Market Updates

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US stocks closed sharply higher on Thursday, with the S&P 500 rising 1.8%, the Nasdaq gaining 2.5%, and the Dow Jones climbing 930 points. Investor sentiment improved amid a pullback in oil prices after President Trump cancelled strikes against Iran after earlier threatening "very hard" attacks tonight. He also claimed a deal had been agreed in principle by several allies in the Midd...

The ASX 200 staged a remarkable comeback to finish down only 20 points at 8633 (-0.2%) after falling nearly 100 points in early trade. A stronger US futures market helped, as did a calming in the oil price and the absence of any collapse in Korea. Once again, though, we saw sector rotation, with the banks still under pressure. CBA fell 2.4%, WBC dropped 2.6%, and MQG eased 0.7%. The Big Bank Baske...

U.S. equities fell on Wednesday after President Donald Trump signaled that negotiations with Iran were taking “too long” and threatened more action. The Dow Jones Industrial Average fell by 953.33 points, or 1.87%, to 49,918.78. The S&P 500 lost 1.62% to end at 7,266.99, and the Nasdaq Composite dropped 1.98% to settle at 25,169.50. The major averages dropped after Trump pledged more Iran atta...

The ASX 200 showed solid gains to finish up 49 points at 8,653. Once again, it was the tale of two cities, with the best of times and the worst of times. The banks held steady, with CBA down 0.2%, and WBC doing well, up 2.0%. Insurers also pushed higher, led by QBE up 2.4%, and even ASX up 0.6%, with the Big Bank Basket at $266.54. Elsewhere, industrials were once again stronger, with defensive st...

The S&P 500 and Nasdaq closed 0.25% and 1% lower respectively on Tuesday despite a retreat in oil prices, as the recent rebound in semiconductor shares lost steam. Semiconductor stocks came under renewed pressure, with the iShares Semiconductor ETF dropping more than 3% after rallying 6% on Monday. The fund had plunged 10% on Friday, its worst single-day decline in six years, as investors worr...

The ASX 200 closed down 21 points at 8604 (0.2%), well off its lows for the day, with most sectors rallying throughout the session and the banking sector staging a turnaround. CBA fell 0.3%, with the Big Bank Basket easing only slightly to $265.42 (0.4%). Financials were generally firm, with MQG up 0.7%, while the insurance sector also performed well, led by QBE up 0.9% and MPL higher. REITs enjoy...

The S&P 500 and Nasdaq Composite were higher on Monday as chip stocks rebounded from Friday’s rout, and President Donald Trump tried to maintain a fragile ceasefire despite Iran and Israel trading strikes. The broad market index advanced 0.30% and closed at 7,405.73. The tech-heavy Nasdaq was up 0.86%, ending at 25,929.66. The Dow Jones Industrial Average lost 80.77 points, or 0.16%., and sett...

The ASX 200 finished the week on a sour note as the index fell 61 points to 8621 (-0.7%), ending the week down 1.2%. Banks were ugly today after Morgan Stanley downgraded the sector outlook. The Big Bank Basket fell to $266.42 (1.5%), with CBA off 1.7% and WBC sliding 1.2%. Other financials held up better, with MQG unchanged, ASX up 1.5% and ZIP rising 1.7%. Insurers also found some friends again....

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 – Mana...

The ASX 200 fell 100 points to close at 8686 _1.1%), with losses across the board. Banks held up better, with CBA down 0.6%, and WBC the worst of the bunch, down 1.7%, with MQG also falling 1.1%. The Big Bank Basket dropped to $270.46 (-1.8%). Insurers were better as bond yields rose, with QBE up 1.2% and the rest of the financials losing ground. Tech stocks were struggling today, with XRO falling...

Stocks fell on Wednesday, with the S&P 500 snapping a nine-day win streak, as oil prices and Treasury yields moved higher amid worries the U.S.-Iran conflict could keep lifting inflation. The 30-stock Dow Jones Industrial Average pulled back 620.72 points, or 1.21%, to end at 50,687.07. The broad market S&P 500 fell 0.74% to end at 7,553.68, while the tech-heavy Nasdaq Composite declined 0...

The ASX 200 jumped 61 points after a slow start to 8756, with GDP coming in a little light, giving the RBA room to hold rates. Banks rebounded, with CBA up 1.1% and ANZ doing well, up 1.9%, as the Big Bank Basket rose to $275.51 (+1.1%). Other financials were a little mixed, GQG fell 1.4%, AMP slid 2.0% and HUB fell 0.9%. Insurers were steady as she goes. Industrials firmed in places, with WES dow...

The S&P 500 ticked up to a record close after reaching a new all-time high on Tuesday as traders monitored the latest U.S.-Iran developments as well as moves in major tech names. The broad-based index advanced 0.13% to end at 7,609.78 for its first close above the 7,600 threshold, while the Dow Jones Industrial Average gained 228.91 points, or 0.45%, to 51,307.79. The latter also rose to a new...

The ASX 200 rallied hard off lows to close down 5 pts at 8724 (0.1%). CBA turned around, recovering well, the Big Bank Basket closed at $269.61 (- 0.8%). Insurers slipped, led by QBE off 1.3% and IAG down 2.2%. REITs too were under pressure, GMG off 0.4% and CHC falling 1.0%. Healthcare remains in the kennel, CSL falling another 1.7% with RMD off 2.1% and COH down 4.3%. Industrials slipped a littl...

The S&P 500 rose on Monday, even as oil prices advanced, with Nvidia leading technology higher following the launch of a new chip for PCs. The broad market index advanced 0.26% to close at 7,599.96, while the Nasdaq Composite gained 0.42% to close at 27,086.81. The Dow Jones Industrial Average added 46.42 points, or 0.09%, and ended at 51,078.88. All three indexes reached new all-time intraday...

The ASX 200 consolidated Friday’s gains with a loss of 2 point to 8729. Tech stocks were the star attraction, with REA up 1.5%, WTC up 8.7% and XRO rising 7.6%. The All-Tech Index rose 3.8%. Healthcare remains on the nose, with CSL dropping another 2.5% and RMD pummeled down 7.6%. REITs also slid, with CHC off % and SCG falling %. Banks were mixed, with CBA down 1.0% and WBC up 0.4%, leaving the B...

SPI Futures down 13 points. ASX set to open slightly lower. The S&P 500 and Nasdaq both closed at fresh record highs . The S&P 500 was up 0.22%, its ninth straight weekly gain - the longest winning streak since December 2023. The Dow Jones was up 363 points (+0.72%). The NASDAQ was up 0.21%. The Russell 2000 was down 0.59%. VIX lower again at 15.32 - getting very comfortable. DELL was up 3...

The ASX 200 jumped 139 points to close the week at 8732 (+1.6%) on a very firm note as hopes built that there will be some resolution, or at least an extension of the ceasefire in the Middle East. There seemed to be a lot of short covering around today after the 125-point fall yesterday. We reversed that today, with the banking sector bouncing back hard, with CBA up 2.2%, NAB up 0.6%, and the Big...

The S&P 500 and Nasdaq Composite closed at records on Thursday as tech resumed its leadership, and traders weighed a reported agreement between U.S. and Iranian negotiators to extend the ceasefire.  The broader index gained 0.58% to 7,563.63, while the Nasdaq Composite rose 0.91% to 26,917.47. Both indexes also hit intraday all-time highs. The Dow Jones Industrial Average was higher by 0.05% a...

The ASX 200 took a dive today, down another 125pts at 8593 (1.4%), as the peace deal in the Gulf is starting to slide away. Banks and gold bore the brunt of the selling, with CBA off 2.1% and WBC down 1.3%, with the Big Bank Basket at $269.32 (-1.9%). Insurers also fell hard, QBE down 2.8% and IAG off 1.6%, with financials generally easier, while ASX continues lower. REITs also fell as bond yields...

The Dow Jones Industrial Average rose to a new record on Wednesday as oil prices retreated, while the S&P 500 eked out a tiny gain, with chip stocks keeping the index’s gains in check. The 30-stock Dow gained 182.60 points, or 0.36%, for a record close of 50,644.28. The blue-chip index also hit an intraday all-time high. The broad market S&P 500 ticked 0.02% higher to 7,520.36, another clo...

The ASX 200 started slowly with early losses, but after a benign and better-than-expected CPI read, the bulls were back. The ASX 200 closed up 60 points at 8718 (0.7%). Banks fought back from bigger early losses, with CBA up modestly and WBC down 0.6X%. The Big Bank Basket unchanged at $275.52, whilst other financials improved, with MQG up 1.0%. IFT was having a good day on some broker upgrades, u...

The S&P 500 gained 0.6% on Tuesday and the Nasdaq climbed 1.2% to fresh record highs while the Dow Jones finished 118 points lower as investors returned from the long weekend with continued focus on developments in the Middle East. Markets remained cautiously optimistic that the US and Iran could still reach an agreement, with traders viewing the two sides as closer than ever to a deal despite...

The ASX 200 eased back 34 points today to 8658 (0.4%) in a quiet session, with US and UK markets closed last night. The banking sector was modestly lower, with NAB falling 0.8% and some more profit taking in MQG down1.6%. The Big Bank Basket $274.56 (-0.3%). Financials generally were under pressure as ASX revealed a further blowout in capex, and the shares fell hard, down 13.2%. Elsewhere, industr...