Wednesday 1st April 2026
Daily Market Update: 01 April 2026
Australian market rebound
The S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) snapped a three-day losing streak, rising 20.80 points to 8481.80, as improved geopolitical sentiment lifted US futures and local equities. Trading was volatile throughout the session, with the index swinging between losses and gains before closing higher. Despite the rebound, the benchmark recorded a sharp monthly decline of 7.8 per cent, its weakest performance since June 2022 amid sustained concerns over Middle East tensions and surging oil prices.
Australian sectors and stocks in focus
Technology stocks led the recovery, with Xero Limited (ASX: XRO), WiseTech Global Limited (ASX: WTC), and TechnologyOne Limited (ASX: TNE) posting strong gains as investors returned to beaten-down growth names. Banking stocks were mixed, with Commonwealth Bank of Australia (ASX: CBA) lower while Westpac Banking Corporation (ASX: WBC), National Australia Bank Limited (ASX: NAB), and Australia and New Zealand Banking Group Limited (ASX: ANZ) edged higher. Gold strength supported Newmont Corporation (ASX: NEM) and Northern Star Resources Limited (ASX: NST), while energy names including Woodside Energy Group Limited (ASX: WDS), Santos Limited (ASX: STO), Ampol Limited (ASX: ALD), and Whitehaven Coal Limited (ASX: WHC) declined on profit taking. In corporate news, ARN Media Limited (ASX: A1N) plunged on legal action, Collins Foods Limited (ASX: CKF) confirmed its Taco Bell exit, and Electro Optic Systems Holdings Limited (ASX: EOS) eased despite securing new US contracts.
Global market rally
Global markets surged, with the S&P 500 Index (INDEXSP: .INX) rising 3 per cent, the Nasdaq Composite Index (INDEXNASDAQ: .IXIC) up 3.5 per cent, and the Dow Jones Industrial Average (INDEXDJX: .DJI) gaining 2.6 per cent, driven by optimism around potential de-escalation in the Middle East. Technology stocks led the advance, including Nvidia Corporation (NASDAQ: NVDA) and Microsoft Corporation (NASDAQ: MSFT). Despite the rally, March remained weak overall for US equities, while oil markets stayed volatile with Brent crude elevated following ongoing geopolitical disruptions.
| Australian Indices | Daily % | Weekly % | 1 Month % | 3 Month % | 1 Year % |
| ASX 200 | 0.3 | 1.0 | -7.8 | -1.9 | 10.2 |
| Financials | 1.6 | -1.1 | -4.9 | 0.6 | 14.0 |
| Resources | 0.6 | 5.0 | -7.9 | 9.8 | 44.9 |
| Information Technology | 2.7 | -1.6 | -5.6 | -24.6 | -23.7 |
| Global Indices | Daily % | Weekly % | 1 Month % | 3 Month % | 1 Year % |
| US 500 | 3.0 | -1.9 | -5.2 | -9.8 | 13.9 |
| Europe | 1.5 | 1.0 | -2.5 | -6.4 | 6.5 |
| Japan | -0.1 | 1.5 | -4.5 | -0.5 | 15.6 |
| China top 50 | -0.4 | 0.3 | -1.5 | -11.0 | -7.7 |
| India top 50 | 0.1 | -2.1 | -10.0 | -19.2 | -19.7 |
| Fixed Interest | Daily % | Weekly % | 1 Month % | 3 Month % | 1 Year % |
| Australian Treasury Bond | 0.3 | 0.0 | -1.2 | -0.8 | 0.3 |
| Australian Corporate Bond | 0.2 | 0.1 | -1.3 | -0.8 | 0.9 |
| US Treasury | 0.4 | 0.4 | -1.3 | -0.2 | 2.7 |
| Cash | 0.0 | 0.1 | 0.3 | 0.9 | 3.8 |
| Commodities & Crypto | Daily % | Weekly % | 1 Month % | 3 Month % | 1 Year % |
| Gold | 1.7 | 4.2 | -8.2 | 2.2 | 31.8 |
| Silver | 2.7 | 2.7 | -11.2 | -4.5 | 89.7 |
| Crude Oil | 1.7 | 11.5 | 42.0 | 86.2 | 65.8 |
| Bitcoin | 0.4 | -2.0 | 1.5 | -25.5 | -27.1 |
