In today’s market update, we’re diving into the latest inflation numbers for Australia, with underlying inflation falling to its lowest level in 3 years at 3.2%, exceeding expectations and bringing it closer to the RBA’s target range. While CPI for the 12-months to December rose by 2.4%, we saw some sectors, like housing and transport, offsetting price increases in areas like recreation and alcohol. This decline in inflation raises hopes for a rate cut from the RBA, though challenges like rising energy costs and sticky services inflation could complicate the outlook. Plus, a strong labour market and recent unemployment data are key factors influencing the RBA's decisions. With markets now pricing in an 84% chance of a rate cut, the tech sector is leading the charge on the ASX today, fueled by investor optimism and a strong overnight performance in the Nasdaq. Stay tuned as we unpack the latest moves and what it means for your investments!

Dive into the latest commodity trends with our Market Analyst Grady Wulff’s quarterly chat featuring Lion Selection Group (ASX:LSX) CEO, Hedley Widdup.

Gold’s 2024 Performance – What’s Next?
Gold dazzled in 2024, reaching record highs of US$2,697/oz. Can this momentum continue with Trump back in office? Hedley sees strong tailwinds ahead, fuelled by:

• inflation concerns and geopolitical uncertainty
• robust demand from China and promising production from Northern Star Resources (ASX:NST) and Newmont Corporation (ASX:NEM).

Silver & Copper: Bright Spots in 2025

• silver surged 37% YoY, driven by its pivotal role in green energy technologies like solar panels and EVs
• copper continues to rise, with 5.4% annual growth powered by the energy transition, digitalisation, and Asia-Pacific demand leadership.

Our Market Analyst, Grady Wulff, sits down over the next 6 minutes with 6 executives who are exploring all parts of the world from uranium to a gold and silver deposit discovered in Chile recently.

Watch Grady catch up with the following executives:

• (0:42) Neil McDonald, Managing Director - Gold Hydrogen
• (1:45) Rowan Johnston, Executive Chair - Kin Mining
• (2:28) Chris Byrne, Managing Director - Legacy Minerals
• (3:37) Siobhan Lancaster, Managing Director & CEO - 92 Energy
• (4:16) Andrew Munckton, Managing Director - Talisman Mining
• (4:59) Ray Shorrocks, Executive Director - Mitre Mining Corporation

These exclusive interviews are provided to experienced clients trading with Bell Direct.

This audio was filmed by and belongs to the ASX.

Our Market Analyst, Grady Wulff, featured on the ASX The Ideas Exchange Podcast, hosted by Jacinta King. 

In this episode, Grady talks about: 

• Sector outlook 
• How far can the tech rally go? 
• Will gold remain popular in 2024? 
• Consumer Discretionary surprised the market in 2023
• Opportunities to assess in 2024.

Be sure to listen to the episode on the ASX website here.

In this instalment of our From the helm series, Bell Direct’s Grady Wulff speaks to DroneShield's (ASX:DRO) Managing Director and CEO, Oleg Vornik.

DroneShield is making waves in the capital goods industry through the use of artificial intelligence and machine learning. The company is an Australia defence manufacturer specialising in counter-drone technology, servicing military and intelligence, law enforcement, critical infrastructure and commercial parties globally.

In this video Oleg discusses:

• (1:05) DroneShield's recent contract worth $9.9 million
• (3:00) The company's mid-year performance
• (3:55) The role they play in combating rising geopolitical tensions
• (5:49) AI's role in DroneShield
• (7:15) The Australian Defence Review's impact
• (8:22) DroneShield's outlook and future plans

Note: This interview was filmed on 5 July 2023

Live from the Resources Rising Stars conference on the Gold Coast, Bell Direct's Market Analyst, Grady Wulf, sat down with Liontown Resources (ASX:LTR) Chairman and mining magnate, Tim Goyder to discuss updates on the Kathleen lithium project, the Albemarle takeover and the company's outlook for the next 12 months. Hear it from the Helm here, as we collaborate with Resources Media to bring you the From the Helm Live at the RRS2023.

In this video Tim discusses:

• (0:32) The Kathleen lithium project's journey from discovery to development
• (1:15) How the lithium price and outlook affects near and long term outlooks for Liontown and the Kathleen Valley
• (2:46) An update on the Kathleen Valley project's timeline and budget
• (3:27) His thinking on the US Inflation Reduction Act and expanding refining capacity ex China
• (4:10) His thoughts on the Albermarle offer
• (4:53) Why investors should invest in Liontown

Note: This interview was filmed yesterday, 16 May 2023.

Continue on to learn about the remaining stocks, Microba Life Sciences (ASX:MAP) and Monash IVF (ASX:MVF), as well as what to expect from these companies in 2023.

In this video, Dr. Tara discusses:
- (0:34) Impacts of Ferring's FDA approval on Microba
- (5:30) Drivers behind Microba's increase in revenue
- (7:12) What 2023 looks like for Monash IVF
- (8:39) Monash IVF's rating
- (11:45) Monash IVF's impact from legal action

Note: This interview was filmed on 7 February 2023.

View both parts of the latest episode of our Meet the Analyst series where our Market Analyst, Grady Wulff, sits down with Dr. Tara Speranza, Healthcare & Biotech Analyst at Bell Potter, to discuss her outlook on the stocks she covers, Orthocell (ASX:OCC), Microba Life Sciences (ASX:MAP), and Monash IVF Group (ASX:MVF).

Take a look at Dr. Tara's journey, her approach to analysing a company, and the first stock to be discussed, Orthocell (ASX:OCC).

In this video, Dr. Tara discusses:
- (0:59) Becoming a Bell Potter Analyst
- (2:56) Approaches to analysing a company
- (7:18) Orthocell's global 25-year exclusive agreement
- (7:53) Orthocell's TGA approval for its Remplir device
- (8:44) Orthocell's speculative buy rating

Note: This interview was filmed on 7 February 2023.