Strong company reports push US market to a high

The US market reached a new record overnight. Verizon led gains, up 4% after a strong second-quarter report. The vast majority of US companies reporting so far are beating expectations. Focus remains on Alphabet and Tesla with results out Thursday morning AEST. Alphabet jumped more than 2% overnight in anticipation. While banks dragged down the ASX yesterday, the broader market could make gains today. An 11% gain for Block may have helped limit the ASX 200 dip yesterday. The stock will join the S&P 500 listing this week, which is seen as a huge positive. Investors will focus on Reserve Bank board minutes out today and in the US on Federal Reserve chair Jerome Powell speaking.

Stocks mentioned include Alphabet, AMP, ANZ Banking Group, Block, Commonwealth Bank, National Australia Bank, Tesla, Verizon, Westpac Bank, South32, Yancoal, Whitehaven Coal