The Match Out: ASX flat, Westpac (WBC) improves, Lendlease (LLC) doesn’t…

The index was little changed today but a lot happening under the hood, more misses than hits today, especially in our universe as reporting season kicks up a notch this week.

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Afternoon report 10/04/2026 17:06

The Match Out: ASX takes a breather after its best week in months

The local market softened today, though not by much, with the ASX200 index still capping off a strong week, rising +3.3% over the period as markets continued to rebound following the US-Iran ceasefire. Risk appetite cooled with investors trimming positions ahead of talks between US and Iranian officials in Pakistan over the weekend, while uncertainty around the Strait of Hormuz and the resumption of tanker traffic continues to cloud the near-term outlook for energy markets.

Morning report 10/04/2026 09:21

ETF Friday: Four ETFs Caught in the AI Crossfire – Winners and Losers

The ASX 200 recovered from early losses to close up +0.2% on Thursday taking the market to its highest close since March 3rd, just as the Iran war broke out. Over 55% of the main board closed lower on the day but a strong session by the banks was enough to push the index higher, shrugging off steep losses across the software stocks after Anthropic launched Claude Managed Agents and Meta unveiled a new AI model - the “AI Disruption Trade” reared its head again causing indiscriminate selling in the local Tech stocks, sending the sector down another -6.5%.

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.