Market Updates
A twice-daily podcast from the Marcus Today team for self-directed investors.Published every weekday before the ASX open and after the close (AEST), these short updates cover what's moving markets, key developments overnight, and the themes shaping the trading day.Clear. Practical. No noise.
End of Day Report – Thursday 16 April: ASX 200 drops 24 as banks tank - Tech resurrection - US futures better - Jobs data
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Pre-Market Report – Thursday 16 April: US markets hit records on peace hopes - Tech leads - SPI down 3 - Gold eases
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 Nasdaq and the S&P 500 closed at records, with the tech-heavy index posting an 11th day win streak and the broad market benchmark notching its 10th positive session out of 11.
SPI down 3 - Quarterlies in focus - Gold ea...
End of Day Report – Wednesday 15 April: ASX 200 wilts to close up only 8 - Gold miners indemand - Biotech soaring!
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 0.9% with BXB off 0.8%, not so palatable, and WOW and COL were not such...
Pre-Market Report – Wednesday 15 April: US markets head higher - SPI up 34 - Gold jumps - Oil falls - EVN Quarterly
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%, to close at 48,535.99. The Nasdaq Composite advanced 1.96% and ended at 23,639.08.
Technology stocks supported the broader market for another day. Oracle, for example, rose 4.7%, building on the more than 12% gain it...
End of Day Report – Tuesday 14 April: ASX 200 jumps 45 - WBC and QAN warnings in focus - BHP soars - US Futures unchanged
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, GMG up 1.6% and SCG rallying 1.4%. Tech was a winner today, WTC up 3.8% and XRO...
Pre-Market Report – Tuesday 14 April:
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End of Day Report – Monday 13 April: ASX 200 falls 35 - Quiet, cautious trade - Goldman Sachs tonight - US futures ease but off lows.
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 easing back again, GMG down 1.3% and CHC off 1.1%. Technology stocks were weaker but not aggressively. WTC down 1.3% and XRO<...
Pre-Market Report – Monday 13 April: US markets mixed Friday | US futures down 1% on weekend news
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 its recent rally in a mixed big tech space. Other relative outperformers included chemicals, industrial/precious metals, entertainment, building products, E&Cs, and REITs. Treasuries were weaker across the curve; yields were up 2-3 bp. Dollar index was off 0.2...
End of Day Report – Friday 10 April: ASX 200 closes down 13 - On hold for weekend negotiations - Up 4.4% for the week.
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 up 0.5% and SGP rising 1.2%. Industrials and healthcare fell, CSL down another 0.7% with RMD off again and WOW<...
Pre-Market Report – Friday 10 April: US markets firm on peace hopes - Weekend crucial - Oil rises - VIX falls - SPI down 8 - Waiting mode
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 turned positive for the year, up 0.25%.
Crude prices advanced again on Thursday. West Texas Intermediate futures rose more than 3% to settle at $97.87 per barrel after earlier rising above $100. International Brent crude futures added more than 1% to close at $95.92.
<...End of Day Report – Thursday 9 April: Market Rally Stalls on Uncertainty
Pre-Market Report – Thursday 9 April: US Markets Jump on Ceasefire - SPI off 22 - BEN Quarterly - Copper jumps.
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 announcement.
The S&P 500 popped 2.51% to 6,782.81, and the Nasdaq Composite surged 2.80% to 22,635.00. West Texas Intermediate crude futures tumbled more than 16% to close at $94.41 per barrel, its biggest daily drop since April 2020. International benchmark Brent for June delivery lost...
End of Day Report – Wednesday 8 April: ASX 200 soars 223 - Ceasefire Brings Bulls and Shorts Panic - US Dow Futures up 1110! - Oil drilled!
The ASX 200 jumped out of the blocks again on the ceasefire. The ASX 200 jumped 223 points to 8952 (2.6%). Interestingly, not much intraday volatility. Everything was risk on as peace breaks out. Long term or short term is yet to be seen. Oil prices fell hard, and equities rallied across the board. Banks rallied again with CBA up 1.9% and the Big Bank Basket jumped to $305.03 (2.4%). MQG had a great day up 5.6% with other financials doing great. ZIP up 19.5% and NWL up 10.0%. REITS soared as...
Pre-Market Report – Wednesday 8 April: US markets steady - Trump delays action for two weeks - US Futures jump - ASX to do well - Gold higher
U.S. stock futures jumped after President Donald Trump said he was suspending Iran attacks for two weeks just ahead of his 8 p.m. ET deadline, pausing a five-week conflict that has closed a crucial waterway for global energy supply and sent equity prices reeling.
Futures tied to the Dow Jones Industrial Average rose by 718 points, or 1.5%. S&P 500 futures added 1.6%, and Nasdaq 100 futures climbed 1.7%.
During the regular session, the S&P 500 eked out a gain of 0.08% as traders bet that a ceasefire could be achieved. The Nasdaq Composite inched 0.10% higher on Tuesday, while the...
End of Day Report – Tuesday 7 April: ASX 200 jumps 149 pts - Banks and Resources lead ahead of deadline - US futures ease.
The ASX 200 jumped out of the blocks, but was well off highs of 8804, closing up 149 points at 8729 (1.7%). A serious bout of optimism as the Trump deadline approaches. Banks firmed with the Big Bank Basket up to $297.88 (2.3%). CBA up 2.4% and MQG charging 3.2% ahead. Other financials were mixed, HUB up 3.3% and ZIP gaining 6.0%. REITs mixed too, GMG up 0.7% with industrials firming, WES up 1.3% and ALL rising 1.3% with tech doing better, WTC up 3.4% and XRO rallying 1.7%. Healthcare mixed, CSL<...
Pre-Market Report – Tuesday 7 April: US markets on hold - SPI unchanged - Deadline approaches
Markets are at something of a standstill again. We know why. We have another potential deal/timeline on the table from President Trump. The deadline is 8pm Tuesday night, US time. That would be Wednesday morning for us here in Australia. If Tehran doesn't accept a deal, the US could “rain hell” on the country. Iran rejected a ceasefire and proposed 10 clauses they want to see. Trump rejected those too. It's unlikely we will see much happen while this looms over the world.
Overnight, seven out of the 10 sectors were positive for the S&P 50...
End of Day Report – Thursday 2 April: Trump speech turns market - Oil soars - Resources fall - ASX 200 drops 92 - US futures down 1%
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Pre-Market Report – Thursday 2 April: US markets rose - Caution aheaad of POTUS - SPI up 19 - Resources to push ahead
The S&P 500 advanced 0.72% and closed at 6,575.32, and the Nasdaq Composite gained 1.16% and settled at 21,840.95. The Dow Jones Industrial Average added 224.23 points, or 0.48%, to end at 46,565.74.
President Donald Trump said in a post on Truth Social Wednesday morning that Iran’s president has asked the U.S. for a ceasefire. However, the U.S. will consider the offer when the Strait of Hormuz is “open, free, and clear,” Trump added, writing that “until then, we are blasting Iran into oblivion or, as they say, back to the Stone Ages!!!”
This comes after the president told reporters...
End of Day Report – Wednesday 1 April: ASX 200 pumps 190 pts higher - Banks surge 2% - Resources rebound.
The ASX 200 jumped 190 points to 8672 (2.2%) on US/Iranian news and a spectacularly strong US bounce. End of month and short covering helping lead us in. Confidence built throughout the day. Resources roared back to life as the USD fell slightly, and oil prices steadied. BHP up 4.3% and RIO up 3.5% with FMG joining in up 3.8%. Lithium stocks raced ahead, PLS up 3.5% and MIN rising 5.2% with the gold sector rebounding hard. NEM up 4.5% and EVN jumping 8.2% on gold and copper rises. S32<...
Pre-Market Report – Wednesday 1 April: US Markets soar on peace hope - Oil falls - Gold up - SPI up 130.
US stocks rose on Tuesday following new reports that gave investors hope that the Iran war could soon come to an end. The Dow Jones Industrial Average was up 1,125.37 points, or 2.49%, and closed at 46,341.51. The move came after an unconfirmed report said Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian is open to ending the war with guarantees. The S&P 500 gained 2.91% to end at 6,528.52, and the Nasdaq Composite advanced 3.83% to 21,590.63. Each of the three indexes posted their best day since May.
It was end of month and quarter too.
SPI jumped 130 pts – Gold up – Resources to do well.
End of Day Report – Tuesday 31 March: ASX 200 closes up 21 - A Month to forget - Gold rallies - Banks steady - Mixed signals from Gulf.
The ASX 200 rose 21 points to 8482 in a topsy-turvy day on news from the Gulf and Trump. After an easier start, markets rallied on news that Trump might not need the Strait open to declare an end to the war (See afternoon update). End of month saw a fade at the close. Gold popped higher with gold miners looking firm, NST up 4.4% and NEM up 2.2% with RIO still firing on aluminium exposure, BHP steady. Lithium stocks slipped a little on some oil price weakness. PLS down 2.9% and MIN...
Pre-Market Report – Tuesday 31 March: US markets ease - WTI above $100 - Powell soothes bond markets - SPI up 11
The S&P 500 fell on Monday, weighed down by further gains in oil prices and a steep decline in tech, as traders looked past comments from Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell on inflation. The broad-based index dipped 0.39%, posting a third straight losing session and settled at 6,343.72. The S&P 500 was just over 9% off its closing high. The move lower was led by declines in the technology sector, which fell more than 1%. On the flip side, sectors such as financials and utilities saw gains. The Nasdaq Composite dropped 0.73% to 20,794.64. The Dow Jones Industrial Average added 49.50 points, or 0.11%, and closed at 45,216.14.<...
End of Day Report – Monday 30 March: ASx 200 fights back - Down only 55 - Resources firm - Banks slapped - Oil and gas better with coal.
The ASX 200 recovered well, closing down only 55 points at 8461 (0.7%), still looking at the worst month since Covid. Banks and industrials were hit hard with CBA down % and WBC off %. The Big Bank Basket fell to $284.96 (-2.7%). MQG dropped 1.0% and other financials were weaker, SUN finished off 1.8%. REITs too suffered with GMG down 1.4% and SCG falling 1.2%. Healthcare also weaker, RMD down 0.9% and CSL off another 1.7%. Tech smashed again, WTC down 4.8% and XRO falling 3.2%. The All-Tech Index...
Pre-Market Report – Monday 30 March: US markets fall hard - SPI down 65 - Houthis join the fight
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End of Day Report – Friday 27 March:
The ASX 200 fell only 9 points to 8516 (-0.1%) with a gain this week of 1%. Trump extended the deadline for hitting Iranian energy assets by ten days, helping US futures turn positive. A mixed picture today, the Big Bank Basket $292.85 (%). Other financials slid, MQG off 2.2% and HUB down 2.7% with SOL doing well up 5.0%. REITS down again as bond yields rose, GMG down 1.3% and SCG off 0.3%. Industrials too were weaker, ALL down 1.4% with QAN off 0.7% and REA and CAR<...
Pre-Market Report – Friday 27 March: US markets slide as oil rallies again - SPI down 91 - Gold off - Trump extends deadline.
The S&P 500 fell on Thursday, weighed by higher oil prices, as traders followed the latest developments out of the Middle East.
The broad market index declined 1.74% to end at 6,477.16, while the Nasdaq Composite shed 2.38% and closed at 21,408.08. The tech-heavy index closed in correction territory, down more than 10% from its high. The Dow Jones Industrial Average dipped 469.38 points, or 1.01%, and settled at 45,960.11.
Crude prices rose on Thursday, putting pressure on equities. Brent futures jumped 5.66% to settle at $108.01 per barrel. West Texas Intermediate futures climbed 4.61% to end at $94.48.
As stocks took a leg lower...
End of Day Report – Thursday 26 March:
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Pre-Market Report – Thursday 26 March:
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End of Day Report – Wednesday 25 March
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Pre-Market Report – Wednesday 25 March:
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End of Day Report – Tuesday 24 March:
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Pre-Market Report – Tuesday 24 March: US Markets surge on TACO man peace moves - SPI up 151 - Oil drops 10% - Gold recovers some losses.
The Dow Jones Industrial Average jumped 631 points, or 1.38%, to close at 46,208.47. The S&P 500 rose 1.15%, and ended at 6,581.00, while the Nasdaq Composite
gained 1.38% and settled at 21,946.76. Before Trump’s comments, which he posted on Truth Social early Monday, futures were pointing to more losses for equity markets under siege from skyrocketing oil prices and uncertainty about the duration of the Iran conflict. But after Trump’s comments, Dow futures briefly surged more than 1,000 points.
At their highs of the day, the three leading U.S. indexes were up more than 2%. The Dow saw a peak of mor...
End of Day Report – Monday 23 March:
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Pre-Market Report – Monday 23 March: US markets stumble again on war news - 48hrs up at 10.44am today - SPI down 156 - Oil up again - No sign of any TACOs
Stocks tumbled in volatile trading Friday as the U.S.-Israel conflict with Iran showed no sign of abating and oil prices continued their ascent.
The Dow Jones Industrial average shed 443.96 points, or 0.96%, ending at 45,577.47. The
S&P 500 fell 1.51% and closed at 6,506.48, while the Nasdaq Composite lost 2.01% and settled at 21,647.61. The small-cap Russell 2000 declined more than 2% and slipped into correction territory — that is, a 10% decline from its latest high. At their lows of the day, the Dow and Nasdaq traded in correction territory, but ultimately closed shy of the 10% threshold.
SPI down 156 - Gold...
End of Day Report – Friday 20 March: ASX 200 down 69 - Banks slid - Resources found some buyers - US Futures up slightly - Little corporate news.
The ASX 200 fell another 69 points to 8428 (0.8%) for a weekly loss of around 2.2%. Today we saw the banking sector come under a little pressure. CBA fell 1.0% and the Big Bank Basket dropped to $298.51 (%). NAB was the biggest loser off 2.3%. Financials were mixed, GQG rose 2.4%, SOL fell 1.0% and HUB dropped 2.4%. REITs were flat lining, industrials mixed, WES slipped another 0.8% with retail under pressure, JBH down 4.1% and WOW dipping 0.9% after defensive buying shifted. TLS off 0.2% and SGH falling 2.4...
Pre-Market Report – Friday 20 March: US Markets stage recovery - Oil slips - SPI down 5 - Gold and silver fall - PMV Results
US equity indices pared significant session losses on Thursday as the S&P 500 and Nasdaq ended down just 0.2% while the Dow Jones declined 0.3% following a recovery from four-month lows. Volatility across asset classes eased as US oil retreated toward $94 per barrel after Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu stated that Israel is assisting the US in reopening the vital Strait of Hormuz. These developments tempered earlier stagflation fears as investors weighed comments from US President Donald Trump and Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent regarding diplomatic efforts to restore global energy supply chains. In corporate news Micron Technology shares fell 3.8% despite a...
End of Day Report – Thursday 19 March: ASX 200 drops 1.7% to lowest in four months - Banks firm - Resources crushed - Oil and gas better..
The ASX 200 fell 143 points to 8498 (1.7%), its lowest level in four months. $265bn has now been wiped off the index since the halcyon days of February. It is all about the oil price and the realisation that this war could really drag on longer, and Trump seems to have lost control of the narrative, even to the point of distancing himself from Israeli actions. Oil heads high, equities head lower. Resources bore the brunt of the selling as gold miners were thrown out with the bathwater, NST fell 9.5% and NEM off 5.8%. All sectors in metals under...
Pre-Market Report – Thursday 19 March: Fed and Iran Take Wall St Lower
—
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End of Day Report – Wednesday 18 March: ASX 200 up 26 - Calm returns for now - Fed tonight - BHP has a new CEO
The ASX 200 rose 26 points to 8641 (0.3%) as confidence increased for an end to the war as oil prices fell slightly in Asia. A mixed session with the banks steady as CBA rose 0.6% with the Big Bank Basket steady at $302.98 (+0.1%). MQG jumped 0.9% on news of a Kuwait pipeline deal not proceeding. Other financials slightly firmer, MFG up 1.9% and GQG up 1.8%. Healthcare was slightly better with SIG up 0.8% and RMD gaining 0.8%. CSL still struggling down 2.2%. Tech mixed, XRO up 2.3% with WTC<...
Pre-Market Report – Wednesday 18 March: US markets push slightly higher - SPI up 11 - Oil up - Gold steady - BHP CEO succession.
A positive night on Wall Street even though Brent oil rose 3% as the Iranian conflict drags on indefinitely. Sentiment around travel and consumer spending got a boost after airline stocks Delta and American Airlines raised revenue guidance for the current quarter. The S&P500 rose 0.2% and the Nasdaq 0.4%. The Dow lifted 47 points. The VIX fell back 4.8% to 22.3.
Gold was steady, around US$5011. The fact that it’s not spiking suggest the market is not panicking around the Iranian situation. Bitcoin...
