Market Updates

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.

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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

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Disclaimer
This podcast is general information only and does not consider your personal circumstances. It is not personal financial advice.

US equities were mixed, with tech outperforming losses in broader sectors as faster inflation weighed against the ongoing AI rally. The S&P 500 and the Nasdaq rose more than 0.5% while the Dow fell 200 points. Producer inflation surged more than expected in April, both for energy-exposed goods and non-energy services, to show that the impact of the war in the Middle East on prices has spread past direct fuel costs onto the broader economy. This coincided with a fresh increase in refined fuel prices this week amid the continued blockade of tankers in the Persian Gulf. Still, strong earnings prospectives from AI software and hardware producers continued to carry stock indices since the Q1 earnings season. Hyperscalers were higher premarket after SoftBank unveiled soaring gains from its private OpenAI stake. Also, Nvidia gained 2.5% as CEO Huang surprisingly joined other tech leaders and the US delegation in their summit with China.

SPI down 22 - Copper in focus - BAP warns- XRO updates

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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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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 fell another 40 points to 8630 (0.5%) as the banks came under intense pressure following the budget last night. Adding to the bank woes was the update from CBA, which shocked the market as bad debts rose and growth was sadly lacking. CBA fell an astonishing 10.4%, with the other three banks also falling hard on changes to housing policy in the budget. The CBA fall accounted for around 85 index points. The Big Bank Basket fell hard to $260.67 (-7.1%) as the Big Resource Basket soared 2.2%, overtaking the banks. BHP led resource stocks higher, hitting another record high, up 2.9%, and claiming the mantle back from CBA as the 'big Australian'. RIO also had a good day on the back of near-record highs in copper, with FMG also putting on the ritz. Given the fall in CBA, the index elsewhere had a good day.

The gold miners were in demand, although bullion was relatively stable. EVN up 0.6%, and NST up 1.0%. Lithium stocks had a small break today, with PLS easing back 0.9%, as did LTR, but rare earth stocks were back in demand, with LYC up a further 2.0%. Energy stocks were mixed, with WDS up 0.4% and STO having a good day, up 1.6%, but uranium stocks eased back, with PDN falling hard on results. Coal stocks firmed.

Industrials generally rose post-budget, with the REITs doing well. GMG up 1.4%, WES finding a base, up 0.4%, and even retail stocks looking a little firmer, JBH up 2.0%. One of the big winners was in the gaming space, with ALL updating the market with some latest numbers and rallying strongly, up 13.3%. Technology stocks were also in demand today. XRO rose after announcing some AI integration progress, although WTC was still on the nose. Healthcare stocks were also slightly better today, with CSL up 0.2% and RMD having a good day for a change, up 2.0%. Financials ex the banking sector were also firm, with AMP up 1.7% and GQG having a very good day, up 4.8%.

In corporate news, CSL signed a flu vaccine deal in South America, PRN also doing well up 8.4%, after being awarded a mining contract, and TPW fell again after guidance was cut. In other news, WTC fell slightly after DSV confirmed it will transition away from cargo-wise and on to an in-house solution. ALL was a huge winner on a first half beat.

Asian markets better with Japan up 1.2%, China up 0.5% and HK down 0.2%; The Kospi back up 2.4%

US futures modestly higher, Dow futures down 2, Nasdaq up 149. European futures opening slightly higher. US PPI tonight.

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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 stocks cut losses in the last three hours of trading, with the S&P 500 closing 0.2% lower, the Dow remaining near the flat line, and the Nasdaq falling 0.7%. Hot April CPI report consolidated worries that higher energy prices may dent earnings prospectives backing bets that the Fed will not cut rates this year against recent evidence of a robust labor market. Alphabet, Amazon, Microsoft, Tesla were down more than 1% while Nvidia and Apple turn positive. Chip and memory producers also declined as South Korea mulled establishing a universal dividend for the recent surges in AI infrastructure stocks, pressuring Broadcom and AMD to fall 2%. Meanwhile, telehealth company Hims & Hers plunged 15% after its first-quarter earnings report missed expectations.

SPI down 10 - Oil up - Gold slips - CBA 3Q results - Budget in focus.

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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 fell 31 points to 8671 (0.4%), as once again we saw selling in the banking sector weigh on the market. The Big Bank Basket fell to $280.74 (1.6%), with CBA down 1.4%, ANZ falling 2.1%, and MQG also coming off the boil, down 2.2%. Other financials also eased back, NWL dropped 3.0% and XYZ down 3.1%. Once again, we also saw REITs under pressure, with SCG off 1.1% and CHC down 1.2%. Industrials were also weaker across the board, led lower by WES down 1.8%, with two supermarkets falling heavily and the tech sector under renewed pressure, with WTC falling 5.9% and XRO falling 3.5%. The All-Tech Index fell yet again by 2.8%. In the healthcare space, a continuation of the falls, as brokers downgraded CSL and it fell another 2.2%, with RMD also now heading much lower, down 3.4%. Retail stocks also suffering, with JBH off 2.1% and HVN falling 2.5%.

Resource stocks, though, had a good day, with BHP hitting record highs up 2.5%, with RIO leaping 3.1% and FMG also firming. Gold stocks were also doing well today on the back of a higher bullion price, with EVN up 2.8% and NEM also doing well, up 4.4%. S32 had a good day, and lithium stocks also powering ahead, with LTR roaring up 5.3%. Oil and gas stocks were slightly firmer, with coal and uranium stocks both under pressure, with PDN falling 3.9%.

On the corporate front, DRO fell heavily after ASIC announced an investigation into Director Selling. HLO rose slightly after Peter Costello was appointed a director. IAG firmed 1.9% after it unveiled its refreshed ‘Ambition 2030’ strategy.

In economic news, business credit demand flattened in the first quarter. Business conditions fell for the fourth straight month in April, according to the NAB monthly business survey, and we did see the ANZ Roy Morgan survey as well of consumer sentiment hitting lows again. It dropped 3.1% to 64.1%, the fourth lowest reading since the series started in 1973.

Asian markets saw losses today; Japan up 0.5% on the Nikkei, HK flat%, and China down 0.3%. Kospi fell 3.2%

US futures headed lower. Dow down 10, Nasdaq down 130. 10-year yields drifted to 4.99%. European markets are set to open lower. US CPI tonight.

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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 stocks rose on Monday, rebounding from a subdued start to the session, as the S&P 500 added 0.2% and the Nasdaq gained 0.1% to reach fresh record highs, supported by a strong rally in chipmakers amid continued optimism over AI-driven demand. The Dow Jones also advanced 95 points. Among the standout performers, Nvidia climbed 2%, Tesla surged 3.9%, Qualcomm jumped 8.4%, and AMD added 0.8%. Micron Technology soared 6.5%, as labour unrest at Samsung Electronics and ongoing supply constraints fuelled expectations of tighter memory-chip markets. Energy, materials and industrial stocks also posted solid gains. The market’s advance came despite another increase in oil prices after US President Donald Trump rejected Iran’s response to his proposal, warning that the ceasefire was on “life support”. Investors were also turning their attention to an expected summit later this week between President Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping.

SPI up 13 - Gold firms - Oil jumps - Budget in focus.

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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 dropped 43 points to 8702 (0.5%) as CSL shocked investors again, with a huge write-off and a downgrade to guidance. CSL accounted for most of the loss today.  Elsewhere, banks recovered some from earlier large losses, CBA down 1.1% and ANZ, XD down 2.4%. The Big Bank Basket fell to $285.25 (-1.1%) ANZ XD.  MQG flat, well off session lows. Other financials found their feet, NWL up 1.1%, and IFT pushing another 3.7% ahead. REITS eased back except GMG, which was up 2.1%. Industrials mixed, BXB fell 1.4%, QAN dropped 1.8% as oil rose in Asian trade, ALL down 1.0%, and retailers still struggling somewhat. WOW and COL ease, but healthcare was shaken by CSL dropping 16.0% with SIG also slipping slightly. Tech was flat as we await the Xi/Trump meeting and the economic data this week.

Resources were mostly better, BHP up 0.7% and RIO doing well, up another % with gold miners easing on bullion, NST down 1.9% and GGP off 2.6%. Lithium and rare earths rose higher ahead of the summit, WDS rose 1.5%, and uranium stocks recovered from early losses. PDN up 5.8% and DYL rising 4.6%.

In corporate news, ING upgraded enough to not fall foul of investors, CSL was a bloodbath, and OML got another NBIO from PE.

Nothing today locally on the economic front. Chinese CPI came in higher than expected.

Asian markets saw losses today; Japan slipped 0.4% on the Nikkei, HK down 0.2%, and China up 1.4%. Kospi up 4% again.

US futures are mixed. Dow down 88, Nasdaq down 5. 10-year yields drifted to 4.99%. European markets are set to open slightly 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.

The US markets just keep on keeping on. The S&P 500 ended up 0.84% at 7,398 and the Nasdaq gained 1.71% to 26,247, both hitting record highs. The Dow was little changed, up 12 points to 49,609. The tech sector led with the sector up 1.8%. Both the S&P 500 and Nasdaq logged their sixth straight weekly gain, with the S&P 500 now up +8% year to date and the Nasdaq up +13%.

SPI down 42 - Budget looms - CSL downgrade and impairment - OML bid.

—

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 we dropped 134 points to 8744 (-1.5%) today as the banking sector came under extreme pressure. We saw CBA down 1.9%, WBC down 4.8% ex-dividend today and the Big Bank Basket falling to $288.50 (-2.3%). Other financials also under pressure today, with the insurers falling as QBE updated the market on their gross written premium expectations and MQG suffering after reporting their second-biggest profit ever, falling 1.1%. Other financials also in trouble today included GQG falling 4.1% and the ASX down 3.2% too, with ZIP giving up some of its gains this week. REITs also under pressure with GMG down 1.9% and SCG down 2.4%. Industrials generally were weaker today, with WES continuing to fall as well, down 2.0% with ALL slipping lower too. Healthcare once again eased back, with CSL falling again and RMD slipping 0.9%. Both COL and WOW slipped today, as well as utilities, where we had ORG down 2.3% and APA down 2.0%.

Resources generally were somewhat better than their banking cousins, with BHP down only 1.0%, RIO off 0.8%, and the gold miners easing back, but generally a little mixed, and we had NST down 2.5%. Lithium stocks slipped, and we saw energy stocks as well under some pressure, with WDS down 1.4% and the coal stocks easing back together with uranium stocks.

In corporate news today, REA rose 1.4% despite lowering its full-year cost growth guidance. QBE reaffirmed its guidance, and TAH continued to fall on analyst downgrades following the investigation launched by AUSTRAC. We also had NWS results today with a stronger-than-expected third quarter.

Nothing on the economic front as we await US NFP numbers for April. Locally, Westpac pushed out its next RBA rate rise to August. UK Council elections see 'Reform' doing well.

Asian markets saw losses today; Japan slipped 0.4% on the Nikkei, HK down 1.1% and China down 0.5%.

US futures slightly higher. Dow up 85, Nasdaq up 137. European markets set to fall around 0.7%.

—

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 S&P 500 fell on Thursday after hitting a new all-time intraday high as oil prices came back from sizable losses, with traders eyeing more developments between the U.S. and Iran.

The broad market index fell 0.38% to close at 7,337.11, dragged lower by losses in Amazon as well as semiconductor stocks such as Broadcom and Micron Technology. The Nasdaq Composite slid 0.13% and ended at 25,806.20. The tech-heavy index had also scored a fresh all-time high during the session. The Dow Jones Industrial Average shed 313.62 points, or 0.63%, settling at 49,596.97.

Oil prices came off their session lows after trading meaningfully below $100 earlier in the session. U.S. West Texas Intermediate crude futures settled down 0.28% at $94.81 per barrel, while international Brent crude futures fell 1.19%, closing at $100.06 a barrel.

SPI down 159 – MQG results beat – Gold steady – Waiting for Iranian answer and NFP

—

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.