Market Updates

US stock closed lower after the Federal Reserve held interest rates unchanged and signaled the possibility of rate hikes this year. The S&P 500 fell 1.2% and the Nasdaq 100 dropped 1%, while the Dow lost 507 points from its record high. The Summary of Economic Projections from the Fed's June meeting showed that half of the FOMC members projected one rate hike or more this year, as underly...

The ASX 200 rallied another 49 points to 8966 as optimism continues on Fed and war outcomes. After a slow start, and despite iron ore falling, BHP managed a 0.6% rise as passive funds continue to flow into the Big Australian. RIO and FMG drifted lower. Gold miners continued their recovery despite bullion slipping a little, NST up 2.6% and EVN up 2.9%, with RRL doing very well. Lithium stocks also...

US equities closed mixed on Tuesday amid a pullback in AI-related stocks. The S&P 500 lost 0.6%, while the Nasdaq was down 1.2%. Investors took profits in semiconductor names after their recent rally, with Nvidia (-2.4%), Broadcom (-4.4%), Micron (-6.2%), AMD (-7.3%), and Intel (-8.5%) all posting losses. In contrast, SpaceX gained 4.8%, extending its advance since Friday's IPO, after rep...

The ASX 200 staged a remarkable comeback (again) to finish up 4 points at 8,918 after falling nearly 100 points in early trade. Banks were under pressure from the off on broker downgrades but fought back with ANZ up 0.9% and the Big Bank Basket flat at $270.33(). The RBA held rates unchanged for a change, although warned further rises could not be ruled out as inflation remained the focus. Financi...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...