Morning Bell 25 February

Overnight in the US, Wall St rebounded from yesterday’s sell off, spurred by software stocks as investors fears of AI disruption were eased. The tech heavy Nasdaq lead the way jumping 1%, while the S&P500 and Dow Jones both advanced 0.8%. What to watch today: • Back home the ASX is expected to follow suit, with the SPI futures pointing to a 0.75% jump at the open of trade. • In reporting season, gaming machine supplier Light and Wonder (ASX:LNW) has reported a 4% rise in revenue to US$3.3 billion, an adjusted net profit before amortisation increase of 18% to US$567 million, which puts them firmly in line with guidance. • Other major companies are due to release their results this morning, including Fortescue Metals (ASX:FMG), Woolworths (ASX:WOW) and WiseTech Global (ASX:WTC). • So far this reporting season, 206 companies have reported their results, with 38% beating expectations, 32% in line, and 30% missing expectations. • Following on from their results, Bell Potter have upgraded end-to-end mining technology solutions provided Imdex (ASX:IMD) from a hold to a buy, and increased their 12-month price target from $3.60 to $4.60 per share. This comes after they announced an underlying EBITDA increase of 22% YoY, which beat forecast by 9%. • Similarly, they have maintained their Buy rating on electrical equipment distributor IPD group (ASX:IPG), with a 12-month price target of $5.30, after thei announced an 8% underlying EBITDA increase YoY, which represented a 2% beat on forecast. • Additionally today, keep an eye on the January CPI data which is due at 11:30am Sydney today – NAB analysts have predicted that both headline and trimmed-mean inflation will remain unchanged for the month, so any unexpected changes could impact the markets. • Finally ending with commodities news, o Crude oil has once again remained flat for the 3rd consecutive day, trading at slightly over US$66 per barrel. o For precious metals, both gold and silver have pulled back slightly from yesterday’s highs, with the former down 1.3% to US$5161 per ounce, and the latter down 1% to US$87.30 per ounce. Find Bell Direct here: Twitter: https://twitter.com/belldirect Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/BellDirectAu... LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/bell... Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bell.direct/ Threads: https://www.threads.net/@bell.direct