ASX 200 Live Today - Friday, 27th March
ASX set to fall, oil higher as Trump changes deadline. Here are today's top stories.
Today’s ASX 200 Updates
Welcome to our live ASX coverage for Friday, March 27. Expect a high volume of posts pre-market and more periodic updates throughout the day. We'll be wrapping the blog up a little earlier than usual, at ~12:00 pm AEST. Let us know how we can make it even better.
Rough week for the ASX 200
[12:15 pm] That's a wrap for the week. That’s a wrap for the week. The ASX 200 is down 0.33% week-to-date, after Monday’s sharp sell-off saw the index fall 1.84% and trade at its lowest level since 15 May 2025.
From the sector perspective, Tech is the worst performer, down 5.1% for the week, while Utilities leads, up 3.66%.
Today, the ASX 200 is currently down 0.68%, with the S&P/ASX 200 Information Technology Index the biggest loser, down 1.97%. The S&P/ASX 200 Energy Index, however, is making a slight crawlback, currently up 0.68%.
That's all from us today. Make sure to come back Monday morning for more coverage. As always, thanks for tuning in.
By Stephanie Gardner
Copper stocks dip
[11:56 am] Copper stocks are down 2-9% as copper prices dropped 1.34%, later recovering to close 0.87% lower at US$5.50.
Ticker | Company | % Chg | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
CPM | Cooper Metals | -8.70% | $0.04 |
AIS | Aeris Resources | -8.24% | $0.39 |
TAR | Taruga Minerals | -5.00% | $0.02 |
CSC | Capstone Copper | -4.95% | $9.98 |
29M | 29Metals | -3.66% | $0.34 |
AR1 | Austral Resources Australia | -3.66% | $0.08 |
HGO | Hillgrove Resources | -2.78% | $0.04 |
HCH | Hot Chili | -2.69% | $1.27 |
SFR | Sandfire Resources | -1.44% | $15.70 |
BHP | Bhp Group | -0.92% | $49.77 |
CYM | Cyprium Metals | -0.85% | $0.35 |
FFM | Firefly Metals | -0.49% | $1.63 |
MC2 | Marimaca Copper | 3.75% | $8.30 |
By Stephanie Gardner
Healthcare stocks dip
[11:47 am] The S&P/ASX 200 Healthcare Index is down 1.36%, lagging the broader market, which is down 0.78%. Interestingly, other defensives such as Staples (-0.12%) and Utilities (-0.24%) are outperforming on a relative basis.
Ticker | Company | % Chg | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
MSB | Mesoblast | -4.11% | $2.10 |
CSL | CSL | -2.12% | $141.29 |
PME | Pro Medicus | -1.87% | $117.27 |
SIG | Sigma Healthcare | -0.95% | $2.60 |
RHC | Ramsay Health Care | -0.77% | $40.16 |
RMD | Resmed | -0.68% | $32.28 |
ANN | Ansell | -0.66% | $28.44 |
FPH | Fisher & Paykel Healthcare Corporation | -0.51% | $30.98 |
COH | Cochlear | -0.24% | $165.48 |
SHL | Sonic Healthcare | 0.25% | $20.43 |
EBO | EBOS Group | 1.63% | $18.74 |
TLX | Telix Pharmaceuticals | 3.10% | $13.32 |
4DX | 4DMedical | 4.46% | $6.56 |
By Stephanie Gardner
Tech stocks broadly lower
[11:41 am] The S&P/ASX 200 Technology Index is down 1.53% following a downbeat overnight session where the NASDAQ fell 2.38% as yields ticked higher and the VIX spiked 8.33%, closing at 27.43.
Ticker | Company | % Chg | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
WBT | Weebit Nano | -14.10% | $3.90 |
ELS | Elsight | -7.30% | $5.53 |
NXT | NEXTDC | -6.04% | $11.67 |
SDR | SiteMinder | -4.76% | $2.80 |
CDA | Codan | -4.27% | $32.94 |
CAT | Catapult Sports | -3.83% | $3.52 |
MAQ | Macquarie Technology Group | -2.46% | $60.58 |
NXL | Nuix | -2.37% | $1.24 |
PME | Pro Medicus | -1.72% | $117.45 |
PPS | Praemium | -1.52% | $0.65 |
DDR | Dicker Data | -1.29% | $8.45 |
IRE | Iress | -1.27% | $6.99 |
BVS | Bravura Solutions | -1.01% | $1.96 |
By Stephanie Gardner
Top ASX 200 gainers and losers
[11:34 am] Here are today's top gainers and losers on the S&P/ASX 200.
Ticker | Company | % Chg | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
TWE | Treasury Wine Estates | 5.93% | $3.57 |
4DX | 4DMedical | 5.89% | $6.65 |
WHC | Whitehaven Coal | 4.26% | $9.18 |
VEA | Viva Energy Group | 4.10% | $2.54 |
NHC | New Hope Corporation | 3.77% | $5.65 |
TLX | Telix Pharmaceuticals | 3.56% | $13.38 |
CEN | Contact Energy | 2.76% | $7.81 |
RDX | Redox | 2.50% | $3.28 |
360 | Life360 | 2.48% | $19.45 |
YAL | Yancoal Australia | 2.17% | $8.25 |
Ticker | Company | % Chg | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
DRO | Droneshield | -10.83% | $4.00 |
EOS | Electro Optic Systems | -8.78% | $8.62 |
DTR | Dateline Resources | -7.45% | $0.47 |
PDI | Predictive Discovery | -7.16% | $0.69 |
MCY | Mercury NZ | -6.04% | $5.29 |
NXT | Nextdc | -5.60% | $11.73 |
DYL | Deep Yellow | -5.44% | $1.65 |
MFG | Magellan Financial Group | -5.35% | $9.56 |
TUA | Tuas | -4.21% | $5.92 |
CSC | Capstone Copper | -4.19% | $10.06 |
By Stephanie Gardner
Catapult delivers on growth, but cash flow timing clouds the picture
[11:15 am]
Catapult’s (CAT) latest trading update landed ahead of expectations, with ACV and EBITDA both beating forecasts and reinforcing momentum across the business.
Growth was driven by new team wins and deeper product adoption, with brokers highlighting strong cross-sell and upsell as key to recurring revenue expansion. While free cash flow missed due to delayed receivables, this was widely seen as timing-related and expected to unwind in H1.
Analysts remain constructive, with 100% buy ratings (10 ratings) and an average target implying ~70% upside, underscoring confidence in scaling profitability and long-term growth.
NextDC shelves A$500m bond raise after pricing pushback
[11:14 am]
NextDC (NXT) has abandoned plans for a $500 million bond issue after receiving weak pricing feedback, according to the Australian Financial Review.
Sources suggest the company may revisit the deal after Easter, but for now it remains on hold. Investment banks have also pitched alternative funding options, including convertible bonds.
The move underscores a key reality: even for high-growth, in-demand sectors like data centres, capital is no longer cheap, and investors are demanding better returns before committing funds.
4DMedical raises $83m and secures EU approval for CT:VQ
[10:07 am]
4DMedical (4DX) has received firm commitments for an $83 million single-tranche private placement at $5.90 per share, following strong institutional demand.
Placement:
$83 million raised at $5.90 per share
Follows significant inbound interest from institutional investors
Proceeds to fund expansion and acceleration of CT:VQ into Europe
CE Mark certification:
CT:VQ receives CE Mark approval
Enables commercial deployment across the European Union
The capital raise and regulatory approval position the company to expand its respiratory imaging technology into one of the world’s largest healthcare markets.
Duratec secures ~$45m PNG services contract
[9:59 am]
Duratec (DUR) has been awarded a multimillion-dollar contract with Lihir Gold, a subsidiary of Newmont, to provide plug-and-abandonment services at the Lihir Operations in Papua New Guinea.
The 12-month contract is expected to generate around $45 million in revenue, subject to scope and performance, with potential for additional work.
Services include integrated well P&A activities, with work set to commence immediately. The contract is on standard commercial terms and is not subject to material conditions.
Magellan caps oversubscribed share purchase plan at $20 million
[9:57 am]
Magellan Financial Group (MFG) has confirmed its Share Purchase Plan (SPP) closed on 25 March 2026, with strong investor demand resulting in an oversubscription. The company will issue $20 million in new shares, in line with its target. Further details will be released on 31 March.
Magellan also clarified that shares issued to the Barrenjoey Employee Share Trust will vest in seven equal instalments over six-month intervals, beginning 8.5 years after employment commencement and concluding after 11.5 years, subject to continued employment.
Middle East tensions fluid as diplomacy, oil flows, and military strikes collide
[9:33 am]
As noted in the Morning Wrap, the Middle East situation is fluid and evolving in real time, with markets once again being forced to process a complex mix of geopolitics, energy security, and policy intervention. From renewed US pressure on Iran to targeted Israeli strikes and emergency measures in Australia, the situation is evolving quickly and the implications for energy markets and global risk sentiment are material.
Key developments
US sets deadline for Iran negotiations: US President Donald Trump has given Iran 10 days to engage in negotiations aimed at ending the conflict, warning that failure could result in strikes on energy infrastructure.
Unusual oil shipment claim: Trump claimed the US had received a “present” from Iran - 10 Pakistan-flagged oil tankers that passed through the Strait of Hormuz, a critical global energy chokepoint.
Backchannel diplomacy underway: The US says “very substantial talks” are ongoing, with Trump indicating discussions are taking place “with the right people”, suggesting active but opaque diplomatic engagement.
Peace framework delivered via Pakistan: US Middle East envoy Steve Witkoff confirmed a 15-point proposal has been sent to Iran via Pakistan, outlining a potential pathway to de-escalation.
Iran rejects proposal: An Iranian official described the US framework as “one-sided and unfair”, highlighting the difficulty of reaching a near-term agreement.
Israel claims senior Iranian commander killed: Israel says it has killed Alireza Tangsiri, head of the IRGC navy, in an airstrike. Defence Minister Israel Katz linked Tangsiri to operations disrupting shipping through the Strait of Hormuz.
UBS lifts coal and gold, downgrades lithium exposure
[9:27 am]
Upgrades
Coronado Global Resources (CRN) upgraded to buy from neutral; target A$0.42 (from A$0.40) implies 31% upside.
IGO Limited (IGO) upgraded to buy from neutral; target A$8.55 (from A$8.50) implies 12% upside.
Whitehaven Coal (WHC) upgraded to buy from sell; target A$10.10 (from A$7.90) implies 15% upside.
Deterra Royalties (DRR) upgraded to neutral from sell; target A$3.95 (from A$4.20) implies 3% upside.
Evolution Mining (EVN) upgraded to neutral from sell; target A$12.50 (from A$12.80) implies 1% downside.
Sandfire Resources (SFR) upgraded to neutral from sell; target A$17.70 (from A$18.05) implies 11% upside.
Downgrade
Pilbara Minerals (PLS) downgraded to neutral from buy; target A$4.95 implies flat to current price.
Vulcan Energy beats on profit as project spending weighs on EBITDA
[9:24 am]
Vulcan Energy reported FY NPAT of €69.6 million, ahead of FactSet estimates of €56.4 million.
Revenue came in at €7.4 million, slightly below expectations of €8.2 million, reflecting the company’s early-stage production profile.
EBITDA was a loss of €55.3 million, wider than the expected €41.4 million loss, as spending continued to ramp up on the Lionheart project, which is now in construction phase.
During the year, Vulcan secured a €2.2 billion financing package and moved from development into execution, marking a transition toward commercial production.
Silex-backed GLE secures US incentives and funding boost
[9:23 am]
Silex Systems (SLX) has flagged a meaningful step forward for its US partner, Global Laser Enrichment.
GLE has secured a US$98.9 million incentives package to support development of its Paducah Laser Enrichment Facility, with benefits tied to investment and job creation milestones.
On top of that, GLE has been selected for up to US$28.5 million in funding from the US Department of Energy to advance its next-generation uranium enrichment technology.
For Silex, this is less about immediate revenue and more about validation. Its laser-based enrichment technology is moving closer to commercial reality, backed by both state and federal funding.
Weebit Nano raises $87 million at a discount
[9:21 am]
Weebit Nano (WBT) has raised A$87 million in fresh capital, led by an A$80 million institutional placement and a A$7 million Israeli placement, both priced at A$4.05 per share versus a last close of A$4.54.
The discount tells part of the story, but demand matters more. The raise was well supported, signalling growing institutional confidence.
The funds will be used to accelerate commercialisation of its ReRAM technology, with the company leaning into its next phase of growth.
Existing shareholders will also get a chance to participate via a share purchase plan at the same price.
Good morning!
[9:00 am]
ASX 200 futures are down 93 pts (-1.1%) as of 8:30 am AEDT.
In a nutshell:
US markets all weaker overnight but things are fluid this morning, driven by headlines
Trump says Iran let 10 oil ships through Hormuz, and will pause energy attacks for 10 days
WTI crude closed up 3.8% but pared gains, gold down more than 3%
