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
2229 episodes
End of Day Report – Friday 6 March: ASX 200 down 89 points, off lows | US futures positive
The ASX 200 smashed lower from the start. Red lights out and down we went. At the chequered flag, the index was down 89 points to 8851 (1.0%). Off lows. Narrow range trading again. Down around 3.8% for the week. Worse week since April. In the p...
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13:59
Pre-Market Report – Friday 6 March: US markets fall but off lows | Commodities under pressure
Stocks resumed their decline Thursday after a one-day respite as concerns over the Iran war flared up again with U.S. crude topping $80 per barrel.The Dow Jones Industrial Average declined 784.67 points, or 1.61%, to 47,954.74. The ...
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12:30
End of Day Report – Thursday 5 March: ASX 200 jumps 39, Korea up 11% | Banks and tech rally
The ASX 200 limped around most of the day closing up 39 points to 8940 (0.4%) with a conviction less rally. Banks found their feet with CBA up 0.4% and the Big Bank Basket up to $299.13 (+0.5%). MQG had a rare good day up 3...
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13:59
Pre-Market Report – Thursday 5 March: US markets bounce with no conviction | Gold recovers slightly
Stocks rose on Wednesday, building on the momentum seen late in the previous session, as the surge in oil prices pulled back following developments in the U.S.-Israeli war on Iran and fears about a U.S. economic growth scare faded.The Do...
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12:49
End of Day Report – Wednesday 4 March: ASX 200 drops 176 with banks and resources sold down | Tech holds up
Day 5 - The ASX 200 fell another 176 points to 8901 (1.9%) as resources and banks came under pressure. Asian regional markets went into full panic mode with Korea down 11%, its largest move since the GFC. It had been a tear for some week...
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14:54
Pre-Market Report – Wednesday 4 March: US markets recover slightly on shipping guarantee | Resources pounded
The Dow Jones Industrial Average lost 403.51 points, or 0.83%, and ended at 48,501.27. The S&P 500 slipped 0.94% to close at 6,816.63, while the Nasdaq Composite shed 1.02% to settle at 22,516.69. At their lows of the day, the S&P 500 l...
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13:31
End of Day Report – Tuesday 3 March: ASX 200 drops 124 as Middle East turns uglier | Banks hold steady
The ASX 200 fell 124 points to 9077 (1.3%) as events in the Middle East started to catch up. Comments from Michele Bullock on rate rises didn’t help sentiment. Although the RBA is as in the dark as the rest of us in terms of implications...
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16:07
Pre-Market Report – Tuesday 3 March: US markets shrug off Iranian war | Gold takes a break
US equities were mostly higher in Monday trading, ending a bit off best levels. Big tech was mostly higher with NVDA the upside standout. Other outperformers included energy (crude), defense (Iran), software, banks (particularly regional...
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13:21
End of Day Report – Monday 2 March: ASX 200 shrugs off war | Tech falls, resources rally
An interesting day as the ASX 200 closed up 2 points at 9201. A good fight back from early losses as we await the day’s action in Iran. The playbook for a conflict was back in force. Gold miners rose with NST up 4.8% and EVN risin...
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14:36
Pre-Market Report – Monday 2 March: US futures will be key | War to take centre stage
The Nasdaq finished down 0.9% on Friday night. The S&P 500 0.4%. The Dow lost 521 points. The VIX rose 6.9%. Bitcoin fell back another 2%. Financials were the worst performing sector in the S&P ...
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14:53
End of Day Report – Friday 27 February: ASX 200 up 1.3% for the week
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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7:01
Pre-Market Report – Friday 27 February: US markets mixed, Nvidia falls hard | Last day of results
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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16:26
End of Day Report – Thursday 26 February: ASX 200 up 47 points, new record | Tech jumps
Another day, another record high as the ASX 200 rose 47 points to 9174 (0.5%). Banks missed the memo today, the Big Bank Basket fell to $309.01 (-0.5%) with ANZ a winner. MQG too rallied a little, up 1.2% and other financia...
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14:36
Pre-Market Report – Thursday 26 February: US markets push ahead | Nvidia beats on results
U.S. equities rose on Wednesday, supported by Nvidia and Oracle, as stocks built on the gains from the prior trading day.The S&P 500 added 0.81% and closed at 6,946.13, and the Nasdaq Composite advanced 1.26% to 23,152.08. The Dow Jo...
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16:04
End of Day Report – Wednesday 25 February: ASX 200 charges 106 points ahead | Resources and tech lead the charge
The ASX 200 rose 106 points to 9128 (1.2%). Banks were slightly higher with WBC up % and the Big Bank Basket rose to $310.41 (0.5%). MQG had an anaemic 0.3% rally. Financials were better with GQG up 3.3% and ZIP soar...
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17:21
Pre-Market Report – Wednesday 25 February: US markets rally, SPI up 61 | Results in focus
U.S. equities rose on Tuesday, led by gains in Advanced Micro Devices and software stocks, as investors’ fears around artificial intelligence disruption to certain industries eased.The S&P 500 advanced 0.77% to close at 6,890.07, whi...
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13:59
End of Day Report – Tuesday 24 February: ASX 200 falls 4 points as US futures rally | Banks firm
The ASX 200 opened firm, slipped then rallied off lows as US futures stayed positive. We closed down only 4 points to 9022. Banks made a comeback, NAB up 1.0% with WBC up 1.5% and the Big Bank Basket up to $309.01 (0.3%). Financials else...
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13:28
Pre-Market Report – Tuesday 24 February: US markets fall on tariff uncertainty and AI woes | Gold pushes higher
Wall Street was down overnight, and sharply too. The Nasdaq and S&P500 both fell over 1%, and the Russell 2000 dropped 1.6%. The VIX rose 10% as AI disruption, tariffs and Iran suck the confidence out of investor...
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16:16
End of Day Report – Monday 23 February: ASX 200 drops 55 points | Gold shines, banks fall
The ASX 200 gave back 55 points to 9026 (0.6%). US futures turned negative early and banks slid, the Big Bank Basket down to $308.21 (-1.0%). MQG also down 2.4% on concerns with private equity and fund managers. Financials general...
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13:01
Pre-Market Report – Monday 23 February: US markets firm, Trump tariff news | Results continue
Wall Street finished higher for the last session as the market received the Supreme Court ruling over Trump’s tariffs and liked it. The Nasdaq rose 0.9% and the S&P500 0.7%, with European stocks positive too. The...
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16:16
End of Day Report – Friday 20 February: ASX 200 loses 5 points in narrow range trading | TLX soars
The ASX 200 lost 5 points to 9081 for its first down day this week. No Freaky Friday drop! For the week, the index is up 1.8%. Banks leading the way again, the Big Bank Basket up to $311.23 (+0.9%). MQG fell 1.6% with other financ...
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16:12
Pre-Market Report – Friday 20 February: US markets going nowhere | Results in focus
Stocks fell on Thursday, leaving the S&P 500 near the flatline for the year, as investors shifted away from financials and monitored simmering tensions between the U.S. and Iran.The Dow Jones Industrial Average lost 267.50 points, or...
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14:58
End of Day Report – Thursday 19 February: ASX 200 up 79 points | Banks fire, BHP up
The ASX 200 kicked higher again. Four days in a row, up 79 to 9086 (0.9%). Up nearly 2% this week. Off record highs as jobs data provides reasons for the RBA to raise rates again. Super Thursday and results dominated, some good, some ter...
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17:25
Pre-Market Report – Thursday 19 February: US markets push higher | Fed minutes
The S&P 500 moved higher on Wednesday, supported by gains in key technology names, as traders weighed the release of the minutes from the Federal Reserve's most recent policy meeting.The broad-based index climbed 0.56% to end at 6,88...
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16:29
End of Day Report – Wednesday 18 February: ASX 200 jumps 48 points to 9007 | NAB soars
The ASX 200 kicked higher again. Three days in a row, up 48 to 9007 (0.5%) despite CBA going ex-dividend. Record high back in sight. NAB was the standout today on Q1 results beating expectations, up 4.1%. The Big Bank Basket
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14:29