ASX200 rises amid potential US rate cuts and Chinese stimulus as mining and banks drive market gains.

In Short

The Australian share market rose, driven by hopes for a US interest rate cut and potential Chinese stimulus, with significant gains in resources and energy sectors. The ASX200 closed up 64.4 points, while some tech stocks had mixed results and Clarity Pharmaceuticals was the biggest loser.

The Australian share market experienced a significant uplift today, driven largely by discussions surrounding a potential interest rate cut by the US Federal Reserve and the anticipated stimulus measures from China.

The ASX200 rose by 64.4 points, or 0.83 per cent, closing at 7854.1. The All Ordinaries index also saw gains of 68.80 points, or 0.86 per cent, ending at 8082.1.

The Australian dollar appreciated by 0.03 per cent, purchasing US63.25 cents at the market close.

Eight of the eleven sectors in the ASX concluded positively, with the materials sector leading the way, increasing by 1.58 per cent.

Speculation on new Chinese stimulus measures contributed to this rise, with BHP, Rio Tinto, and Fortescue all recording notable gains.

Mineral Resources surged by 11.57 per cent, marking it as the day’s top performer.

Many mining stocks also witnessed substantial increases, including IGO and Pilbara Minerals.

In the energy sector, Woodside Energy and Ampol saw price increases amid renewed investor interest in riskier assets.

The big four banks notably supported the market’s advance, with Commonwealth Bank and ANZ both rising.

Meanwhile, local tech stocks showed mixed results as excitement grows with the US GTC conference beginning today.

The tech sector in Australia is anticipated to reach substantial growth in the coming years, as experts express cautious optimism amidst current market sentiment.

Dow gains over 650 points in relief bounce but still faces worst weekly loss since 2023 amid ongoing tariff uncertainties.

In Short

Stocks rebounded on Friday, with the Dow gaining 674.62 points, and the S&P 500 and Nasdaq experiencing their best day of 2025. Despite this, all major indices faced weekly losses due to ongoing trade policy concerns and declining consumer confidence.

Stocks rallied on Friday, reversing some losses from earlier in the week.

The Dow Jones Industrial Average gained 674.62 points, or 1.65%, closing at 41,488.19.

The S&P 500 climbed 2.13% to finish at 5,638.94, while the Nasdaq Composite rose 2.61% to settle at 17,754.09. This marked the best day for the S&P 500 and Nasdaq in 2025.

Big tech companies rebounded sharply, with Nvidia up over 5%, Tesla rising nearly 4%, and Meta Platforms gaining close to 3%.

Amazon and Apple also saw increases.

The market bounce was attributed to a lack of new tariff-related news from the White House, alleviating some investor concerns.

Following a drop on Thursday, the S&P 500 entered correction territory, having fallen more than 10% from its recent peak.

The Nasdaq slid deeper into correction, while the small-cap Russell 2000 neared a bear market. Uncertainty stemming from President Trump’s trade policies has contributed to heightened market volatility.

Despite Friday’s gains, the three major indices experienced weekly losses, with the Dow down about 3.1%—the worst week since March 2023. S&P 500 and Nasdaq both fell over 2% for their fourth straight weekly decline.

Consumer confidence also declined amid ongoing tariff concerns, with sentiment dropping to 57.9 in March.

Investors await an upcoming Federal Reserve policy meeting, where a majority expect interest rates to remain unchanged.

S&P 500 enters correction as stocks plummet amid Trump’s tariff threats, marking a challenging week for Wall Street.

In Short

Stocks plunged on Thursday, with the S&P 500 down 1.39% and entering correction territory, while the Dow and Nasdaq also fell significantly. Market uncertainty continues due to President Trump’s tariff threats, leading to losses predicted for the week across major indices.

Stocks fell sharply on Thursday as the S&P 500 entered correction territory, dropping 1.39% to close at 5,521.52.

The decline marked a significant downturn where the index sits 10.1% below its record high. The Dow Jones Industrial Average also suffered, losing 537.36 points or 1.3%, closing at 40,813.57, marking its fourth consecutive day of losses. Meanwhile, the Nasdaq Composite fell 1.96%, with major players like Tesla and Apple being negatively affected.

Tariff threat

The market’s downward trend has been exacerbated by recent tariff threats from President Trump. He proposed 200% tariffs on EU alcoholic products in response to a 50% EU tariff on whisky, indicating a firm stance on expanding trade restrictions.

Investor confidence has been shaken by his unpredictable trade policies, contributing to a week where the S&P 500 and Nasdaq are projected to post losses of 4.3% and 4.9%, respectively. The Dow is on track for a 4.7% decline, potentially experiencing its worst week since June 2022.

Small-cap stocks are also suffering, with the Russell 2000 nearing bear market conditions, down approximately 19% from its peak. Portfolio managers express concern that ongoing tariff disputes continue to foster market uncertainty.

Despite some positive signs in inflation data, analysts doubt a significant market rebound is likely, as worries about Trump’s trade approach remain a critical concern for investors.