Weekly Market Insights (20–27 March 2026)

Mar 31
2 min read

Global Markets

Global markets were mixed, driven largely by volatile oil prices and escalating Middle East tensions.

Equities:
- US and Hong Kong markets declined, pressured by war concerns, rising oil prices later in the week, and increased geopolitical risk.
- Australia, Japan, and Europe posted gains, benefiting from lower oil prices earlier in the week, stronger mining stocks, and optimism around possible diplomatic talks.

Bonds:
- US and Australian 10‑year bond yields remained elevated, reflecting inflation risks tied to higher energy prices.
- UK and Chinese yields eased slightly, helped by reduced inflation pressure and lower oil dependency.

Currencies:
- The US dollar strengthened on safe‑haven demand and higher oil prices.
- The Australian dollar and euro weakened, while the Chinese yuan edged higher on improving domestic economic data.

Commodities

Commodity performance was uneven amid geopolitical uncertainty:

Oil prices rose, nearing multi‑year highs as conflict risks, Iran‑related uncertainty, and possible US troop deployments raised supply concerns.
Gold remained stable, supported by safe‑haven buying.
Aluminium gained on supply disruptions, while cocoa prices fell due to expectations of strong West African harvests and rising inventories.
Other commodities saw mixed movements, reflecting shifting inflation and demand expectations.

PNG Local Market

The PNG market was stable but more active, with higher turnover driven by large institutional trades rather than broad price movements.

Stock Market:
- Trading value rose sharply to K4.26 million, with activity dominated by KSL, which represented about 92% of total value, though its share price was unchanged.
- CPL recorded a modest gain, while most other stocks were flat or slightly weaker, indicating limited price momentum.

Corporate Updates:
- Newmont Corporation reported a strong increase in 2025 net income.
- Pacific Lime & Cement began reviewing strategic options for its Star Mountains copper‑gold project.
- Kina Securities strengthened governance with a new Deputy Chair appointment.

Treasury Bills:
- The Bank of PNG issued PGK350 million, largely to refinance maturing debt.
- Issuance focused on longer‑term bills, while interest rates remained unchanged, signalling stable liquidity and balanced demand.

Overall Takeaway

Markets were shaped by oil price volatility and geopolitical risk, resulting in mixed global outcomes. Despite external uncertainty, PNG’s financial markets showed resilience, with strong trading activity, stable interest rates, and steady investor confidence—though price gains remained limited.

For a detailed breakdown of market performance, economic data, and treasury auction results, download the complete report.