ETF Friday: Four ASX-listed ESG-focused ETFs as interest piques

Weekend report 30/05/2026 10:21

Weekend Q&A: The RBA finally looks set to provide some interest rate relief this week

The ASX200 ended the week surging +1.6% higher on Friday, turning around the market's fortunes to end the week up +0.9%, and up +0.5% for May - a clear demonstration that investors need to look through the volatile noise emanating from the US-Iran War. It was another week of sharp daily swings as markets rode the emotional roller-coaster of the conflict. However, sentiment improved into Friday after reports emerged that the US and Iran had agreed to a tentative 60-day ceasefire extension to allow further negotiations over Tehran’s nuclear program, raising hopes the three-month conflict may finally be moving towards de-escalation.

Afternoon report 29/05/2026 18:02

The Match Out: ASX surges as ceasefire sparks a broad peace dividend rally

The ASX 200 bounced back strongly today, recovering almost all of yesterday’s losses as reports of a tentative 60-day ceasefire extension between the US and Iran sparked a broad risk-on rally. Falling oil prices, easing inflation concerns and lower bond yields fuelled buying across the market, with Materials, Technology and Real Estate leading gains while Energy lagged as crude slipped to five-week lows.

Morning report 29/05/2026 09:23

ETF Friday: Four ASX-listed ESG-focused ETFs as interest piques

The ASX200 was clobbered 1.4% on Thursday as the US struck Iranian military targets for the second time this week and Kuwait said it responded to missile and drone threats, highlighting the fragility of the “so-called” ceasefire. Crude oil popped ~3% on the news, sending Asian indices and US futures sharply lower, with no clear end in sight to the geopolitical uncertainty. Global equities, not so much the ASX, may want to rally, but with roughly 20% of global oil and LNG supply effectively constrained by disruptions through the Strait of Hormuz, the market will need to see the waterway reopen soon, or the confidence currently underpinning risk assets may begin to fade quickly.

Afternoon report 28/05/2026 17:15

The Match Out: ASX falls as Middle East tensions flare again

A tough session for the ASX today following fresh escalation in the Middle East. The local market turned sharply lower after Iran claimed it had targeted a US military base following American airstrikes near Bandar Abbas, reigniting fears around oil supply disruptions with U.S President Donald Trump objecting to Iran’s claim to the Strait of Hormuz and asserting no one nation should control the vital waterway – a key sticking point in resolving the crisis.

Morning report 28/05/2026 09:32

What Matters Today: Four ASX Stocks set to benefit as Inflation remains muted

The ASX 200 roared back to life on Wednesday, reversing early weakness to close up 0.7%, with aggressive late-session buying sweeping through the market and reigniting risk appetite. Over 70% of the main board closed higher, but it was the rate-sensitive stocks that started to move after the April inflation numbers came in slightly better than expected - Consumer Discretionary (+1.8%), Tech (+1.8%), Utilities (+1.7%), and Real Estate (+1.6%) were the top four sectors on the day.

Afternoon report 27/05/2026 17:07

The Match Out: ASX pushes higher as better CPI data should lock RBA on hold

The ASX traded in two very different halves today, opening weaker as Financials extended yesterday’s selling pressure before a softer-than-expected CPI print sparked a broad rebound across the market. Once the inflation data hit, rate-sensitive sectors quickly caught a bid as traders pared back expectations of another near-term RBA hike, helping the index finish strongly into the close.

Morning report 27/05/2026 09:29

Portfolio Positioning: The employment data was soft; will inflation follow suit?

The ASX gave back Monday’s gains on Tuesday, slipping -0.4% to leave the market effectively flat for the week — a frustratingly familiar pattern that has played out repeatedly throughout May. The weakness was caused by a ~2% gain in crude oil after US and Iranian forces clashed near the Strait of Hormuz, highlighting the tension between the two sides even as they “claim” progress toward an interim peace deal; a similar tale to the last ~90 days.

Afternoon report 26/05/2026 17:29

The Match Out: US strikes rattle the open but the ASX refuses to panic

The ASX dropped to open the session but clawed back some of the losses through the day with the local market digesting fresh US strikes on Iranian targets this morning. While the escalation initially rattled sentiment, investors seemed reluctant to panic, with oil prices remaining relatively subdued despite the developments.

Morning report 26/05/2026 09:33

What Matters Today: After the War – How to Play Energy if Hormuz Reopens

The ASX 200 enjoyed a far better day than the Futures market was suggesting on Saturday morning, as hopes for a deal to end the US-Iran conflict improved investor confidence and pushed oil prices down by more than 4% during our trading session. Global markets from Tokyo to China and Australia embraced news that officials signalled the US was nearing a deal with Iran to reopen the Strait of Hormuz and restore oil flows - we’ve heard it before.

Afternoon report 25/05/2026 16:33

The Match Out: Oil drops on Iran optimism as gold and coal steal the show

The ASX finished modestly higher to start the week as oil prices fell more than 5% on growing optimism that a US-Iran deal to reopen the Strait of Hormuz could be imminent.