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
2335 episodes
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...
End of Day Report – Thursday 14 May: Budget aftershock
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:...
Pre-Market Report – Thursday 14 May: US markets mixed | Trump in Beijing
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...
End of Day Report – Wednesday 13 May: ASX 200 drops 40 points | CBA drops 10.4%
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...
Pre-Market Report – Wednesday 13 May: US markets slip a little | Chips fall, oil up
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 ea...
End of Day Report – Tuesday 12 May: ASX 200 drops 31 points | Industrials, banks, healthcare fall
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
Pre-Market Report – Tuesday 12 May: US markets slightly better | Budget in focus
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 dem...
End of Day Report – Monday 11 May: ASX 200 falls 43 to 8702 | CSL drops 16% on write downs
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 los...
Pre-Market Report – Monday 11 May: US markets push a little higher | SPI down 42
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 ...
End of Day Report – Friday 8 May: ASX 200 falls 1.5% as banks smacked | Up 14 points for the week
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 fina...
Pre-Market Report – Friday 8 May: US markets ease ahead of NFP | SPI down 152
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....
End of Day Report – Thursday 7 May: ASX 200 jumps 85 points | BHP shines, gold miners back
1The ASX 200 soared another 85 points to 8878 as US markets hit records. The Japanese market breached 62,000 for the first time ever, and resources rebounded hard on the back of falling oil prices. The banking sector was firm, with the Big B...
Pre-Market Report – Thursday 7 May: US markets hitting records on peace deal | Oil drops
The S&P 500 advanced 1.46% to 7,365.12, while the Nasdaq Composite gained 2.02% and ended at 25,838.94. Both indexes touched new highs and closed at records. The Dow Jones Industrial Average added 612.34 points, or 1.24%, to close at 49,910...
End of Day Report – Wednesday 6 May: ASX soars 113 points as banks and big miners charge higher
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:...