This afternoon, Super Retail Group Ltd (ASX: SUL) reported group like-for-like sales growth of 0.4% for the second half so far, with Supercheap Auto and Macpac delivering positive momentum despite tougher trading conditions.

What did Super Retail Group report?

• Like-for-like sales grew 0.4% for the first 44 weeks of H2 FY26
• Total group sales rose 3.3% for weeks 1 to 44 FY26
• Supercheap Auto total sales up 4.3%; Macpac sales up 8.9% year to date
• rebel’s total sales up 4.0%; BCF sales flat at -0.3%
• Group gross margin is modestly below the same period last year
• Group & Unallocated costs for FY26 expected at $66 million, up from previous $60 million estimate

What else do investors need to know?

Trading conditions across all brands were affected by the Middle East conflict and economic headwinds like higher fuel prices and rising interest rates. These factors led to subdued consumer sentiment, especially during the important Easter retail period.

Supercheap Auto and rebel both increased their market share. Interest in auto maintenance, DIY parts, men’s sportswear, recovery gear, and football supported sales. However, discretionary spending declined, impacting categories like power tools, performance footwear, and high-value sporting equipment.

Super Retail invested around $30 million in extra working capital to secure inventory ahead of price increases, especially for Supercheap Auto, and to ensure supply for regional areas.

What’s next for Super Retail Group?

The company is pressing ahead with the opening of its new Victorian distribution centre and rolling out a new HR Core & Payroll system. Both initiatives are tracking to plan this half, though the early start of these projects contributed to the higher cost outlook for FY26.

Macpac is preparing for its peak winter season, with a focus on managing inventory carefully. Across the group, investments in supply chain and systems aim to position Super Retail Group to navigate current economic challenges and support future growth.

Super Retail Group share price snapshot

Over the past 12 months, Super Retail shares have declined 12%, trailing the S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) which has risen 8% over the same period.

View Original Announcement

The post Super Retail Group provides a trading update appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

• Here are the top 10 ASX 200 shares today
• Why the ASX 200 is charging higher today
• Why is this $10 billion ASX stock racing 12% higher today?
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• GPT Group delivers March quarter update

Motley Fool contributor Laura Stewart has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool Australia’s parent company Motley Fool Holdings Inc. has positions in and has recommended Super Retail Group. The Motley Fool Australia has positions in and has recommended Super Retail Group. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. This article contains general investment advice only (under AFSL 400691). Authorised by Scott Phillips. This article was prepared with the assistance of Large Language Model (LLM) tools for the initial summary of the company announcement. Any content assisted by AI is subject to our robust human-in-the-loop quality control framework, involving thorough review, substantial editing, and fact-checking by our experienced writers and editors holding appropriate credentials. The Motley Fool Australia stands behind the work of our editorial team and takes ultimate responsibility for the content published by The Motley Fool Australia.

If you are lucky enough to have $5,000 to invest in the share market, but don’t enjoy stock-picking, then it could be worth considering the ASX exchange traded funds (ETFs) in this article.

ETFs remove the need to pick stocks by providing investors with access to large groups of shares with a single investment.

But which ones could be worth considering right now?

Here are three ASX ETFs to look at this month.

Betashares India Quality ETF (ASX: IIND)

The first ASX ETF to consider is the Betashares India Quality ETF.

India has become a more important part of the global investment conversation. Its economy is supported by favourable demographics, rising consumption, digital adoption, and a growing corporate sector.

This fund takes a selective approach to that opportunity. The fund aims to track an index of the highest-quality Indian companies, selected using factors such as profitability, leverage, and earnings stability.

That gives the Betashares India Quality ETF a more focused profile than a broad India market fund. It is not simply buying the biggest companies in the market. It is trying to capture Indian growth through businesses with stronger financial characteristics.

Its holdings include the likes of Bharti Airtel, Infosys (NYSE: INFY), and Hindustan Unilever.

This fund was recently recommended by analysts at Betashares.

Betashares Global Defence ETF (ASX: ARMR)

Another ASX ETF to look at this month is the Betashares Global Defence ETF.

Defence has shifted from a cyclical budget item to a more persistent priority for governments. Rising geopolitical tension has pushed national security, equipment modernisation, and defence technology higher on the agenda.

This fund provides exposure to leading global companies involved in the defence sector, such as Palantir Technologies (NASDAQ: PLTR), RTX Corporation (NYSE: RTX), and Lockheed Martin (NYSE: LMT).

As you can see, this means it is not only about traditional defence hardware. It also captures the shift toward technology, intelligence systems, and modern battlefield capability.

This is another ETF that was recently recommended by Betashares.

VanEck Morningstar International Wide Moat ETF (ASX: GOAT)

A third ASX ETF that could be a good pick for a $5,000 investment is the VanEck Morningstar International Wide Moat ETF.

This fund gives investors access to a diversified portfolio of attractively priced international companies that are judged to have sustainable competitive advantages for 20 years or more.

Its holdings include NXP Semiconductors (NASDAQ: NXPI), Etsy (NYSE: ETSY), and Symrise (ETR: SY1).

For investors wanting global exposure with a quality and valuation filter, the VanEck Morningstar International Wide Moat ETF offers a more selective route than simply buying the broad market.

The post Where to invest $5,000 in ASX ETFs this month appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

• Here are 3 ASX ETFs to buy in May and hold until 2030
• Global investing is easy on the ASX with these ETFs
• Will global defence ASX ETFs keep climbing? Expert
• Where to invest $20,000 in ASX ETFs right now
• 5 ASX ETFs to buy and hold for five years

Motley Fool contributor James Mickleboro has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool Australia’s parent company Motley Fool Holdings Inc. has positions in and has recommended Etsy, NXP Semiconductors, Palantir Technologies, and RTX. The Motley Fool Australia’s parent company Motley Fool Holdings Inc. has recommended Lockheed Martin. The Motley Fool Australia has recommended VanEck Morningstar International Wide Moat ETF. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. This article contains general investment advice only (under AFSL 400691). Authorised by Scott Phillips.

The market may have pushed higher over the past 12 months, but not every ASX share has been so lucky.

The two ASX shares in this article have fallen over 60% from their highs despite the market’s rise. Here’s why I think that has been overdone and created a buying opportunity.

Temple & Webster Group Ltd (ASX: TPW)

There’s no other way to put it. Temple & Webster shares have been hammered.

The online furniture and homewares retailer is down around 80% from its high, which is a huge reset for a business that was once priced for very strong growth.

I can understand why the market has turned more cautious. Consumer spending has been under pressure as interest rates rise, housing activity has been uneven, and investors have become less willing to pay high multiples for online retail growth.

But I still think Temple & Webster has an attractive long-term opportunity.

The key for me is market share. Furniture, homewares, and home improvement is a very large category, and Temple & Webster still has only a small share of the total market. That gives it a long runway if more spending continues to shift online over time.

I also like that the company is not trying to build a traditional store network. Its online model gives it the ability to offer a wide product range without carrying the same physical store footprint as many older retailers. That can support scale over time if the business keeps growing.

This is not a risk-free recovery story. Consumer demand could stay soft, competition could remain intense, and profitability needs to keep improving.

But after an 80% decline from its high, I think a lot of disappointment is already reflected in the share price. For patient investors, Temple & Webster shares could be worth considering for the long term.

WiseTech Global Ltd (ASX: WTC)

WiseTech has also fallen a long way, with the share price down around 60% from its high.

That is a dramatic move for one of the ASX’s highest-quality technology businesses.

The market has been worried about valuation, acquisitions, growth expectations, and the potential impact of artificial intelligence (AI) on enterprise software. I do not think those concerns should be dismissed.

But I also think WiseTech remains a very strong business.

Its CargoWise platform is used in the global logistics industry, which is complex, fragmented, and difficult to manage without specialised software. Once a system like CargoWise becomes deeply embedded in customer workflows, I believe it can be difficult to replace.

That stickiness is valuable, in my opinion.

I also think WiseTech has an opportunity to use AI as a tool rather than simply treat it as a threat. Logistics is full of documentation, routing decisions, compliance tasks, and workflow complexity. If AI can improve automation and efficiency inside CargoWise, it could make the platform more useful over time.

The valuation is now much more interesting than it was at the peak. It may still not look conventionally cheap, but high-quality software rarely does.

Foolish takeaway

I do not think investors should buy every stock that has fallen heavily.

Some share price declines are warnings, not opportunities. But in the case of Temple & Webster and WiseTech, I think there is still enough quality and long-term growth potential to take a closer look.

Both businesses have been marked down sharply. That does not remove the risks, but it does make the risk-reward more appealing in my view.

The post Down 60% and 80%, 2 ASX shares I’d buy on the cheap appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

• Top brokers name 3 ASX shares to buy today
• Why WiseTech shares could shoot 70% higher
• 2 strong Australian stocks to buy now with $10,000
• 5 things to watch on the ASX 200 on Wednesday
• Forget gold! Start hunting fallen ASX 200 shares to buy for an earlier retirement

Motley Fool contributor Grace Alvino has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool Australia’s parent company Motley Fool Holdings Inc. has positions in and has recommended Temple & Webster Group and WiseTech Global. The Motley Fool Australia has positions in and has recommended WiseTech Global. The Motley Fool Australia has recommended Temple & Webster Group. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. This article contains general investment advice only (under AFSL 400691). Authorised by Scott Phillips.

It was a stunning day on the Australian share market this Wednesday, with the S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) rebounding strongly after the malaise we saw earlier in the week.

After staying comfortably in green territory all day, the ASX 200 ended up closing a solid 1.3% higher, leaving the index at 8,793.6 points.

This happy hump day for ASX investors follows a similarly upbeat night over on Wall Street.

The Dow Jones Industrial Average Index (DJX: .DJI) was in fine form, rising 0.73%.

The tech-heavy Nasdaq Composite Index (NASDAQ: .IXIC) did even better, gaining 1.03%.

But let’s get back to the ASX now though and dive a little deeper into what was happening amongst the various ASX sectors navigated today’s tough trading conditions.

Winners and losers

The post Here are the top 10 ASX 200 shares today appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

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• Why the ASX 200 is charging higher today
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Motley Fool contributor Sebastian Bowen has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool Australia’s parent company Motley Fool Holdings Inc. has positions in and has recommended Domino’s Pizza Enterprises. The Motley Fool Australia has recommended Domino’s Pizza Enterprises. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. This article contains general investment advice only (under AFSL 400691). Authorised by Scott Phillips.

With all of the consequential events occurring on the global stage on a seemingly daily basis right now, it can be hard to keep track of what is happening on the Australian financial landscape. For those who have been keeping their eyes on the ball, it may have been noted that something rather significant is happening with our Aussie dollar.

The Australian dollar has actually been on a tear of late. It was only in April of 2025 that the local currency dropped to a COVID-era low of about 60 US cents. That was thanks to the subsequently-walked-back-and-then-declared-illegal ‘liberation day’ tariff announcement from the US President Donald Trump.

Today, just over a year later, things look quite different. It was only in late January that the Aussie dollar crossed 70 US cents for the first time since early 2023. Over the past week, we saw the Aussie hit, and then exceed, 72 US cents. Today, one Australian dollar will buy you about 72.5 US cents at the time of writing. That’s the highest level the Aussie has traded at against the Greenback in almost exactly four years.

Many Australians only check the Aussie dollar exchange rate when they’re about to book an international holiday. But our dollar’s value is a vitally important economic catalyst, one that can have huge impacts on a variety of ASX shares. Let’s dig into how that works.

To put it simply, a rising Aussie dollar makes exports more expensive for companies that send goods overseas, and makes importing goods from overseas into Australia cheaper, provided all other things remain equal.

Which ASX shares benefit from a higher Aussie dollar?

As such, the biggest losers from a higher Aussie dollar are arguably mining companies, as well as energy companies. Stocks like BHP Group Ltd (ASX: BHP), Woodside Energy Group Ltd (ASX: WDS), Northern Star Resources Ltd (ASX: NST) and Whitehaven Coal Ltd (ASX: WHC) are forced to sell their iron ore, oil, gold and coal in US dollars on the international market. If our dollar rises in value, these companies will receive fewer Aussie dollars when they bring the US dollars they receive upon the sale of their commodities back home to the ASX.

Any other ASX share that sends goods or services to countries beyond our shores, or brings back foreign currencies to the ASX, is also in the firing line. That might include Cochlear Ltd (ASX: COH) and CSL Ltd (ASX: CSL), for example.

But what about winners from a higher dollar? Well, we have those too. As you can probably gather, any country that imports goods to resell to Australians will benefit from a higher dollar. Some names that come to mind include Wesfarmers Ltd (ASX: WES), JB Hi-Fi Ltd (ASX: JBH), Harvey Norman Holdings Ltd (ASX: HVN) and Ampol Ltd (ASX: ALD).

Wesfarmers imports most of the goods sold at its retailers, like Kmart, OfficeWorks, Target, and Bunnings, from their country of manufacture, which is typically China. It would be a similar story with JB and Harvey Norman’s televisions and appliances, or Ampol’s imported fuels.

Unfortunately, the closure of the Strait of Hormuz is probably dampening, if not eliminating, the benefits of our higher dollar for these stocks right now. But whenever the Strait reopens, these stocks will feel the full benefits of a rising Aussie dollar. That’s assuming the dollar stays where it is, or keeps going higher, of course.

The post The Aussie dollar just hit a 4-year high. Which ASX shares will benefit? appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

• 2 ASX shares I would buy for both growth and passive income today
• Warning! Experts name 3 ASX 200 shares to sell
• Why the ASX 200 is charging higher today
• Why JB Hi-Fi, Magellan, Lottery Corp, and Woodside shares are falling today
• Warning: JB Hi-Fi shares tumble as investors look past sales growth

Motley Fool contributor Sebastian Bowen has positions in CSL and Wesfarmers. The Motley Fool Australia’s parent company Motley Fool Holdings Inc. has positions in and has recommended CSL, Cochlear, and Wesfarmers. The Motley Fool Australia has positions in and has recommended Harvey Norman. The Motley Fool Australia has recommended BHP Group, CSL, Cochlear, and Wesfarmers. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. This article contains general investment advice only (under AFSL 400691). Authorised by Scott Phillips.

Some investors separate growth and income into different buckets.

I understand that. A fast-growing company may reinvest heavily and pay little income, while a mature dividend stock may offer yield but limited growth.

But I do not think investors always have to choose. Some ASX shares can offer a useful blend of both.

Two that stand out to me today are named below.

Wesfarmers Ltd (ASX: WES)

Wesfarmers is not the highest-yielding stock on the ASX, but I think its approximate 3% dividend yield looks appealing when combined with the quality of the business.

For me, Wesfarmers is a growth and income stock because it has more ways to win than many large companies.

Bunnings remains the obvious powerhouse. It has a strong market position, a trusted brand, and exposure to home improvement spending across both consumer and commercial customers.

But the broader group is what makes Wesfarmers more interesting. Kmart continues to benefit from its value positioning, which I think is particularly useful when households are watching their spending. Officeworks gives exposure to education, small business, and technology spending. Wesfarmers Health is still being reshaped and could become a more meaningful contributor over time.

Then there is the lithium exposure through WesCEF, which adds a very different growth angle.

Overall, I think Wesfarmers shares are a buy because the company has a long record of reinvesting sensibly, improving its businesses, and returning cash to shareholders. That combination is exactly what I like in a long-term holding.

Lovisa Holdings Ltd (ASX: LOV)

Lovisa is the higher-growth pick of the two.

The jewellery retailer has built a global rollout model that still looks very powerful to me. It sells affordable fashion jewellery, which gives it a relatively simple product proposition, but the execution is what makes the business stand out.

Lovisa can open stores in many different markets, keep formats small, and use its buying, merchandising, and pricing model to generate strong returns. That gives the company a long runway if it keeps executing well internationally.

Its first-half results showed total revenue rising 23.3%, supported by store network growth and comparable store sales growth. Lovisa opened 85 new stores during the half and finished the period with 1,095 stores across more than 50 markets.

Importantly for income investors, it also lifted its interim dividend to 53 cents per share, 50% franked. That is why I think Lovisa is so interesting as a growth and income stock.

The dividend yield of around 3.2% is already useful, but the real appeal is that the income could grow over time if the global store rollout continues successfully.

There are risks. Fashion retail can be competitive, consumer spending can shift, and international expansion is never automatic.

But Lovisa’s model has already travelled across many markets, and I think that gives investors a reason to stay optimistic.

Foolish takeaway

If I were looking for ASX shares that offer both growth and passive income, Wesfarmers and Lovisa would be high on my list.

They are very different businesses, but both offer dividends today and the potential for a larger business tomorrow.

The post 2 ASX shares I would buy for both growth and passive income today appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

• How much is needed in superannuation to target $10,000 of monthly passive income?
• Own Wesfarmers shares? It’s expanding into modular apartment construction
• I’m worried about the ASX 200 falling further. Here’s why
• CSL, Wesfarmers, Endeavour shares crash to multi-year lows: Buy, hold, or sell?
• CSL and Wesfarmers among scores of ASX shares hitting fresh 52-week lows

Motley Fool contributor Grace Alvino has positions in Lovisa and Wesfarmers. The Motley Fool Australia’s parent company Motley Fool Holdings Inc. has positions in and has recommended Lovisa and Wesfarmers. The Motley Fool Australia has recommended Lovisa and Wesfarmers. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. This article contains general investment advice only (under AFSL 400691). Authorised by Scott Phillips.

Many of Australia’s top brokers have been busy adjusting their financial models and recommendations. This has led to a number of broker notes being released this week.

Three ASX shares that brokers have named as buys this week are listed below. Here’s why their analysts are feeling bullish on them right now:

Aristocrat Leisure Ltd (ASX: ALL)

According to a note out of Bell Potter, its analysts have retained their buy rating on this gaming technology company’s shares with a reduced price target of $61.00. It notes that industry data shows that Aristocrat’s games remained highly compelling to players in the North American market in March. In addition, the company has recently launched three new franchises into the market, some of which are core market favourites and have started off with strong performances. Outside this, the broker believes that Aristocrat’s leading R&D investment will drive market share gains and support further growth. And with a very strong balance sheet, Bell Potter notes that Aristocrat has substantial M&A firepower to boost growth inorganically. The Aristocrat share price is trading at $47.66 on Wednesday.

Flight Centre Travel Group Ltd (ASX: FLT)

A note out of Macquarie reveals that its analysts have retained their outperform rating and $17.95 price target on the travel agent’s shares. This follows the release of a trading update, which revealed that management has retained its guidance for FY 2026. Macquarie notes that this reflects a strong corporate performance, which is offsetting disruption in the leisure segment. Together with ongoing cost discipline and productivity gains, the broker believes the company is well-placed to grow its earnings. The Flight Centre share price is fetching $10.67 at the time of writing.

WiseTech Global Ltd (ASX: WTC)

Another note out of Bell Potter reveals that its analysts have retained their buy rating and $78.75 price target on this logistics solutions technology company’s shares. This follows the reaffirmation of its guidance at a broker conference this week. Based on what management is targeting in FY 2026, Bell Potter is starting to believe that its FY 2027 forecasts could prove to be conservative. In light of this, the broker is eagerly awaiting its results in August. It sees WiseTech’s FY 2027 guidance as a potential catalyst to driving a re-rating in its share price. The WiseTech Global share price is trading at $44.96 this afternoon.

The post Top brokers name 3 ASX shares to buy today appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

• Down 16% year to date, Bell Potter thinks now is the time to buy low on this ASX 200 stock
• Why WiseTech shares could shoot 70% higher
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• 5 things to watch on the ASX 200 on Wednesday
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Motley Fool contributor James Mickleboro has positions in WiseTech Global. The Motley Fool Australia’s parent company Motley Fool Holdings Inc. has positions in and has recommended Macquarie Group and WiseTech Global. The Motley Fool Australia has positions in and has recommended Macquarie Group and WiseTech Global. The Motley Fool Australia has recommended Flight Centre Travel Group. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. This article contains general investment advice only (under AFSL 400691). Authorised by Scott Phillips.

Knowing which ASX 200 shares to avoid can be just as important as knowing which ones to buy when aiming to maximise portfolio returns.

So, with that in mind, let’s see which shares analysts are tipping as sells this week, courtesy of The Bull.

Here’s what they are bearish on:

Commonwealth Bank of Australia (ASX: CBA)

The team at Alto Capital thinks that CBA is an ASX 200 share to sell this week.

Due to the banking giant’s current valuation, it thinks investors should consider taking profits. It explains:

Australia’s largest retail bank enjoys a dominant position across mortgages, deposits and consumer banking. The company recently reported a record first half cash net profit after tax in 2026 of $5.445 billion, supported by lending growth and strong deposit volumes. Recently, the share price had re-rated significantly and traded at a premium to domestic peers and global banking counterparts. With much of the operational strength already reflected in the valuation, the risk-reward balance favours taking profits at current levels.

JB Hi-Fi Ltd (ASX: JBH)

Over at Fairmont Equities, its analysts think that retail giant JB Hi-Fi could be an ASX share to sell now.

The equities firm believes that higher fuel prices and interest rates could weigh on the performance of discretionary retail stocks. It said:

With interest rates possibly rising again on top of higher fuel prices, we would be cautious about discretionary retail stocks. Households are under increasing pressure from higher cost of living expenses, which could result in consumers cutting discretionary spending. This consumer electronics giant faces the challenge of sustaining revenue and earnings in a potentially softer economy. From a charting perspective, the share price remains in a downtrend. The shares have fallen from $121 on August 20, 2025 to trade at $78.10 on April 30, 2026. We would be inclined to cash in some gains at this stage of the cycle.

Westpac Banking Corp (ASX: WBC)

Fairmont Equities has also named big four bank Westpac as an ASX 200 share to sell this week.

It thinks that a recent trading update shows that economic conditions could be getting challenging. As a result, it would not be surprised to see Westpac shares take a tumble. Fairmont Equities said:

We had previously been bullish on the banks when they were trending higher from high levels of momentum. However, they are stalling at current levels. A recent trading update by WBC indicated economic conditions could be getting tougher in response to rising interest rates, inflation and potential fuel shocks. In our view, challenging economic conditions are likely to impact lending activity and credit quality. Even a robust dividend yield may not be enough to prevent a further slide in WBC’s share price.

The post Warning! Experts name 3 ASX 200 shares to sell appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

• Why the ASX 200 is charging higher today
• Why JB Hi-Fi, Magellan, Lottery Corp, and Woodside shares are falling today
• Interest rates are back at 15-year highs. Here’s what CBA expects now
• Warning: JB Hi-Fi shares tumble as investors look past sales growth
• JB Hi-Fi Q3 FY26 sales update: Australia & NZ drive growth

Motley Fool contributor James Mickleboro has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool Australia’s parent company Motley Fool Holdings Inc. has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool Australia has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. This article contains general investment advice only (under AFSL 400691). Authorised by Scott Phillips.

The S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) is pushing higher on Wednesday as investors move back into the major banks.

At the time of writing, the ASX 200 is up 0.91% to 8,759 points.

That follows a 0.19% fall on Tuesday and puts the benchmark index back on firmer ground heading into the afternoon.

The move is being led by the S&P/ASX 200 Financials Index (ASX: XFJ), with all 4 major banks trading strongly higher.

There is also support coming from parts of the S&P/ASX 200 Resources Index (ASX: XJR), although the gains are not spread evenly across the market.

Here’s what investors are looking at today.

Banks do the heavy lifting

The major lenders are doing most of the work today, helped by their large weighting in the ASX 200.

Commonwealth Bank of Australia (ASX: CBA) shares are up 2.65% to $177.44, while Westpac Banking Corp (ASX: WBC) is jumping 3.75% to $39.04.

National Australia Bank Ltd (ASX: NAB) is also higher, rising 3.09% to $40.16. ANZ Group Holdings Ltd(ASX: ANZ) is up 3.17% to $37.09.

Macquarie Group Ltd (ASX: MQG) is also helping the sector, with its shares up 1.39% to $240.28.

The buying comes after the market pulled back on Tuesday following the Reserve Bank of Australia’s (RBA) latest rate hike. The cash rate now sits at 4.35%, but investors appear to be looking past the immediate shock today.

While a higher interest rate backdrop generally supports bank margins, it can also put more pressure on borrowers and the stock market.

Miners add more support

The resources sector is also helping the ASX 200 hold its gains.

BHP Group Ltd (ASX: BHP) shares are up 1.69% to $55.65, while Rio Tinto Ltd (ASX: RIO) is 0.66% higher at $171.81.

Fortescue Ltd (ASX: FMG) is also in the green, rising 1.62% to $20.35.

Gold is another supportive factor today, with the precious yellow metal up 2.03% to US$4,648.63 an ounce. That helps explain some of the buying across gold and mining names, although not every resource stock is joining the move.

On the other side, Woodside Energy Group Ltd (ASX: WDS) is down 2.35% to $31.94 as oil prices weaken.

Not every major stock is rising

There are still several large names holding the index back.

CSL Ltd (ASX: CSL) is down 0.33% to $123.96, while Telstra Group Ltd (ASX: TLS) is 0.83% lower. Woolworths Group Ltd (ASX: WOW) is also weaker, falling 0.78%.

The index is having a strong day, but the buying is still concentrated in banks and a few miners.

It is still a solid gain, but the strength is not showing up evenly across the market.

The post Why the ASX 200 is charging higher today appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

• Warning! Experts name 3 ASX 200 shares to sell
• Why JB Hi-Fi, Magellan, Lottery Corp, and Woodside shares are falling today
• Why is this $10 billion ASX stock racing 12% higher today?
• Interest rates are back at 15-year highs. Here’s what CBA expects now
• Which ASX 200 stock is lifting after a hostile takeover update?

Motley Fool contributor Aaron Teboneras has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool Australia’s parent company Motley Fool Holdings Inc. has positions in and has recommended CSL and Macquarie Group. The Motley Fool Australia has positions in and has recommended Macquarie Group, Telstra Group, and Woolworths Group. The Motley Fool Australia has recommended BHP Group and CSL. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. This article contains general investment advice only (under AFSL 400691). Authorised by Scott Phillips.

The S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) is having a strong session on Wednesday. In afternoon trade, the benchmark index is up 0.85% to 8,754.5 points.

Four ASX shares that have failed to follow the market higher today are named below. Here’s why they are falling:

JB Hi-Fi Ltd (ASX: JBH)

The JB Hi-Fi share price is down over 7% to $72.12. This follows the release of a sales update from the retail giant this morning. The company revealed that JB Hi-Fi Australia total sales rose 4% and The Good Guys sales lifted 2.5% for the third quarter. However, while this was strong, comments from CEO Nick Wells appear to have spooked investors. He said: “As we enter the important end of financial year trading period, in the technology categories we are seeing significant supplier component related cost increases and stock availability shortages, along with heightened competitive activity.”

Magellan Financial Group Ltd (ASX: MFG)

The Magellan share price is down 6% to $9.03. This fund manager’s shares have come under pressure this week after announcing sweeping changes to its global fund. This includes management fees being cut from 1.35% to 0.89% per annum and performance fees being removed. In addition, management of the Magellan Global Fund and Magellan Global Fund Hedged will change to Vinva Investment Management. Magellan’s CEO, Sophia Rahmani, said: “We have carefully considered this decision and are prioritising client outcomes whilst at the same time positioning Magellan for long-term growth, with an attractive core global equities offering.”

Lottery Corporation Ltd (ASX: TLC)

The Lottery Corporation share price is down 5.5% to $5.26. This appears to have been driven by a broker note out of Morgan Stanley this morning. According to the note, the broker has downgraded the lotteries company’s shares to an equal-weight rating with a $5.70 price target. Morgan Stanley made the move partly on the belief that second-half trading has been softer than expected due to weaker jackpot activity.

Woodside Energy Group Ltd (ASX: WDS)

The Woodside Energy share price is down 2% to $32.02. Investors have been selling Woodside shares following a pullback in oil prices. This has been triggered by optimism that the US and Iran could be close to signing a peace deal. It isn’t just Woodside that is falling today. The S&P/ASX 200 Energy index is down 1.7% at the time of writing.

The post Why JB Hi-Fi, Magellan, Lottery Corp, and Woodside shares are falling today appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

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Motley Fool contributor James Mickleboro has positions in Woodside Energy Group Ltd. The Motley Fool Australia’s parent company Motley Fool Holdings Inc. has positions in and has recommended The Lottery Corporation. The Motley Fool Australia has recommended The Lottery Corporation. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. This article contains general investment advice only (under AFSL 400691). Authorised by Scott Phillips.