Daily Market Update: 13 April 2026

Australian market overview
The S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) recorded its strongest weekly advance since October 2022, rising 4.4 per cent over the week and extending gains to a third consecutive session of weekly improvement, as easing geopolitical tensions between the United States and Iran supported investor sentiment. However, the benchmark softened into Friday’s close, slipping 12.60 points to 8,960.6, with eight of 11 sectors finishing lower as traders reduced risk ahead of weekend talks in Pakistan. Despite a sharp weekly decline in oil prices, markets remained alert to developments in the Strait of Hormuz and the potential impact on global energy flows.

Australian sector and company movers
On Friday, technology and mining stocks weighed on the local market, with WiseTech Global Limited (ASX: WTC) falling 2.6 per cent, Xero Limited (ASX: XRO) down 2.7 per cent and Life360 Inc. (ASX: 360) retreating 3.3 per cent after announcing job cuts tied to an artificial intelligence-led strategy. In resources, Fortescue Ltd (ASX: FMG) lost 1.3 per cent, BHP Group Limited (ASX: BHP) fell 1.1 per cent and Rio Tinto Limited (ASX: RIO) eased 0.3 per cent, while energy names including Whitehaven Coal Limited (ASX: WHC), New Hope Corporation Limited (ASX: NHC), Santos Limited (ASX: STO) and Woodside Energy Group Ltd (ASX: WDS) also moved lower. By contrast, real estate and financials were firmer, led by Vicinity Centres (ASX: VCX) and Commonwealth Bank of Australia (ASX: CBA), while stock-specific gains came from Magellan Financial Group Limited (ASX: MFG) after shareholder approval for its merger with Barrenjoey, Telix Pharmaceuticals Limited (ASX: TLX) after progress with a United States regulatory application, Viva Energy Group Limited (ASX: VEA) following environmental approval for its Geelong LNG import terminal, and AMP Limited (ASX: AMP) after outlining a sharper growth and capital allocation strategy.

Global market update
In the United States, equities traded near five-week highs as investors maintained a constructive view on risk assets amid lower geopolitical tension, although the continued closure of the Strait of Hormuz and conflict in Lebanon remained key risks to negotiations. The S&P 500 Index (INDEXSP: .INX) and the Nasdaq-100 Index (NASDAQ: NDX) were broadly steady, while the Dow Jones Industrial Average (INDEXDJX: .DJI) edged lower, with speculative technology stocks outperforming. Amazon.com, Inc. (NASDAQ: AMZN) and Meta Platforms, Inc. (NASDAQ: META) each rose 2 per cent, while NVIDIA Corporation (NASDAQ: NVDA) gained almost 1 per cent following strong results from Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co.; for the week, the S&P 500 Index (INDEXSP: .INX) was up more than 3 per cent, the Nasdaq-100 Index (NASDAQ: NDX) had gained more than 4 per cent and the Dow Jones Industrial Average (INDEXDJX: .DJI) was ahead by roughly 3 per cent.