Next Week At A Glance – 19 – 23 May 2025

Weekly Reports | May 16 2025

This story features XERO LIMITED, and other companies. For more info SHARE ANALYSIS: XRO

The company is included in ASX50, ASX100, ASX200, ASX300, ALL-ORDS and ALL-TECH

For a more comprehensive preview of next week’s events, please refer to “The Monday Report”, published each Monday morning. For all economic data release dates, ex-div dates and times and other relevant information, please refer to the FNArena Calendar.

The week that was in Australian Finance

-The most significant driver was improved global sentiment following a 90-day pause in US-China tariffs, which eased investor concerns about global growth and trade disruptions. This led to a positive flow-on effect for the ASX, with the S&P/ASX200 rising around 1.5% and sitting just off 52-week highs by around -3%.

-The optimism was also supported by a US-UK trade deal framework announcement, which boosted Wall Street and, by extension, the local market.

-Energy and IT stocks led gains on the ASX, up over 5% and 6%, respectively, tracking global moves in oil and technology shares as tariffs were walked back.

-The tech sector was notably boosted by Xero ((XRO)) results and ongoing buying for TechnologyOne ((TNE)), due to report next week, and WiseTech Global ((WTC)). Life360 ((360)) shares surged about 30% after beating earnings expectations, while Insignia Financial ((IFL)) was the worst performer among the top 200.

-Healthcare, energy, and telecommunications stocks posted modest gains, while utilities and consumer discretionary and staple sectors lagged.

-Aristocrat Leisure ((ALL), a major player in consumer discretionary, dropped nearly -9% after missing analyst’s expectations in first-half profits, weighing on the sector.

-Macquarie Group ((MQG)) reported a 5% rise in annual net profit with a strong second half, but its shares fell after the corporate regulator sued the company over alleged misreported short-selling transactions

-CommBank ((CBA)) reached a record high over $170 as quarterly earnings proved yet again to be resilient.  

-The RBA will deliver its cash rate decision on Tuesday afternoon next week with the market pricing in a -25bps cut with -76bps of RBA rate cuts between now and year-end, lower than the -100bps priced at the start of the week, post the latest employment data.

Until next week, have a great weekend from the FNArena Team.

Corporate news in the week that was:

-BHP Group’s ((BHP)) Argentinian copper exposure via a 50% stake of Filo del Col and Josemaria projects in the Andes could contain more than five times the metal than originally estimated.

-Nine Entertainment ((NEC)) with its streaming service will broadcast men’s and women’s World Cup tournaments in Australia under long-term deals.

-HMC Capital ((HMC)) has sold around $1.6bn of its debt in Healthscope

-Dyno Nobel ((DNL)) has sold its fertiliser business for $375m to Ridley Corp ((RIC)).

-Helloworld Travel ((HLO)) has acquired a 5% stake in Webjet Group ((WJL)).

-Betr Entertainment ((BTT)) has started due diligence on PointsBet Holdings ((PBH)).

-Stripe has refuted speculation it is interested in Tyro Payments ((TYR)).

-Abacus Group ((ABG)) has rejected the $1.8bn takeover offer from Ki Corporation and Public Storage.

-Ampol ((AMP)) is leaving the retail electricity market to concentrate on EV charging and improved earnings.

-ASX ((ASX)) is cutting one hundred jobs due to rising costs and regulatory imposts.

-Macquarie Group ((MQG)) is urging lenders to the struggling UK’s Southern Water to write off GBP370m in debt to allow for an equity injection of GBP900m.

-Telstra Group ((TLS)) is launching Starlink-powered satellite text messages increasing competition in rural coverage with TPG Telecom ((TPG)) and Optus.

-Bruce Gordon has raised his stake in Nine Entertainment ((NEC)) to 19.98%.

-Aramco and Woodside Energy ((WDS)) have signed a non-binding deal for joint opportunities.

-Downer EDI ((DOW)) has sold 49% stake in Keolis Downer, ceasing its coverage of public sector transport contracts.

-Insurance Group Australia ((IAG)) has bought Royal Automobile Club of Western Australia for -$1.35bn

-Son of Chemist Warehouse co-founder, Damien Gance has sold $380m of his share in Sigma Healthcare ((SIG)), part of an $800m sale.

-Webjet Group ((WJL)) received a bid at 80c a share from BGH-Weiss to acquire the company with Helloworld Travel ((HLO)) buying a 5% stake just prior to the takeover announcement.

Next week’s Corporate Calendar

Calendar 1

For a calendar of earnings result releases and a summary of earnings results to date, refer to FNArena’s Corporate Results Monitor (https://www.fnarena.com/index.php/reporting_season/)

Find out why FNArena subscribers like the service so much: “Your Feedback (Thank You)” – Warning this story contains unashamedly positive feedback on the service provided.

FNArena is proud about its track record and past achievements: Ten Years On

To share this story on social media platforms, click on the symbols below.

Click to view our Glossary of Financial Terms

CHARTS

360 ABG AMP ASX BHP CBA DNL DOW HLO HMC IAG IFL MQG NEC PBH RIC SIG TLS TNE TPG TYR WDS WJL WTC XRO

For more info SHARE ANALYSIS: 360 - LIFE360 INC

For more info SHARE ANALYSIS: ABG - ABACUS GROUP

For more info SHARE ANALYSIS: AMP - AMP LIMITED

For more info SHARE ANALYSIS: ASX - ASX LIMITED

For more info SHARE ANALYSIS: BHP - BHP GROUP LIMITED

For more info SHARE ANALYSIS: CBA - COMMONWEALTH BANK OF AUSTRALIA

For more info SHARE ANALYSIS: DNL - DYNO NOBEL LIMITED

For more info SHARE ANALYSIS: DOW - DOWNER EDI LIMITED

For more info SHARE ANALYSIS: HLO - HELLOWORLD TRAVEL LIMITED

For more info SHARE ANALYSIS: HMC - HMC CAPITAL LIMITED

For more info SHARE ANALYSIS: IAG - INSURANCE AUSTRALIA GROUP LIMITED

For more info SHARE ANALYSIS: IFL - INSIGNIA FINANCIAL LIMITED

For more info SHARE ANALYSIS: MQG - MACQUARIE GROUP LIMITED

For more info SHARE ANALYSIS: NEC - NINE ENTERTAINMENT CO. HOLDINGS LIMITED

For more info SHARE ANALYSIS: PBH - POINTSBET HOLDINGS LIMITED

For more info SHARE ANALYSIS: RIC - RIDLEY CORPORATION LIMITED

For more info SHARE ANALYSIS: SIG - SIGMA HEALTHCARE LIMITED

For more info SHARE ANALYSIS: TLS - TELSTRA GROUP LIMITED

For more info SHARE ANALYSIS: TNE - TECHNOLOGY ONE LIMITED

For more info SHARE ANALYSIS: TPG - TPG TELECOM LIMITED

For more info SHARE ANALYSIS: TYR - TYRO PAYMENTS LIMITED

For more info SHARE ANALYSIS: WDS - WOODSIDE ENERGY GROUP LIMITED

For more info SHARE ANALYSIS: WJL - WEBJET GROUP LIMITED

For more info SHARE ANALYSIS: WTC - WISETECH GLOBAL LIMITED

For more info SHARE ANALYSIS: XRO - XERO LIMITED

Australian investors stay informed with FNArena – your trusted source for Australian financial news. We deliver expert analysis, daily updates on the ASX and commodity markets, and deep insights into companies on the ASX200 and ASX300, and beyond. Whether you're seeking a reliable financial newsletter or comprehensive finance news and detailed insights, FNArena offers unmatched coverage of the stock market news that matters. As a leading financial online newspaper, we help you stay ahead in the fast-moving world of Australian finance news.