Last mentioned: Mar 19, 2026
ASX Opening
ASX 200 projected to fall 0.2% as energy and gold stocks rally.
US Strike
American strike kills Iranian leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.
Iranian Retaliation
Iran launches drone and missile attacks on Israel and Gulf states.
Market Reaction
Bitcoin drops 4% to $63,000; safe-haven currencies like Swiss franc and USD surge.
Record Close
ASX 200 hits record high before US strikes in Iran.
Treasurer Jim Chalmers has warned of a significant slowdown in national economic growth, citing persistent high interest rates and global instability. For the startup sector, this signals a prolonged period of capital scarcity and a shift in focus toward profitability over rapid expansion.
Bitcoin prices recovered to $63,000 following a 4% dip triggered by an escalating Middle East conflict and the death of Iran's supreme leader. As the only major asset trading over the weekend, Bitcoin's bounce suggests investors are pricing in a temporary volatility spike rather than a sustained regional war.
Global markets are shifting into a risk-off posture following a US strike that killed Iran's supreme leader, driving a surge in safe-haven assets and oil prices. Despite the geopolitical tension, the Australian market is processing a major domestic development as Magellan Financial moves toward a $1.6 billion merger with Barrenjoey Capital Partners.
The death of Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei in a targeted US strike has triggered a massive regional escalation and a global flight to safe-haven assets. While energy and gold stocks are set to rally, broader markets face significant uncertainty as Iran launches counterstrikes across the Gulf.