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. 6H AGO

    End of Day Report – Wednesday 18 March: ASX 200 up 26 points | Calm returns (for now)

    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 falling 1.3% and the All-Tech Index up 0.7%. Utilities were firm.  In resources, BHP rose 0.7% on its succession plan, rare earths stocks mixed, LYC up 1.9% and ARU up 1.9%. Lithium stocks slid, CXO announced a funding package to allow its project to reopen. Gold miners were mixed, BGL up 1.3% and NST gaining 1.4% with WGX falling 1.1%. Coal miners found some friends, NHC up 5.9% and uranium stocks pushing a little higher. PDN up 1.2% and BMN rising 2.2%. In corporate news, SGM rallied 9.9% on a positive trading update, NVX fell 3.6% after a Nasdaq warning on closing price requirements. WDS has a new boss, same as the old boss. Nothing on the economic front as banks, and other raised rates in unison today.  10-year yields lower at 4.89%. Asian market better on oil prices, Japan up 2.6%, HK down 0.2% and China down 0.3%. Oil slightly lower in Asian trade. US Futures: Dow up 225 Nasdaq up 130 — 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.

    18 min
  2. 13H AGO

    Pre-Market Report – Wednesday 18 March: US markets push slightly higher | Oil up, gold steady

    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 was steady too. Will they move together or keep to their historical zig and zag?  SPI Futures up 11 points. ASX set to open 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.

    12 min
  3. 1D AGO

    End of Day Report – Tuesday 17 March: ASX 200 up 31 points | RBA hikes as expected

    The ASX 200 rose 31 points to 8614 (0.4%) despite the RBA raising rates as expected. The vote was close though, 5-4, a dovish hike. Banks were firm on the rate hike, CBA up 0.3% and the Big Bank Basket up to $302.60 (0.5%). Insurers better, even REITs firmed with GMG up 1.2% and SCG rising 1.1%. Healthcare under pressure, RMD falling another 0.6% and SIG down 1.1%. Industrials mixed, WES down 1.6% and ALL off 2.0% with REA and CAR falling again. Tech remains on the nose, WTC down 3.0% and XRO off 1.7%. The All -Tech Index down 1.4%. In resources, iron ore stocks steadied, BHP up % and gold miners showing gains with bargain hunters emerging. EVN up 3.7% and GGP up 3.9%. Lithium and rare earths slid slightly, PLS down 1.9% and LYC off 4.6% on profit taking. Oil and gas mixed, STO up WDS down. Coal stocks under pressure with uranium stocks slightly firmer. In corporate news, PPM fell 14.9% as CGF amended its NBIO downwards. PXA also slightly firmer on a deal to divest ‘Informed Decisions’. WAF rose 5.8% after stronger results and OBM gained on a broker upgrade. On the economic front, the RBA increased rates by 25bps as anticipated. Close call though. Consumer confidence has fallen to the lowest since March 2020. The ACCC is talking to fuel companies too. 10-year yields steady at 4.98%. Asian market weaker on oil prices, Japan up 0.5%, HK up 1.0% and China up 0.3%. Oil slightly higher in Asian trade. US Futures: Dow down 95 Nasdaq down 57 — 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.

    15 min
  4. 1D AGO

    Pre-Market Report – Tuesday 17 March: US markets rally as oil falls | Meta to cull jobs

    Stocks rose on Monday, while oil prices pulled back as Wall Street tried to recover from another losing week, with investors monitoring the latest developments of the Iran war. The Dow Jones Industrial Average added 387.94 points, or 0.83%, closing at 46,946.41. The S&P 500 rose 1.01% to end at 6,699.38, and the Nasdaq Composite gained 1.22% and settled at 22,374.18. Meta shares gained more than 2% on a report — which the company has called “speculative” — that it is planning to lay off more than 20% of its workforce. Additionally, Nvidia shares rose more than 1% as its GTC conference kicked off Monday. SPI up 66 – RBA in focus – Gold flat – Oil falls — 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
  5. 2D AGO

    End of Day Report – Monday 16 March: ASX 200 drops 34 | Banks solid, tech and resources fall again

    The ASX 200 fell 34 points to 8583 (0.4%) as US futures stabilised and oil failed to kick despite weekend moves against Kharg Island. Banks held firm with CBA up 1.0% ahead of RBA. The Big Bank Basket rose to $300.96 (0.6%). Other financials also found some buyers with SOL up 1.1% and insurers slightly better. REITs were firm with GMG the exception as tech stocks remain as unloved as Khomeini. Industrials were mixed, WES recovered another 1.0% with TLS firming 1% and supermarkets stronger. Tech selling saw WTC down another 2.0% with XRO off 1.9% and the All-Tech Index down 1.3%. Retail drifted lower, JBH down 0.6% and PMV falling 1.3% with NCK falling another 0.5%. In resources, the stronger USD and commodity price falls brought out the sellers. Gold hovered around $5000 with miners under pressure, NST falling % on broker downgrades, RRL ditched 8.3% with NEM off 4.2%. Lithium stocks eased too despite higher underlying prices, PLS down 2.7% and MIN fell 4.8%. Copper stocks and rare earths also down. LYC bucked the trend on a new deal with the US DoW. BHP, RIO and FMG all under pressure as the iron ore price flip flopped to losses in Asian trade. Oil and gas stocks firmed, WDS up 1.9% and STO 2.1% better. In corporate news, S32 put its Mozambique aluminium smelter on care and maintenance. PPT sold its wealth business to Bain Capital for $500m. ORI settled long running litigation and KMD dumped 10.5% on news of another review of strategic funding options. Nothing locally on the economic front, Chinese data better than expected as Trump talks a possible postponement of summit, unless China does not do its bit to get oil flowing. Day Two of Trade talks in Paris. 10-year yields steady at 4.98%. Asian market weaker on oil prices, Japan down 0.3%, HK up 1.1% and China down 0.6%. Oil steady in Asian trade. US Futures: Dow up 183 Nasdaq up 135 — 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.

    15 min
  6. 2D AGO

    Pre-Market Report – Monday 16 March: US markets slip | Kharg Island the focus as oil rises

    US stocks finished down for the last session of the previous week. The S&P500 dropped 0.6%, the Nasdaq 0.9% and the Dow 119 points. Brent oil went up again to US$103 a barrel. Almost everything else, commodity wise, was down. Industrial metals in London were all red. Gold slipped again, threatening now to fall below US$5000 an ounce. Gold stocks fell in North America, and copper shares did just the same. There was no shelter in uranium and lithium either. Energy was the second best performer in the S&P500 but again the shares are more subdued than you’d think considering the rise in cashflow.  SPI down 61 - Oil the focus - RBA and Fed this week. — 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
  7. 5D AGO

    End of Day Report – Friday 13 March: ASX 200 drops 12, down 2.8% for the week | NST crashes on guidance downgrade

    The ASX 200 lost a mere 12 points to 8617to finish the week down 2.6%. Banks pushed higher led by NAB with the Big Bank Basket back up to $299.06 (+1.1%). Insurers also better as rate rose, SOL up 1.5% and MFG continuing to find friends on the merger deal, up another 3.4%. PNI dropped 4.3% and RPL down 5.2% on another biotech investment blowing up. Industrials were a little better, WES managed a 0.8% rise, ALL up 1.2% and TLS rose 1.4%. Healthcare mixed, RMD falling 0.5% and RHC up 1.0%. Tech was mixed too, WTC eased 0.8% but XRO rose 2.6% and the All-Tech Index unchanged. In resources, BHP fell 2.3% as its standoff in China continues, RIO and FMG doing well on the back of higher iron ore prices, gold miners slipped, not helped by NST crashing 18.8% on production woes. Oil and gas stocks muted with coal slightly firmer and uranium generally a little better, DYL up 1.0%. In corporate news, IMM fell 88.6% after its Phase III trial was abandoned. QAN reached a settlement for $105m for CV19 related cases. WGX announced the completion of its sale of two projects. NST fell hard on a production downgrade due to milling issues at the Super Pit. LIC rallied as US-based prefab giant Hometown America bought a stake at 490c. EOS up 18.4% after it revealed $US45m ($64 million) in new defence orders, including a major Middle East contract for its Slinger weapon system. Nothing on the economic front. US PCE index tonight. 10-year yields steady at 4.95%. Asian market weaker on oil prices, Japan down 0.8%, HK down 0.4% and China flat. Korea KOSPI down 1.9%. WTI Oil down 0.4% in Asia. US Futures: DJ up 128, Nasdaq down 1. — 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
  8. 5D AGO

    Pre-Market Report – Friday 13 March: US markets fall as oil hits $100 | SPI down 24

    The Dow Jones Industrial Average fell 739.42 points, or 1.56%, closing at 46,677.85. The S&P 500 lost 1.52% and settled at 6,672.62, while the Nasdaq Composite shed 1.78% to end at 22,311.98. All three indexes posted closing lows for 2026, and the 30-stock Dow ended the session below the 47,000 threshold for the first time this year. Crude prices continued to climb after Iran’s new supreme leader, Mojtaba Khamenei, who was appointed on March 9, said that the Strait of Hormuz should remain closed as a “tool to pressure the enemy.” West Texas Intermediate futures rose 9.72% to settle at $95.73 per barrel. Brent crude futures settled up 9.22% to $100.46 per barrel — its first close above $100 since August 2022. SPI down 28 - Gold eases - Adobe falls after hours - Not much corporate news around - Iron better. — 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

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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