Airline stocks fly, iron ore bounces, Australia invests in rare earths

Equities 7 minutes to read
Jessica Amir

Market Strategist

Summary:  Russia enters its 21st day of its Ukraine invasion. Australia backs US warning of ‘consequences’ if China sends arms to Russia. NZ opens border to Australia from April 12. Airline stocks climb also benefiting from oil declining back to $97.20. Longer term market moves reflect investors still brace for triple Rs, rising rates, rising inflation and a likely recession. Iron ore bounces high. Will BHP, Rio, CIA and other iron ore stocks follow? G7 countries order cryptocurrency not to be used by Russia or its elites. Australia invests in rare earths and rare earth stocks on ASX fly high. Plus we cover if it’s time to look at buying the dip in China.


Co-written by Market Strategists Jessica Amir in Australia and Redmond Wong in Hong Kong

What’s happening in equites that you need to know?

  • In Australia, the benchmark ASX200 rose 1.1% to 7,173 points, erasing yesterday’ 0.7% drop. Stepping back we can see the market has been stuck in the mud, in the same trading range for the last 8 weeks with markets awaiting both the US Fed Reserve Bank and the Australian Reserve Bank to map out, how high rates could go. It’s not much to ask, as no one likes uncertainty. In the NZ they have done what we hope the US Fed and RBA to do; the RBNZ announced it expects NZ rates to peak at 3.4% in 2024. So they mapped out how high rates will go. The takeaway here for markets. Expect headlines to dictate daily market moves, until we know how much rates will rise by. If the Fed and RBA are more aggressive than expected, markets could move lower. If they are more dovish/sheepish/conservative the markets and tech stocks in particular could move higher.
  • As for best performers on the ASX today? Corporate Travel Management (CTD) shares rose 5.6% rising above its 200 day moving average on optimism that NZ will open its border to Australia. Qantas (QAN) Australia’s biggest airline rose 2.8% also moving above its 200 day average. Both CTD and QAN are now flagging technical rallies could begin, as both shares are showing positive signs on the RSI and MACD technical indicators, suggesting some traders could now be buying these stocks for the longer term. QAN is also expected to declare its first double digit revenue growth in 14 years, this year. Meanwhile Qantas announced its expanding its use of sustainable aviation fuel (SAF), and will outline its interim carbon neutral target later this month. As for other noteworthy moves, Zip (Z1P) shares rose 4.2%, rallying off their two year low. But don’t be fooled by the short term rally. The buy now pay later market is over saturated and the market pricing in its revenue growth is slowing from its 2021 peak, this is why Zip shares are down 90% from their high. In other moves, Gold Road Resources (GOR) shares rose 2.7%, hitting a 52-week high as markets prepare for stagflation. 
  • In Asia, Hong Kong’s Hang Seng (HSI.I) and China’s CSI300 (000300.I).  Hang Seng Index and Heng Sang TECH Index (HSTECH.I) rallied 2% and 6% respectively.  Investors found relief from the report that the U.S. Public Company Accounting Oversight Board has “actively engaged” in discussion with the Chinese regulatory authorities to reach a resolution that could give the U.S. regulator access to audit papers and data of Chinese ADR companies, in ways similar to arrangements with some other countries.   CSI300 rose about 1%.  Despite that further mobility restriction imposed in cities, such as Nanjing and 1,952 new COVID cases yesterday, A share airlines, tourism and shipping stocks rallied. In Singaporethe Straits Times Index (STI) continued to trade well, up 1% this morning.
  • In the US, the S&P 500 (US500.I) and Nasdaq 100 (USNAS100.I) this evening are expected open flat and search for direction, ahead of the US central bank’s interest rate outcome, with the US central bank’s rate expected to rise by 0.25%.

What you need to consider

  • Australia plans rare earth boost, to challenge China and boost green exports. Australia has some of the world’s largest rare earths reserves in the world, but China dominates 70-80% of the global industry, in supplying the 17 rare earths elements needed in high-tech manufacturing. Today the Australian Prime Minister announced as part of its his Federal Election campaign, A$243 million ($175 million) will be allocated to four new projects, including a new nickel manganese cobalt battery material refinery hub in the Kalgoorlie region and a vanadium refinery project led by Australian Vanadium (AVL). In September Scott Morrison’s government announced a $2 billion loan facility to help secure Australian critical minerals projects. In rare earth stock moves today; Australian Vanadium (AVL) surged 31% on the news, Lynas Rare Earths (LYC) rose 3.3%, Vital Metals (VML) rose 6.4%, Northern Minerals (NTU) rose 2%.
  • China released stronger than expectation industrial production (+7.5% YoY), fixed asset investment (+12.2% YoY) and retail sales (+6.7% YoY) data for the first two month of 2022.  Nonetheless, investors are skeptical about the sustainability of the momentum in economic activities amid the escalation of COVID related restrictions and lingering weakness in the property sector.  New home sales prices in the largest 70 cities in China in February were up 0.5% from January.  Price increases concentrated in 1st and 2nd tier cities while price declines persisted in lower-tier cities. 

Trading ideas

  • If you believe that the rare earth market could continue to push high, you could buy a rare earth stock, or look at Rare Earth ETFs. Arare earths ETF to consider is the REMX, VanEck Vectors Rare Earth/Strategic Metals ETF that invests in 22 of the biggest Rare earths and strategic metal stocks in the world. Its biggest holdings are Pilbara Minerals (PLS), Lynas Rare Earths (LYC) and China Northern Rare Earth Group (600111), as well as AVZ Minerals (AVZ) and Allkem (AKE).
  • The recent selloff in the Chinese internet stocks have priced in much global macro risks as well as China-specific risks.  In a bear market, being technically oversold is not a reason to buy.  Rebounds can be fast and short-lived.  For investors, it is more advisable to look at the risks and rewards after taking into the consideration of the valuation of the cash flows that the business of individual companies can generate in the future and the amount of losses that the investors themselves can sustain.  On that basis, some of the quality names of the Chinese Internet stocks may start looking attractive in a 12-month investment horizon.   The Chinese economy and stock market are too large and too important to be prolongedly reduced in the weighting of overseas institutional investors’ portfolios, even in a new paradigm of reversing some of the globalization happened in the previous decades.   Ahead of the all-important 20th Party Congress, Chinese authorities have social, economic and financial stability top on their priority and fiscal and monetary policies may tend to be supportive to achieving these goals.

Earnings to watch

In Hong Kong & mainland China

  • Mar 16: CK Intrastructure (01038), Evergrande Services (06666), Kingdee (00268), Powerlong Commercial (09909)
  • Mar 17: China Telecom (00728), CK Hutchison (00001), Fuyao Glass (03606), Powerlong Real Estate (01238)
  • Mar 18: China Merchants Bank (03968), China Molybdenum (03993), Ping An Insurance (02318), Sunac Services (01516)


For a global look at markets – tune into 
our Podcast 

For prior Australian market and APAC updates - click here. 


Quarterly Outlook 2024 Q3

Sandcastle economics

01 / 05

  • Macro: Sandcastle economics

    Invest wisely in Q3 2024: Discover SaxoStrats' insights on navigating a stable yet fragile global economy.

    Read article
  • Bonds: What to do until inflation stabilises

    Discover strategies for managing bonds as US and European yields remain rangebound due to uncertain inflation and evolving monetary policies.

    Read article
  • Equities: Are we blowing bubbles again

    Explore key trends and opportunities in European equities and electrification theme as market dynamics echo 2021's rally.

    Read article
  • FX: Risk-on currencies to surge against havens

    Explore the outlook for USD, AUD, NZD, and EM carry trades as risk-on currencies are set to outperform in Q3 2024.

    Read article
  • Commodities: Energy and grains in focus as metals pause

    Energy and grains to shine as metals pause. Discover key trends and market drivers for commodities in Q3 2024.

    Read article

Disclaimer

The Saxo Bank Group entities each provide execution-only service and access to Analysis permitting a person to view and/or use content available on or via the website. This content is not intended to and does not change or expand on the execution-only service. Such access and use are at all times subject to (i) The Terms of Use; (ii) Full Disclaimer; (iii) The Risk Warning; (iv) the Rules of Engagement and (v) Notices applying to Saxo News & Research and/or its content in addition (where relevant) to the terms governing the use of hyperlinks on the website of a member of the Saxo Bank Group by which access to Saxo News & Research is gained. Such content is therefore provided as no more than information. In particular no advice is intended to be provided or to be relied on as provided nor endorsed by any Saxo Bank Group entity; nor is it to be construed as solicitation or an incentive provided to subscribe for or sell or purchase any financial instrument. All trading or investments you make must be pursuant to your own unprompted and informed self-directed decision. As such no Saxo Bank Group entity will have or be liable for any losses that you may sustain as a result of any investment decision made in reliance on information which is available on Saxo News & Research or as a result of the use of the Saxo News & Research. Orders given and trades effected are deemed intended to be given or effected for the account of the customer with the Saxo Bank Group entity operating in the jurisdiction in which the customer resides and/or with whom the customer opened and maintains his/her trading account. Saxo News & Research does not contain (and should not be construed as containing) financial, investment, tax or trading advice or advice of any sort offered, recommended or endorsed by Saxo Bank Group and should not be construed as a record of our trading prices, or as an offer, incentive or solicitation for the subscription, sale or purchase in any financial instrument. To the extent that any content is construed as investment research, you must note and accept that the content was not intended to and has not been prepared in accordance with legal requirements designed to promote the independence of investment research and as such, would be considered as a marketing communication under relevant laws.

Please read our disclaimers:
- Notification on Non-Independent Investment Research (https://www.home.saxo/legal/niird/notification)
- Full disclaimer (https://www.home.saxo/en-gb/legal/disclaimer/saxo-disclaimer)

Saxo
40 Bank Street, 26th floor
E14 5DA
London
United Kingdom

Contact Saxo

Select region

United Kingdom
United Kingdom

Trade Responsibly
All trading carries risk. To help you understand the risks involved we have put together a series of Key Information Documents (KIDs) highlighting the risks and rewards related to each product. Read more
Additional Key Information Documents are available in our trading platform.

Saxo is a registered Trading Name of Saxo Capital Markets UK Ltd (‘Saxo’). Saxo is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority, Firm Reference Number 551422. Registered address: 26th Floor, 40 Bank Street, Canary Wharf, London E14 5DA. Company number 7413871. Registered in England & Wales.

This website, including the information and materials contained in it, are not directed at, or intended for distribution to or use by, any person or entity who is a citizen or resident of or located in the United States, Belgium or any other jurisdiction where such distribution, publication, availability or use would be contrary to applicable law or regulation.

It is important that you understand that with investments, your capital is at risk. Past performance is not a guide to future performance. It is your responsibility to ensure that you make an informed decision about whether or not to invest with us. If you are still unsure if investing is right for you, please seek independent advice. Saxo assumes no liability for any loss sustained from trading in accordance with a recommendation.

Apple, iPad and iPhone are trademarks of Apple Inc., registered in the U.S. and other countries. App Store is a service mark of Apple Inc. Android is a trademark of Google Inc.

©   since 1992