The ASX 200 finished a very strong week down 13 points to 8961 as we await further Iranian negotiations. For the week, we were up over 4.4%, the best week since October 2022. Banks were steady despite some issues with mortgages on the AFR front page, the Big Bank Basket $310.35 (+0.3%). Other financials were mixed, ZIP up 2.1% and GQG up 0.9%. NWL rose 2.3% with ASX also better. REITs better, GMG up 0.5% and SGP rising 1.2%. Industrials and healthcare fell, CSL down another 0.7% with RMD off again and WOW falling 0.9%. TCL fell 1.9% on traffic numbers. Tech smashed again, WTC down 2.6% and XRO off 2.7%. The All-Tech Index fell 0.8%. Resources were a little mixed, BHP fell 1.1% on iron ore negotiations perhaps, FMG off 1.3% as it unveiled more green and renewable plans for the Pilbara. Gold miners drifted a little lower, EVN off 2.7% and NEM falling 0.6%. Lithium stocks better, LTR up 2.4% and PLS rising another 1.1%. Oil and gas stocks fell again, WDS off 0.2% and STO falling 0.6%. Coal under pressure and uranium slightly firmer, PDN up 2.0%.

In corporate news, TLX rose 7.3% on some good news from the FDA, MFG flat after shareholders vote for the merger, AMP rose 4.2% as new CEO laid out his plan.

On the economic front, nothing locally, but Chinese PPI rose. Asian markets firmed, Japan Nikkei up 1.9% but TOPIX flat, HK up 0.6% and China up 0.7%. 10-year yields rise to 4.97%.

US Futures near flat. Nasdaq down 10, Dow down 76. Europe is opening modestly better.

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Stocks extended their rally Thursday, even as oil prices gained, amid continued optimism among traders that the fragile two-week ceasefire between the U.S. and Iran could be sustained.

The S&P 500 added 0.62% and ended at 6,824.66, while the Nasdaq Composite climbed 0.83% to 22,822.42. The Dow Jones Industrial Average rose 275.88 points, or 0.58%, and settled at 48,185.80. The 30-stock index turned positive for the year, up 0.25%.

Crude prices advanced again on Thursday. West Texas Intermediate futures rose more than 3% to settle at $97.87 per barrel after earlier rising above $100. International Brent crude futures added more than 1% to close at $95.92.

SPI down 8 - Wait mode ahead - Weekend Talks Crucial - Still no Ships.

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Stocks soared Wednesday after President Donald Trump suspended attacks on Iran for two weeks, pausing a five-week conflict that closed a crucial waterway for global energy supplies.

The Dow Jones Industrial Average ripped 1,325.46 points higher, or 2.85%, to 47,909.92. That was the benchmark’s best day since April 2025, when Trump first backed down from the severity of his initial tariff announcement.

The S&P 500 popped 2.51% to 6,782.81, and the Nasdaq Composite surged 2.80% to 22,635.00. West Texas Intermediate crude futures tumbled more than 16% to close at $94.41 per barrel, its biggest daily drop since April 2020. International benchmark Brent for June delivery lost about 13% to settle at $94.75

SPI down 22 - US Futures ease after hours. Gold slips back - Copper soars.

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The ASX 200 jumped out of the blocks again on the ceasefire. The ASX 200 jumped 223 points to 8952 (2.6%). Interestingly, not much intraday volatility. Everything was risk on as peace breaks out. Long term or short term is yet to be seen. Oil prices fell hard, and equities rallied across the board. Banks rallied again with CBA up 1.9% and the Big Bank Basket jumped to $305.03 (2.4%). MQG had a great day up 5.6% with other financials doing great. ZIP up 19.5% and NWL up 10.0%. REITS soared as yields dropped, GMG up 7.1% and CHC up 4.0% with industrials doing well too. QAN up 9.4% and VGN up 11.7% with WES rallying 3.3% and CSL even up 1.3%. REA and tech stock jumped, WTC up 10.7% and XRO up 6.5% with the All-Tech Index up 6.6%. Defensives slipped, TLS down slightly, ORG and AGL fell with retail jumping on hopes for lower petrol prices.

Resources on fire, BHP up 3.0% and RIO rallying another 4.4%. Gold miners jumped as bullion took up the baton, NST up 7.1% and EVN up 10.0% with RMS rallying 9.6%. Lithium not left out, PLS up 1.7%, LTR roaring 8.4% ahead. Rare earths up strongly, LYC up %. Oil and gas stocks fell, WDS down 10.5% and STO falling again. Coal stocks also smacked down with uranium stocks back in focus, PDN up 8.5% and LOT up 11.7%.

In corporate news, DRO dropped 13.5% on news that the CEO and chair will be stepping down. BGL raced up 18.9% on production numbers as did RRL. PME also doing well following a five-year $23m contract with the University of Maryland Medical System. FLT also doing well on a deal to sell Pedal.

On the economic front, dwelling commencements rose 8%.

Asian markets soar, Japan up 5.4%, HK up 3.1% and China up 3.4%. Korean KOSPI up 6.9%

10-year yields fall to 4.87%.

US Futures jump Nasdaq up 812, Dow up 1110. Europe opening significantly better.

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U.S. stock futures jumped after President Donald Trump said he was suspending Iran attacks for two weeks just ahead of his 8 p.m. ET deadline, pausing a five-week conflict that has closed a crucial waterway for global energy supply and sent equity prices reeling.

Futures tied to the Dow Jones Industrial Average rose by 718 points, or 1.5%. S&P 500 futures added 1.6%, and Nasdaq 100 futures climbed 1.7%.

During the regular session, the S&P 500 eked out a gain of 0.08% as traders bet that a ceasefire could be achieved. The Nasdaq Composite inched 0.10% higher on Tuesday, while the Dow lost 85.42 points.

The S&P 500 was 5.5% off its all-time high reached earlier this year through Tuesday’s close. At one point last month, the benchmark neared a 10% correction before rebounding on optimism Trump would find some kind of off-ramp to the conflict.

Gold rose and SPI up 13 but that was before Trump TACOed.

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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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