The ASX snapped a two-day slide today, lifting 0.5% on renewed hopes for a US-Iran peace deal. While gains halved from morning peaks following the start of a US Navy blockade in the Strait of Hormuz, the market remained resilient. BHP surged 3.2% after reports that China is reopening doors to its iron ore, but the corporate "war toll" weighed elsewhere. Qantas flagged an $800 million fuel hit, Westpac fell 2.6%, and Cleanaway cut profit guidance. Meanwhile, consumer confidence plunged 12.5% to near-record lows.

Steve Daghlian and Laura Besarati are Market Analysts at CommSec. Each episode, they break down the day's market movements and explain what the numbers really mean.

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