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

Pre-Market Report – Tuesday 10 September: US markets rally | Apple event
Yesterday
Pre-Market Report – Tuesday 10 September: US markets rally | Apple event
Wall Street kicked off the week higher with all three major indexes gaining over 1%, buoyed by bargain hunting following last week's sharp sell-off. Attention now shifts to this week's CPI data for more clues on the size of the Fed rate cut. The Dow Jones gained 484 points (+1.2%). Up 655 points at best. The S&P 500 rose 1.16% snapping a five-day losing streak after its worst start to a September on record. The NASDAQ rose 1.16% with Nvidia +3.5% and Tesla +2.6% leading gains. Apple finished flat after falling ~2% as it unveiled its AI-boosted iPhone 16 with improvements in its Siri personal assistant, beginning in test mode next month. Small caps Russell 2000 edged 0.30% higher and the VIX slumped 13.1%.ASX SPI up 78Local: Westpac consumer confidence August at 10.30am, NAB business confidence and conditions August at 11.30am.Anglo American hired advisers to sell two nickel mines in Brazil, says country head.Oil prices edge up as storm approaches US Gulf Coast after week of heavy losses.Traders see oil prices at $60-$70/bbl on oversupply, China demand risks.China lithium prices hit new low on macro concerns, surging supplies.China plans to include steel, cement and aluminium in its carbon market in 2024.Gold prices steady with spotlight on US inflation data.Copper bounces as market looks ahead to US inflation data.Chile copper exports hit $4.27bn in August.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 9 September: ASX 200 recovers to only be down 25 points
Yesterday
End of Day Report – Monday 9 September: ASX 200 recovers to only be down 25 points
ASX 200 rallied back from early losses to close only 25 points down at 7990 (-0.3%). No follow through this morning as resources found some bargain hunters and banks eased only slightly. The Big Bank Basket dropped to $245.27 (-0.5%). Losses across the financials, MQG off 0.6% and insurers falling, QBE down 0.4% and SUN down 1.3%. REITS were positive across the board with some M&A in HPI keeping the spice in the sector. GMG up 0.7% and SGP up 2.2%. Industrials were generally weaker, retail stocks suffered as PMV fell 3.9% on a trading update and the Smiggle boss sacked. LOV fell 4.5% with SUL down % on its ex-dividend, DMP continued lower and travel stocks in trouble, CTD down 5.3%. Iron ore miners perked up, BHP up 0.8% and FMG up 0.5% with some small gains in lithium stocks. PLS unchanged and LYC up 4.1%. Gold miners on the nose following bullion falls in USD. NST down 0.5%, EVN dropped 3.0% and RED off 3.3%. Oil and gas weaker. In corporate news, WBC has a new ‘King’ in Anthony Miller, HPI saw a bid from Charter Hall Retail, and on the economic front, Business turnover rose 1.0% in July. Asian markets eased, Japan down 0.7%, HK off 2.0% and China down 1.3%. 10Y yields rose to 3.94%. Dow and NASDAQ Futures up 0.3% and 0.5% respectively.  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 9 September: US drops on jobs number | WBC has a new king
2d ago
Pre-Market Report – Monday 9 September: US drops on jobs number | WBC has a new king
US equities finished the week on a negative note, weighed down by concerns over a slowing labor market and a tech sell-off. All three major indexes finished lower, with almost all sectors in the S&P 500 finishing in the red. S&P 500 lost 1.73%, falling for a fourth consecutive session and the NASDAQ slid 2.55% dragged down by heavy losses in the Magnificent Seven. Nvidia -4.1%, Alphabet -4.1%, Meta -3.2%, and Microsoft -1.6%. The Dow closed near worst levels, down 410 points (-1.01%). Up 254 points at best. Down 458 points at worst. For the week Dow fell 2.93%, and S&P 500 dropped 4.24% their biggest weekly fall since March 2023, while the NASDAQ tumbled 5.78% its biggest weekly drop since January 2022.ASX SPI Futures down 102 pointsCopper slid 1.1% driven by a stronger dollar and mixed US jobs data, stoking concerns over global growth.Tin rose 0.7% and is up ~21% this year, driven by tight supply and strong demand linked to the energy transition, reflected in higher semiconductor sales, according to BofA Securities analysts.Dalian iron ore futures fell 2.52% as soft Chinese economic data dampened demand expectations in the steel market.Gold prices fell 0.77% to $2,497 per ounce overnight, retreating from near-record levels.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 5 September: ASX 200 up 32 | Bullock talks tough
5d ago
End of Day Report – Thursday 5 September: ASX 200 up 32 | Bullock talks tough
ASX 200 rose 32 points with a late spurt to 7982 (+0.4%). Gains were modest as Michele Bullock poured yet more cold water on any rate cuts this year in a speech. Banks were again the strength. CBA up 1.0%, NAB up 1.5% and the Big Bank Basket up to $242.68 (+1.3%). MQG rallied 1.3% with other financials doing well. CGF dropped 11.0% on news Apollo was selling down its stake. Insurers eased back, QBE down 1.2% and SUN dimmed by 0.9%. REITs firm again, GMG up 1.6% and GPT racing ahead up 2.9%. Industrials mixed, WES off 1.3%, ALL down 0.5% and CPU falling 0.8%. REA rose 2.2% and TPG up 1.8% after being cleared by the ACCC. Tech better, WTC up 1.3% and the All-Tech Index up 1.5%. Resources a mixed bag, with some signs of life in BHP up 0.7% and RIO rallying 1.3% with FMG off 0.4%. MIN was whacked again, down another 5.9%, with PLS hanging in. Just. Gold miners were modestly better, oil and gas majors slid, WDS down 6.8% on ex-dividend and crude weakness. In corporate news, Optus and TPG got ACCC clearance, CRN fell 16.0% on rain-interrupting play in QLD. On the economic front, Bullock gave a hawkish speech on the risks of inflation and recessions. Asian markets weaker, with Japan down 0.5%, HK off 0.6% and China -0.1%.10Y yields steady at 3.92%. 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 – Thursday 5th September: US markets steady | SPI up 2
6d ago
Pre-Market Report – Thursday 5th September: US markets steady | SPI up 2
US equities closed mixed following a choppy trading session as treasury yields slumped on jobs data and Nivida extended its two-day sell-off to 11%. The Dow edged higher, up 38 points (+0.09%). Up 236 points at best. Down 96 points at worst. S&P 500 and NASDAQ closed lower, down 0.16% and 0.30%, respectively dragged down by losses in Energy and Tech stocks. Russell 2000 fell 0.16% and the VIX rose 2.90%. Philadelphia SE Semiconductor index rebounded from its biggest one-day drop since COVID-19, gaining 0.25%. US JOLTS report showed job openings fell to a 3.5-year low in July, signalling an easing labour market, which may further strengthen a greater rate cut by the Fed later this month.Economic growth slowed across the country while prices rose “modestly” and employers grew more reluctant to hire and choosier about who they selected for job openings, the Federal Reserve reported in the Beige Book.ASX to inch higher. SPI Futures up 2 points (+0.03%). COMMODITIESChile's top court rejects Tianqi appeal to halt SQM-Codelco deal, newspaper says.Gold rebounds from lows after weak US jobs openings data.Copper steadies after hitting three-week low on global growth worries.Crude futures settle down by more than $1/bbl on demand fears.OPEC+ reportedly discussing delaying planned oil output hike in October, according to sources.Citi says average price of oil could drop to $60 per barrel in 2025 due to weak demand and increased supply.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 4 September: ASX 200 falls 1.9% | Resources mauled
6d ago
End of Day Report – Wednesday 4 September: ASX 200 falls 1.9% | Resources mauled
ASX 200 fell 153 points to 7951 (-1.9%) as all sectors suffered after big US and Asian falls. GDP coming in tepid at best did not help sentiment either. Resources were in the seller’s sights with iron ore majors under serious pressure, The Three Amigos showing big losses and FMG falling 8.5% ex dividend too. Lithium and uranium stocks were smacked hard, PLS down 6.2% and MIN falling another 5.4%, with gold miners also on the nose despite bullion holding up relatively well. NST is down 2.2%, and EVN is dropping 5.5% as brokers would back copper forecasts, too. Oil and gas were under pressure as WTI slipped below $70. WDS down 2.5% and STO off 2.6%. Banks the previous pillars of strength finally capitulated, with CBA down 2.4%, NAB dropping 2.5% and the Big Bank Basket falling to $239.48 (-2.3%). MQG dropped 1.2%, with the ASX off 1.6% and SOL down 1.5%. Insurers were mixed, QBE actually firmed 1.2%, REITs sold down in line with the market malaise. Healthcare fell with CSL down 0.7% and SHL down 3.8%. Industrials were weaker too as expected, WES fell 1.8% and COL and WOW slid. Tech under some pressure, WTC off 2.0% and XRO down 2.5%, with the All-Tech Index off 2.1%. In economic news, GDP came in at 0.2% weaker than expected with government spending holding things up as the economy slides even further. On the corporate front, ABB sold its SLC stake, ORA sold its US packaging business, and STO announced it will sell more LNG to Glencore. Asian markets fell hard, Japan off 4.4% and HK and China down but only modestly. 10Y yields dropped to 3.93%. Dow Futures down 126 points. NASDAQ Futures down 114 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 4 September: US markets spike lower | SPI down 94
1w ago
Pre-Market Report – Wednesday 4 September: US markets spike lower | SPI down 94
US equities slumped overnight, recording its worst day since the August 5th meltdown driven by economic concerns and a tech selloff. The S&P 500 lost 2.12%, and the NASDAQ 100 fell 3.15%, their worst start to September since 2015 and 2002. September being one of the markets' historically worst-performing months. The Dow traded lower all session ending 626 points lower (-151%). Down 785 points at worst. Small caps Russell 2000 tumbled 3.09%, and the VIX soared 33.25%. Nvidia slid 9.5% wiping out $279bn in market cap, in a record one-day wipeout for a US stock. Chip stocks followed suit pushing the Philadelphia SE Semiconductor index 7.8% lower. Weak US manufacturing data dampened market sentiment, with the manufacturing PMI rising to 47.2 in August, missing expectations of 47.5, marking the 21st monthly contraction in the last 22 periods.ASX to tumble. SPI Futures off 94 points (-1.17%). COMMODITIESAlgorithmic traders extend short oil exposure, adding to downside pressure.Oil slumps about 5% as end to Libyan dispute in sight.Goldman Sachs exits copper long position; trims price forecast by $5k on weak China demand. Gold at over one-week low on firm dollar, US payrolls data awaited.Copper stumbles to two-week low on Chinese demand fears.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 3 September: ASX closes down 7 on quiet trade | Banks up
1w ago
End of Day Report – Tuesday 3 September: ASX closes down 7 on quiet trade | Banks up
ASX 200 fell 7 points to close at 8103 (-0.1%). Pre-US trade resuming after the Labor Day holiday. Once again, the banks pushed up, and resources fell down. The Big Bank Basket rose to $245.06 (+1.0%). Other financials did well. MQG was up 1.3% on news that it has sold AirTrunk for $23.5bn. Insurers were solid, too. QBE up 0.8% and SUN better by 1.4%. REITs firmed, GPT up 0.6% with industrials slightly weaker, WOW, COL and WES went ex-dividend, CPU slid 1.0% and QAN down 1.9% on Cathy news of engine issues. Tech pushed on, WTC up 2.4% and XRO up 0.7% with the All -Tech Index up 0.5%. A different story as usual in the resource space, BHP lost 1.7% with RIO falling 1.7% and FMG dropping 2.6%, lithium stocks remain depressed and MIN dived 8.5%. Gold miners were mixed as some bargain hunters stepped in, Energy stocks weakened, WDS down 0.2% and uranium stocks unless pressure again. In corporate news, EML rose 3.6% after completing its sale of Sentenial. On the economic front, the current account deficit widened to $10.7bn in the June quarter – well above forecasts of a shortfall of $5.9bn. GDP due tomorrow, economist are downgrading expectations on BoP numbers. Now 0.2% the number to look for. Asian markets mixed again, Japan off 0.3%, China up 0.2% and HK down 0.4%. 10-year yields around 4.0%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 2 September: ASX 200 up 18, missed it by that much!
Sep 2 2024
End of Day Report – Monday 2 September: ASX 200 up 18, missed it by that much!
ASX 200 rose 18 points to 8113 (0.2%) heading to an all-time high as banks shook off early nerves and sauntered higher. Failed to hold the record. CBA up 1.6% and NAB up 1.3% with the Big Bank Basket up to $242.68 (1.4%). MQG rose 0.6% and insurers also doing well, QBE up 0.9% and SUN up 0.8%. REITs are also in demand, SGP up 0.8% with industrials turning from losses to gains, WOW up 0.4% following the sale of its EDV stake, COL up 0.9% and tech picking up, WTC up 2.2%, and XRO rising 0.6%. Resources were as usual in the dog house as iron ore fell below $00 in Singapore, BHP off 1.1% , RIO down 1.4%, and PLS dropping 4.4% with MIN struggling to find a level, down 1.6%. Gold miners saw big sellers, NST off 1.1%, PRU fell 4.9% and GMD down 3.1% despite little change to AUD bullion. Oil and gas stocks better, WDS up 1.4% and STO up 1.1% with uranium stocks weaker again. In corporate news, REA fell 5.3% as it confirmed that it was taking a look at UK’s Righmove. SGR was suspended for failure to publish its full year results. In economic news, we had local building approvals and China’s Caixin PMI slightly above expectations. Asian markets: Japan up 0.1%, China down 1.2% and HK down 1.7%. 10-year yields pushed up to 4.01%.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 30 August: ASX 200 up 47 | APX, DOW, HVN, RHC results
Aug 30 2024
End of Day Report – Friday 30 August: ASX 200 up 47 | APX, DOW, HVN, RHC results
ASX 200 finished the week up 47 points to 8092 (+0.6%). For the month we are unchanged! Coincident? Pushed at close too. Solid gains across the board, banks as usual heading higher, CBA up 0.5% and the Big Bank Basket hitting new records, up to $239.31 (+0.6). Insurers also did well as yields rose. QBE up 0.6% and SUN up 1.1% with SQ2 bounding 3.1% ahead. Industrials solid too, REH up 2.2% and SVW ahead by 1.4%. REITs better GMG up 0.9% and SCG up 0.9%. Supermarkets eased back, WES down 2.0%, and WOW and COL eased back. Retail took heart from economic data today, JBH up 1.7% and PMV rising 0.9%. Travel stocks fining some friends, WEB bouncing back 0.6% on some book squaring. Resources were slightly higher. BHP continues to bounce around $40 up 0.6% with FMG easing 1.6% on broker comments. Gold miners doing ok, nothing spectacular, NST up 1.7% and EVN up 1.0%. Lithium stocks a little less depressed, PLS up 2.1% and LTR up 3.5%, with MIN still struggling down 1.1%. Oil and gas better, WDS up 2.1% and uranium stocks bouncing slightly. In corporate news, HVN fell 6.4% on soft numbers; Gerry reckons PE will take him out. DOW knocked it out of the park on results up 17.0%, and RHC continues to suffer from cost pressures, down 6.8%. Brookfield dodged a bullet there. On the economic front, retail sales buoyed things and led to higher yields at 3.97%. Asian markets are showing some strength, Japan up 0.7% on CPI numbers, China up 1.3% and HK up 2.2%. 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 29 August: ASX drops 26 | Results and resources
Aug 29 2024
End of Day Report – Thursday 29 August: ASX drops 26 | Results and resources
ASX 200 fights back to be down only 26 points to 8048 (-0.3%). Plenty of R&R today. Results and resources. Banks were firm as usual. The playbook remains the same even as CEOs appear in Canberra. CBA up 0.2% and NAB striding ahead with a 0.6% gain. The Big Bank Basket up to $237.86 (+0.4%). Other financials also slightly firmer, with MQG up 0.7% and ASX up 1.1%. REITs mixed, GMG down 0.5% and GPT up 0.6%. Industrials were weak, led lower by WES, down 4.1%, with outlook statement weighing. WOW fell 2.4% on numbers and reaction, retail slightly lower, JBH down 0.7% and LOV fell another 2.6% on broker verdicts. WEB fell 5.6% on broker downgrades following annual report. Tech better, WTC up 0.8% and XRO up 1.1%, with the All-Tech Index down 0.15%. Resources once again a graveyard, BHP fell 0.6% RIO off 0.8%, with FMG rising slightly on better broker commentary. Gold miners sold off hard, RED down 12.3% on worse-than-expected results, DEG down 2.0% and BGL falling 4.5%. Lithium was depressed again with PLS down 3.0% and MIN falling 8.1% on a dividend miss and higher debt. Uranium and coal stocks also on the nose. In results today, QAN in rehab up 0.8%, CTT in the doghouse after soft numbers down 20.0%, SLX cratered down 13.0%, and CUV rose 10.9% on its numbers. BGA rose cream-like to the top up 9.4%, and SXG also in demand. On the economic front, nothing really significant ahead of US PCE. Asian markets dead, Japan unchanged%, HK up 0.1% and China off 0.4%. 10-year yields rose to 3.95%. 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.