The August reporting season came in much better than feared when measured by companies exceeding analyst expectations. In part this reflected a solid operating backdrop over 1H26 where despite concerns around oil prices, cost push inflation, rising policy rates and a rapid collapse in housing sentiment, corporates were able to show strong profit margin performance. But that was the past and the outlook is more uncertain as tightening financial conditions slow the consumer and labour markets. Hear from Jun Bei Liu as she shares her views on the Australian equity market outlook and where the gains and losses came for the Alpha Plus portfolio.
