If you're struggling to keep up with the movements in financial markets during the pandemic, you'd be forgiven.

The S&P/ASX 200 plunged 36.5 per cent from late February when the public health crisis hit to mid-March, before staging an incredible recovery and surging 32 per cent. On Tuesday, it cracked the 6000 point barrier for the first time in three months, sparking a fresh batch of optimistic headlines, before dropping sharply later in the week.