Market Updates

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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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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Stocks resumed their decline Thursday after a one-day respite as concerns over the Iran war flared up again with U.S. crude topping $80 per barrel.
The Dow Jones Industrial Average declined 784.67 points, or 1.61%, to 47,954.74. The 
S&P 500 fell 0.56% to 6,830.71, while the Nasdaq Composite dipped 0.26% to 22,748.99. The stock sell-off was led by Boeing, Caterpillar
 and other names that stand to lose the most if the global economy slows.
Oil prices jumped, with West Texas Intermediate crude futures surpassing $80 per barrel in the afternoon to hit its highest level since July 2024, after Iran said it hit an oil tanker with a missile. It settled up more than 8% at $81.01 a barrel. International benchmark 
Brent crude futures settled nearly 5% higher at $85.41 per barrel. 
SPI down 125 - Commodities under pressure.
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Principles – How We Think About Investing
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Disclaimer
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The ASX 200 limped around most of the day closing up 39 points to 8940 (0.4%) with a conviction less rally. Banks found their feet with CBA up 0.4% and the Big Bank Basket up to $299.13 (+0.5%). MQG had a rare good day up 3.8% with insurers and other financials better, ZIP rose 9.9%. REITs were mixed, GMG up 2.4% and SCG off 0.5%. In industrials, WES continue to flop, down another 0.7%. Retail was flat, Healthcare better led by CSL up 2.5% and RMD up 0.8%. Tech had a good day too. WTC up 7.1% and XRO up 4.3% with the All-Tech Index up 3.4%. 
Resources were a hodge-podge. Gold miners slid again with small across the board losses, EVN down 2.1% and NST down 1.9%. Iron ore majors were mixed, BHP down 1.0% and RIO up 1.2%. Lithium stocks better, higher oil prices push many towards electrification. PLS up 1.5% and LTR rising 2.3%. Copper stocks not doing much. Uranium stocks were better, PDN up 2.2% and NXG rising 3.2%. Both VEA and ALD had solid days on petrol price rises. WDS eased 1.0% and STO up 1.0%. Coal stocks were bid up, WHC up 4.3% but NHC down 1.8%.
In corporate news, SGR unchanged as the Court ruled that ASIC failed to prove its case. TLC down 0.7% after bringing in a new operating model. 
On the economic front, China held its Congress with new targets. Iron ore rose as China renewed a pledge to tackle overcapacity and locally household spending was slightly subdued. Annual growth came in at 4.6%.
Asian markets bounce back. Japan up 2.1%, HK up 0.8% and China up 1.3%. Korea up close to 11%!
10-year yields jump to 4.79%
US Futures down DJ off 132pts and Nasdaq down 35
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Marcus Today – Daily Market Insights
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Principles – How We Think About Investing
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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.