Market Updates

The ASX 200 rose 106 points to 9128 (1.2%). Banks were slightly higher with WBC up % and the Big Bank Basket rose to $310.41 (0.5%). MQG had an anaemic 0.3% rally. Financials were better with GQG up 3.3% and ZIP soaring 9.4%. NWL and HUB also rallied. Insurers flat. REITs mixed, SCG up 0.3% and MGR falling 1.0%. Healthcare mixed, CSL flat, RMD down 2.7%. Tech was the place to be following a US rally and the WTC results and job losses. WTC rose 11.1% kicking the All -Tech Index up 4.0% with XRO up 5.5% and IRE jumping 9.6% on better-than-expected results. MP1 bounced 9.8% as volatility continued. Industrials mixed, WOW soared 13.0% on much better results, JBH rallied 0.9% and WES continued lower. TAH hit the jackpot on results rising 23.5%. REA and CAR both trundled higher. 
In resources, BHP hitting record highs again up another 3.2%. FMG jumped 4.7% on results. RIO joined in too. Gold miners were mostly better, NST up 2.1% and EVN up 3.3%. Lithium stocks jumped again, PLS up 2.8% and MIN up 1.5%. LYC jumped 7.9%. Copper stocks also in demand, SFR up 2.2%. Uranium stocks picked up pace, PDN up 4.0% and NXG rising 3.7%.
In corporate news, DMP dumped 11.1% on sales and margin issues. FLT softer on reaffirmed guidance. IRE rallied 9.6% on results and AX1 soared 19.9% after beating H1 and the dividend. DRO also had a good day, up 12.6%, after net profit jumped 367%. Still only $3.5m.
On the economic front, Australian monthly CPI came in a 3.8% as expected. 3.4% on the core CPI. Slightly above forecasts. Rate rises still on the table.
Asian markets came back online with Japan up 2.4%. China up 1.2% and HK rising 0.8%.
US Futures slightly firmer. Dow up 4 and Nasdaq up 29 on SOTU Address.
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U.S. equities rose on Tuesday, led by gains in Advanced Micro Devices and software stocks, as investors’ fears around artificial intelligence disruption to certain industries eased.
The S&P 500 advanced 0.77% to close at 6,890.07, while the Nasdaq Composite rose 1.04% and settled at 22,863.68. The Dow Jones Industrial Average added 370.44 points, or 0.76%, and ended at 49,174.50. The 30-stock index was supported by a nearly 2% rise in Home Depot shares after the company’s earnings beat expectations for the first time in a year. IBM shares, which tumbled in the prior trading day as a result of aforementioned AI fears, also added to the Dow’s gains.
SPI up 61 - Results and CPI in focus.
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The ASX 200 opened firm, slipped then rallied off lows as US futures stayed positive. We closed down only 4 points to 9022. Banks made a comeback, NAB up 1.0% with WBC up 1.5% and the Big Bank Basket up to $309.01 (0.3%). Financials elsewhere were smacked down on private equity fears, AI concerns and bears playing havoc post results. MQG dropped 3.6% on PE concerns, RPL rallied hard on better results, up 4.8% and NGI came under extreme pressure down 5.4%. MAF continued lower. ZIP fell another 6.4%. Insurers also fell, QBE off 1.6%. REITs too under pressure, GMG down 2.6% and SCG falling 1.1%. Industrials were mixed, WES down 1.8% and REA off 3.9% with tech under extreme pressure again, WTC fell 3.7% and XRO down 4.6% with the All-Tech Index down another 3.1%. Retail under pressure too, SUL off 2.5% and PMV falling 1.9%.
Resources were generally firm. BHP hit record highs, up 1.4% with RIO slipping 1.1% on some broker downgrades, FMG up 1.1%. Golds firmed then slid slightly as bullion prices came off the boil, NST up 1.6% and EVN up 0.8%. Lithium stocks went nuts, PLS up 8.0% and LTR rising 8.7%. Oil and gas stocks rose, WDS results cheered, STO up 0.4% and uranium stocks mixed.
In corporate news, MND pushed 5.9% higher on better than expected results, WDS managed a small rise after 24% drop in profits. NEC rallied 0.5% on numbers, VEA rose 8.1% after a stronger number. ARB had a shocker, falling 13.1% after a 17% drop in profits. KLS had a good day, up 7.8%, after announcing the sale of its tourism business.
On the economic front, Australian consumer confidence rose 3.1 points last week to 80.2.
Asian markets came back online with  Japan up 0.9%. China up 1.3% and HK falling 1.9% 
US Futures slightly firmer. Nasdaq up 120 - S&P 500 up 22.
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Wall Street was down overnight, and sharply too. The Nasdaq and S&P500 both fell over 1%, and the Russell 2000 dropped 1.6%. The VIX rose 10% as AI disruption, tariffs and Iran suck the confidence out of investors and blur the outlook. US financials were hit hard after a report modelled potential AI disruption to the finance industry. The sector was the worst in the S&P500, falling 3.5%. Even the big and prestigious names aren’t immune. JP Morgan dropped 4.2% and Citigroup 4.5%.
The technology sector was mildly better, “only” falling 1.3%.  AI fears are likely to roll through every sector and leave havoc in their wake.  Even if it doesn’t hit earnings directly, the premium investors will pay for business with exposure could shrink badly here.
SPI futures up 27 points. ASX set to open higher.
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A short video series on timing, behaviour, and decision-making. No stock tips.
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Disclaimer
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The ASX 200 gave back 55 points to 9026 (0.6%). US futures turned negative early and banks slid, the Big Bank Basket down to $308.21 (-1.0%). MQG also down 2.4% on concerns with private equity and fund managers. Financials generally were weaker across the board, REITs slumped too, GMG down 3.6% and VCX off 3.1% with industrials sliding. WES down 1.7%, REA off 1.8% with retail falling, JBH off 1.9% and LOV down 1.4%. Tech once again on the nose, WTC falling 5.2%, XRO down 2.9% and the All-Tech Index falling another 3.3%. In healthcare, CSL fell 3.8% on tariff news, and COH off 1.7%.
In resources, BHP rose 1.3% as commodity stocks ran hard on falling USD. Lithium stocks picked up, PLS up 4.6% and MIN rising 5.0%. Gold miners powered ahead, NST up 3.4% and GMD up 5.4% with KCN rallying 8.8%. Oil and gas stocks fell, despite tensions in Iran and US snowstorms. Uranium stocks mixed, PDN down 3.8% and BOE off 3.2%.
In corporate news, KGN rose 5.5% on slightly better number and an increased dividend.  LLC fell after a surprise loss. PRN tumbled 13.8% after softer numbers, ASB fell 11.0% on accounting qualifications despite record order books. IMD delivered a strong result. 
In economic news, mortgage demand rose 12.3% to a four-year high.
Asian markets were better, China still closed, but HK up 2.3% and South Korea hitting new records. Japan closed for Emperor’s Birthday.
European markets opening lower on a resumption of the tariff war.
Dow futures down 311 Nasdaq down 238. 
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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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MT20 – Managed ETF Portfolio
A professionally managed portfolio run by Marcus Padley and the team, using ASX-listed ETFs with active market timing.
http://bit.ly/mt20-podcast
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.