Daily-Wrap

Sector performance was mixed, with six of 11 sectors finishing higher. Materials led the market, surging 4.06%, followed by A-REITs (+1.52%), Financials (+1.11%), and Information Technology (+1.05%). Energy was the weakest sector, falling 5.58% as oil prices retreated.

Market gains were widespread, with nine of the eleven sectors closing in positive territory. The Materials sector emerged as the standout performer, rising 4.06% on the day, while remaining up 0.79% over the past week. Other notable gainers included Consumer Discretionary (+2.05%), A-REITs (+1.80%), …

Market sentiment was weighed down by weakness in major banking stocks, while escalating geopolitical tensions in the Middle East added to investor caution. Fresh US strikes on Iran reignited concerns around the ongoing regional conflict, which has contributed to heightened volatility across global financial …

Macro Update:Australia recorded a decline in industrial disputes during the March quarter of 2026, with 49 strikes or lockouts reported, down from 77 in the previous quarter. The number of employees involved fell to 46,500 from 49,500, while working days lost decreased to 47,600 …

Macro Update:Australia’s residential property market continued to grow in the March quarter of 2026, with the total value of residential dwellings increasing by $315.9 billion, or 2.5%, to $12.8 trillion, according to the Australian Bureau of Statistics. Annual dwelling values were up 11.9%, with …

Macro Update:The escalating conflict in the Middle East has emerged as a key risk to the global economy, triggering an energy shock that is expected to increase inflationary pressures and weigh on growth, according to the latest Economic Outlook from the Organisation for Economic …

Investor caution was further heightened by renewed US-Iran clashes, raising concerns over the fragile Middle East ceasefire. Despite the broader sell-off, defensive sectors attracted buyers, with Utilities leading gains at 1.33%, followed by Consumer Staples (+1.03%) and Health Care (+0.78%). The benchmark index remains …