Market Updates

The S&P 500 and Nasdaq Composite both finished Friday at record highs, buoyed by optimism that US–Iran peace talks may soon occur in Pakistan. Since quashed. The S&P 500 rose 0.8% to 7,1658, while the Nasdaq climbed 1.6% to 24,837. In contrast, the Dow Jones slipped 0.2%, closing at 49,231. Intel surged 23% to a new record after posting strong results and sharply beating sales for profits...

The ASX 200 fell 7 points to 8786 for the fourth straight day. It fought back from earlier losses, as banks steadied and traders squared up before another crucial weekend. The Big Bank Basket back up to $289.81 (+0.3%). Other financials saw some buyers return, SUN up 4.5% as it reaffirmed guidance, MQG jumped 0.7% and MPL also fighting back, up 1.8%. REITs were mixed, GMG fell 0.6% with healthcare...

US stocks pulled back on Thursday, led by a drop in software and higher oil prices, as investor uncertainty toward the trajectory of the Iran war hovered over the market. The S&P 500 traded down 0.41% to close at 7,108.40, after earlier hitting a new all-time intraday high. The tech-heavy Nasdaq Composite declined 0.89% to finish at 24,438.50. It had also scored a new all-time high in the sess...

The ASX 200 fell 50 pts to 8793 (0.6%) again today, with most sectors heading lower. Banks were weak again as the Big Bank Basket fell to $288.80 (-0.8%). WBC dropped 0.7% and NAB off 0.2%. Financials generally were weak across the spectrum, insurers fell, QBE down 0.8%, MQG falling 0.6% off its recent highs. ZIP managed to hold fast, GQG fell 3.0% as tech continues higher. REITS slid, GMG down 1....

The S&P 500 and Nasdaq Composite finished at record levels on Wednesday after President Donald Trump extended the U.S. ceasefire with Iran, while upbeat earnings reports also lifted sentiment. The broad market index added 1.05% to finish at 7,137.90, while the tech-heavy Nasdaq added 1.64% to settle at 24,657.57. The latter had hit a new all-time intraday high in the session. The S&P 500 h...

The ASX 200 took a dive today driven down 106 pts to 8844 (-1.2%) as the healthcare sector cratered following a massive downgrade and fall from COH . CSL followed COH down around 5.7% with RMD and 4DX also feeling very unloved. Banks were also sold down heavily with CBA off 2.5% and the Big Bank Basket falling to $291.07 (-2.4%). MQG saw profit taking after near record highs, and other financials...

Stocks dropped on Tuesday as investors grew concerned that a peace deal between the U.S. and Iran would not be struck ahead of a ceasefire that’s set to expire Wednesday. The S&P 500 closed down 0.63% at 7,064.01, while the Nasdaq Composite settled 0.59% lower at 24,259.96. The Dow Jones Industrial Average shed 293.18 points, or 0.59%, to finish at 49,149.38.  SPI down 63 - Commodities fall as...

The ASX 200 drifted 4 points lower to 8949 as the countdown continues on the ceasefire. Banks eased back, CBA down 0.3% and ANZ off 1.7% with MQG hitting record highs up 0.7% and other financials doing well. The Big Bank Basket fell to $298.32 (-0.3%). ASX up 1.4% and ZIP continuing to push higher up 2.8%. HUB was a casualty falling 8.3% on FUA news. REITs firmed slightly, GMG up 0.7% and VCX risi...

Stocks slipped on Monday after tensions between the U.S. and Iran escalated over the weekend. The S&P 500 shed 0.24% to close at 7,109.14, while the Nasdaq Composite declined 0.26% to finish at 24,404.39, with the latter snapping its 13-day winning streak — its longest positive streak since 1992. The Dow Jones Industrial Average lost 4.87 points, or 0.01%, settling at 49,442.56. On the flip si...

The ASX 200 fought back from early losses to close up just 6 points to 8953. US futures were negative all day, some defensive buying and CBA helping keep the market flat. CBA rose % with the Big Bank Basket rising to $299.12 (0.2%) as NAB fell 3.6% as it ramped up provisions for a weakening local economy. Other financials drifted lower, REITs were firm, GMG up 1.5% and VCX rising 0.8%. Retailers w...

 The S&P 500 jumped 1.2% to close at 7,126.06, crossing the 7,100 threshold for the first time. The Nasdaq Composite gained 1.52% and settled at 24,468.48 for its 13th consecutive winning day and its longest positive streak since 1992. Both indexes posted fresh intraday and closing records. The Dow Jones Industrial Average jumped 868.71 points, or 1.79%, to end at 49,447.43. The Russell 2000 a...

The ASX 200 limped lower by 8 points to 8937 (0.1%) for a flat week. Banks continued to be weaker, NAB falling another 2.0% and WBC off 0.7%. The Big Bank Basket fell to $298.43 (-0.3%). Financials mixed, HUB rose 2.8% and PNI rose 3.8%. ZIP had a great day up 13.7%. REITs slipped slightly with CHC down 0.6% and GMG falling 0.5%. Healthcare under pressure still, RMD down 1.6% and CSL off 0.3% with...

The S&P 500 and Nasdaq Composite rose to fresh all-time highs on Thursday, adding to their strong gains this week on optimism for a possible resolution to the Iran war. The broad market index gained 0.26% to close at 7,041.28, while the Nasdaq gained 0.36% to settle at 24,102.70. The tech-heavy index posted its 12th consecutive positive session, notching its longest winning run since 2009. Bot...

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The S&P 500 and Nasdaq Composite rose to new all-time highs on Wednesday, building on the week’s strong gains as investors remained hopeful about the Iran war potentially ending soon. The broad market index gained 0.80%, ending at 7,022.95. The Nasdaq Composite advanced 1.59% to 24,016.02, while the Dow Jones Industrial Average shed 72.27 points, or 0.15%, to close at 48,463.72. Both the Nasda...

The ASX 200 closed up a mere 8 points to 8979 (0.1%) after an enthusiastic start petered out. Banks went all soggy on some broker doubts, WBC dropped another % and the Big Bank Basket fell to $306.62 (%). Other financials fared ok, MQG continued higher, up 1.4% and insurers better too, IAG up 1.5%. REITs were solid with GMG up 1.3% and GPT up 0.7%. Industrials a mixed bag, WES fell yet again, down...

US stocks rose on Tuesday following a strong session in which traders shrugged off a breakdown in peace talks between the U.S. and Iran, yet were optimistic that a deal between the two countries was still possible. The S&P 500 gained 1.18% and closed at 6,967.38. The broad market index now stands less than 1% below its 52-week high. The Dow Jones Industrial Average added 317.74 points, or 0.66...

The ASX 200 jumped 45 points to finish at 8971 (0.5%). Despite banks under pressure, the index made good solid gains. The Big Bank Basket fell to $308.15 (0.5%) with WBC down 2.6% on an outlook statement for HY results. ANZ fell 1.0% with other financials doing better, MQG up 3.7% on a broker upgrade, NWL rising 2.7% and XYZ up 5.5%. Insurers were better with QBE gaining %. REITs saw buyers emerge...

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The ASX 200 finished down 35 points to 8926 in a quiet, cautious start to the week. The focus was on weekend events with the market taking its lead from US futures which stabilised after a bump down. Losses pretty much across the board, banks eased back with the Big Bank Basket down to $309.58 (0.24%). Other financials also sold down, MQG down 0.6% and NWL falling 2.1%. Insurers steady with REITs...

US equities finished mostly lower in Friday trading. S&P snapped a seven-day string of gains. Software was a notable decliner again (IGV was down more than 7% this week); other laggards included insurers, banks (particularly regionals), PE, exchanges, payments, retail/apparel, pharma/biotech, hospitals, and staples. Semis were a standout with NVDA , AVGO and AMD leading the way. AMZN extended...

The ASX 200 finished a very strong week down 13 points to 8961 as we await further Iranian negotiations. For the week, we were up over 4.4%, the best week since October 2022. Banks were steady despite some issues with mortgages on the AFR front page, the Big Bank Basket $310.35 (+0.3%). Other financials were mixed, ZIP up 2.1% and GQG up 0.9%. NWL rose 2.3% with ASX also better. REITs better, GMG...

Stocks extended their rally Thursday, even as oil prices gained, amid continued optimism among traders that the fragile two-week ceasefire between the U.S. and Iran could be sustained. The S&P 500 added 0.62% and ended at 6,824.66, while the Nasdaq Composite climbed 0.83% to 22,822.42. The Dow Jones Industrial Average rose 275.88 points, or 0.58%, and settled at 48,185.80. The 30-stock index t...

Stocks soared Wednesday after President Donald Trump suspended attacks on Iran for two weeks, pausing a five-week conflict that closed a crucial waterway for global energy supplies.  The Dow Jones Industrial Average ripped 1,325.46 points higher, or 2.85%, to 47,909.92. That was the benchmark’s best day since April 2025, when Trump first backed down from the severity of his initial tariff announce...