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
2347 episodes
End of Day Report – Monday 1 June: ASX 200 slips 2pts - Tech stars - Healthcare and banks slide - Oil up 2.6% - Resources mixed.
The ASX 200 consolidated Friday’s gains with a loss of 2 point to 8729. Tech stocks were the star attraction, with REA up 1.5%, WTC up 8.7% and XRO rising 7.6%. The All-Tech Index rose 3.8%. Healthcare remains on the...
Pre-Market Report – Monday 1 June: US markets push higher - SPI down 33 - Quiet day ahead - No peace news
SPI Futures down 13 points. ASX set to open slightly lower.The S&P 500 and Nasdaq both closed at fresh record highs. The S&P 500 was up 0.22%, its ninth straight weekly gain - the longest winning streak since...
End of Day Report – Friday 29 May: ASX 200 up 139, 0.9% for the week | CBA drags banks higher
The ASX 200 jumped 139 points to close the week at 8732 (+1.6%) on a very firm note as hopes built that there will be some resolution, or at least an extension of the ceasefire in the Middle East. There seemed to be a lot of short covering arou...
Pre-Market Report – Friday 29 May: US markets hit more records | Peace deal?
The S&P 500 and Nasdaq Composite closed at records on Thursday as tech resumed its leadership, and traders weighed a reported agreement between U.S. and Iranian negotiators to extend the ceasefire. The broader index gained 0.58%...
End of Day Report – Thursday 28 May: ASX 200 drops 125 points | Banks and gold on the nose
The ASX 200 took a dive today, down another 125pts at 8593 (1.4%), as the peace deal in the Gulf is starting to slide away. Banks and gold bore the brunt of the selling, with CBA off 2.1% and WBC down 1.3%, with the Big Bank Ba...
Pre-Market Report – Thursday 28 May: US markets mixed | Chips take a breather
The Dow Jones Industrial Average rose to a new record on Wednesday as oil prices retreated, while the S&P 500 eked out a tiny gain, with chip stocks keeping the index’s gains in check.The 30-stock Dow gained 182.60 points, or 0.36%, ...
End of Day Report – Wednesday 27 May: ASX 200 surges 60 points on CPI | Oil down
The ASX 200 started slowly with early losses, but after a benign and better-than-expected CPI read, the bulls were back. The ASX 200 closed up 60 points at 8718 (0.7%). Banks fought back from bigger early losses, with CBA up modestly and...
Pre-Market Report – Wednesday 27 May: US markets head higher | S&P 500 at new record
The S&P 500 gained 0.6% on Tuesday and the Nasdaq climbed 1.2% to fresh record highs while the Dow Jones finished 118 points lower as investors returned from the long weekend with continued focus on developments in the Middle East. Markets ...
End of Day Report – Tuesday 26 May: ASX 200 falls 34 points | Gold slips, oil rises
The ASX 200 eased back 34 points today to 8658 (0.4%) in a quiet session, with US and UK markets closed last night. The banking sector was modestly lower, with NAB falling 0.8% and some more profit taking in MQG down1.6%. The Big ...
Pre-Market Report – Tuesday 26 May: US markets closed | SPI up 24
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:...
End of Day Report – Monday 25 May: ASX 200 up 35 points | Gold jumps, oil and gas fall
The ASX 200 kicked off the week up 35 points to 8692 (0.4%) as optimism on a peace deal washed through. Some scepticism remains, so it was a cautious start to the week. US markets are closed tonight. Banks held firm as NAB rose 1.1% and ...
Pre-Market Report – Monday 25 May: US markets push higher | Peace deal in sight
Wall St ended a positive week on a steady note, with the S&P 500 finishing up 0.37% to close at 7,473, capping off an eighth straight weekly gain - the longest weekly winning streak since 2023. The index sits just 0.3% below its all-time hi...
End of Day Report – Friday 22 May: ASX 200 rises 35, up 27 for the week | Tech slips
The ASX 200 rallied another 35 points to 8657 (0.4%) ahead of a US long weekend. Up 27 pts for the week. Banks pushed ahead, led by CBA up 0.9 %, and the Big Bank Basket to $275.57 (0.8%). Insurers slid as yields fell, NWL ...
Pre-Market Report – Friday 22 May: US markets drift higher | Nvidia down 1.8%
US stocks finished higher on Thursday after a volatile trading session, as renewed hopes for a potential US-Iran agreement to end the conflict pushed oil prices lower for a third consecutive day. The S&P 500 gained 0.2%, the Nasdaq edged up...
End of Day Report – Thursday 21 May: ASX 200 jumps 125 points | Strong lead and jobs help
The ASX 200 bounced back 125 points to 8,622 (1.5%) as the roller coaster continued this week. News from the White House on peace progress was the kicker, together with unemployment numbers coming in worse than expected at 4.5%. Pressure off th...
Pre-Market Report – Thursday 21 May: US markets rally on peace hopes | Yields and oil drop
SPI Futures up 104 points. ASX to open higher. US Futures lower on Nvidia.Wall St bounced sharply as oil fell and bond yields retreated from multi-year highs on hopes the Iran war is nearing resolution. S&P 500 up 1.1%....
End of Day Report – Wednesday 20 May: ASX 200 smacked 108 points again | Resources under pressure
The ASX 200 gave up yesterday's gain and more, dropping another 108 points to 8,497 (1.3%) as the rout continues. Resources bore the brunt of the selling as inflation fears stoked higher rates and tore through commodities. BHP fel...
Pre-Market Report – Wednesday 20 May: US markets retreat as bond yields head higher | SPI down 39
US equities extended their decline on Tuesday as a continued selloff in US Treasuries, driven by inflation concerns tied to the war in the Middle East, pressured investor sentiment. The S&P 500 finished 0.7% lower, the Nasdaq closed down 0....
End of Day Report – Tuesday 19 May: ASX 200 jumps 99 | Banks lead rebound, CSL better too
The ASX 200 bounced back 99 points today to 8605 (1.2%) as banks led the recovery. CBA gained % with the Big Bank Basket up to $271.83 (=1.5%%). NAB the standout gaining 2.0%. MQG also had a good day up 1.9% and insu...
Pre-Market Report – Tuesday 19 May: US markets volatile | Trump delays attack
The Nasdaq Composite and the S&P 500 fell on Monday, bogged down by declines in technology, as traders monitored oil prices and bond yields while awaiting further developments with the conflict in the Middle East.The broad market ben...
End of Day Report – Monday 18 May: ASX 200 sinks 126 as bond yields rise and commodities fall
The ASX 200 fell 126 points to 8,505 (-1.5%) today in a dismal start to the week. Thankfully, the banking sector held up relatively well, with CBA posting a 1% rise, while insurers also performed strongly on the back of higher bond yield...
Pre-Market Report – Monday 18 May: US markets slip | SPI drops 38
Stocks fell sharply on Friday as investors grew increasingly concerned about the impact of the prolonged conflict with Iran, particularly the risk that higher energy prices could further fuel inflation and keep interest rates elevated. The S&am...
End of Day Report – Friday 15 May: ASX 200 falls 10 points | Banks bounce, resources sink
The ASX 200 eased back another 10 points to 8631 (0.1%), capping off a miserable week at the index level. The index fell 1.3% this Budget week, mainly as banks crashed with CBA in focus. Banks made up some lost ground after significant f...
Pre-Market Report – Friday 15 May: US markets hit new records on AI boom | Gold eases, banks to rebound
Stocks were higher on Thursday, with the Dow Jones Industrial Average retaking 50,000 after strong earnings from Cisco Systems and following a key meeting between U.S. and China.The 30-stock index popped 370.26 points, or 0.75%, to end a...