ETF Friday: Looking at 4 ETFs in the cross hairs of the Middle East conflict

Morning report 20/03/2026 09:24

ETF Friday: Looking at 4 ETFs in the cross hairs of the Middle East conflict

The ASX 200 fell by more than 140 points on Thursday, with escalating concerns about the Middle East conflict weighing heavily on the market. The miners (-4.8%) were front and centre of the selling, while energy (+5.1%) was unsurprisingly best on the ground. As the oil price surged above $US110, inflation fears soared, weighing on rate-sensitive stocks, with the crowded gold sector enduring some aggressive liquidation while tech and real estate names were also heavy as futures markets priced in at least two more rate hikes before Christmas.

Afternoon report 19/03/2026 17:05

The Match Out: Gold under pressure, energy soars as ASX takes a hit

The ASX 200 fell sharply today, the damage felt heavily in the resources with gold miners hit hardest as bullion dropped overnight on stronger USD following the Fed’s interest rate hold, while rate-sensitive growth and property stocks continued to struggle in the higher-for-longer rate environment.

Alerts 19/03/2026 09:37

Trade Alert – Active Growth Portfolio

We are adding a new position to the Growth Portfolio.

Morning report 19/03/2026 09:08

What Matters Today: 5 Major takeaways from March’s BofA Fund Managers survey

The ASX 200 rose another 0.3% on Wednesday, with around 70% of the index finishing higher as oil prices eased slightly and buying interest returned to the miners - RIO (+1.2%) and BHP Group (+0.7%). However, it was a relatively quiet session as investors digested this week's RBA’s split rate decision ahead of this morning’s Fed meeting, where no change was expected for a second consecutive meeting, and since the attacks on Iran, rate cuts are now not anticipated until late 2026.

Afternoon report 18/03/2026 17:01

The Match Out: ASX ends higher, shrugs off Iran noise as focus shifts to the Fed tonight

The ASX 200 closed up in a decent session, shrugging off the RBA’s move and the immediate Iran-related volatility and instead refocusing on underlying fundamentals. With the RBA firmly in the rear-view mirror following Tuesday's hike, attention has shifted squarely to tonight's US Federal Reserve decision. Tech and real estate led the charge, with growth stocks clawing back recent losses as bond yields settled and seven of eleven sectors finished higher — the kind of broad participation that hints at improving conviction in a wobbled market.

Morning report 18/03/2026 09:43

Portfolio Positioning: A very grounded Michele Bullock delivers a 0.25% rate hike

The ASX200 rebounded +0.4% on Tuesday, with most of the gains enjoyed after the RBA lifted interest rates from 3.85% to 4.1% at 2.30 pm. The materials sector was back on top of the leaders board, advancing +1% as gold stocks led the bounce, while tech was back in the naughty corner, retreating another 1.25%, taking it within 4% of making fresh 2026 lows.

Afternoon report 17/03/2026 17:03

The Match Out: ASX recovers, ends higher as RBA hikes 25bps to 4.1%

The ASX closed modestly higher on Tuesday in a session that was entirely about one thing: the RBA. A split 5-4 decision to raise the cash rate by 25 basis points to 4.1% initially sent the dollar and bond yields lower as the narrow margin cast doubt over the path ahead, but banks and materials held the index in positive territory, though it wasn't a convincing rally.

Morning report 17/03/2026 10:06

What Matters Today: Three gold stocks on MM’s radar as the sector corrects over 20%

The ASX200 ended a choppy session on Monday down 0.4%, with miners and tech stocks leading the declines. While fewer than 40% of the main board finished higher, it was the heavyweight miners that drove most of the decline, with BHP, Northern Star and Fortescue accounting for around 60% of the day’s net fall.

Afternoon report 16/03/2026 17:03

The Match out: ASX dips ahead of RBA rate call tomorrow

The ASX 200 fell as a broad sell-off in the mining sector overwhelmed a solid showing from defensives and financials. Six of eleven sectors finished higher, but that didn't matter much when the heavyweights were doing the damage. Gold miners were hit as bullion continued to slide following two consecutive weeks of declines. Iron ore stocks also weighed after China's state-backed trader eased restrictions on BHP ore grades — partially unwinding last week's fear-driven rally as fresh data showed Chinese steel output fell 3.6% in the first two months of the year.

Morning report 16/03/2026 09:57

Macro Monday: Gulf War sustains $US100 oil, weighing on stocks

The worst oil supply disruption in history shows little sign of easing, keeping crude elevated since the Iran conflict began as Trump and Iran’s new leader signal little appetite for de-escalation. Washington has allowed more sanctioned Russian crude to flow in an attempt to cap prices, but markets are increasingly concerned that Trump & Co may have bitten off more than they can chew, particularly with US mid-term elections looming in November.