Market Updates

Marcus Today – Daily Market Insights
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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.
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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.

US equity indices closed mixed on Thursday, as tech volatility gripped trading ahead of the holiday, despite easing concerns over rate hikes. The S&P 500 was flat and the Nasdaq 100 fell 0.8%. Chipmaker stocks fell for a second day as investors questioned whether AI optimism had pushed valuations beyond reasonable levels. Fresh developments included reports that OpenAI was in talks to sell a 5% stake to the US government, while Meta (-4.9%) said it may monetize its excess compute capacity. Micron Technology sank 7%, Applied Materials slipped 7.4%, and Advanced Micro Devices dropped 4.3%. SanDisk (-14%) and Marvell (-9.8%) tanked. Tesla fell 7.5% despite a strong deliveries report. Still, the Dow climbed 595 points to a new record high amid strength in traditional sectors, as a softer-than-expected June jobs report pushed back expectations of an imminent Fed hike. Apple gained 4.8%, while Visa and Walmart both rose around 3%. For the week, the index added about 1.8%.
SPI up 52 - Gold recovers 
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 rose just 2 points to 8725 after an early swoon. NAB jumped 3.8% on a broker upgrade, WBC followed, up 2.2%, and the Big Bank Basket rallied to close at $269.80 (+1.1%)
Financials were mixed, although insurers fared better, with QBE up 0.5% and SUN rising 0.8%. REITs continued to flounder, with GMG down 0.3% and SCG off 0.8%. Industrials also showed weakness, with WES falling 4.0% as brokers trimmed forecasts. SGH slipped 5.0%, while retailers came under pressure, with JBH down 1.7%, LOV falling 2.1% and HVN off 3.3%.
Tech stocks were mixed again. WTC fell 1.6%, while XRO was slightly firmer following its AI deal with Microsoft. NXT dropped 5.9% and MP1 fell hard as cloud providers had a rethink. The All-Tech Index slipped 0.5%.
Resources enjoyed a solid bounce in the gold sector as Kevin Warsh played a straight bat in Portugal. NST rose 5.5% and NEM gained 2.6%. Lithium stocks remained under pressure, with PLS up 0.4% and LTR slipping 3.2%. There was little to write home about in the rare earths sector. Oil and gas stocks eased as crude fell again, with WDS down 1.3% and STO off 1.4%. Uranium stocks were modestly higher.
In corporate news, EOS gained 2.5% after securing another order from the Middle East. PPT rose 3.5% following a non-binding indicative offer from EQT, while IPX fell 3.0% after completing an acquisition. BHP announced it will spend $2.2 billion to reopen its mothballed Cerro Colorado copper mine.
On the economic front, Balance of Payments numbers were released today.
Asian markets were weaker, with the Nikkei 225 down 1.4%, the Kospi off 1.2%, Hong Kong up 0.9% and Shanghai down 1.9%. US futures were drifting higher, with the Dow up 27 points and the Nasdaq ahead by 53 points. Fair value is slightly negative, pointing to a modest start tonight. US markets are closed on Friday for the Independence Day holiday.
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.

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 dropped 56 points today to close at 8,723 (0.6%), with the banks suffering steep losses. CBA dropped 2.4%, and ANZ fell 2.5%, with the Big Bank Basket declining to $266.89 (-2.3%). Other financials were mixed, with MQG falling 1.2%, although HUB had a good day, rising 5.4%. REITs were again a little on the nose as distributions and higher bond yields continued to weigh on the sector. SCG fell 0.3%, and CHC dropped 2.7%. Industrials painted another mixed picture, with ALL falling 2.1%. Retail was also mixed, with JBH down 2.8% and WOW falling 1.8%. COL was hit hard following reports it was interested in acquiring the Green Cross veterinary business. TLS fell 1.0%. Healthcare was again mixed, with CSL continuing to add to recent gains, rising 3.2%, while RMD fell 1.6%. In technology, XRO dropped 2.8%, while WTC fell 0.4%. The All-Tech Index slipping 1.0%, helped by another strong performance from CPU, which gained 1.0%.
In resources, a mixed picture as S32 sold its aluminium business to AAI, jumping 9.7%. BHP up 0.9% and FMG managing a 0.5% gain. Gold miners continue to push lower, NST down 0.8% and NEM falling 1.9%. Lithium stocks improved, PLS up 1.8% and LTR roaring 2.4% ahead. Oil and gas flat, uranium stocks slightly better, PDN up 6.8%.
In corporate news, IPX jumped 5.9% after it secured up to $US6.6m from the US DoD to expand domestic production. ORI rose 1.6% after it agreed to proceed with its Hunter Valley Hydrogen Hub in NSW, with construction scheduled to begin in 2026 and first production targeted for early 2029. ASX reached an agreement with the corporate regulator and the Reserve Bank to reset its risk review program. WDS has assumed the role of operator of the Gippsland Basin oil and gas venture from 50% partner ExxonMobil. PPT jumped 16.8% before a trading halt as EQT look to have made a NBIO.
On the economic front, building approvals fell slightly.
Nikkei 225 up 0.8%, Kospi down1.2% HK closed and Shanghai unchanged. US futures drifting DJ down 163, Nasdaq down 81. 
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.