Market Updates
A twice-daily podcast from the Marcus Today team for self-directed investors.
Published every weekday before the ASX open and after the close (AEST), these short updates cover what's moving markets, key developments overnight, and the themes shaping the trading day.
Clear. Practical. No noise.
Episodes
2288 episodes
Pre-Market Report – Tuesday 21 April: US markets drift slightly lower | Tim Cook to step down
Stocks slipped on Monday after tensions between the U.S. and Iran escalated over the weekend.The S&P 500 shed 0.24% to close at 7,109.14, while the Nasdaq Composite declined 0.26% to finish at 24,404.39, with the latter snapping its ...
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11:43
End of Day Report – Monday 20 April: ASX 200 up 6 points | Banks better but NAB takes a hit
The ASX 200 fought back from early losses to close up just 6 points to 8953. US futures were negative all day, some defensive buying and CBA helping keep the market flat. CBA rose % with the Big Bank Basket rising to $299.12 (0.2%...
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11:35
Pre-Market Report – Monday 20 April: Weekend events sow confusion | US futures down 0.8%
The S&P 500 jumped 1.2% to close at 7,126.06, crossing the 7,100 threshold for the first time. The Nasdaq Composite gained 1.52% and settled at 24,468.48 for its 13th consecutive winning day and its longest positive streak since 1992....
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14:05
End of Day Report – Friday 17 April: ASX 200 down 8 points | Lithium and tech up
The ASX 200 limped lower by 8 points to 8937 (0.1%) for a flat week. Banks continued to be weaker, NAB falling another 2.0% and WBC off 0.7%. The Big Bank Basket fell to $298.43 (-0.3%). Financials mixed, HUB rose 2....
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13:22
Pre-Market Report – Friday 17 April: US markets firm | Netflix drops on results
The S&P 500 and Nasdaq Composite rose to fresh all-time highs on Thursday, adding to their strong gains this week on optimism for a possible resolution to the Iran war.The broad market index gained 0.26% to close at 7,041.28, while t...
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11:03
End of Day Report – Thursday 16 April: ASX 200 drops 24 as banks tank | Tech resurrection
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:...
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13:56
Pre-Market Report – Thursday 16 April: US markets hit records on peace hopes | Tech leads
The S&P 500 and Nasdaq Composite rose to new all-time highs on Wednesday, building on the week’s strong gains as investors remained hopeful about the Iran war potentially ending soon.The broad market index gained 0.80%, ending at 7,0...
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14:39
End of Day Report – Wednesday 15 April: ASX 200 wilts to close up just 8 points | Gold miners in demand
The ASX 200 closed up a mere 8 points to 8979 (0.1%) after an enthusiastic start petered out. Banks went all soggy on some broker doubts, WBC dropped another % and the Big Bank Basket fell to $306.62 (%). Other financials fared ok...
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14:04
Pre-Market Report – Wednesday 15 April: US markets head higher | Gold jumps, oil falls
US stocks rose on Tuesday following a strong session in which traders shrugged off a breakdown in peace talks between the U.S. and Iran, yet were optimistic that a deal between the two countries was still possible.The S&P 500 gained ...
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15:39
End of Day Report – Tuesday 14 April: ASX 200 jumps 45 | WBC and QAN warnings in focus
The ASX 200 jumped 45 points to finish at 8971 (0.5%). Despite banks under pressure, the index made good solid gains. The Big Bank Basket fell to $308.15 (0.5%) with WBC down 2.6% on an outlook statement for HY results. ANZ...
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14:54
Pre-Market Report – Tuesday 14 April
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:...
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5:26
End of Day Report – Monday 13 April: ASX 200 falls 35 in quiet, cautious trade | Goldman Sachs tonight
The ASX 200 finished down 35 points to 8926 in a quiet, cautious start to the week. The focus was on weekend events with the market taking its lead from US futures which stabilised after a bump down. Losses pretty much across the board, banks e...
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13:41
Pre-Market Report – Monday 13 April: US markets mixed Friday | US futures down 1% on weekend news
US equities finished mostly lower in Friday trading. S&P snapped a seven-day string of gains. Software was a notable decliner again (IGV was down more than 7% this week); other laggards included insurers, banks (particularly regionals), PE,...
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14:01
End of Day Report – Friday 10 April: ASX 200 closes down 13 | On hold for weekend negotiations
The ASX 200 finished a very strong week down 13 points to 8961 as we await further Iranian negotiations. For the week, we were up over 4.4%, the best week since October 2022. Banks were steady despite some issues with mortgages on the AFR front...
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15:09
Pre-Market Report – Friday 10 April: US markets firm on peace hopes | Oil rises, VIX falls
Stocks extended their rally Thursday, even as oil prices gained, amid continued optimism among traders that the fragile two-week ceasefire between the U.S. and Iran could be sustained.The S&P 500 added 0.62% and ended at 6,824.66, wh...
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13:06
Pre-Market Report – Thursday 9 April: US markets jump on ceasefire | SPI off 22
Stocks soared Wednesday after President Donald Trump suspended attacks on Iran for two weeks, pausing a five-week conflict that closed a crucial waterway for global energy supplies. The Dow Jones Industrial Average ripped 1,325.46 p...
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12:24
End of Day Report – Wednesday 8 April: ASX 200 soars 223 points | Ceasefire brings bulls and shorts panic
The ASX 200 jumped out of the blocks again on the ceasefire. The ASX 200 jumped 223 points to 8952 (2.6%). Interestingly, not much intraday volatility. Everything was risk on as peace breaks out. Long term or short term is ...
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17:09
Pre-Market Report – Wednesday 8 April: US futures jump | Trump delays action for two weeks
U.S. stock futures jumped after President Donald Trump said he was suspending Iran attacks for two weeks just ahead of his 8 p.m. ET deadline, pausing a five-week conflict that has closed a crucial waterway for global energy supply and sent equ...
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12:38
End of Day Report – Tuesday 7 April: ASX 200 jumps 149 points | Banks and resources lead ahead of deadline
The ASX 200 jumped out of the blocks, but was well off highs of 8804, closing up 149 points at 8729 (1.7%). A serious bout of optimism as the Trump deadline approaches. Banks firmed with the Big Bank Basket up to $297.88 (2.3%). CBA
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12:29
Pre-Market Report – Tuesday 7 April: US markets on hold, SPI unchanged | Deadline approaches
Markets are at something of a standstill again. We know why. We have another potential deal/timeline on the table from President Trump. The deadline is 8pm Tuesday night, US time. That would be Wednesday morning for us here in Australia. If Teh...
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12:38
End of Day Report – Thursday 2 April: Trump speech turns market | Oil soars, resources fall
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:...
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12:11
Pre-Market Report – Thursday 2 April: US markets rise | Caution ahead of POTUS
The S&P 500 advanced 0.72% and closed at 6,575.32, and the Nasdaq Composite gained 1.16% and settled at 21,840.95. The Dow Jones Industrial Average added 224.23 points, or 0.48%, to end at 46,565.74.President Donald Trump said in a p...
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13:37
End of Day Report – Wednesday 1 April: ASX 200 pumps 190 points higher | Banks surge 2%
The ASX 200 jumped 190 points to 8672 (2.2%) on US/Iranian news and a spectacularly strong US bounce. End of month and short covering helping lead us in. Confidence built throughout the day. Resources roared back to life as the USD
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13:44
Pre-Market Report – Wednesday 1 April: US markets soar on peace hope | Oil falls, gold up
US stocks rose on Tuesday following new reports that gave investors hope that the Iran war could soon come to an end. The Dow Jones Industrial Average was up 1,125.37 points, or 2.49%, and closed at 46,341.51. The move came after an unconfirmed...
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14:36