Balanced portfolio – SELL Corporate Travel Management Limited (CTD)
Sell Corporate Travel Management CTD:ASX
February 2025
Earnings Update – Corporate Travel Management Limited (CTD)
Corporate Travel Management Limited (CTM) has reported mixed financial results for the first half of 2025 (1H25), demonstrating both growth and challenges across its operating segments. The company has emphasized strong capital management, operational efficiency improvements through automation and AI, and strategic transitions in service provision. Notably, CTM has secured the sole provider status for the UK Government’s Travel Management Consultant (TMC) travel services framework, marking a significant shift from a competitive trio to a singular supplier role. This strategic move is expected to bolster long-term revenue streams and market presence in the Rest of World (RoW) regions.
Pre-Market Pulse 19th February – Stocks squeeze out record highs ahead of Fed update
Stocks squeezed out a record high overnight, marking a positive start to the holiday-shortened week as investors adopted a “wait-and-see” attitude, ahead of the Federal Reserve’s January meeting minutes and upcoming retail earnings reports.
Closing Bell 18th February: RBA cuts rates, XJO falls
The Australian sharemarket extended losses on Tuesday as interest-rate-sensitive sectors sold off following the Reserve Bank of Australia’s widely expected 25-basis-point rate cut to 4.1 per cent—the first reduction since 2020.
JTrader: 18th February 2025: Wednesdays best set ups!
JTrader: 18th February 2025. Wednesdays best set ups!
EDV, XRF, HDN, SHV, BC8
RBA Rate Decision – Feb 2024
The Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA) has taken a significant step by lowering its cash rate from 4.35% to 4.10%—its first cut since 2020. This decision marks an important pivot in monetary policy, aimed at supporting economic recovery while keeping inflation in check.
Pre-Market Pulse 18th February – Stock futures higher overnight while US markets take a break
ASX Slips as Property and Energy Stocks Weigh on Market
The S&P/ASX 200 fell 0.5% (42.7 points) to 8,494.40 on Tuesday, driven by declines in property and energy stocks. The Australian dollar eased to US63.44¢ after reaching a two-month high on Monday.
Balanced Portfolio – Sell Challenger (CGF)
Following the earnings release, the stock experienced a sharp 7% sell-off at market open. This pronounced negative reaction indicates that investors are increasingly wary of the sustainability of the reported earnings growth amid evident headwinds.
Earnings Update – BHP Group Limited (BHP)
Challenger exceeded EPS expectations and maintained strong capital and cost control, but asset and liability experience losses, weaker annuity sales, and accounting distortions impacted statutory profits. While structural improvements in capital efficiency and expense management are evident, sales momentum in annuities remains a key challenge going into H2 FY25.
Earnings Update – Challenger Ltd (CGF)
Challenger exceeded EPS expectations and maintained strong capital and cost control, but asset and liability experience losses, weaker annuity sales, and accounting distortions impacted statutory profits. While structural improvements in capital efficiency and expense management are evident, sales momentum in annuities remains a key challenge going into H2 FY25.
Closing Bell 17th February: Audinate rallies after reporting. Banks weaker and drag ASX lower
The Australian sharemarket declined on Monday, with banks leading losses after underwhelming earnings reports from Westpac and Bendigo Bank. The S&P/ASX 200 Index fell 0.6% (54.60 points), retreating from Friday’s record high of 8555.8.
Earnings Update – Sell Audinate Group Ltd (AD8)
Audinate Group Limited reported 1H25 earnings that exceeded market expectations, particularly in terms of EPS (-$0.02 vs. -$0.12 expected). However, the company remains in a transitional phase, dealing with ongoing inventory overhang from OEM customers while seeing promising growth in software revenues and product mix shifts.