Market Updates

The ASX 200 rallied 94 points to 8693 (1.1%) well off its highs as caution crept back in. Banks were muted in the recovery with the Big Bank Basket up to $296.78 (1.5%). CBA up 1.4% and NAB up 1.7%. MQG bounced 1.6% and other financials also firmed but not getting too carried away. SUN up 2.8% with HUB gaining 0.4%. REITs firmed GMG up 0.9% and SCG up 1.1% with VCX falling 0.4%. Industrials firm without conviction, CSL up 1.7% and WES rebounding 1.5%. SGH rallied 1.1% and QAN gained 0.5%. Tech was slightly better, WTC up 0.8% and REA up 1.4% with the All-Tech Index up 1.9%.
In resources, BHP rallied 2.3% with RIO up only 0.6% as Mongolia questioning Oyu Tolgoi deal. Lithium stocks marched higher, PLS up 5.2% and LTR rising 5.4%. Gold miners rallied but muted, EVN up 1.7% and NEM up 2.0%. Copper stocks rallied, SFR up 5.8% and CSC rising 2.2%. Oil and gas stocks fell hard as crude dropped, WDS down 3.8% and STO off 3.5%. Coal stocks also feeling unloved, NHC down 2.7% and WHC off 1.2%. Uranium stocks bounced hard, PDN up 6.7%.
In corporate news, ORI dipped 3.4% on a $100m cost reduction program, TLX rose 7.8% on promising TLX591 news. CSL announced it was expanding its US manufacturing capacity.
In economic news, the Westpac–Melbourne Institute consumer sentiment index rose 1.2% to 91.6 in March, from 90.5 in February, whilst the ANZ Roy Morgan consumer numbers showed a drop of 3.7pts to 73.4.
10-year yields drop to 4.85%.
Asian market recover, Japan up 2.1%, HK up 1.7% and China up 0.4%. Korea KOSPI up 4.4%
US Futures down, DJ down 106, Nasdaq down 53.
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The S&P 500 made a comeback from earlier losses on Monday after President Donald Trump said the war against Iran could be reaching its end.
The broad market index rose 0.83% to close at 6,795.99, while the Dow Jones Industrial Average added 239.25 points, or 0.5%, and ended at 47,740.80. The blue-chip index is coming off its biggest weekly slide in nearly a year. The Nasdaq Composite jumped 1.38% and settled at 22,695.95. Those moves mark an impressive turnaround from the losses seen earlier in the day. The Dow was down nearly 900 points at its session low, and the S&P 500 and Nasdaq fell as much as 1.5% each.
SPI Futures up 184 points. ASX to open 2% higher.
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The ASX 200 cratered another 252 points to 8599 (2.9%), as buyers stepped in as the afternoon wore on. Well off lows, but unconvincing. Oil prices in Asia soared with regional markets falling hard. Across the board losses led by BHP down 5.1% and RIO off 3.8%. Gold miners sold down despite bullion holding up relatively well. NST down 6.2% and EVN off 5.9% with WGX falling 5.7%. Lithium stocks under siege, PLS down 6.7% and MIN off 1.6%. Copper stocks walloped, SFR down 8.2% and other base metal stocks falling. BSL dropped 4.4%. Oil and gas stocks better, but not racing away. WDS up 2.0% and STO up 2.4% with coal stocks better. Uranium stocks dropped, PDN down 7.9% and BOE falling 6.5%. Banks were hit too but off lows, ANZ dropped 2.3% with CBA down 1.8% and the Big Bank Basket falling to $292.41 (-1.9%). MQG fell 2.4% (off lows) with insurers and other financials easier. XYZ fell 4.5% and HUB down 5.4%. REITs fell, GMG off 2.0% and SCG down 3.6%. Industrials were also hit in the Monday flush. BXB down 4.8%, QAN fell 4.5% on higher jet fuel prices, TLS eased 1.3% and healthcare stocks dropped. CSL down 2.8% and RMD off 3.2%. Tech stocks back under pressure again, XRO down 4.8% and TNE off 3.7%. The All-Tech Index fell 3.7%.
In corporate news, DNL fell 9.7% on the sale of its fertiliser business. DGT fell 7.4% as its CEO stepped back for a time. PME fell 0.9% despite a renewal of a $40m contract. NAN gained 3.8% on FDA clearance for an expanded range of indications.
In economic news, nothing on the local front. 10-year yields jumped to 4.94%. Asian market flushed, Japan down 6.8% (Nikkei), Topix down 4.5%, HK down 2.4% and China down 0.9%. Korea KOSPI down 8.8%.
US Futures down. DJ down 831. Nasdaq down 480.
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The Dow dropped 453 points, the Nasdaq fell 1.5% and the S&P 500 lost 1.3%. The VIX rose 26% to 29. European markets were down again. Bitcoin dropped 4.5%.Overall resources held up. Gold rose 1.8%, silver 2.4% and even industrial metals in London held the line. It didn’t help the related shares though. All were down, some quite sharply, with the exception of energy firms – the only sector in the S&P 500 to stay positive. Also important was the latest US jobs data. The US unexpectedly lost 92,000 jobs in February. It was supposed to be a 55,000 gain. Retail sales declined 0.2%, slightly better than forecast. 
WTI hit its highest level since 2023 and just completed its biggest weekly rise ever. It’s up 36% for the week. US President Trump says there’ll be no deal with Iran except “unconditional surrender”. Qatar’s energy minister warns oil could hit US$150 a barrel. Also of interest is his observation that Qatar’s LNG expansion plans are now postponed. This was supposed to bring down world LNG prices and help sustain the economic expansion. Losing this is not good for the world.
SPI Futures down 156 points. ASX set to open lower on Monday.
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Disclaimer
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The ASX 200 smashed lower from the start. Red lights out and down we went. At the chequered flag, the index was down 89 points to 8851 (1.0%). Off lows. Narrow range trading again. Down around 3.8% for the week. Worse week since April. In the pits today was ‘Team iron Ore’, BHP down 4.2% being a big drag on racing. RIO falling 3.6% and FMG slipping 0.7%. BHP having issues with the stewards in China again on products. Gold miners also feeling tired today as the sell-off continues, despite the bullion price relatively steady. Those on the podium recently have been hit, whilst the losers are being bought up. The tech sector is doing well on its one-stop strategy, with the All-Tech Index up 3.9%. WTC racing ahead up 10.8% and XRO rallying 4.5% as it sees a push! Push! Push! Old skool tech also bounced, REA up 4.9% with TLS solid lap times up 1.2%.
Banks skidded with the Big Bank Basket down to $297.93 (-0.4%) as drivers rested. Financials though generally better, MQG up 0.7% and even GQG cutting corners unchanged.  Even ZIP managed a lower podium finish, up 3.7%. MFG charging up 9.3% as the Lowy family takes a stake in the new merged business. Energy stocks were mixed, coal stocks eased back on the throttle, WDS and STO better as DRS kicked in and uranium stocks seeing brake failure and suffering losses.
In corporate news, DYL dropped 11.8% on results, Iron ore stocks pulled lower on reports that China’s state backed buyer had found some cargoes had been flouting restrictions.
In economic news, the ACCC warned petrol retailers from price gouging. Good luck with that.
Asian markets firmed, Japan up 0.1%, China up 0.2% and HK up 1.9%. South Korea mixed. KOSDAQ up 2.7% KOSPI down 0.9%
10-year yields jumped to 4.84%
US Futures down DJ up 113 and Nasdaq up 72.
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Marcus Today – Daily Market Insights
Marcus Today provides clear, practical commentary for self-directed investors – covering markets, portfolios, education, and decision-making without the noise.
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Principles – How We Think About Investing
A short video series on timing, behaviour, and decision-making. No stock tips.
http://bit.ly/mt-principles-podcast
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Disclaimer
This podcast is general information only and does not consider your personal circumstances. It is not personal financial advice.