Market Updates

Marcus Today – Daily Market Insights

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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.

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.

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.

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 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
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Join Marcus Today
Use code MTPODCAST for 10% off
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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.

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 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
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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.

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 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
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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.

The ASX 200 finished up 30 points at 8887 (0.3%) after giving up the morning gains before the RBA's decision to raise rates. Trading was relatively quiet ahead of the Cup and the RBA decision, with CBA up 1.0%, whilst the other three banks drifted slightly. The Big Bank Basket closed at $285.36 (0.6%). MQG had a good day, up 1.2%, and other financials did well, with SOL up 1.9% and PNI up 3.1%. HUB had a very good day, up 4.8%. AMP continued to stumble around, falling another 9.4%, and insurers were a little weaker. Industrials were strong, with retail doing well on the back of the RBA decision. JBH were up 3.1%, WES up 1.7%, and the tech sector got a boost despite Nasdaq's falls. WTC up 3.2% and NXT up 5.4%. The defensive supermarkets rose, with WOW up 1.1% and COL up 1.7%, together with TLS rising too. In the REITs, we saw good gains, as it may be that rates have peaked, with GMG up 2.4% and SCG up 3.7%.

 Meanwhile, it was a mixed picture in resources: BHP, RIO, and FMG not doing much, with the gold miners slightly firmer, with GMD up 0.8% and NEM up 1.2%. Some tentative moves higher in lithium stocks, but rare earths still wallowing. Oil and gas stocks inevitably fell after the crude price fell, with WDS down 3.5% and STO down 1.8%. Uranium stocks remain toxic, and the fallout continues. Even coal stocks had a bad day, with WHC down 5.1% and NHC down 5.4%.

In corporate news, ARF upped its distribution guidance and rose 3.8%. AMP fell again after Barrenjoey cut its rating on the stock to neutral, and CEH unchanged on AGM comments.

In economic news, we saw, once again, consumer confidence fall, and the RBA grasped the nettle and raised rates by 25bps, as Michelle Bullock laid out the case for keeping rates on hold further down the track. Midterms in focus tonight.

Asian markets mixed, Japan closed for Culture Day. 

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.

The Nasdaq Composite and S&P 500 fell on Monday, giving up earlier gains, as investors continued to move out of tech stocks and add exposure to other parts of the market.

The tech-heavy Nasdaq dipped 1.07% to end at 25,164.32, while the S&P 500 shed 0.51% to close at 7,541.40. Both benchmarks were up as much as 1.4% and 1.1%, respectively. The Dow Jones Industrial Average outperformed, rising 213.67 points, or 0.41%, to 51,983.98.

Shares of Nvidia and Meta Platforms each dipped 1%. Apple, which reports earnings after the bell, closed nearly 2% lower. Marvell Technology shares dropped almost 13%, while Lumentum shed 18% after the companies announced that Marvell is buying Lumentum in a $115 billion deal. 

SPI up 58 - Oil drops 7% - Gold rallies - Apple results

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.

The ASX 200 gave up some early strength to close down 52 points at 8,857 (0.6%), with the banks turning negative despite a solid result from WBC, which rose 1%. Elsewhere, CBA, NAB, and ANZ all slid. The Big Bank Basket fell to $283.71 (0.8%). Financials elsewhere were mixed. MQG fell 0.4% ahead of results later this week, AMP was sold down 7.5% on no news, GQG also suffering as tech stocks in the US fell. Insurers also drifted lower, led by QBE down 1.4%. REITs were mixed with GMG down 1.3% and CHC making up some ground. Healthcare eased, RMD fell 5.8% on results, CSL managed a small rise, FPH also falling 3.5%.

Industrials were mixed, ALL up 1.0% and TCL doing better, CPU dropped 1.2% and WOW and COL found sellers. Tech stocks eased, WTC down 0.7% and XRO off 0.7%. The All - Tech Index fell 0.2%. In resources, weakness continued, with BHP down 1.4% and RIO down 1.2%. Lithium stocks drifted somewhat lower, and the gold miners were also easier, led lower by NST down 4.8%. Bullion prices rose in Asian trade, helping some to be only modestly lower. Oil and gas stocks fell, with WDS down 1.9%, and coal stocks also eased, with WHC down 1.2%. Uranium was slightly firmer as bargain hunters emerged on stronger spot prices.

In company news, Westpac WBC results were solid but uninspiring. KMD looks to be in takeover talks with the U.S. aggressor.

In economic news, Chinese factory activity expanded at a slower pace for the first time since July, and we saw both NAB and CBA cut estimates for local economic growth.

Asian markets firmed, Japan up 0.4%, China up 1.3% and HK up 0.6%.

US Futures pushing 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.

US stock indices closed sharply lower on Friday amid a major selloff in technology shares. The S&P 500 fell 1.8%, the Nasdaq tumbled 3.5%, and the Dow lost 572 points following disappointing tech earnings. Intel plunged 28.6% after issuing weaker-than-expected guidance. Amazon fell 1.4% after Q3 results missed expectations and it announced higher capital spending. Signs of a slowdown in AI-related business growth have sharpened scrutiny of the durability of AI demand and whether the huge sums being invested in the technology will generate sufficient returns. Among chipmakers, Nvidia fell 4.2%, AMD slumped 11%, Broadcom shed 5.5%, and Micron lost 5.3%. Among hyperscalers, Alphabet extended losses by 1.4% after a slump of 12.6%. Elsewhere, ExxonMobil gained 2.2% and Chevron advanced 1.7% as both topped Q3 forecasts. For the week, the S&P 500 fell 0.9%, the Nasdaq shed 2.4%, and the Dow lost 1.2%. For the month, the S&P 500 declined 0.9%, the Nasdaq lost 6.6%, while the Dow added 1.7%.

SPI down 4 - WBC results - Gold falls hard - Bitcoin drops on Binance news

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.