Thursday 26th March 2026
Daily Market Update: 25 March 2026
Australian market rebounds but loses momentum on geopolitical uncertainty
The S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) edged higher by 13.50 points, or 0.2 per cent, to 8379.40, recovering from the prior session’s 10-month low but retreating from its intraday peak as geopolitical optimism faded. Early gains were driven by hopes of de-escalation in the Middle East after the United States delayed potential strikes on Iranian energy infrastructure; however, sentiment weakened as reports emerged that regional allies may become involved, pushing oil prices back above $US100 per barrel.
Miners and gold stocks rally while banks and energy names show mixed performance
Mining stocks led gains, with BHP Group Limited (ASX: BHP) rising 3 per cent and Rio Tinto Limited (ASX: RIO) up 2.2 per cent, supported by stronger copper prices and bargain buying. Gold producers also rebounded, including Genesis Minerals Limited (ASX: GMD) up 6.9 per cent and Newmont Corporation (ASX: NEM) gaining 3.9 per cent. Energy stocks were mixed as Ampol Limited (ASX: ALD) climbed 1.2 per cent, while Woodside Energy Group Ltd (ASX: WDS) slipped 0.2 per cent and Santos Limited (ASX: STO) dropped 2.6 per cent due to operational issues. Financials were uneven, with Australia and New Zealand Banking Group Limited (ASX: ANZ) up 0.5 per cent, while National Australia Bank Limited (ASX: NAB) fell 4.5 per cent following broker downgrades. Among other movers, Myer Holdings Limited (ASX: MYR) declined despite profit growth, Downer EDI Limited (ASX: DOW) gained on a major contract win, and KMD Brands Limited (ASX: KMD) rose after rejecting a demerger proposal.
US markets soften as oil surge and geopolitical tensions weigh on sentiment
In the United States, the S&P 500 Index (NYSE: SPX) fell 0.2 per cent, the NASDAQ Composite Index (NASDAQ: IXIC) dropped 0.6 per cent, and the Dow Jones Industrial Average (NYSE: DJIA) was largely flat as rising oil prices and conflicting geopolitical signals weighed on sentiment. Energy stocks outperformed amid Brent crude climbing above $US104 per barrel, while technology names such as Oracle Corporation (NYSE: ORCL) and Microsoft Corporation (NASDAQ: MSFT) faced selling pressure. Retail investor activity also shifted, turning net negative for the first time since 2023, while Jefferies Financial Group Inc. (NYSE: JEF) rose 2.5 per cent on takeover speculation.
| Australian Indices | Daily % | Weekly % | 1 Month % | 3 Month % | 1 Year % |
| ASX 200 | 0.2 | -2.7 | -6.4 | -3.3 | 8.9 |
| Financials | -1.0 | -2.1 | -4.2 | 2.6 | 18.5 |
| Resources | 2.1 | -5.5 | -10.3 | 1.6 | 33.9 |
| Information Technology | -1.2 | -3.0 | 0.5 | -24.4 | -26.4 |
| Global Indices | Daily % | Weekly % | 1 Month % | 3 Month % | 1 Year % |
| US 500 | -0.2 | -0.6 | -3.6 | -8.7 | 3.8 |
| Europe | 1.3 | -2.3 | -8.9 | -7.2 | 2.5 |
| Japan | 1.6 | -2.4 | -9.5 | -3.9 | 6.5 |
| China top 50 | 1.1 | -4.9 | -8.2 | -13.5 | -11.5 |
| India top 50 | 1.5 | -4.5 | -11.9 | -19.0 | -21.0 |
| Fixed Interest | Daily % | Weekly % | 1 Month % | 3 Month % | 1 Year % |
| Australian Treasury Bond | 0.3 | -0.6 | -1.6 | -0.8 | 0.6 |
| Australian Corporate Bond | 0.1 | -0.5 | -1.7 | -0.9 | 1.1 |
| US Treasury | 0.1 | -0.7 | -1.8 | -0.5 | 2.8 |
| Cash | 0.0 | 0.1 | 0.3 | 0.9 | 3.9 |
| Commodities & Crypto | Daily % | Weekly % | 1 Month % | 3 Month % | 1 Year % |
| Gold | -1.1 | -9.7 | -12.1 | -4.4 | 32.6 |
| Silver | -0.2 | -14.9 | -23.1 | -10.7 | 80.4 |
| Crude Oil | -7.3 | -7.8 | 38.2 | 56.8 | 46.5 |
| Bitcoin | 2.9 | -3.7 | 10.5 | -22.7 | -28.3 |
