Market Updates

The ASX200 powered ahead today, rising 99 points to 9,129 (1.1%). An 11-week high and within striking distance of the record close. All sectors were positive today, with the banks leading the charge: CBA up 1.2%, ANZ up 1.0%, and WBC also having a good day. The Big Bank Basket better at $284.84. The rest of the financials were also stronger, with CGF up 2.2% and NWL up 1.8%. We also saw good gains in the REITs, with SCG bouncing back 1.5% and GMG leading the pack higher on hopes that interest rates have peaked, especially given weakening consumer sentiment. Insurers were also better, with MPL up 2.7% and SUN up 1.7%. Meanwhile, industrials had a good day, with QAN rising 6.3% on falling oil prices and WES continuing to push higher. Some defensive sectors eased off, with WOW and COL falling. Healthcare stocks also were relatively flat, with RHC up 0.8%. In the tech space, it was a mixed picture, with WTC up 1.5% and XRO down 1.4%. We did see a continued bounce in NXT, and the All-Tech Index was up 0.6%.Resources didn't want to miss out today, and we saw a good rise again from BHP up 1.1% and FMG up 0.5%. Gold miners too pushed higher on the back of bullion rising above $4,100, with EVN putting on the ritz up 2.1% and GMD up 3.1%. Rare earth also had a rare day in the sun, with LYC up 4.2%, although lithium stocks still remain unloved, with PLS only up 0.7%. Oil and gas stocks eased off on crude falls, but uranium stocks once again glowing with PDN up 5.0%.In corporate news today we saw another bid for INA. 360 fell despite results in line with consensus. MND flagged strong operating conditions throughout the first 4 months of the year and flagged $1.7bn in half-year revenue. SSM confirmed a $400m raise for its acquisition of Programmed.In economic news today, we had weak consumer sentiment figures, pointing to potentially a peak in interest rates.Asian markets firmed, with the Nikkei 225 up 2%, Hang Seng up 0.3%, and China unchanged.Marcus Today – Daily Market InsightsMarcus 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-podcastJoin Marcus Today Use code MTPODCAST for 10% off http://bit.ly/mt-join-podcast-offerMT20 – 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-podcastPrinciples – 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.

US stock indices closed higher on Monday from last week’s rout as renewed dip buying drove the market toward its best day since April. The S&P 500 gained 2.3%, the Dow rallied 1,104 points, and the Nasdaq outperformed with a gain of 2.7%. Chipmakers rallied after Friday’s plunge, when Democrats took control of Congress and drove markets to speculate on lower returns for AI companies, compounding concerns that the sector’s growth was slowing. AMD (+13.3%) was upgraded to outperform at Oppenheimer. Broadcom surged 8.8%, Lam Research soared 10.4%, Micron jumped 6.2%, and Applied Materials climbed 11.4% ahead of its earnings this week. In contrast, Nvidia lost 4.3% after CEO Jensen Huang admitted to an affair with a suspected Chinese spy, potentially prompting Congress to tighten export controls on its chips. Among hyperscalers, Alphabet (+1.2%) is rolling out a broader array of AI chips. Meta jumped 5.1%, Microsoft rose 2.7%, and Amazon added 2.9%.SPI up 96 = Gold up - Oil downMarcus Today – Daily Market InsightsMarcus 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-podcastJoin Marcus Today Use code MTPODCAST for 10% off http://bit.ly/mt-join-podcast-offerMT20 – 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-podcastPrinciples – 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.

The ASX 200 rose 9 points to 9,030 (0.1%) in a choppy session, with rotation once again out of the banks and defensive stocks back into resources. The ANZ results were a possible catalyst for this move, with CBA down 0.9%, NAB down 1.4%, and ANZ falling 3.2%. Insurers were a little mixed, as were rates, with SCG falling 4.4% on the back of the travails at David Jones. GMG rose 1.2% as tech steadied. Industrials fell 0.7% as retail gave back some recent gains with WES down 1.4% and TLS falling 1.0%. JBH dropped 0.8%.The action was in resources as BHP rose 2.7% and lithium and critical mineral stocks found aggressive bargain hunters. LYC up 6.8% and PLS up 2.1%. Uranium stocks also in demand with PDN up 10.9% and the URNM rising strongly up 6.2%. Gold miners were stronger as bullion bounced back towards $4100. NST up 0.8% and EVN rallying 4.8%. Energy was up 0.7%, with WDS down 0.1%, coal stocks also in demand. Some short covering perhaps in resources stocks after the volatility last week.In corporate news, DNL down 11.0% after an update and VNT fell 16.2% on new CEO's plans for the company. LLC dropped 5.4% as it aborted its plan for Milan sale and ANZ results proved a little underwhelming after its record-breaking run. On the economic front, we had Chinese PPI coming in hot and Sarah Hunter from the RBA making a speech on the effects of AI.Asian markets mostly higher with the Nikkei up 3% and HK up 0.2%. US futures are firmer despite Nvidia issues.Marcus Today – Daily Market InsightsMarcus 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-podcastJoin Marcus Today Use code MTPODCAST for 10% off http://bit.ly/mt-join-podcast-offerMT20 – 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-podcastPrinciples – 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.

The S&P 500 rose 0.3% and the Nasdaq gained 1.3% on Friday, while the Dow shed 237 points. The moves followed a sharp sell-off in the previous session, the worst one-day losses since April 2025, that pushed the Nasdaq into correction territory. Concerns that Democratic midterm wins could lead to tighter AI-industry regulation and lower sector investment drove investors out of tech and AI-related stocks, triggering a broader risk-off mood. However, a chipmaker rebound propped up the market as dip buyers emerged, leading technology stocks to a sharp recovery. Nvidia gained 2.8%, Micron 5.1%, AMD 11%, SpaceX 8.6%, Tesla 4.2%, Intel 7.7%, and Lam Research 8.2%. Among hyperscalers, Alphabet and Meta each gained 0.8%. On the data front, nonfarm payrolls topped estimates and the unemployment rate edged lower. For the week, the S&P 500 lost 3.2%, the Dow 1.7%, and the Nasdaq 5.5%.SPI up 20 - ANZ Results - Gold eases - Oil eases - WTC governance increased.Marcus Today – Daily Market InsightsMarcus 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-podcastJoin Marcus Today Use code MTPODCAST for 10% off http://bit.ly/mt-join-podcast-offerMT20 – 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-podcastPrinciples – 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.

Marcus Today – Daily Market InsightsMarcus 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-podcastJoin Marcus Today Use code MTPODCAST for 10% off http://bit.ly/mt-join-podcast-offerMT20 – 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-podcastPrinciples – 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.

Marcus Today – Daily Market InsightsMarcus 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-podcastJoin Marcus Today Use code MTPODCAST for 10% off http://bit.ly/mt-join-podcast-offerMT20 – 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-podcastPrinciples – 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.

Marcus Today – Daily Market InsightsMarcus 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-podcastJoin Marcus Today Use code MTPODCAST for 10% off http://bit.ly/mt-join-podcast-offerMT20 – 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-podcastPrinciples – 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.

Stocks ripped higher on Wednesday as a decisive victory by Democrats in the U.S. midterm elections — and President Donald Trump’s acceptance of the results — removed political uncertainty risk hanging over Wall Street.Democrats won majorities in both the House of Representatives and Senate, and scored victories in key gubernatorial races like Texas. The Democrats will now be a check on the policies of Trump, who’s enacted business-friendly tax cuts, while also pursuing tariffs and a war in Iran that’s boosted inflation.The Dow Jones Industrial Average jumped 1,569.40 points, or 3.03%, to close at 53,356.12. The 30-stock index moved back above 53,000 for the first time since Sept. 8 and posted its best day since April 9, 2025, when Trump announced a pause on his so-called reciprocal tariffs. The S&P 500 gained 1.58% to end at 7,688.62, while the Nasdaq Composite jumped 1.44% to 25,736.51.Stocks extended their gains after U.S. crude oil fell more than 8% as Vice President JD Vance blamed the Iran war for the election losses the Republican party suffered Tuesday. Brent futures traded more than 8% lower as well.SPI up 181 - Oil crashes - Gold runs hard - Yields drop.Marcus Today – Daily Market InsightsMarcus 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-podcastJoin Marcus Today Use code MTPODCAST for 10% off http://bit.ly/mt-join-podcast-offerMT20 – 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-podcastPrinciples – 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.

The ASX 200 dropped 52 points to 8835 (0.6%) as U.S. elections soured the futures market. It was back to risk-off today, with the banks holding relatively steady, although CBA fell 0.6%, with WBC slightly firmer. MQG fell 1.7%, and other financials also slid, with the insurance sector a little mixed. REITs were also under some pressure, with  GMG down 1.6% and VCX down 1.2%. Retail stocks were also suffering today, as JBH gave back some gains and ALL lost 1.3%. Tech stocks were also under pressure, with REA falling 2.6% and XRO down 0.1%. Defensives like WOW rose, as did TLS, and utilities ORG up 1.9% and APA up 0.5%.In resources, we saw selling in the iron ore stocks, with BHP, RIO, and FMG all down around 1.5%, as the gold miners also gave up early gains, falling away with NST down 2.0% and EVN down 0.3%. Lithium and rare earth stocks continued to be pressured, but we did see 1% gains in WDS and STO, together with a steadying in the coal sector.In corporate news, XYZ jumped 6.1% after the company beat quarterly profit expectations, and INA fell 3.8% after providing an update on the takeover battle underway, while CCX soared 13.9% on a trading update.On the economic front, figures today from the ABS showed household spending jumping 6.8% year on year, higher than some forecasts at 6.1%.Asian markets tumbled on the back of U.S. midterm results, with so-called data centre states flipping to the Democrats and putting pressure on Korea, Taiwan, and Japan.Marcus Today – Daily Market InsightsMarcus 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-podcastJoin Marcus Today Use code MTPODCAST for 10% off http://bit.ly/mt-join-podcast-offerMT20 – 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-podcastPrinciples – 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.

The Nasdaq Composite rose on Tuesday as investors moved back into key technology stocks after recent pressure and geared up for U.S. midterm election results.The tech-heavy index jumped 0.83% and closed at 25,372.01, recouping some of its latest losses. The Nasdaq-100 rose 0.7% to 28,180.26, remaining in correction territory and down about 10% from its recent high. The S&P 500 climbed 0.36% to 7,568.92 to break a three-day losing run. The Dow Jones Industrial Average lost 197.26 points, or 0.38%, to 51,786.72. The 30-stock index was weighed down by Apple shares.Apple fell almost 2% after the iPhone maker issued a disappointing margin forecast late Monday and iPad sales in the fiscal fourth-quarter missed the Street’s estimates.Conversely, shares of chipmakers saw gains. Advanced Micro Devices — which releases its third-quarter results after the bell — gained more than 3%, while Broadcom rose 3%. Micron Technology and Nvidia each added more than 2%.Tuesday’s advance marks a reversal from the pullback seen Monday, which sent the Nasdaq down more than 1% and extended a recent retreat in the Nasdaq Composite and S&P 500 to a third day. SPI down 24 - Quiet day with Midterms in focus.Marcus Today – Daily Market InsightsMarcus 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-podcastJoin Marcus Today Use code MTPODCAST for 10% off http://bit.ly/mt-join-podcast-offerMT20 – 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-podcastPrinciples – 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.