US S&P 500 index

29/09/2025

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Weekend report 14/03/2026

Weekend Q&A: The US-Iran War continues to take its toll on global markets

The ASX200 ended a choppy week down 2.6%, with the Middle East conflict weighing on equities. Energy was the only sector to finish higher, while rate-sensitive tech (-7%) and real estate (-5%) dragged on the index as surging oil prices reignited inflation fears. The influential materials sector also endured a tough week, retreating -4.7% as weakness in copper and gold stocks offset a bounce in iron ore names. However, the market's largest stock, BHP, weighed heavily on the index, falling 5.7% over the week as a Chinese ban on its iron ore caused increasing angst. The moves on Friday night in the US point to more of the same next week, with gold and copper stocks coming under renewed pressure.

Afternoon report 13/03/2026

The Match Out: ASX drifts lower, down 2.6% for the week

The dominant forces were geopolitical and monetary policy related. The escalating Iran conflict drove oil above $US101/barrel, stoking inflation concerns and cementing market expectations of an RBA rate hike at Tuesday's meeting - markets are pricing an 80% probability by close. That rate repricing drove a sharp rotation: banks were again the standout beneficiaries, with NAB leading at +1.5%, while gold miners came under significant pressure.