The ASX 200 jumped out of the blocks, but was well off highs of 8804, closing up 149 points at 8729 (1.7%). A serious bout of optimism as the Trump deadline approaches. Banks firmed with the Big Bank Basket up to $297.88 (2.3%). CBA up 2.4% and MQG charging 3.2% ahead. Other financials were mixed, HUB up 3.3% and ZIP gaining 6.0%. REITs mixed too, GMG up 0.7% with industrials firming, WES up 1.3% and ALL rising 1.3% with tech doing better, WTC up 3.4% and XRO rallying 1.7%. Healthcare mixed, CSL up 1.0% and retail flat. GYG had a good day as shorts covered on a trading update, TLS fell 0.4% and supermarkets mixed. In resources, BHP, RIO and FMG all did well, the big Australian leading the charge, up 3.3%. Gold miners pushed ahead, NST up 2.0% and GGP rising 4.0%. Rare earths did better, LYC up 4.6% and lithium stocks also pushing ahead. Uranium stocks mixed, LOT fell 2.2% on production issues and PDN squeezed 0.8% higher. Oil and gas stocks generally better, WDS up 2.5%.

In corporate news, CSL said most of its products would be exempt from the 100% tariffs, RCE appointed Tim Ford (Ex-TWE CEO) to the board.

On the economic front, household spending rose 0.3% month-on-month on a current price, seasonally adjusted basis.

Asian markets steadied, Japan unchanged, HK down 0.7% and China down 0.2%. 10-year yields 4.99%.

US Futures ease ahead of deadline, Nasdaq down 139, Dow down 122. Europe opening slightly better.

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Markets are at something of a standstill again. We know why. We have another potential deal/timeline on the table from President Trump. The deadline is 8pm Tuesday night, US time. That would be Wednesday morning for us here in Australia. If Tehran doesn't accept a deal, the US could “rain hell” on the country. Iran rejected a ceasefire and proposed 10 clauses they want to see. Trump rejected those too. It's unlikely we will see much happen while this looms over the world.

Overnight, seven out of the 10 sectors were positive for the S&P 500. Energy led the way, followed by Financials and Industrials. Defensive components Healthcare and Utilities were slightly weaker.

Most Material stocks were flat to down. Gold was slightly lower, so gold stocks drifted lower. Copper and uranium were neither here nor there. You could say the same about Big Tech. The Chip stocks showed more life. Latest figures suggest the semiconductor sector is well-positioned to reach US$1 trillion in annual revenue this year. US financials continue to show resilience.

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The S&P 500 advanced 0.72% and closed at 6,575.32, and the Nasdaq Composite gained 1.16% and settled at 21,840.95. The Dow Jones Industrial Average added 224.23 points, or 0.48%, to end at 46,565.74.

President Donald Trump said in a post on Truth Social Wednesday morning that Iran’s president has asked the U.S. for a ceasefire. However, the U.S. will consider the offer when the Strait of Hormuz is “open, free, and clear,” Trump added, writing that “until then, we are blasting Iran into oblivion or, as they say, back to the Stone Ages!!!”

This comes after the president told reporters at the White House late Tuesday that he expects the U.S. military forces will leave Iran in “two or three weeks.”

Oil prices eased following that comment. West Texas Intermediate futures settled down 1.24% to close at $100.12 per barrel and Brent crude futures lost 2.7% to settle at $101.16 a barrel.

SPI up 19 - Gold higher - POTUS Speech at Noon.

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The ASX 200 jumped 190 points to 8672 (2.2%) on US/Iranian news and a spectacularly strong US bounce. End of month and short covering helping lead us in. Confidence built throughout the day. Resources roared back to life as the USD fell slightly, and oil prices steadied. BHP up 4.3% and RIO up 3.5% with FMG joining in up 3.8%. Lithium stocks raced ahead, PLS up 3.5% and MIN rising 5.2% with the gold sector rebounding hard. NEM up 4.5% and EVN jumping 8.2% on gold and copper rises. S32 jumped on aluminium exposure, rare earths also doing well, ARU up 8.9%. Uranium stocks rallied hard, PDN up 6.9% and NXG jumped 6.7%. Oil and gas stocks took a pause, STO up 0.1%. Coal stocks steady.

In the banks, a decent rise with the Big Bank Basket at $290.26 (+2.0%).MQG soared 3.3% and other financials also did well, ZIP up 10.7%. REITs mixed, GMG rising 2.3%. Tech stocks gained, XRO up 2.5% and REA up 2.5%. Retail better, JBH up 1.4% and travel stocks jumped, FLT up 4.8% and QAN taking off. The All-Tech Index up 3.3%.

In corporate news, APE rose after entering into agreements to acquire two Audi dealers in Melbourne. PRN rose 4.1% on a new CEO. SGR blipped 8.7% higher after Chow Tai Fook Enterprises and Far East Consortium took full control of Brisbane’s Queen’s Wharf precinct.

In economic news, dwelling approvals rose 29.7% in February to 19,022, driven by a surge in private apartments.

Asian markets eased, Japan rose 4.5%, HK up 2.0%, and China up 1.4%.

10 -year yields fell to 4.91% on peace hopes.

US futures: Dow up 76, Nasdaq up 113

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US stocks rose on Tuesday following new reports that gave investors hope that the Iran war could soon come to an end. The Dow Jones Industrial Average was up 1,125.37 points, or 2.49%, and closed at 46,341.51. The move came after an unconfirmed report said Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian is open to ending the war with guarantees. The S&P 500 gained 2.91% to end at 6,528.52, and the Nasdaq Composite advanced 3.83% to 21,590.63. Each of the three indexes posted their best day since May.

It was end of month and quarter too.

SPI jumped 130 pts – Gold up – Resources to do well.

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The ASX 200 rose 21 points to 8482 in a topsy-turvy day on news from the Gulf and Trump. After an easier start, markets rallied on news that Trump might not need the Strait open to declare an end to the war (See afternoon update). End of month saw a fade at the close. Gold popped higher with gold miners looking firm, NST up 4.4% and NEM up 2.2% with RIO still firing on aluminium exposure, BHP steady. Lithium stocks slipped a little on some oil price weakness. PLS down 2.9% and MIN off 3.7%. Oil and gas stocks eased back, WDS down 0.5% and STO off 1.1%. Coal stocks too under some pressure, NHC ex dividend today. Uranium steady.

Banks recovered from early losses with the Big Bank Basket falls to $284.58 (-0.1%). Other financials also finding friends, MQG up 1.2% and ASX running hot. Insurers were slightly better and a good bounce in REITs with GMG leading the charge. Healthcare improved, COH up 1.3% and SIG falling 0.4%. Retail also getting a slight boost and tech rallying hard. WTC up 4.1% and XRO rallying 6.6% with the All-Tech Index up 2.6%.

In corporate news, KMD grabbed a lifeline with a deeply discounted rights issue, KOA joined the boards, bedding down nicely, up 11.8%. CKF has rung the Taco Bell and is exiting its stores. A1N slumped another 19.0% as Jackie O commenced legal proceedings claiming $82m.

In economic news, RBA minutes, China’s PMI better than expected.

Asian markets eased, Japan fell 0.5%, HK off 0.6% and China off 0.2%.

10 -year yields fell to 4.98% on RBA minutes and Powell comments.

US futures; Dow up 307 Nasdaq up 104.

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The S&P 500 fell on Monday, weighed down by further gains in oil prices and a steep decline in tech, as traders looked past comments from Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell on inflation. The broad-based index dipped 0.39%, posting a third straight losing session and settled at 6,343.72. The S&P 500 was just over 9% off its closing high. The move lower was led by declines in the technology sector, which fell more than 1%. On the flip side, sectors such as financials and utilities saw gains. The Nasdaq Composite dropped 0.73% to 20,794.64. The Dow Jones Industrial Average added 49.50 points, or 0.11%, and closed at 45,216.14.

The CBOE Volatility Index topped 30 during the session.

U.S. oil prices also rose to start the week, with West Texas Intermediate futures settling up 3.25% at $102.88 per barrel — its highest close since July 19, 2022. Brent crude futures inched up 0.19% to $112.78 a barrel and were on pace the biggest monthly surge ever with a 55% rise in the period.

SPI up 11 - RBA Minutes - Commodities slightly higher.

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