End of Day – Thu 31 Mar

Marcus Today Market Updates

• The ASX 200 fell 15 points to 7500 (0.2%) as early enthusiasm waned and we limped into month and quarter end. Big match out sell off of 30 points. Banks under a little pressure with the Big Bank Basket down to $189.96. Insurers flat, MQG down 1.8% and MFG down 2.2% on an update on staff retention options. Healthcare slipped slightly, CSL off 0.7% and FPH back on the nose down 2.6%. Industrials mixed as WES consummated its API buy falling 1.5% and TLS rose 1.5% as the Brady Bunch story took hold. Tech on the nose slightly after Nasdaq falls and tech off in HK, XRO down 4.6% and SQ2 off 4.7%. The All-Tech Index down 1.6%. In the resources, lithium and battery tech fired up as the US looks to secure strategic metal supplies in the future. INR a big winner up 20.0%, AGY doing well up 10.6% and NVX pushing ahead by 9.7%. Iron ore stocks were also in demand as Dalian futures picked up, BHP up 2.3% and FMG rising 4.3%. Base metal stocks also good, S32 up 0.8% and MIN up 4.4%. Energy stocks fell as media reports that Biden plans to release 1m barrels a day from the SPR to counter oil price rises ahead of the OPEC + meeting tonight. STO down 1.7%, WPL down 1.4% and COE down 3.3%
• In corporate news, TAH announced its plan to demerge the lottery business, QAN talked net zero by 2050 and AIZ down % on its capital raising. PDN raising $200m at 72c to restart Langer Heinrich
• On the economic front plenty happening post budget as we shift to the RBA meeting next week. Last one before the election. No pressure Phil. Asian markets weaker with HK tech down on US moves to delist and China off 0.5% on lower-than-expected PMIs and more CV19 restrictions. 10 -year yields at 2.78%.

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