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The Aussie share market started the new trading week in the green, closing 0.16% higher yesterday, as news came in mid-session that the US and Russian President have agreed to meet, which eased some fears of an imminent invasion of Ukraine.

Sectors wise, the utilities sector led the way, lifting over 3%. Most of the other sectors also rose, except for the tech sector, healthcare sector, and consumer discretionary sector which fell. 

The a2 Milk Company (ASX:A2M) jumped 11% after releasing its half-year results. While a disappointing decline was posted, some upbeat commentary from its management seems to have offset the profit miss. AGL Energy (ASX:AGL), lifted 11% after announcing its board had rejected a takeover offer from Atlassian billionaire Mike Cannon-Brookes and Canada’s Brookfield Asset Management, stating that the unsolicited bid of $7.50 a share undervalued the company. Meanwhile, tech stocks like Zip (ASX:Z1P), Block (ASX:SQ2) and Tyro Payments (ASX:TYR) were amongst the worst performers.

Some of the most traded stocks by Bell Direct clients yesterday included AVZ Minerals (ASX:AVZ), Lake Resources (ASX:LKE), AGL Energy (ASX:AGL), as well as Fortescue Metals (ASX:FMG).

Across the sea, the German DAX dropped 3%, the CAC fell 2%, and the FTSE lost 0.4%. While Wall Street was closed on Monday for the President’s Day holiday.

What to watch today:

• As European stocks plunged and markets continued to be shaken by the tensions in Ukraine, the futures are suggesting the Aussie share market will open about 1% lower this morning.
• The oil price lifted more than 1%, currently around US$93 a barrel. The gold price is also benefitting, up 0.35%. While the seaborne iron ore price was down 1.9% to US$141 a tonne.
• Reporting season wise, we’ll hear from mining company Alumina (ASX:ALU), Costa Group Holdings (ASX:CGC), Cochlear (ASX:COH), lottery company Jumbo Interactive (ASX:JIN), as well as Coles (ASX:COL). Bell Potter expects Coles to deliver NPAT of $538.4m, while consensus is expecting $506m.
• Companies going ex-dividend today include Amcor (ASX:AMC), IPH Limited (ASX:IPH), Tabcorp (ASX:TAH) and Wesfarmers (ASX:WES).

Trading Ideas:

• Citi have maintained its BUY rating on Zip (ASX:Z1P) with a price target of $3.65, after the BNPL provider gave an interim update on its half-year 2022 results yesterday morning. Zip reported its Cash Earnings Before Tax, Depreciation and Amortization (EBTDA) is expected to be a loss of $108.1m. This was materially lower than Citi’s expectation of a $38m loss. So keep watch of Zip as the company is set to release its results in full this Thursday.
• Finally, Trading Central has a bearish signal on Super Retail Group (ASX:SUL), indicating that the stock price may fall from the close of $11.63 to the range of $10.60 – $11 in the next 17 days according to standard principals of technical analysis.