Marcus Today Market Updates

Marcus Today

A twice daily podcast from the team at Marcus Today, the stock market newsletter for investors, bringing you up to speed with the latest stock market, financial, and business news. Published just before market open and after market close (AEST), Monday to Friday.

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Episodes

End of Day Report – Wednesday 24 April: CPI Snuffs Out Rally, Gold Shines
3d ago
End of Day Report – Wednesday 24 April: CPI Snuffs Out Rally, Gold Shines
ASX 200 fell 1 point to 7683 (-0.01%) after a CPI gut punch stole the momentum. Inflation is once again higher than expected, and insurance costs and education continue to pressure the upside. Banks again led the charge higher, with the Big Bank Basket up to $203.73 (+0.4%). WBC the standout up 0.9% despite news yesterday on profit hit. REITs mixed as rates pushed higher, GMG up 1.7% with most of the sector down. Insurers better on bond yields. Healthcare mixed too, CSL taking a break. Industrials mixed, retail fell after the CPI number as rates now seem on hold for longer. Tech eased, the All-Tech Index flat. In resources, FMG gained 0.7% on production report, Gold miners found a level and bounced. NST up 1.0% and EVN up 0.5%. Lithium miners were better on Tesla sentiment moves, PLS up 1.3% and IGO up 1.5%. LTR had a good day, up 2.3%. Oil and gas stocks slightly better, copper still finding buyers, BOC up 15.4%. Must be a boom. In corporate news, NCK is raising money to push into the UK. Richard Goyder was elected Chair again at WDS with 80% voting for him. PPT fell 3.5% on FUM news, KGN crashed 27.5% on a business update, and CWY dropped back to where it started Tuesday morning on denial of takeover talk from WES. On the economic front, CPI came in above expectations and showed that inflation is still a clear and present danger with rents, insurance and school fees. Asian markets better with Japan screaming ahead by 1.7%. China up modestly with HK up 2.1%. 10Y yields boosted to 4.4%. European futures are set to open higher. Dow Futures up 61 points. NASDAQ Futures up 128 points. Why not sign up for a free trial? Get access to expert market insights and manage your investments with confidence.Ready to invest in yourself? Join the Marcus Today community.
Pre-Market Report – Wednesday 24 April: US Markets Rally Hard | Tesla Hits the Spot
4d ago
Pre-Market Report – Wednesday 24 April: US Markets Rally Hard | Tesla Hits the Spot
Wall Street ended higher overnight, near best levels, building on the positive momentum from yesterday's session as gains in mega-cap tech stocks lifted the broader market. Dow up 264 points (+0.69%), S&P 500 +1.20%, and NASDAQ +1.59%. Treasurys eased a touch following a solid $69bn sale of 2Y notes, and economic data showed US business activity cooled in April to a four-month low. Tesla 1.9% kicked off the earnings cycle for heavy-weight tech stocks, rising 10.68% in after-hours after announcing it would accelerate the launch of more affordable models, and United Parcel Service +2.41% (an economic barometer) beat profit expectations.ASX to rise. SPI Futures up 27 points (+0.35%).Base metals are broadly lower on profit-taking and hedging by producers. Copper -1.0%, Zinc -1.29%, Nickel -2.66%, Tin -6.3% and Lead -0.83%.Aluminium down 3.53%. Traders found profits by taking Russian aluminium from the LME and returning it later to benefit from recent rule changes to comply with the latest US and UK sanctions on Russia.Gold eased 0.19% after briefly touching a more than two-week low.Oil prices advanced on a weak USD, with the USD Dollar Index falling to its lowest level in more than a week. WTI +0.42% and Brent Crude 1.49%.10Y Bond Yields – US 4.607%, Australia 4.299%, and Germany 2.508%.Currencies – AUD +0.02%, USD Index -0.36%, Euro -0.02%, and Bitcoin -0.29%.Why not sign up for a free trial? Get access to expert market insights and manage your investments with confidence.Ready to invest in yourself? Join the Marcus Today community.
End of Day Report – Monday 22 April: Banks and Industrials Lead the Charge
5d ago
End of Day Report – Monday 22 April: Banks and Industrials Lead the Charge
ASX 200 rallies 82 points to close at 7649 (1.1%) a long way from the high of the day at 7679. Euphoria gave way to some pre-tech result nerves. No news over the weekend on Israel or Iran helped early sentiment with broad-based gains across the board. Iron ore stocks in demand, BHP up 1.8% with RIO modestly higher despite copper heading to $10,000. Nickel stocks back as the metal hits a 7-month high, IGO up 2.3% and S32 doing well on a production report, up 5.6%. Gold miners slipped as tensions eased, EVN down 1.5% and NST off 1.4%. Oil and gas in a similar boat, WDS down 2.6% with STO off % and KAR copping some downgrades down %. Banks firmed but well off highs as Citi plays the ‘widowmaker’ trade and says sell banks. CBA up 0.9% and the Big Bank Basket up to $200.24 (+0.8%). MQG doing well up 1.8% with NWL in focus up 4.6%. REITs better despite bond yields rising, SGP up 1.6% and MGR up 0.9%. Industrials solid, WOW and COL up around 1.5%. QAN gained 3.6% on easing tensions and lower oil prices, TLS is up 1.4%, and CSL is doing very well, up 2.2% with COH to rallying 2.3%. In corporate news, some production reports out, BOE produced its first drum from Honeymoon. AIZ downgraded again, SGR fell again as inquiry continues. Dead man walking really. In economic news, China left rates unchanged. Asian market mixed, Japan up 0.6%, HK up 1.8% and China down slightly. 10-year yields higher at 4.32%Why not sign up for a free trial? Get access to expert market insights and manage your investments with confidence.Ready to invest in yourself? Join the Marcus Today community.
Pre-Market Report – Monday 22 April: Tensions Ease, Commodities Rise
6d ago
Pre-Market Report – Monday 22 April: Tensions Ease, Commodities Rise
Wall Street finished mostly lower overnight following a sharp sell-off of mega-cap tech stocks. Gains by American Express +6.22%, kept the Dow in the green, up 211 points (+0.56%). Up 327 points at best. Early gains on the S&P 500 and NASDAQ didn’t last, turning lower to book six straight sessions of losses, the longest streak of declines since October 2022. S&P 500 eased 0.88%, breaking below 5,000, and the NASDAQ stumbled over 2%. For the week, the S&P 500 fell 3.05%, NASDAQ 5.52%, and the Dow edged up 0.01%. Treasury yields eased marginally, oil eked out a miner gain after Iran downplayed the effect of Israeli strikes, and the VIX broke above 20 overnight before settling lower. The tech sector came under significant pressure this week after TSMC scaled back its outlook for a chip-market expansion and ASML Holdings posted disappointing orders, raising further concerns about what's to come from tech next week.ASX set to rise. SPI futures up 27 points Copper hits two-year high, nickel surges on talk of China buying.Nickel price hits seven-month high on talk of Chinese government buying.Iron ore retreats but set for second weekly gain on improving China demand.Gold on track for weekly rise as Middle East risks loom.Oil settles slightly higher as Iran plays down reported Israeli attack.US EPA allows temporary expansion of higher-ethanol gasoline blend this summer.Why not sign up for a free trial? Get access to expert market insights and manage your investments with confidence.Ready to invest in yourself? Join the Marcus Today community.
End of Day Report – Friday 19 April: Bears Romp on Limited Israeli Strikes on Iran
Apr 19 2024
End of Day Report – Friday 19 April: Bears Romp on Limited Israeli Strikes on Iran
ASX 200 drops 75 points to 7568 (-1.0%). Anyone would think there was a war on. Down 2.8% for the week, News filtered through during the morning of an Israeli strike in Iran, US futures plummeted, gold shot higher to $2415 at one stage and oil catapulted above $90 again. Down around 150 at it nadir. Some bargain hunters returned with news that it was a limited strike and buyers found courage, banks were hit with CBA down 0.8% and ANZ off 1.1% with the Big Bank Basket down to $198.67 (0.9%)% as MQG tumbled 1.6%. Financials were generally weaker as insurers fell hard, with bond yields falling as bond buyers back on safety trades. REITS also under pressure GMG down 1.6% and SGP off 2.7%. Defensive healthcare stocks held up slightly, with CSL off 0.7% and RMD bouncing a little up 1.1%. Industrials slightly squished across the board, WOW down 1.1% and WES off 0.8%, travel stocks also under pressure, FLT down 5.0% and CTD hit 4.6%. In resources, gold miners are obviously finding some friends, NST up 1.3%, with modest gains only with iron ore miners falling, BHP down 1.0%, and FMG hitting 2.0%. Lithium stocks depressed, PLS down 2.3% after quarterly report, in line but no one cared, MIN down 3.5% and oil and gas stocks surprisingly weak considering. In corporate news, WDS saw revenue collapse 31% and fell 0.2%, Richard Goyder announced he would be handing over the Captain’s hot seat early at QAN. WHC unchanged after coal sales slipped 17% On the economic front, Japanese inflation came in better than expected at 2.7%. Asian markets tugged lower by events in Iran, Japan down 1.9%, HK off 1.5%, China off 0.5%. 10-year yields down to 4.26%. Dow and NASDAQ Futures sharply lower down 295 and 194 points.   Rallying though. European markets down around 1%.Why not sign up for a free trial? Get access to expert market insights and manage your investments with confidence.Ready to invest in yourself? Join the Marcus Today community.
End of Day Report – Thursday 18 April: Jobs Data Fails to Move the Dial
Apr 18 2024
End of Day Report – Thursday 18 April: Jobs Data Fails to Move the Dial
ASX 200 rose 37 points to 7639 (+0.5%) off highs but bounces off 7600. Jobs data fails to stir. Good news for Iron ore miners with BHP production numbers and higher ore prices in Asia saw BHP up 1.5%, RIO up 1.7% and FMG lagging. Base metals finding friends again, MIN up 1.9% and PLS up 2.1%, with S32 modestly better, up 1.3%. Gold miners slightly mixed, EVN off 3.9% on broker downgrades after big rally. NST up 0.4% and NEM up 1.3%. Oil and gas stocks eased, WDS down another 0.4%. STO off 0.9% on production numbers. Banks were back in vogue, CBA up 0.7% and NAB up 0.9%, with the Big Bank Basket at $200.47 (0.7%). Insurers mixed, MQG up 1.2%. Healthcare remains under pressure, CSL is down again, and RMD trashed 4.3% on new drug trials from Ely Lilly on an alternative to sleep disorders. Industrials firmed slightly, and QAN had a good day, up 3.4%. Solly Lew has crept up the register in MYR to 31%. In corporate news, DRO conducted its own drone strike to raise $75m after big surge yesterday. MRM provided a good update, BSL fell 2.4% on US steel tariff changes, and CGF did well up 5.3% after raising guidance. On the economic front, we had an inline jobs numbers coming in at 3.8% unemployment. Nothing to see here, ANZ says first rate cut in November. Asian markets firmed, Japan up 0.5%, HK up 1.2% and China up 0.5%. 10-year yields at 4.29%. Dow Futures up 91 points. NASDAQ Futures up 88 points. Why not sign up for a free trial? Get access to expert market insights and manage your investments with confidence.Ready to invest in yourself? Join the Marcus Today community.
End of Day Report – Wednesday 17 April: Gold Shares Finally Perk Up
Apr 17 2024
End of Day Report – Wednesday 17 April: Gold Shares Finally Perk Up
ASX 200 closes down 7 to 7606 (-0.1%) in an anaemic bounce snuffed out at the close despite better US futures. Nerves surrounding Israel continue. Banks staged a slight recovery as BOQ beat forecasts despite a dividend cut, up 5.2%. The Big Bank Basket rose slightly to $199.04 (+0.2%). MQG slid another 1.0% with insurers finding friends as QBE rose 1.4% and SUN up 1.3%. REITs mixed too with GMG up 0.5% and SGP down 0.7%.  Healthcare mixed CSL down 0.8%, with RMD up 0.7%. Industrials were generally firm but uninspiring. WES up 0.7%, WOW and COL barely changed. Tech was better, with the All-Tech Index up 0.1% as XRO rose 0.7%. Retailers bouncing back too. In resources, BHP weighed in iron ore with a 1.2% loss. Gold shares finally perked up, with EVN shooting 7.5% higher on production numbers and falling AISC. Lithium stocks also slightly higher and LYC up 5.9% on Hancock stake. RNU up 26.5% in the graphite space after a government loan to develop Siviour. Oil and gas remain under pressure in the majors. Coal stocks slightly higher. In corporate news, RIO disappointed slightly with production numbers, DRO soared 18.5% on NATO news on drone orders. In economic news, nothing locally, Asian LNG prices hit highs not seen since January. Asian markets still suffering from the strong USD. Japan down 1.3%, China up 1.4% and HK off 0.5%. 10Y yields higher again at 4.38%. Dow Futures down 55 points. NASDAQ Futures down 82 points. Why not sign up for a free trial? Get access to expert market insights and manage your investments with confidence.Ready to invest in yourself? Join the Marcus Today community.
Pre-Market Report – Wednesday 17 April: US Markets Hold Despite Powell’s Comments
Apr 16 2024
Pre-Market Report – Wednesday 17 April: US Markets Hold Despite Powell’s Comments
Wall Street closed mixed overnight in choppy trading as the market weighed the latest round of quarterly reports and Powell's comments which drove bond yields to fresh 2024 highs. The Dow gained 64 points (+0.14%), getting a boost from UnitedHealth’s +5.2% better-than-expected Q1 results. Up 257 points at best, down 21 points at worst. The S&P 500 lost 0.21%, falling for a third consecutive session, and the NASDAQ slipped 0.12%. The S&P 500 and NASDAQ are now ~4% off record their record highs reached last month. Powell said recent inflation data has not given policymakers enough confidence to ease rates soon, noting that the Fed may need to keep rates higher for longer than previously expected. 2Y treasury yields briefly hit 5%, and the USD Index rose for a fifth consecutive session, hitting its highest level since November 1st.ASX to fall. SPI Futures down 23 points (-0.30%).Base metals lower, Copper -1.72%, Zinc -0.90%, Lead -1.74%, and Tin -1.43%.Aluminium was little changed, slipping 0.41% after hitting 22-month highs on Monday, and Nickel gave back some recent gains, falling 2.83%.Oil prices edged lower, WTI -0.07% and Brent Crude -0.31%.10Y Bond Yields – US 4.670%, Australia 4.373%, and Germany 2.485%.Currencies – AUD flat, USD Index +0.14%, Euro +0.02%, and Bitcoin +1.50%.Gold held steady at +0.01% amid ongoing tensions in the Middle East.Why not sign up for a free trial? Get access to expert market insights and manage your investments with confidence.Ready to invest in yourself? Join the Marcus Today community.
End of Day Report – Tuesday 16 April: Nice Day for a Red Wedding
Apr 16 2024
End of Day Report – Tuesday 16 April: Nice Day for a Red Wedding
ASX 200 falls hard by 140 points to 7613 (-1.8%) on Middle East tensions, US sell-off and Chinese data. Banks got sliced and diced, with CBA down 2.1% and the Big Bank Basket down to $199.47 (2.1%). MQG off 1.2%, and Insurers falling despite yields rising. REITs came under renewed pressure, with GMG down 2.0% and MGR off 3.6%. Healthcare fell too in defensives. CSL down 1.4% and COH off 1.1%. Industrials sold off across the board with tech hit hard, WTC down 0.4% and XRO off 1.6%, with the All-Tech Index off 1.6%. Supermarkets enjoyed a day in the red with a senate grilling on the menu with WOW off 1.2% with the CEO unable to say what ROE was. WES down 2.3% with TCL falling 1.4% and retailers finding willing sellers. PMV down 1.8%, APE off 1.5%, and JBH falling 2.9%. In resources, despite a falling AUD and rising commodity prices, iron ore stocks were under pressure BHP down 1.8% and RIO giving back all its gains from yesterday down 2.9%. FMG off 2.8%. S32 fell 4.7%, and MIN off 2.7%. Even gold miners enjoying a record bullion price fell again, NST down 0.6% and EVN down 1.5%. Lithium stocks eased, uranium fell too, PDN down 6.3%. Despite oil heading higher on Israel concerns, WDS fell yet again down 1.3%. In corporate news, DCG got a 30c bid from MAH. MAQ is in a trading halt pending a placement and strategic land acquisition. ZIP fell 11.0% on 3Q numbers. In economic news, Chinese data was the focus as GDP rose more than expected, but will it last. Asian market smacked, Japan off 2.0%, HK down 1.7%, and China falling 0.7%.10Y yields marching higher to 4.31% on safe-haven allure perhaps. Dow Futures 47 points. NASDAQ Futures down 19 points. Why not sign up for a free trial? Get access to expert market insights and manage your investments with confidence.Ready to invest in yourself? Join the Marcus Today community.
Pre-Market Report – Monday 15 April: US Wobbles on Middle East and Rising Risks
Apr 14 2024
Pre-Market Report – Monday 15 April: US Wobbles on Middle East and Rising Risks
US equities ended lower, near worst levels, after major US bank results failed to impress, and geopolitical tensions rose after news reports that Israel was bracing for an attack by Iran on government targets. The Dow tumbled 476 points (-1.24%), down 582 points at worst. The S&P 500 lost 1.46%, and the NASDAQ slipped 1.62%. The Dow and S&P 500 have fallen for a second consecutive week, down 2.37% and 1.55% and the NASDAQ fell 0.45%, now down three weeks straight. Banks earnings season kicked off, JPMorgan fell 6.14% after NII forecasts fell short of expectations, Wells Fargo edged lower 0.39% after posting profits fell 7% as NII dropped on weak borrowing demand, and Citi -1.7% reported a loss due to costs on employee severance and deposit insurance. US treasury yields rose, with the 10Y and 2Y both falling more than 5bps each as geopolitical tensions spurred safe-haven buying and Wall Street's “Fear gauge”, the VIX, spiked 16.1%, levels not seen since October.ASX SPI Futures down 49 points Saturday MorningBase metals higher, Nickel +0.40%, Lead +1.31%, and Tin +0.58%.Aluminium +1.26 and Zinc +2.04% at 14 and 12-month highs on signs of economic recovery in China.Copper gained 1.09% on expectations of a demand upswing on the back of potential rate cuts in the coming months.Gold fell 1.24%, paring earlier gains after hitting a record high.Brent Crude flat and WTI up 0.78%.Currencies – AUD -1.12%, USD Index +0.68%, Euro -0.36%, and Bitcoin -4.23%.10Y Bond Yields – US 4.520%, Australia 4.211%, and Germany 2.368%.Why not sign up for a free trial? Get access to expert market insights and manage your investments with confidence.Ready to invest in yourself? Join the Marcus Today community.