Stock Market News: ASX Benchmark Shows Bull Trends in Australia
Stock markets continue to trend in summer price territory, and analysts have already started revising their expectations for global stocks. One example here can be seen in Citigroup, which reported a 13% increase in quarterly earnings, boosted by lower taxes and higher revenues in its consumer banking division. But these types of movements have been seen throughout the Australian region, as well.
In the weeks ahead, market participants will be paying close attention to some of these factors because the Australian economy typically runs at comparatively high-interest rate levels. Forecasts from Citigroup have exceeded forecasts for profit and income, during the first quarter of the year, registering a net profit of $4.6 billion, which represents 13% more than the same period of 2017.
Stock market performances
Since interest expectations are vital in determining the likely direction of the Australian stock market, it is important to use the global banking sector as one the primary indicators of position direction. The most relevant stock market news will also be tied to important happening in the currency markets, and this is why trends in the Australian Dollar are also critical in determining a trading stance.
Thus far, earnings within the sector have been relatively impressive. Citigroup is the fourth largest bank by assets in the US has benefited from the excellent performance of the retail business. In stock market news we can see that revenues amounted to 18,872 million dollars, 3% more than in the same period of 2017.
Earnings per share stood at $1.68 versus $1.61 from the consensus of analysts. The higher quarterly result was derived from higher revenues and a lower effective tax rate, whose positive balances offset the increase in expenses and the credit cost. The CEO of Citi, Michael Corbat, has indicated in a statement that the results “demonstrate strength and balance and positions us well for the rest of the year.”
Currency markets activity
The banking sector highlights some of the growth that is present in both investment and consumer banking, and this is something that could extend far into the global economic levels.
In particular, he pointed out that the company managed to increase the income in the institutional and consumer business, so it delivered solid earnings in revenue driven by customers in areas where it has been investing, such as TSS, Capitals and Private Banking.
So the real question is whether or not these trends willcontinue. Fortunately, the good results have compensated the losses and the business fall of the corporate division. The entity has reported that it registered red numbers of 86 million dollars with a decline in revenues of 51% to 1 million dollars.
The Australian Dollar has been aided by strong performances in its first-quarter GDP data. But there are some analysts still skeptical that the strength will last. One of the reasons is the heightened trade rhetoric seen on the global stage, which could damage the Australian Dollar given the stong economic ties that are present between Austrailia and China.
