Market Updates

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A short video series on timing, behaviour, and decision-making. No stock tips.
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Disclaimer 
This podcast is general information only and does not consider your personal circumstances. It is not personal financial advice.

The S&P 500 rose on Friday as traders interpreted an unexpected loss of jobs in July as meaning the Federal Reserve won’t need to raise interest rates soon and can leave monetary policy on hold for now.
The broad market index advanced 0.62% for a record close of 7,757.64, while the Nasdaq Composite outperformed, climbing 1.3% to 26,690.62. The Dow Jones Industrial Average added 151.83 points, or 0.28%, to end at 54,036.93.
Stocks posted a second straight week of gains. The S&P 500 — which closed above 7,700 for the first time ever earlier this week — advanced 3.6% in the period. The Nasdaq saw a gain of 5.2%, thanks to a bounce-back in chip stocks. The iShares Semiconductor ETF (SOXX) ended the week up more than 7%. The Dow, on the other hand, gained nearly 3% during the week. All three indexes notched their best weekly performances since April.
July’s nonfarm payrolls report showed a drop of 23,000 jobs, while economists polled by Dow Jones had forecast a gain of 83,000. The unemployment rate fell to 4.1% as the labor force participation rate fell to its lowest level in more than five years.
SPI up 33 - WBC CAR Results - BET gets a 24c bid.
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. 
If you'd like to go further: 
Start a free 14-day trial of Marcus Today
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Join Marcus Today
Use code MTPODCAST for 10% off
http://bit.ly/mt-join-podcast-offer 
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 
— 
Disclaimer 
This podcast is general information only and does not consider your personal circumstances. It is not personal financial advice.

The ASX 200 clawed back early losses to close down 8 on the day at 9,264 points (0.1%). Up 3.2% for the week. It was a mixed picture across the market as investors waited for the US non-farm payrolls (NFP) report tonight and watched for further developments in the Middle East.
The banks slipped back, with CBA down 1.0% and WBC down 1.6%, while MQG also eased after recently hitting record highs, falling 1.1%. The Big Bank Basket fell 1.1% to $295.90. Financials were generally softer, with the sector under pressure and ZIP also slipping 3.4% following XYZ's results. REITs were mixed, with GMG down 1.0%, but CHC up 0.76%. Industrials were largely flat, with SGH down 1.25% and QAN down 1.12%, while the retail sector barely moved. Healthcare stocks took a breather, with RMD falling 8.3% on concerns around margins and inflation pressures. Technology stocks had a better session, with WTC up 4.3% and XRO up 1.5%, possibly receiving support from the 32% climb in Atlassian after its results were released after hours.
Resources were once again the place to be, although the iron ore names were mixed. RIO gained 0.8%, while FMG slipped 2.3%. Lithium stocks, which have been heavily sold off for some time, finally found some buyers, with PLS rallying 6.5% and LTR also pushing higher by 9.3%. Gold miners were slightly firmer, with NST up 2.3% and NEM up 2.7%, while oil and gas stocks continued to perform well. Coal stocks also improved, alongside uranium names. PDN rose 3.3%, while NXG also enjoyed a better session, gaining 2.2%.
In corporate news, JHX added 5.8% following an increase in quarterly income, while NCK slipped 0.7% despite UK operations helping support its results. AQZ returned from a trading halt and rose 6.1% after providing clarification around the Qantas transaction. There was little locally on the economic front, although investors digested the latest Chinese export and import data.
Asian markets were mixed, with the Nikkei 225 down 0.2%, Hong Kong up 0.4%, China up 1.3%, and Korea off 0.6%. US futures were mixed with the Dow down 67 points and the Nasdaq up 72. US non-farm payrolls in focus.
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. 
If you'd like to go further: 
Start a free 14-day trial of Marcus Today
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Join Marcus Today
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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 
— 
Disclaimer 
This podcast is general information only and does not consider your personal circumstances. It is not personal financial advice.

US stock indices closed lower on Thursday as a rebound in energy prices revived concerns that the Fed could raise interest rates next month. The S&P 500 fell 0.2%, the Nasdaq 100 lost 0.4%, and the Dow shed 464 points. Yields rose alongside wholesale fuel prices as investors reassessed the prospects for restoring shipping through Hormuz. Reports indicated that Iran plans to bar US and Israeli vessels from the waterway and require compensation from countries it considers hostile before allowing passage. Hawkish comments from FOMC members were reinforced by reports that Fed Chair Warsh is willing to raise rates if inflation rises further. Financial stocks weakened, with JPMorgan down 0.8% and Morgan Stanley losing 2.1%. Credit-sensitive hyperscalers were mostly lower, with Alphabet down 1.3%. Western Digital sank 13% after a disappointing guidance. Sandisk lost 6.8% as its results missed expectations. SpaceX rose 6.1% as $101 billion worth of shares exited their post-IPO lockup.
SPI down 4 - Gold drifts - Oil up - NCK results - NFP in focus tonight - Atlassian jumps 32% on results.
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.
If you'd like to go further:
Start a free 14-day trial of Marcus Today
http://bit.ly/mt-trial-podcast
Join Marcus Today
Use code MTPODCAST for 10% off
http://bit.ly/mt-join-podcast-offer
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
—
Disclaimer
This podcast is general information only and does not consider your personal circumstances. It is not personal financial advice.

The ASX 200 put in another solid day, rising 44 points to 9,272 (0.5%), as the banks and gold stocks shone. We did see higher levels earlier in the session, but some of the enthusiasm was sapped by a fall in the Kospi, while BHP and RIO finished slightly mixed. CBA rose 0.9% and NAB gained 0.4%, with financials generally firmer. The Big Bank Basket rose to $299.21 (+0.6%) Insurers slipped, however, with QBE down 1.0%, while the REITs also eased, with GMG down 1.7% and SCG off 1.3%. Healthcare continued its recent strength, with CSL up 1.3% and RMD rising 0.3%.
Technology had a mixed session, with WTC falling 1.5% and XRO gaining 0.4% as the sector paused for breath after recent gains. Industrials were generally firmer, while retailers had a good day, led by JBH, up 2.9%, and HVN, which rose 1.2%.
In the resource sector, the gold price pushed higher again, dragging the miners with it. EVN rose 3.8% and NST added 3.2%. There was little to report in lithium, with the sector drifting slightly higher. Uranium stocks eased modestly, while coal stocks were stronger, with WHC up 2.5%. Oil and gas stocks were little changed as investors continued to wait for further developments in the Iranian talks.
In corporate news, REA rose 3.4% after posting an 11% increase in revenue. AMP also had a strong session after announcing a 57% jump in half-year profit and unveiling a $150m share buyback. Meanwhile, BPT fell after reporting a 21% decline in underlying FY profit, while AQZ surged 30% before entering a trading halt as it renegotiates contracts with QAN. Nothing on the economic front today.
Asian markets were weaker, with the Nikkei 225 down 0.99%, Hong Kong down 1.7%, China down 0.8%, and Korea off 4.6%. US futures were flat with the Dow up 118 points and the Nasdaq down 83. 
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.
If you'd like to go further:
Start a free 14-day trial of Marcus Today
http://bit.ly/mt-trial-podcast
Join Marcus Today
Use code MTPODCAST for 10% off
http://bit.ly/mt-join-podcast-offer
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
—
Disclaimer
This podcast is general information only and does not consider your personal circumstances. It is not personal financial advice.