The ASX 200 (ASX: XJO) is set to open higher on Tuesday according to the latest ASX futures. Here’s what’s making headlines.
ASX finishes higher on volatile day, Treasury Wine now a takeover target
The S&P/ASX 200 rallied strongly on the Labour Day public holiday for Victorians, opening 1.7% higher but giving up gains during the session to finish a more modest 0.4% better.
Much of the positive moves were driven by the materials sector, including Rio Tinto Limited (ASX: RIO) and BHP Group Ltd (ASX: BHP), up 2.9% and 2.4% respectively with news that the US$1.9 trillion stimulus package had passed the US Senate, giving commodity prices another catalyst.
The BNPL sector remains under pressure with both Zip Co Ltd (ASX: Z1P) and Afterpay Ltd (ASX: APT) beginning the week where they left off, falling 6.7% and 3.6% respectively following news that Plenti Group Ltd (ASX: PLT) would also be entering the sector on Friday.
Treasury Wine Estates Ltd (ASX: TWE) was one of the major highlights of the day, with speculation that global giant Pernod Ricard may be interested in bidding for the company, sending shares 8.2% higher.
Santos’ Chinese owners sell, Nuix share price continues to fall
ENN Group, a Chinese energy company among Santos Ltd‘s (ASX: STO) largest shareholders, confirmed yesterday that their 107 million shares had been sold at a price of $7.33. Purchased several years ago amid a bidding frenzy for the struggling company, ENN has also given up their board seat. The Santos share price finished 2.7% lower on the news.
Outside of the ASX, Mirae Investments, a large financial services group based out of Korea, confirmed the sale of their controlling stake in fast-growing ETF issuer BetaShares to TA Associates. TA Associates is a well-known private equity firm, with previous investments including Yarra Capital and Invesco.
In light of the strength of the December quarter GDP results, Westpac’s (ASX: WBC) economists have upgraded their expectations for the Australian economy, now expecting 2021 growth of 4.5% rather than 4.0% predicted late last year.
Management of data analysis firm Nuix Ltd (ASX: NXL) was forced to respond to rumours, confirming that the profit forecasts in its IPO Prospectus were still achievable and reaffirming its ‘sticky customer base’. Nonetheless, the Nuix share price fell another 6% on the news, meaning shares have nearly halved in the space of just a few weeks (here’s why).
Nuix share price chart
Chinese, Nasdaq enter a correction
At this rate, the decade-long underperformance of ‘value stocks’ could be reversed in just a few months.
The tech sell-off continued in the US overnight, with the Nasdaq falling another 2.4% and the S&P 500 dragged down by the mega-cap names including Tesla (NASDAQ: TSLA), Apple (NASDAQ: AAPL) and Facebook (NASDAQ: FB).
The Dow Jones, backed by the major banking and energy companies, led the way adding another 1.0%, whilst the S&P 500 fell 0.5%. Tesla’s sell-off has now reached 20% in just a few weeks.
In what may be a precursor for the ASX, the Chinese equity market has entered a correction, falling 10% on similar valuation concerns despite the backdrop of a strong economy and targeted economic growth rate of 6% in 2021.
