Market Updates

The ASX 200 lost 5 points to 9081 for its first down day this week. No Freaky Friday drop! For the week, the index is up 1.8%. Banks leading the way again, the Big Bank Basket up to $311.23 (+0.9%). MQG fell 1.6% with other financials slipping again, ZIP eased 3.8% after an early rally. Insurers though firmed on a better set of numbers from QBE, up 7.1% and SUN up 1.8%.  REITs were slightly firmer, industrials slipped lower, ALL down 4.6%, WOW and COL slid, TLS off 0.6% and REA dropping 0.6%. Retail also fell led by JBH off 1.2% and GYG crashing 13.9% on results and US update. Healthcare eased back, CSL off 0.6% and COH continuing lower. PME dropped 2.1% and RMD fell 0.6%. Tech was once again back on the noise, WTC off 3.8% and XRO falling 3.7% with the All-Tech Index off %.
Resources were mixed, RIO fell 3.1% on results whilst BHP held firm. Gold miners were mixed with results falling, NEM down 4.9% on numbers, GMD off 3.1% on its numbers. Lithium stocks fell, PLS down 4.6% on results, and LTR off 6.4% with results from MIN failing 5.3% to help sentiment. In the oil and gas space STO dropped 0.9% and uranium stocks were ok, PDN up 5.4% on Canadian approvals.
In corporate news, ING dropped as it cut its poultry forecast. NEM off 4.9% on its results, ASB awarded a $4bn contract from the ADF and TLX jumped 14.5% as it guided higher revenues.
On the economic front, nothing today, in the US, we may get the tariff ruling and we have Core PCE.
In Asia, HK back from holidays, down 0.6% and Japan down 1.3%.
US Futures up. DJ up 62 Nasdaq up 42
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Stocks fell on Thursday, leaving the S&P 500 near the flatline for the year, as investors shifted away from financials and monitored simmering tensions between the U.S. and Iran.
The Dow Jones Industrial Average lost 267.50 points, or 0.54%, settling at 49,395.16. The broad-based S&P 500 slipped 0.28% and ended at 6,861.89. The Nasdaq Composite lost 0.31% and closed at 22,682.73. 
With Thursday’s move, the S&P 500 was up 0.2% for the year, while the 30-stock Dow was higher by more than 2%. The tech-heavy Nasdaq, however, is down more than 2% in 2026.
SPI down 44 - RIO results - RHC to sell Sante - ING chickens out!
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The ASX 200 kicked higher again. Four days in a row, up 79 to 9086 (0.9%). Up nearly 2% this week. Off record highs as jobs data provides reasons for the RBA to raise rates again. Super Thursday and results dominated, some good, some terrible. Banks firmed yet again, certainty. The Big Bank Basket rose to $308.43 (+1.4%). NAB up 2.4% and WBC up 2.7%. MQG also had a good day up 1.6% with insurers better and financials generally firming, ZIP came undone on disappointing guidance and bad debts.  Down 34.4%. MPL also fell 5.6% on some misses on the numbers.  REITs slid with GMG down 4.0% on results, Industrials were patchy, WES fell 5.6% with ALL and JBH falling away. Healthcare was better, CSL up 1.0% and RMD up 1.5%. Tech was better again, WTC up 1.9% and XRO rising 0.8%. HSN kicked again on broker calls. MAQ also firmed on a new debt facility. TNE also a good bounce on broker upgrades. The All-Tech Index continued higher, up 1.1%.
Resources were also firm, BHP and RIO pushing ahead, gold miners better, GMD up 1.9% on results, NEM up 1.4% and oil and gas stocks rallied hard on crude pushing up on Iran fears. STO up 5.6% and WDS up 4.5% with uranium stocks better too. PDN up 5.5% and LOT rising 4.3%.
In corporate news, plenty around. HUB surged 14.2% on good numbers. LIC dropped 7.1% after profits fell, TLS gained 3.6% on better numbers and rise in dividends. SHL and NWH also rising on better numbers.
On the economic front, jobs numbers came in as expected but 4.1% headline rate gives RBA reasons to raise again perhaps.
In Asia, South Korean markets hitting new records. China and HK closed. Japan up 0.9%
US Futures up. DJ down slightly Nasdaq up 2 pts!
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The S&P 500 moved higher on Wednesday, supported by gains in key technology names, as traders weighed the release of the minutes from the Federal Reserve's most recent policy meeting.
The broad-based index climbed 0.56% to end at 6,881.31, while the Nasdaq Composite added 0.78% to close at 22,753.63. The Dow Jones Industrial Average rose 129.47 points, or 0.26%, and settled at 49,662.66.
SPI up 41 – Commodities rally hard – Super Thursday Reporting – WES – TLS – SHL – BXB – PLS
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Marcus Today – Daily Market Insights
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Disclaimer
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The ASX 200 kicked higher again. Three days in a row, up 48 to 9007 (0.5%) despite CBA going ex-dividend. Record high back in sight. NAB was the standout today on Q1 results beating expectations, up 4.1%. The Big Bank Basket up to $304.05 (0.2%), financials kicked higher too, MQG up 0.6% and private health insurers roared ahead on government price changes. MPL up 6.0% and NHF up 5.0%. ZIP jumped 8.0% ahead of results, CGF also ran hard on results, up 8.3%. REITs firmed, GMG up 0.9% and SCG rising 1.3%. Industrials were firm too, QAN up 1.0%, TCL up 1.2% and ALL doing well up 2.3%. JBH fell back a little, healthcare still mixed, SIG down 1.0% and COH off 1.0%. In the tech space, some wins starting to hit the screens, TNE up 8.2% on guidance, XRO up 1.8% and HSN soared 16.4% on better-than-expected results.
In resource land, BHP slid 0.9% as copper drifted lower, RIO up 1.3% and FMG up 0.5%. Gold miners eased back as bullion prices fell on Lunar New Year. GMD down 2.9% and NST dropped 0.7%. CSC had a shocker falling 14.0% on very disappointing results and guidance. Lithium stocks bubbled higher, LTR roaring ahead, up 6.2% with PLS up 2.3%. BSL rose 2.6% on an increased bid from SGH. STO fell 0.6% on another disappointment. Uranium stocks bounded ahead, PDN up 5.6% and DYL up 4.4%.
In corporate news, SLC rose 18.2% on an acquisition and better than expected results. AFG rallied off lows after better numbers. Brokers are back. SUN fell 4.4% as profits fell short.
In economic news, the RBNZ left rates unchanged. Locally, the wage price index rose 0.8% in the December quarter and 3.4% annually.
US futures up. Dow Jones up 35 points, Nasdaq up 60.
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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.