End of Day Report – Monday 31 March: ASX 200 drops 139 on quarter end | US Futures down

The ASX fell 139 points to 7843 (-1.7%). Tariff and global growth fears weighed as Asian markets saw profit taking, Japan off 3.8%. Some patches of green with the banks holding up better than expected, CBA up 0.3% but MQG off 3.4% though with the Big Bank Basket down to $(%). Financials geared to the market were in trouble across the board, GQG fell 2.8% with the ASX in trouble with ACCC and ASIC off 2.8%. PNI fell 4.0% with ZIP dropping 7.7% on US consumer slowdown. AMP also falling 3.5%. REITs slid, GMG dropped 2.9% with SCG down 2.0% and industrials also falling. TLS fell only 0.5% on defensive perceptions, CPU down 2.7% and retail sliding, JBH off 1.9% and PMV falling 2.8%. ARB dipped another 3.1% with DMP down 4.6%. ‘Old Skool’ platforms also under pressure, REA dipped 3.3% on news NEC were in DD for the CoStar bid, SEK down 4.0% and the All-Tech Index down 2.2%. WTC rallied 1.5% as it named two new directors. Resources which had done better last week, cast all that asunder and we saw selling in the iron ore stocks, BHP down 3.8% and FMG off 4.0% with lithium under pressure, PLS off 8.2% with LTR falling 4.6%. Gold miners were mixed despite gold heading through $4900. WGX fell 1.4% and NST down 1.7%. Oil and gas also lower, WDS off 2.9% and KAR dropping 5.1%. Uranium stocks were knocked over again, PDN down 5.7% and NXG off 7.3%. In corporate news, DHG was the big one today, down 1.6%. Todd Sampson quit the QAN board, and HMC fell 5.8% as talks emerged of ambitions on Healthscope. Nothing locally on the economic front. Asian market fell hard, Japan under serious pressure, off 3.8% with China and HK down 1.7% and 1.0% respectively. 10-year yields around 4.39%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.