Friday 20th March – ASx 200 drops another 659 – Down 2.2% for the week – No new news – Oil down – Gold up – US Futures firm slightly.

20 Friday Mar 2026

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The ASX 200 fell another 69 points to 8428 (0.8%) for a weekly loss of around 2.2%. Today we saw the banking sector come under a little pressure. CBA fell 1.0% and the Big Bank Basket dropped to $298.51 (%). NAB was the biggest loser off 2.3%. Financials were mixed, GQG rose 2.4%, SOL fell 1.0% and HUB dropped 2.4%. REITs were flat lining, industrials mixed, WES slipped another 0.8% with retail under pressure, JBH down 4.1% and WOW dipping 0.9% after defensive buying shifted. TLS off 0.2% and SGH falling 2.4% with QAN still falling 1.1%. Tech was mixed, WTC and TNE better with the All-Tech Index down 0.2%.

Resources were down but not out today. BHP and RIO slid, off 1.8% and 2.9% respectively, lithium stock finding their feet with EV demand expected to grow on oil pressures. Gold miners eased but not dramatically, EVN up 1.6% and GGP off 7.3% with GMD actually 2.2% better. BSL rallied 4.3% with PLS stabilising. Up 2.4%. Coal stocks better again with WHC up %. WDS pushing ahead again, up 1.0% but STO flat. Uranium stocks mixed.

In corporate news, COL rallied another 0.8% on fuel levy news, FLT made a UK acquisition and PMV fell 4.3% after a mixed first half. Smiggle seems to be struggling.

Nothing on the economic front.

10-year yields higher at 5.0%.

Asian markets mixed on higher oil prices, Japan closed. HK down 0.7% and China up 0.8%

US Options and Futures expiry tonight. Dow Futures up 98 Nasdaq futures up 17.

HIGHLIGHTS

  • Winners: TEA, EQR, SGR, CYL, TCG, IMR
  • Losers: AX1, AUC, KCN, OBM, GGP, AAI
  • Positive Sectors: Oil and gas. Coal. Lithium. Uranium.
  • Negative Sectors: Banks. Retail. Financials.
  • ASX 200 Hi 8496 Lo 8428. Slid into the close.  
  • Big Bank Basket: Falls to $298.51
  • All-Tech Index: Down 0.2%
  • Gold: Falls to $6663
  • Bitcoin: Steady 70613
  • 10-year yields: Steady at 5.00%
  • AUD: Steady around 70.85c
  • Dow up 98 Nasdaq up 17

MARKET MOVERS

  • EQR +9.4% pops higher again.
  • SIG +4.5% broker upgrade.
  • WTC +3.3% bottom fishing.
  • GMD +2.2% the beginning of a rally.
  • TLX +2.7% change in substantial shareholding.
  • A11 +14.3% Ewoyaa mining lease news.
  • SRL -6.6% volatility continues.
  • DTR -5.2% results of meeting.
  • BOC -8.8% copper loses its shine.
  • Speculative Stock of the Day: Nothing on any volume.

ECONOMIC AND OTHER NEWS

  • RBC Capital Markets says the Australian Energy Regulator’s 2027 fiscal year draft default market offer will weigh on AGL and Origin Energy, as flat-rate electricity prices decline year-on-year.
  • Rising energy costs from the Iran conflict are not just hitting fuel prices, with Global X ETFs investment strategist Justin Lin warning that it could soon hit grocery prices.
  • The Bank of Russia is set to extend its monetary easing cycle with another half-point cut.
  • Denmark was ready to blow up Greenland runways if US invaded.
  • Uber strikes $1.25bn deal with Rivian for robotaxi fleet.
  • U.S. prosecutors charge Super Micro Computer employees with smuggling Nvidia chips to China.

And finally….

I’ve finally told my suitcases there will be no holiday this year. Now I’m dealing with the emotional baggage.

Clarence

XXXXX

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