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.

Weekend report 14/03/2026 10:47

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 17:01

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.

Morning report 13/03/2026 09:58

ETF Friday: Reviewing Four Bond ETFs with higher interest rates on offer

The ASX 200 endured another tough session on Thursday, falling -1.3% and chalking up another triple-digit decline. Several headwinds weighed on the market, most notably oil surging more than ~9% at one stage, with the knock-on impact on bond yields dominating the headlines. A plan by the International Energy Agency to release millions of barrels from strategic reserves failed to calm markets after reports that Iran struck oil tankers near the Strait of Hormuz, escalating fears of supply disruptions through the critical shipping route that carries roughly 20% of global oil trade. Every day Brent crude pushes above US$100 chips away at confidence that the global economy can quickly move past the Iran conflict.

Morning report 12/03/2026 09:21

What Matters Today: Is it time for Resources or Tech stocks?

The ASX 200 bounced another +0.6% on Wednesday with the miners and banks dragging the market higher, even when only 45% of the main board closed in positive territory. To put things into perspective, the local bourse closed up 50-points with the miners alone contributing +42 points to the day, helped by another solid day for iron ore, and related names. Traders were offered some relief from the recent volatility spurred by the Iran war on Wednesday after the International Energy Agency (IEA) reportedly proposed the release of oil reserves. Unfortunately, the market failed to follow the heavyweight sectors higher, with weakness resurfacing in the tech and high growth stocks, more on this later with the Tech Sector, closing down 1.6%, just missing out on the wooden spoon to the Utilities sector.

Afternoon report 11/03/2026 16:44

The Match Out: RBA signals March hike – AUD hits 3 year high

The ASX pushed higher on Wednesday, closing up 0.6% as miners and banks did the heavy lifting in a session defined almost entirely by a hawkish pivot from the RBA. It wasn't a broad rally — only four of eleven sectors finished in the green — but the heavyweights were enough to keep the index comfortably in positive territory. Overnight US futures are pointing to a modestly positive Wall Street open.

Morning report 11/03/2026 09:32

Portfolio Positioning: Stocks & Bonds stabilise as Trump eases concerns over the war’s length

The ASX200 enjoyed a +1.1% relief rally on Tuesday, which saw almost 75% of the main board close higher. The rebound was driven by improved market sentiment, following President Trump's comments on the conflict in the Middle East. His optimistic comments drove oil prices well under the psychological $100 per barrel mark, and it was $94.37 per barrel at our close yesterday. US President Donald Trump told CBS the military operation in the Middle East was "very complete, pretty much" and "very far" ahead of its initial four-to-five-week schedule. A bounce in the influential materials and financials sectors drove the gains, with those two sectors accounting for more than 80% of the day's advance.