Summary of Last Week

The week that was ended with the US S&P 500 slipping into correction territory while the ASX 200 managed to stay above water with solid price appreciation from the big mining companies. 

Uncertainty, the bane of investors worldwide, entered global markets en masse as US policy on tariffs bounced back and forth like a tennis ball. Promised tariffs have seen percentage changes followed by falling away followed by coming back, with a daily dose of more tariffs in the offing.

Going into the end of the week the threat of a US government shutdown added to the cascading uncertainty. Once that threat evaporated, US markets posted a stunning rebound on the last day of the trading week there.

In the midst of all that, the price of gold climbed above the USD$ 3,000 per ounce threshold for the first time in history.

Both the US and the Australian markets close the week on a stronger note, with the ASX 200 closing out the week down 2% following a 0.5% gain on the last trading day of the week. For the month, the ASX 200 is down 9.31%.

 

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ASX Market Outlook for the Week

Market volatility is expected to remain in the midst of uncertainty over both the potential start of a full-blown global trade war and its impact. Although it is possible Australia will not take a tariff hit on its exports, it appears we are not likely to avoid its impact given our reliance on China as a trading partner. In short, what hurts the Chinese economy is likely to come back on Australia.

There are multiple economic data points coming out next week that could have significant impact on the ASX market outlook, and markets around the world. These include Chinese economic activity, and interest rate decisions in Japan, the UK, and the US.

Here in Australia, jobs data due this week has the potential to shake the market.

 

Economic Data

Economic data from the US and China is arguably as important to the ASX market outlook as is domestic Australian economic data. Here are what are likely to be the most significant events of the week.

Monday 17th March

  • China: Retail sales, industrial production and fixed asset investment

Wednesday 19th March

  • Japan: Interest rate decision and monetary policy
  • US: Interest rate decision and monetary policy
  • US: New York Empire State Manufacturing Index

Thursday 20th March

  • UK: Interest rate decision and monetary policy
  • US: Philadelphia Fed Manufacturing Survey
  • Australia: Labour Force Report

On Monday the 17th, China will release its economic activity for the January to February period, including retail sales, industrial production, and fixed asset investment. Expectations are that all three will be on the rise, with retail sales up 3.8% year over year, industrial production up 5.3%, and fixed asset investment up 3.2%.

On Wednesday the 18th of March, the central banks of both Japan and the US are expected to hold interest rates steady at current levels, with the Bank of England in the UK expected to follow suit on the 20th.

Manufacturing activity in the US is expected to drop, with the New York Empire State Manufacturing Index reporting on the 18th projected to drop to a negative 1.9 from a positive 5.7.

On the 20th, the Philadelphia Fed Manufacturing Survey is expected to drop from a reading of 18 to 12.1. Jobless data for the US will also be reported on the 20th.

The most significant data point here in Australia will be the Labour Force Report, to be released on the 20th, with the expectation of 30,000 new jobs added to the labour force, a drop from the 44,000 jobs added in the previous reporting period. 

 

ASX Earnings This Week

Earnings reports frequently act as catalysts for stock price movement – both up and down. ASX Stocks reporting earnings this week include:

Monday March 17th

  • Mineral exploration company Image Resources (IMA) 
  • Cobalt, nickel, copper, and gold explorer Jade Gas Holdings (JGH)

Tuesday March 18th

Wednesday March 19th

  • Retailer Myer Holdings (MYH)
  • Investment House in coal, building materials, telecommunications, and other holdings Washington H. Soul Pattinson (SOL)

Thursday March 20th

  • Multiple minerals explorer Waratah Holdings (WTM)
  • Building materials producer Brickworks (BKW)
  • Singapore based telecommunications company Tuas Limited (TUA)

 

ASX Dividends This Week

Given the current downturn, dividend stocks are becoming more attractive. Some investors try to time their dividend investments by buying the stock one day or more before the ex-dividend date to ensure they receive the dividend payment. On the ex-dividend date, the stock price typically – although not always – goes down to reflect the amount of dividends paid, presenting both buying and selling opportunities should the stock bounce back, although timing investors must wait for the record date and pay date before selling. 

Market Index Australia lists 39 stocks going ex-dividend during the week of March 17th. Here are five ASX stocks paying dividends in excess of $0.10 per share

 

ASX 52 Week Highs

Stocks hitting 52 week highs provide fertile ground for investors looking for high growth stocks. Here are seven revenue and profit generating companies hitting 52 week Highs, along with their current price in Australian dollars.

 

ASX 52 Week Lows

Bargain hunters can look to well-known revenue and profit generating companies hitting 52 Week Lows. Here are seven who made the list during the week of March 10th 2025, along with their current price in Australian dollars

 

New ASX Listings and IPOs

There are  no new listing or Initial Public Offerings (IPOs) on the ASX during the week of March 17th, a trend that could continue considering current uncertainty and volatility in the market.