ANZ – Opportunity Approaches

Australia and New Zealand Banking Group is a current holding in our ASX 100 model portfolio.

Pressure from lower interest rates more than offset mortgage repricing benefits for the banks and we’ve seen 10%+ correction across the sector.

ANZ, WBC & NAB remain our preferred exposures and we highlight the buying opportunity which is approaching for ANZ.

Buy ANZ within the $25 – $26 price range.

Banks

Australia and New Zealand Banking Group are the first of the big four banks to report annual profits. There was not much to like in the result, Net Interest Margin pressure along with headwinds on cost control, means the outlook was downbeat.

Macquarie Group’s first-half result is due today and it has guided the 2019-20 profit will be “slightly down” on 2018-19.

The market is certain of a dividend cut at Westpac, which reports November 4.

UBS has warned the second-half of 2018-19 will be remembered as the “high watermark” for the sector, ” as the outlook deteriorates in an ultra-low rate environment.

We prefer the short side of CBA.