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
2239 episodes
End of Day Report – Friday 13 March: ASX 200 drops 12, down 2.8% for the week | NST crashes on guidance downgrade
The ASX 200 lost a mere 12 points to 8617to finish the week down 2.6%. Banks pushed higher led by NAB with the Big Bank Basket back up to $299.06 (+1.1%). Insurers also better as rate rose, SOL up 1.5% and MFG contin...
•
16:03
Pre-Market Report – Friday 13 March: US markets fall as oil hits $100 | SPI down 24
The Dow Jones Industrial Average fell 739.42 points, or 1.56%, closing at 46,677.85. The S&P 500 lost 1.52% and settled at 6,672.62, while the Nasdaq Composite shed 1.78% to end at 22,311.98. All three indexes posted closing lows for 2026, ...
•
14:13
End of Day Report – Thursday 12 March: ASX 200 drops 115 points | Oil and gas hold up, coal better
The ASX 200 fell 115 points to 8629 (1.3%) as oil prices spiked higher on tankers hit in the Gulf. Another $50bn in value knocked off the ASX 200. Broad based losses with the banks falling, ANZ leading the big four down off 2.5% with the...
•
13:38
Pre-Market Report – Thursday 12 March: EIA releases strategic reserve | Oil still rises
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:...
•
7:03
End of Day Report – Wednesday 11 March: ASX 200 jumps 51 as banks and resources charge higher | US futures positive
The ASX 200 rallied another 51 points in quiet trade. Jumped 17 points at the close on ETF rebalancing. Waiting for more news. Banks and resources led the gains, the Big Bank Basket up to $299.01 (0.8%) with ANZ the standout, up 1...
•
13:46
Pre-Market Report – Wednesday 11 March: US markets volatile but end flat as oil whipsaws | Oracle results positive
The S&P 500 fell slightly on Tuesday in choppy trading as oil prices pulled back and traders kept an eye on the Iran war.The broad market index dropped 0.21% to end at 6,781.48. The Dow Jones Industrial Average dipped 34.29 points, o...
•
12:34
End of Day Report – Tuesday 10 March: ASX 200 up 94 points, off highs | Oil creeping higher
The ASX 200 rallied 94 points to 8693 (1.1%) well off its highs as caution crept back in. Banks were muted in the recovery with the Big Bank Basket up to $296.78 (1.5%). CBA up 1.4% and NAB up 1.7%. MQG bounced 1.6% ...
•
13:24
Pre-Market Report – Tuesday 10 March: US markets stage stunning reversal | Oil drops
The S&P 500 made a comeback from earlier losses on Monday after President Donald Trump said the war against Iran could be reaching its end.The broad market index rose 0.83% to close at 6,795.99, while the Dow Jones Industrial Average...
•
13:45
End of Day Report – Monday 9 March: ASX 200 drops 252, well off lows | Oil off highs
The ASX 200 cratered another 252 points to 8599 (2.9%), as buyers stepped in as the afternoon wore on. Well off lows, but unconvincing. Oil prices in Asia soared with regional markets falling hard. Across the board losses led by BHP
•
16:01
Pre-Market Report – Monday 9 March: US markets drop, oil soars | Brace again!
The Dow dropped 453 points, the Nasdaq fell 1.5% and the S&P 500 lost 1.3%. The VIX rose 26% to 29. European markets were down again. Bitcoin dropped 4.5%.Overall resources held up. Gold rose 1.8%, ...
•
12:30
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...
•
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 ...
•
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...
•
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...
•
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...
•
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...
•
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...
•
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...
•
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...
•
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 ...
•
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:...
•
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:...
•
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...
•
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...
•
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...
•
17:21