End of Day Report – Friday 21 March: ASX 200 up 13, 1.8% for the week | US quadruple witching

The ASX 200 put on another 13 points to 7932 (0.2%) after a tentative start. 2% up for the week. Banks were sold with the Big Bank Basket unchanged at $238.82. CBA flat. MQG saw some profit taking, other financials also flat, GQG down 1.4% and HUB off 1.8%. REITs once again in demand, SGP up 0.8% with VCX up 2.4%. Industrials were firm but unexciting, WOW and COL rallied hard on ACCC news, CPU up 3.7% and retail doing ok again, PMV up 3.9% on an update. JBH bounced back a little too. Tech was a little soft, WTC off 0.5% with the All-Tech Index down 0.7%.Iron ore stocks were firm despite falls in the iron ore price. BHP up 1.1% and RIO up 0.9%, maybe copper more a factor. Lithium stocks were depressed, PLS fell 5.1% and uranium squeeze continues, BOE up 6.7%. Gold miners slid on some fatigue in bullion. GOR down 3.3% and NST off 0.6%. In corporate news, PDN dropped 4% as the rains came down in Africa. CSC lifted 0.7% after announcing plans to issue $500mn worth of senior unsecured bonds and EMR crashed 3.85% on a production miss.Nothing locally on the economic front as we head into the Budget next week. Asian markets seeing sellers win, China down 0.9%, HK off 2% and Japan back from another holiday up 0.6%. 10-year yields steady at 4.41%.Want to invest with Marcus Today? The Managed Strategy Portfolio is designed for investors seeking exposure to our strategy while we do the hard work for you. If you’re looking for personal financial advice, our friends at Clime Investment Management can help. Their team of licensed advisers operates across most states, offering tailored financial planning services.  Why not sign up for a free trial? Gain access to expert insights, research, and analysis to become a better investor.