Wall Street climbed most since June, fuelled by optimism the Fed will pause rates in September following the latest jobs data.

Making a few trades today. Adding BHP ahead of its dividend in the one stock Portfolio. Added two trades to try and catch a peak in bond yields. Lots of economic data ahead that could kill or turbo-charge the “new narrative”. US closed on Monday – long weekend – low volumes overnight. Results season running out of steam. Telstra ex-dividend today – WOW tomorrow. Buy signal on COL ahead of dividend on Friday. Might be worth buying for income.

ASX 200 kicked 87 points higher to 7298 (1.2%). A killer combo of strong US markets and a much better-than-expected local CPI at 4.9%.

US markets kicked off the final week of August in the green ahead of key economic data, ending just off best levels.

Turning our focus to the MT Portfolios. Low volumes ahead of US inflation and jobs numbers.Chinese stimulus looks superficial at best. But might help resources short term. Ho Hum market – now below the pre-pandemic high – we need a bull market. Appen (APX) – down 32% yesterday – sometimes fundamentals do work. Results season rolling into the buffers – a lot of stocks now de-risked. Some buyers of BHP – has a dividend coming up on September 7.

ASX 200 climbed another 51 points to 7211 (+0.7%). Banks and resources leading the way, with BHP up 1.2% and RIO doing well up 1.1%.

US markets finished higher on Friday as the market weighed remarks from Fed Chair Powell at the Jackson Hole Summit.

ASX 200 rallied 45 points in quiet trade to 7157 (0.6%). Solid day on US optimism and Chinese stimulus moves.