Daily Market Update: 26 March 2026

Australian market rebounds on easing geopolitical tensions and softer inflation
The S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) surged 1.9 per cent, adding 154.90 points to close at 8534.30, marking its strongest gain in six weeks and restoring approximately $55 billion in market value. The rebound was driven by improving sentiment around US diplomatic efforts in the Middle East and softer-than-expected Australian inflation data, which came in at 3.7 per cent and reduced expectations of a near-term rate hike. A sharp 5 per cent fall in Brent crude oil prices alongside easing geopolitical concerns encouraged investors to re-enter equities that had previously driven a $300 billion decline in market value.

Gold surge lifts miners while energy stocks retreat on falling oil prices
The materials sector led gains, rising 4.4 per cent as gold prices climbed 2.1 per cent to $US4571.41 per ounce. Newmont Corporation (ASX: NEM) jumped 8.9 per cent, Northern Star Resources Limited (ASX: NST) rose 7 per cent, and Bellevue Gold Limited (ASX: BGL) advanced 11.1 per cent. Retail stocks also strengthened, with Eagers Automotive Limited (ASX: APE) up 5.6 per cent and JB Hi-Fi Limited (ASX: JBH) gaining 2.6 per cent, while DroneShield Limited (ASX: DRO) surged 19.3 per cent. In contrast, energy stocks declined on weaker oil prices, with Woodside Energy Group Ltd (ASX: WDS) down 3.2 per cent, Santos Limited (ASX: STO) falling 2.3 per cent, and Karoon Energy Ltd (ASX: KAR) dropping 7.3 per cent. Corporate developments saw Rio Tinto Group (ASX: RIO) rise 1.6 per cent on subsidy news, Alliance Aviation Services Limited (ASX: AQZ) soar 27.4 per cent, and 4DMedical Limited (ASX: 4DX) jump 34.6 per cent, while Amplitude Energy Limited (ASX: AEL) plunged 36.7 per cent.

Global equities rise as peace hopes and lower yields support risk appetite
US markets also advanced, with the Dow Jones Industrial Average (INDEXDJX: DJI) up 0.9 per cent, the S&P 500 Index (INDEXSP: INX) gaining 0.7 per cent, and the NASDAQ-100 Index (NASDAQ: NDX) rising 0.8 per cent as optimism grew around a potential US-led peace proposal with Iran. Falling oil prices and lower Treasury yields supported risk appetite, particularly in technology stocks, where NVIDIA Corporation (NASDAQ: NVDA) rose 2 per cent and Advanced Micro Devices, Inc. (NASDAQ: AMD) and Intel Corporation (NASDAQ: INTC) each gained more than 7 per cent. Financials and industrials also strengthened, including JPMorgan Chase & Co. (NYSE: JPM) and GE Aerospace (NYSE: GE), while energy majors Exxon Mobil Corporation (NYSE: XOM) and Chevron Corporation (NYSE: CVX) declined. Micron Technology, Inc. (NASDAQ: MU) fell 3.4 per cent, extending recent losses.