Daily Market Update: 15 April 2026

Australian market rises on easing geopolitical concerns

The S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) rose 44.8 points to 8970.8 on Tuesday, with six of 11 sectors finishing higher as investors grew more hopeful that further dialogue between Washington and Tehran could help ease tensions in the Middle East. Oil prices retreated, with Brent crude falling 0.8 per cent to US$98.55 a barrel, as markets judged the United States blockade of the Strait of Hormuz could still form part of a negotiated outcome. Technology led the rebound after Monday’s losses, with WiseTech Global Limited (ASX: WTC) up 3.8 per cent, Xero Limited (ASX: XRO) rising 3.9 per cent and Life360, Inc. (ASX: 360) gaining 3.7 per cent.

Materials strength offsets financials weakness amid stock-specific moves

Materials were stronger as BHP Group Limited (ASX: BHP) climbed 3.2 per cent after reports that Chinese steel mills were again permitted to purchase some of its iron ore cargoes following a lengthy commercial dispute. Fortescue Ltd (ASX: FMG) added 1.6 per cent and Rio Tinto Limited (ASX: RIO) rose 1.3 per cent. Financials were weaker, with Westpac Banking Corporation (ASX: WBC) falling 2.6 per cent after warning that Middle East-related rate volatility had hurt income in its markets division and would lift credit provisions, while Commonwealth Bank of Australia (ASX: CBA) edged 0.2 per cent higher and Australia and New Zealand Banking Group Limited (ASX: ANZ) and National Australia Bank Limited (ASX: NAB) both declined. In energy, Woodside Energy Group Ltd (ASX: WDS) and Santos Limited (ASX: STO) eased as oil pulled back, though uranium names rallied strongly, with Paladin Energy Ltd (ASX: PDN) up 6.3 per cent and Deep Yellow Limited (ASX: DYL) surging 9 per cent. Elsewhere, Qantas Airways Limited (ASX: QAN) slipped 0.3 per cent after cutting domestic capacity and lifting its jet fuel cost outlook, Cleanaway Waste Management Limited (ASX: CWY) dropped 2.6 per cent after downgrading earnings guidance, Clarity Pharmaceuticals Ltd (ASX: CU6) fell 7 per cent after announcing a manufacturing agreement with Nucleus RadioPharma, and Universal Store Holdings Limited (ASX: UNI) lost 1.5 per cent after outlining its chief executive succession plan.

Global equities rally on renewed hopes for United States-Iran negotiations

United States equities closed higher for a second straight session, driven by optimism that the United States and Iran could resume talks and potentially reach an agreement that would reopen the Strait of Hormuz. The S&P 500 Index (INDEXSP: .INX) rose 1.2 per cent to 6967, its highest level since February 2, while the Dow Jones Industrial Average (INDEXDJX: .DJI) gained 318 points and the Nasdaq Composite Index (INDEXNASDAQ: .IXIC) advanced 2 per cent. Communication services and consumer discretionary stocks led gains, while energy underperformed alongside weaker oil prices. Among major companies, JPMorgan Chase & Co. (NYSE: JPM) fell 0.7 per cent after lowering its net interest income guidance, Wells Fargo & Company (NYSE: WFC) tumbled 5.7 per cent on disappointing results, Johnson & Johnson (NYSE: JNJ) rose 0.9 per cent after lifting its 2026 revenue outlook, BlackRock, Inc. (NYSE: BLK) gained 3 per cent, Citigroup Inc. (NYSE: C) added 2.6 per cent on strong earnings, and American Airlines Group Inc. (NASDAQ: AAL) jumped 8 per cent following reports that United Airlines Holdings, Inc. (NASDAQ: UAL) chief executive Scott Kirby had floated a potential merger.