 1.9 million shares;
- PRY (PRY), +$0.12 (2.68%) to $4.60 on volume of 723.5 thousand shares; and
- COH (COH), +$0.80 (1.42%) to $57.00 on volume of 250.5 thousand shares.
The worst-performed index for the session was Materials (XMJ), which dipped 106.4 points (1.19%) to 8868 points. The 45 stocks which make up the index traded a total of 216.86m units; The 16 decliners had volume traded totalling 131.46m units, and 27 index components rose, with rising volume amounting to 65.87m shares, The major percentage decliners within the index were
- MMX (MMX), -$0.15 (16.48%) to $0.76 on volume of 816.6 thousand shares;
- PNA (PNA), -$0.03 (12%) to $0.22 on volume of 12.5 million shares;
- KZL (KZL), -$0.06 (9.4%) to $0.53 on volume of 5 million shares;
- OZL (OZL), -$0.09 (8.7%) to $0.95 on volume of 34.2 million shares; and
- FMG (FMG), -$0.19 (6.05%) to $2.95 on volume of 8.8 million shares.
Just missing out on the wooden spoon was Industrials (XNJ), which slid 29.4 points (0.81%) to 3581 points. The 32 stocks which make up the index traded a total of 107.47m units; The 14 decliners had volume traded totalling 60.95m units, and 18 index components rose, with rising volume amounting to 46.52m shares, The major percentage decliners within the index were
- GWA International (GWT), -$0.27 (10.19%) to $2.38 on volume of 756.3 thousand shares;
- BLY (BLY), -$0.03 (6.45%) to $0.44 on volume of 17 million shares;
- CAB (CAB), -$0.45 (6.16%) to $6.85 on volume of 1.1 million shares;
- MAP (MAP), -$0.12 (5.31%) to $2.14 on volume of 6.2 million shares; and
- LEI (LEI), -$0.93 (3.61%) to $24.80 on volume of 1.9 million shares.
Third-to-last amongst the sector indices was Energy (XEJ), which slid 51.3 points (0.39%) to 13014.8 points. The 19 stocks which make up the index traded a total of 86.39m units; The 5 decliners had volume traded totalling 16.07m units, and 11 index components rose, with rising volume amounting to 33.41m shares, The major percentage decliners within the index were
- STO (STO), -$0.46 (3.3%) to $13.49 on volume of 6.5 million shares;
- WPL (WPL), -$1.28 (2.97%) to $41.88 on volume of 3.4 million shares;
- RIV (RIV), -$0.05 (1.61%) to $3.05 on volume of 467.2 thousand shares;
- PDN (PDN), -$0.03 (1.3%) to $2.27 on volume of 3.3 million shares; and
- AOE (AOE), -$0.03 (1.2%) to $2.48 on volume of 2.5 million shares.
Sector Indices
| Code | GICS Sector | Close | +/- | % | Volume |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| XPJ | Property Trusts | 1022.9 | 55.9 | 5.78 | 303m |
| XDJ | Consumer Discretionary | 1295.1 | 38.1 | 3.03 | 92m |
| XHJ | Healthcare | 8897.5 | 189.6 | 2.18 | 13m |
| XUJ | Utilities | 4447.9 | 88.4 | 2.03 | 25m |
| XSJ | Consumer Staples | 6621.7 | 104.9 | 1.61 | 39m |
| XIJ | Information Technology | 467.3 | 7 | 1.52 | 2m |
| XXJ | Financials ex Property Trusts | 4513.6 | 4.1 | 0.09 | 108m |
| XTJ | Telecommunications | 1382.9 | -2.6 | -0.19 | 44m |
| XEJ | Energy | 13014.8 | -51.3 | -0.39 | 86m |
| XNJ | Industrials | 3581 | -29.4 | -0.81 | 107m |
| XMJ | Materials | 8868 | -106.4 | -1.19 | 217m |
All Ordinaries Major Movers
All Ords Volume Leaders
| Code | Name | Close | +/- | % | Volume |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ADY | ADY | 0.03 | -0.01 | -16.13 | 102.1m |
| GPT | GPT Group | 0.75 | -0.05 | -5.7 | 83.6m |
| TEN | TEN Network Holdings | 1.35 | 0.04 | 3.05 | 45.6m |
| TLS | TLS | 4.12 | 0.00 | 0 | 40.6m |
| GMG | GMG | 0.94 | 0.09 | 10.65 | 38.3m |
All Ords Percentage Gainers
| Code | Name | Close | +/- | % | Volume |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| AXQ | AXQ | 0.02 | 0.01 | 128.57 | 268.8k |
| MRE | MRE | 1.04 | 0.51 | 96.23 | 7.7m |
| AFG | AFG | 0.14 | 0.06 | 77.22 | 5m |
| RNY | RNY | 0.17 | 0.07 | 77.08 | 9.5m |
| CMR | CMR | 0.45 | 0.16 | 53.45 | 977.8k |
All Ords Percentage Losers
| Code | Name | Close | +/- | % | Volume |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ABS | ABC Learning Centres | 0.00 | 0.00 | 38k | |
| WYL | WYL | 0.68 | -0.22 | -24.44 | 4.6m |
| MAE | MAE | 0.18 | -0.05 | -21.74 | 2.1m |
| REU | REU | 0.00 | 0.00 | -20 | 5m |
| MMX | MMX | 0.76 | -0.15 | -16.48 | 816.6k |
