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 stocks taking the bull by the horns. WES rose 4.3%, TLS rose 2.0%, and both the supermarket stocks WOW and COL did very well, building on recent gains in the healthcare space. CSL was also strong as it looks to have turned the corner, up 3.5%, with SHL also firm, although SIG fell 5.5% on the back of media speculation that it was looking at buying the Boots chemist chain in the UK. REITs were positive, with GMG up 1.6%, CHC up 1.8%, and other industrials faring okay. Retail also had a good bounce, with JBH up 3.5% and ALL up 2.2%. Technology stocks were still very much in the doghouse, with XRO down 2.0%, TNE down 2.3%, and NXT down 4.1%. Utilities firmed in this environment, and the All-Tech Index fell 1.8%. Meanwhile, resources were once again on the nose, with BHP up 0.2%, and RIO and FMG also falling as iron ore came under pressure. Lithium stocks fell, PLS down 1.7%, and LTR falling a big 8.0%, with MIN also suffering heavy losses. The gold sector was also slammed again as the gold price fell out of bed, with NST down 3.5%, EVN falling 5.0%, and RMS also having a bad day, down 3.8%. Over in the energy space, Woodside slipped slightly, and Santos pushed ahead somewhat, with coal stocks under pressure, WHC down 4.4%, and uranium stocks still on the nose. In corporate news, SDF rose 36.2% after receiving a $6.00 non-binding indicative offer. IGO fell hard after a fire broke out at the Chemical Grade Plant 3 facility at Greenbushes. WES had a good investor day reaction, saying it would drive growth through AI and data monetisation. Citi downgraded banks following the budget changes. In economic news, the ANZ-Roy Morgan consumer confidence rose for the second consecutive week, lifting two points to 70.8. Asian markets weaker. Japan down 1.9% Hong Kong down 0.9%, and China down 1.1%. South Korea falls again. US futures: Dow down 78 and Nasdaq down 132. Oil down 1.5%. Europe opening easier. 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 – Managed ETF Portfolio A professionally managed portfolio run by Marcus Padley and the team, using ASX-listed ETFs with active market timing. http://bit.ly/mt20-podcast Principles – How We Think About Investing A short video series on timing, behaviour, and decision-making. No stock tips. http://bit.ly/mt-principles-podcast — Disclaimer This podcast is general information only and does not consider your personal circumstances. It is not personal financial advice.
