The Match Out: Biggest sell-off since 2020 as equities fret about growth

A brutal day across markets, the worst since 2020, with the ASX200 whacked 3.7%, Small Caps hit 4.5%, Japanese stocks down over 10%, with 99% of the main board in Australia closing lower (i.e. 2 stocks out of 200 finished up)! Our market started on the back foot but as Asian markets struggled and US Futures continued lower (Nasdaq Futures down 5.5% at our close), there was no reason to stand in front of the momentum – the index closing only ~15 points above its nadir. This is a headline-grabbing day, and taken in isolation, it’s a big move by the market, however, the magnitude is at least partially a product of just how strong the market has been, hitting a new record high at 8148 only 3-sessions ago.

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Afternoon report 09/04/2026 17:14

The Match Out: ASX holds firm as tech retreats and energy bounces

The ASX 200 edged higher today, extending the relief rally sparked by the Iran ceasefire announcement yesterday morning, though gains were modest as investors continued to weigh the fragility of the agreement and the ongoing disruption to traffic and oil flows through the Strait of Hormuz. The mixed tone across sectors reflected that backdrop, with energy leading gains while technology stocks gave back some of their strong advances from the prior session.

Morning report 09/04/2026 09:51

What Matters Today: 4 “High Beta” Stocks MM likes to Ride the Markets Recovery

The ASX200 surged out of the gates on Wednesday and held its gains throughout the session, closing up +2.6%, its strongest performance in a year, after news of a two-week US–Iran ceasefire sparked a global relief rally. Wednesdays rally was broad-based, with 88% of the main board closing higher and an impressive 19 names jumping by +10%, or more. From a points perspective the miners and banks again led the way with BHP and CBA contributing ~20% towards the days advance which took the ASX200 back within 3% of its all-time high.

Afternoon report 08/04/2026 16:46

The Match Out: Tech jumps, Energy plummets as ASX rips higher on Middle East ceasefire

The ASX 200 posted its best session in almost a year today after the US and Iran agreed to a two-week ceasefire, triggering a sharp unwind of the war risk premium that has dominated markets over the past six weeks. The ceasefire, reportedly brokered through diplomatic channels including Pakistan, came just hours after US President Donald Trump warned he would escalate attacks on Iran’s infrastructure if shipping routes remained blocked.

Morning report 08/04/2026 10:03

Portfolio Positioning: Does MM like iron ore exposure across all of our portfolios?

The ASX200 closed up an impressive +1.7% on Tuesday although it was well off its mid-morning high where at its best it was up 225-points, or 2.6%. All 11 sectors ended higher, lifting the market to its highest close since mid-March, with the influential banks and miners leading the charge, BHP and CBA alone accounted for ~35% of the day’s gains.

Afternoon report 07/04/2026 17:16

The Match Out: ASX surges in broad rally as dip buyers pile in

Morning report 07/04/2026 09:42

Macro Monday, on Tuesday: US bears may be tiring as S&P 500 rallies into & out of Easter

The ASX200 fell 1.1% on Thursday heading into the Easter break, extending the recent trend of late-week weakness as investors de-risk amid ongoing geopolitical uncertainty.

Afternoon report 02/04/2026 16:56

The Match Out: ASX falls as Trump rhetoric spooks markets

The ASX200 gave up early gains and finished lower today after investors were rattled by a fiery speech from US President Donald Trump at midday our time, dampening hopes for a quick resolution to the Iran conflict. The index traded up as much as ~0.4% earlier in the session before reversing sharply as oil prices surged and geopolitical risks again took centre stage.

Morning report 02/04/2026 09:48

What Matters Today: War Fear Fading – 4 Stocks MM likes to Ride the Rebound

The ASX200 rallied strongly on Wednesday, surging more than 2% in a broad-based advance that saw ~14% of the index rise by 6%, or more. The move followed comments from President Trump suggesting the US military conflict could end within two to three weeks, boosting confidence around the global economic growth outlook.

Afternoon report 01/04/2026 17:04

The Match Out: ASX kicks off April with a bang as Materials and Tech lead broad rally

The ASX surged today, recovering from the worst monthly performance in four years as markets latched onto signs the Iran conflict could begin to wind down. The morning open was reason enough to call it a strong session, though a late 30pt rally in the final 20 minutes of trade was the cherry on top as the index closed on its highs. It was a broad rally as ten of eleven sectors finished higher with materials leading the charge, while the defensive utilities dragged as risk on sentiment returned to the bourse.

Morning report 01/04/2026 09:35

Portfolio Positioning: Should investors be worried by March’s decline?

The ASX200 endured another volatile session on Tuesday, ultimately finishing up 20 points after trading in a wide ~140-point range—swinging from a 50-point loss to a near 70-point gain at its peak. It’s the kind of price action that unsettles headline-driven investors, but the question remains: should it? We all know the reasons why financial markets are volatile, so let's focus on the numbers for March, as opposed to trying to second-guess President Trump's next move: