Market Updates
A twice-daily podcast from the Marcus Today team for self-directed investors.
Published every weekday before the ASX open and after the close (AEST), these short updates cover what's moving markets, key developments overnight, and the themes shaping the trading day.
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Market Updates
End of Day Report – Monday 2 February: ASX 200 drops 91 as resources hit again | Banks steady
ASX 200 down 91 points to 8779 (-1.0%) as losses accelerated across Asia. 30-point rally into the close helped somewhat. South Korea was smashed over 4% on AI spending fears and gold and silver fell hard as did oil, as selling spilled over to other assets. Here the banks held up on defensive buying and CBA regained its crown as Number 1. Up 1.4%. The Big Bank Basket higher at $270.11 (0.7%). Other financials under some pressure, MQG falling 0.2% with QBE down 1.0% and SOL falling 2.6%. REITs dipped, GMG down 0.1% and SCG off 1.0%. Healthcare too under pressure, RMD down 1.3% and CSL dropping 2.4%. Tech once again skewered, WTC down 2.7% and TNE falling 0.9%. The All -Tech Index fell 1.2%.
Resources bore the brunt of the selling, BHP down 2.3% as copper fell in Asia, RIO off 1.0% and the gold miners under serious pressure, although there were some signs of buying. NST dropped 8.1% and EVN down 5.6% with NEM falling 10.0%. Most arrested declines although failed to bounce. Base metals, copper and lithium stocks also under pressure, LYC down 0.9%, LTR falling 4.0% and MIN dropping 1.5%. Oil and gas stocks under pressure too as crude unravelled on more optimistic Trump tweets on Iran. WDS fell 1.8% and STO down 3.3%. Uranium stocks slid too, as shorts stepped back in.
In corporate news, CTD founder and CEO resigned. The stock is still in a trading halt. GNC crashed 14.0% after a guidance update to 30% below consensus on EBITDA. KMD fell 5.2% despite an upbeat sales guidance release.
On the economic front, all eyes on the RBA tomorrow. HSBC says it will be the first G10 country to raise rates. Asian markets fell as risk unwound. South Korea fell 4.3% amidst concerns about the sustainability of AI-related spending. US Futures weaker, Nasdaq down 1.3%, Dow down 347. 10-year yields steady at 4.82%.
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