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.

  1. 8 HR AGO

    End of Day Report – Thursday 12 March: ASX 200 drops 115 points | Oil and gas hold up, coal better

    The ASX 200 fell 115 points to 8629 (1.3%) as oil prices spiked higher on tankers hit in the Gulf. Another $50bn in value knocked off the ASX 200. Broad based losses with the banks falling, ANZ leading the big four down off 2.5% with the Big Bank Basket down to $295.56 (-1.2%). MQG dipped 2.7% as financials falling across the sector. SOL down 1.1% with NWL off 5.5% and CGF down 2.8%. Industrials sagged, WES off another 0.7%, retail falling on potential rate rises next week. JBH down 0.5% and LOV crashing 7.0%. MYR also under pressure, down 10.6% and NCK down 4.6%. Travel stocks fell again, FLT down 2.8%. Tech resumed the position of weakness, WTC down 2.6% and XRO off 4.2%. NXT fell 2.3% and 360 dropped 4.8%. REITs eased back, GMG down 3.3% and healthcare under pressure, RMD down again, off 3.1%. CSL falling 1.1%. In resources, BHP fell 1.9% and RIO off 1.4%. Gold miners eased back, EVN down 1.3% and GMD falling 2.1%. Lithium eased, PLS off 2.5% and profit taking in rare earths after a strong run yesterday.  AAI was a winner on higher aluminium prices, up 4.4%. Oil and gas stocks better, STO up 1.5% and WDS gaining 2.1% with uranium stocks slipping and coal stocks firming, YAL up 10.5% and WHC rallying 6.7%. In corporate news, ALX fell after toll news in the US. LTR fell 0.6% after reporting a loss of $184m. CKF delivered with a 5.2% rise on German store openings. On the economic front, everyone seems to be in lockstep now on a rate rise next week. Household spending has fallen for the first time since September 2024 10-year yields push to 4.95%. Asian market weaker on oil prices, Japan down 1.5%, HK down 1.4% and China down 1.1%. Korea KOSPI down 1.3%  US Futures: DJ down 502, Nasdaq off 210. — 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.

    14 min
  2. 1 DAY AGO

    End of Day Report – Wednesday 11 March: ASX 200 jumps 51 as banks and resources charge higher | US futures positive

    The ASX 200 rallied another 51 points in quiet trade. Jumped 17 points at the close on ETF rebalancing. Waiting for more news. Banks and resources led the gains, the Big Bank Basket up to $299.01 (0.8%) with ANZ the standout, up 1.8%. MQG up 1.3% with financials mixed. GQG dropped 5.5% on latest FUM numbers. Insurers better as yields rose on Andrew Hauser’s (RBA deputy) comments on inflation. QBE up 1.6%. Retail dropped after bank after bank forecast a rate rise next week to counter the oil price rise. JBH down 1.5% and NCK off 2.9%. Travel stocks failing to find buyers, WEB off 1.8%. Utilities fell with AGL bombing 5.6% with ORG down 1.4%. Healthcare stocks also in ICU today, CSL falling another 1.4% with RMD unwinding 3.4%. Tech lower as sellers took profits after recent rallies. WTC down 3.6% and XRO falling 2.2% with the All-Tech Index down 1.3%. Resources did well, BHP, RIO and FMG pushed higher on IO price rises, rare earth stocks took off on LYC news of a JARE deal and floor price, up 16.2%. ARU jumping 16.0% with ILU also doing well. Gold miners were slightly positive, OBM jumped 21.5% on a big resource upgrade. Oil and gas stocks flat, coal eased and Uranium stocks better in places. It is 15 years since the Fukushima disaster. Japan now keen to embrace nuclear again as oil prices rise. In corporate news, DRO announced a new manufacturing push in Europe. MAQ jumped 7.0% on a $200m hybrid investment.  On the economic front, money markets are now pricing in a 77% chance of a rate rise next week. Economists falling over themselves to warn on rises.  10-year yields steady at 4.85%. Asian market recover, Japan up 2.6%, HK up 0.1% and China up 0.5%. Korea KOSPI up 3.5%  US Futures down DJ up 165 Nasdaq up 112. — 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.

    14 min
  3. 1 DAY AGO

    Pre-Market Report – Wednesday 11 March: US markets volatile but end flat as oil whipsaws | Oracle results positive

    The S&P 500 fell slightly on Tuesday in choppy trading as oil prices pulled back and traders kept an eye on the Iran war. The broad market index dropped 0.21% to end at 6,781.48. The Dow Jones Industrial Average dipped 34.29 points, or 0.07%, and closed at 47,706.51. The Nasdaq Composite inched up 0.01% to settle at 22,697.10. The Dow had lost as much as 296.57 points earlier in the day. The S&P 500 and Nasdaq were down 0.5% and 0.4%, respectively, at their lows. Oil prices, which spiked to nearly $120 a barrel Monday at height of fear around the Iran conflict, dropped as traders believed a group of countries would tap emergency crude reserves to mitigate disruption caused by the conflict. SPI up 24points - Commodities slightly firmer. No corporate or economic data due - US CPI tonight. — 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.

    13 min
  4. 2 DAYS AGO

    End of Day Report – Tuesday 10 March: ASX 200 up 94 points, off highs | Oil creeping higher

    The ASX 200 rallied 94 points to 8693 (1.1%) well off its highs as caution crept back in. Banks were muted in the recovery with the Big Bank Basket up to $296.78 (1.5%). CBA up 1.4% and NAB up 1.7%. MQG bounced 1.6% and other financials also firmed but not getting too carried away. SUN up 2.8% with HUB gaining 0.4%. REITs firmed GMG up 0.9% and SCG up 1.1% with VCX falling 0.4%. Industrials firm without conviction, CSL up 1.7% and WES rebounding 1.5%. SGH rallied 1.1% and QAN gained 0.5%. Tech was slightly better, WTC up 0.8% and REA up 1.4% with the All-Tech Index up 1.9%. In resources, BHP rallied 2.3% with RIO up only 0.6% as Mongolia questioning Oyu Tolgoi deal. Lithium stocks marched higher, PLS up 5.2% and LTR rising 5.4%. Gold miners rallied but muted, EVN up 1.7% and NEM up 2.0%. Copper stocks rallied, SFR up 5.8% and CSC rising 2.2%. Oil and gas stocks fell hard as crude dropped, WDS down 3.8% and STO off 3.5%. Coal stocks also feeling unloved, NHC down 2.7% and WHC off 1.2%. Uranium stocks bounced hard, PDN up 6.7%. In corporate news, ORI dipped 3.4% on a $100m cost reduction program, TLX rose 7.8% on promising TLX591 news. CSL announced it was expanding its US manufacturing capacity. In economic news, the Westpac–Melbourne Institute consumer sentiment index rose 1.2% to 91.6 in March, from 90.5 in February, whilst the ANZ Roy Morgan consumer numbers showed a drop of 3.7pts to 73.4. 10-year yields drop to 4.85%. Asian market recover, Japan up 2.1%, HK up 1.7% and China up 0.4%. Korea KOSPI up 4.4% US Futures down, DJ down 106, Nasdaq down 53. — 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.

    13 min
  5. 2 DAYS AGO

    Pre-Market Report – Tuesday 10 March: US markets stage stunning reversal | Oil drops

    The S&P 500 made a comeback from earlier losses on Monday after President Donald Trump said the war against Iran could be reaching its end. The broad market index rose 0.83% to close at 6,795.99, while the Dow Jones Industrial Average added 239.25 points, or 0.5%, and ended at 47,740.80. The blue-chip index is coming off its biggest weekly slide in nearly a year. The Nasdaq Composite jumped 1.38% and settled at 22,695.95. Those moves mark an impressive turnaround from the losses seen earlier in the day. The Dow was down nearly 900 points at its session low, and the S&P 500 and Nasdaq fell as much as 1.5% each. SPI Futures up 184 points. ASX to open 2% higher. — 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.

    14 min
  6. 3 DAYS AGO

    End of Day Report – Monday 9 March: ASX 200 drops 252, well off lows | Oil off highs

    The ASX 200 cratered another 252 points to 8599 (2.9%), as buyers stepped in as the afternoon wore on. Well off lows, but unconvincing. Oil prices in Asia soared with regional markets falling hard. Across the board losses led by BHP down 5.1% and RIO off 3.8%. Gold miners sold down despite bullion holding up relatively well. NST down 6.2% and EVN off 5.9% with WGX falling 5.7%. Lithium stocks under siege, PLS down 6.7% and MIN off 1.6%. Copper stocks walloped, SFR down 8.2% and other base metal stocks falling. BSL dropped 4.4%. Oil and gas stocks better, but not racing away. WDS up 2.0% and STO up 2.4% with coal stocks better. Uranium stocks dropped, PDN down 7.9% and BOE falling 6.5%. Banks were hit too but off lows, ANZ dropped 2.3% with CBA down 1.8% and the Big Bank Basket falling to $292.41 (-1.9%). MQG fell 2.4% (off lows) with insurers and other financials easier. XYZ fell 4.5% and HUB down 5.4%. REITs fell, GMG off 2.0% and SCG down 3.6%. Industrials were also hit in the Monday flush. BXB down 4.8%, QAN fell 4.5% on higher jet fuel prices, TLS eased 1.3% and healthcare stocks dropped. CSL down 2.8% and RMD off 3.2%. Tech stocks back under pressure again, XRO down 4.8% and TNE off 3.7%. The All-Tech Index fell 3.7%. In corporate news, DNL fell 9.7% on the sale of its fertiliser business. DGT fell 7.4% as its CEO stepped back for a time. PME fell 0.9% despite a renewal of a $40m contract. NAN gained 3.8% on FDA clearance for an expanded range of indications. In economic news, nothing on the local front. 10-year yields jumped to 4.94%. Asian market flushed, Japan down 6.8% (Nikkei), Topix down 4.5%, HK down 2.4% and China down 0.9%. Korea KOSPI down 8.8%. US Futures down. DJ down 831. Nasdaq down 480. — 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.

    16 min
  7. 3 DAYS AGO

    Pre-Market Report – Monday 9 March: US markets drop, oil soars | Brace again!

    The Dow dropped 453 points, the Nasdaq fell 1.5% and the S&P 500 lost 1.3%. The VIX rose 26% to 29. European markets were down again. Bitcoin dropped 4.5%.Overall resources held up. Gold rose 1.8%, silver 2.4% and even industrial metals in London held the line. It didn’t help the related shares though. All were down, some quite sharply, with the exception of energy firms – the only sector in the S&P 500 to stay positive. Also important was the latest US jobs data. The US unexpectedly lost 92,000 jobs in February. It was supposed to be a 55,000 gain. Retail sales declined 0.2%, slightly better than forecast.  WTI hit its highest level since 2023 and just completed its biggest weekly rise ever. It’s up 36% for the week. US President Trump says there’ll be no deal with Iran except “unconditional surrender”. Qatar’s energy minister warns oil could hit US$150 a barrel. Also of interest is his observation that Qatar’s LNG expansion plans are now postponed. This was supposed to bring down world LNG prices and help sustain the economic expansion. Losing this is not good for the world. SPI Futures down 156 points. ASX set to open lower on Monday. — 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.

    13 min

About

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.

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