Evening Notes

Latest evening notes and downloadable PDFs.

27 Feb 2026

A Record Close Caps a Resilient February as the S&P/ASX 200 Extends Its Eight-Month Advance

Australian equities closed the week on a firm footing, with the S&P/ASX 200 up 0.25% and striking another record high, capping its eighth straight month of gains. We have seen clear rotation beneath the surface. Block Inc (ASX: XYZ) soared 28.28%, while Iluka Resources Ltd (ASX: ILU) and Lynas Rare Earths Ltd (ASX: LYC) each rose more than 9%. By contrast, Coles Group Ltd (ASX: COL) fell 6.67% despite lifting interim profit 16.5% to $699m and declaring a 32-cent fully franked dividend. At the top of the market-cap table, BHP Group (ASX: BHP) has edged back ahead of Commonwealth Bank (ASX: CBA), $292bn to $290bn, reflecting renewed appetite for materials. Credit growth slowed to 0.5% in January, according to the Reserve Bank of Australia, yet annual growth remains a firm 7.7%. With the Australian dollar near $0.711 and markets pricing an 80% chance of a May rate rise, resilience remains the defining theme.

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25 Feb 2026

ASX 200 surges to record as inflation surprise sharpens rate outlook

Australian shares closed at a fresh peak on Wednesday, with the S&P/ASX 200 up 1.17% as technology, consumer staples and miners led a broad advance. Gainers comfortably outpaced losers and volatility eased, with the S&P/ASX 200 VIX down 5.48% to 11.69. Standouts included ARB (ASX: ARB), DroneShield (ASX: DRO) and Woolworths (ASX: WOW), the latter hitting a 52-week high, while Domino’s (ASX: DMP) and Viva Energy (ASX: VEA) lagged. The upbeat tone came despite inflation holding at 3.8% in January, above forecasts, with trimmed mean CPI at 3.4%. Electricity costs jumped 32.2%, keeping price pressures broad. Construction slipped 0.1% in Q4, dragged by engineering work. Markets now price a strong chance of a May rate rise, pushing the Australian dollar to $0.70-and-10-year yields towards 4.73%, even as Wall Street and Chinese equities extended gains.

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24 Feb 2026

ASX Edges Lower While VEA Jumps 10% on Earnings Beat

Australian shares drifted lower on Tuesday, with the S&P/ASX 200 slipping 0.04% as weakness in IT, consumer discretionary and A-REITs offset strength in resources and energy. Decliners outnumbered advancers by 678 to 484, though volatility eased, with the S&P/ASX 200 VIX down 2.33% to 12.36. Lithium names led gains, including Liontown Resources Ltd and Pls Group Ltd, while ARB Corporation Ltd slumped to five-year lows and Megaport Ltd hit a 52-week trough. Earnings drove the tone. Woodside Energy edged up after record output and reaffirmed dividends despite a 24% drop in statutory profit, reinforcing the market’s focus on cash returns. Viva Energy Group jumped 10% on an earnings beat, while Transurban Group paid its interim dividend. Offshore, firmer Chinese equities and steady US futures offered support, even as investors weighed tariff risks and sticky inflation at home.

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23 Feb 2026

Tariff jitters weigh on ASX 200; South32 (ASX:S32) resilient, Megaport (ASX:MP1) sinks

Australian shares stepped back on Monday, with the S&P/ASX 200 down 0.61% to around 9,036, as investors trimmed risk after last week’s near record levels. Technology, healthcare and A-REITs led the decline, while materials offered partial support. Reece (ASX:REH) jumped 12.98% to 15.75, Guzman Y Gomez (ASX:GYG) gained 9.13% to 19.13 and Ramelius Resources (ASX:RMS) rose 8.87% to 4.91. At the other end, Megaport (ASX:MP1) slumped 17.31% to a 52 week low of 7.98, with Perenti (ASX:PRN) and Austal (ASX:ASB) also sharply lower. Decliners outpaced advancers 672 to 540, while the ASX 200 VIX rose 7.08% to 12.67. Global trade tensions added to the caution after President Donald Trump flagged tariffs rising to 15%. The Australian dollar firmed to about $0.709, bond yields eased to 4.72%, and markets now see a 76% chance of an RBA hike by May.

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20 Feb 2026

ASX Edges Lower as Growth Cools and Volatility Ticks Up

Australian shares drifted lower on Friday, with the S&P/ASX 200 slipping 0.05% as losses in technology and consumer names outweighed pockets of strength. Telix Pharmaceuticals Ltd (ASX:TLX) jumped 14.46%, while QBE Insurance Group Ltd (ASX:QBE) and Austal Ltd (ASX:ASB) also posted solid gains. By contrast, Guzman Y Gomez Ltd (ASX:GYG) sank 13.11% to a record low, with Megaport Ltd (ASX:MP1) and Liontown Resources Ltd (ASX:LTR) under pressure. The S&P/ASX 200 VIX rose 1.51% to 11.82, hinting at slightly firmer nerves. Economic data offered little comfort. S&P Global flash PMIs eased in February, with the composite at 52.0, still expanding but cooling. Input costs accelerated, complicating the outlook for the Reserve Bank of Australia, as markets price a 76% chance of a rate rise by May.

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19 Feb 2026

ASX Defies Rate Pressure as Energy and Telecoms Power Rally

Australian equities closed firmly higher, with the ASX 200 rising 0.88% and touching a record intraday 9,107 points, as investors looked past rate fears and focused on earnings strength. Employment rose by 17,800 in January to a record 14.70m, while unemployment held at 4.1%, reinforcing expectations of a possible May hike from the Reserve Bank of Australia. Bond yields climbed to 4.77% and the Australian dollar strengthened to US$0.706, yet equity sentiment remained constructive. Results drove the action. Telstra Group Ltd (ASX:TLS) gained nearly 4% after lifting profit 9.4% to $1.12bn and raising its dividend, while Rio Tinto (ASX:RIO) maintained a $4.02 payout despite lower earnings. Energy stocks tracked oil above US$65 a barrel, though sharp declines in Zip Co Ltd (ASX:ZIP) reminded investors that reporting season remains unforgiving.

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17 Feb 2026

ASX 200 Climbs 0.24% as BHP Ignites Rally and Tech Continues to Lag

ASX 200 Climbs 0.24% as BHP Ignites Rally and Tech Continues to Lag Australian equities closed modestly higher, with the S&P/ASX 200 up 0.24%, as strength in resources offset ongoing weakness in technology. The tone was set by BHP Group (ASX:BHP), which surged as much as 8% to a record $54.20 after posting a 28% rise in half-year profit to US$5.64bn and lifting its interim dividend by 46% to 73 US cents. Copper drove more than half of earnings, underscoring how investors are rewarding scale and cash flow. Standouts included Pro Medicus (ASX:PME), JB Hi-Fi (ASX:JBH) and A2 Milk (ASX:A2M), while Reliance Worldwide (ASX:RWC) hit a 52-week low. Elsewhere, the tech sub-index (ASX:XIJ) fell about 0.7% and is down 43% over six months, reflecting rotation away from high-multiple growth. RBA minutes struck a hawkish tone, projecting inflation above target through 2026, while 10-year yields dipped below 4.70% and the A$ hovered near $0.70.

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16 Feb 2026

ASX edges higher as retail strength offsets earnings disappointments

Australian shares edged higher on Monday, with the S&P/ASX 200 closing up 0.24% at 8,939, as strength in IT and consumer discretionary offset weakness in select defensives and miners. Standout moves came from Austal Ltd (ASX:ASB), up 20.74% to 5.88, and WiseTech Global Ltd (ASX:WTC), which gained 12.76% to 48.06. Retailer JB Hi-Fi Ltd (ASX:JBH) added 5.45% after lifting profit 7% to A$305.8m and raising its interim dividend 23.5% to 210 cents, offering reassurance that parts of the consumer economy remain resilient. Not all sectors shared the optimism. Treasury Wine Estates Ltd (ASX:TWE) fell 4.39% after a roughly 40% slide in underlying EBITS and no interim dividend, while Fortescue Metals Group Ltd (ASX:FMG) lost 4.15%. The S&P/ASX 200 VIX eased 4.77% to 12.95, suggesting calmer nerves as investors await fresh data and central bank guidance.

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13 Feb 2026

Aussie stocks lower at close of trade; S&P/ASX 200 down 1.39%

Australia stocks ended Friday on a sour note, with the S&P/ASX 200 (ASX:XJO) falling 1.39% to 8,919.7, a sharp reversal after flirting with record highs a day earlier. Selling was broad, with decliners swamping advancers 955 to 253, and volatility jumping as the S&P/ASX 200 VIX rose 15.43% to 13.59. Technology and healthcare bore the brunt. WiseTech Global Ltd (ASX:WTC) slumped nearly 15% to a three-and-a-half-year low, while Cochlear Ltd (ASX:COH) dropped 18.74% to three-year lows. Banks also eased, with Commonwealth Bank of Australia (ASX:CBA), National Australia Bank Ltd (ASX:NAB), Westpac Banking Corp (ASX:WBC) and ANZ Group Holdings Ltd (ASX:ANZ) giving back recent gains. There were pockets of resilience. AMP Ltd (ASX:AMP) jumped 8.98%, while Origin Energy Ltd (ASX:ORG) and AGL Energy Ltd (ASX:AGL) advanced as investors rotated into steadier cash flow stories. With reporting season under way, the market’s focus has shifted firmly to earnings quality and dividend durability rather than momentum alone.

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12 Feb 2026

Australia Stocks Higher at Close of Trade; S&P/ASX 200 Up 0.32% as Banks Power to Fresh Highs

Australian shares edged higher on Thursday, with the S&P/ASX 200 (ASX:XJO) up 0.32% and briefly within 10 points of its 9,115 record before settling near 9,037. The charge was led by a banking boom. ANZ (ASX:ANZ) surged 8.33% to 40.30 after a 17% lift in quarterly cash profit to 1.94bn and a cost to income ratio below 50%, dragging NAB (ASX:NAB), Westpac (ASX:WBC) and CBA (ASX:CBA) to fresh highs. South32 (ASX:S32) rose over 5% on a 29% profit jump and a 3.9 US cent dividend, while Northern Star (ASX:NST) gained more than 2% as gold profits climbed 49%. The mood was less forgiving elsewhere. Temple & Webster (ASX:TPW) sank 32.63% to a 52 week low, Pro Medicus (ASX:PME) fell 23.88%, and WiseTech (ASX:WTC) dropped 7%. With inflation expectations at 5%, the RBA cash rate at 3.85% and the 10 year yield near 4.80%, investors are favouring banks and dividends over high growth names.

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10 Feb 2026

Aussie stocks finish flat as sector rotation masks rising caution ahead of key earnings

Australian equities finished flat on Tuesday, a quiet headline outcome that concealed plenty of movement beneath the surface. The S&P/ASX 200 went nowhere as gains in technology, uranium and gold were offset by weakness in banks and insurers ahead of a packed earnings schedule. DroneShield (ASX:DRO) jumped 7.30% and Zip Co (ASX:ZIP) rose 6.48% as investors tentatively stepped back into beaten-down growth stocks, while uranium names such as Boss Energy (ASX:BOE) rallied on upgraded long-term supply assumptions. Financials told a different story, with insurers sliding sharply and the majors easing as positioning was trimmed ahead of Commonwealth Bank’s result. Volatility ticked higher, with the ASX 200 VIX up 1.38% to 12.39. Away from equities, the mood was cautious. Consumer sentiment fell 2.6% to a ten-month low, the Australian dollar slipped back towards US$0.70 and housing data disappointed. Business confidence, however, edged higher, reinforcing the sense of an economy slowing unevenly rather than stalling outright. With CBA, CSL (ASX:CSL) and AGL (ASX:AGL) reporting next, the flat close felt less like indecision and more like investors holding their breath.

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06 Feb 2026

Friday Flush Hits ASX as Tech Rout Deepens and Volatility Spikes

Australian shares closed sharply lower on Friday, with the S&P/ASX 200 sliding 2.03% to a four-week low near 8,702, as a global technology sell-off and softer commodity prices triggered broad based selling. Every sector finished in the red, with IT, A-REITs and Gold leading the declines, while market breadth was decisively negative as falling stocks overwhelmed advancers. Volatility jumped, with the ASX 200 VIX rising more than 21% to a one month high, underscoring how quickly risk appetite faded following the Reserve Bank’s recent rate hike and a renewed bout of global market anxiety. Losses were heaviest across technology and resources, where WiseTech, Xero and TechnologyOne fell sharply, and miners such as BHP and Rio Tinto tracked weaker iron ore and copper prices. Gold stocks also slid as bullion stayed under pressure. A few names resisted the sell-off, with Brambles and ResMed ending higher, but overall, the session felt like a classic Friday flush, erasing recent gains and leaving investors cautious heading into the new week.

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05 Feb 2026

Materials retreat and global tech jitters end a two-day rally as investors reassess growth, rates and geopolitics

Australian shares slipped on Thursday, with the S&P/ASX 200 closing down 0.43% as a sell-off in materials and energy erased the market’s brief winning streak. We saw sentiment cool sharply after weaker guidance from global chipmaker AMD rattled confidence in AI-led growth, dragging uranium names such as Paladin Energy (ASX:PDN) and weighing on copper and gold miners. Gold’s pullback towards US$4,789 an ounce added pressure, while Woodside Energy (ASX:WDS) and Santos (ASX:STO) fell as renewed US-Iran talks knocked the geopolitical premium out of oil. That said, the session was not without pockets of resilience. Treasury Wine Estates (ASX:TWE), Premier Investments (ASX:PMV) and Netwealth (ASX:NWL) stood out on the upside, while healthcare names like CSL (ASX:CSL) and ResMed (ASX:RMD) attracted defensive flows. With volatility ticking higher and investors still digesting the RBA’s hawkish shift, the market looks more like it is searching for a floor than heading into a deeper slide.

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04 Feb 2026

Materials drive a decisive rebound as the market absorbs the RBA’s hawkish turn

Australian shares found their footing on Wednesday, with the S&P/ASX 200 rising 0.80% to 8,927.8 as investors largely looked through the RBA’s rate hike to 3.85% and leaned back into resources. The tone improved steadily through the session, led by a powerful rebound in miners and gold stocks as commodity prices recovered. The mining sector jumped 3.7%, with BHP Group (ASX:BHP) and Rio Tinto (ASX:RIO) up more than 4%, while South32 (ASX:S32) hit three-year highs. Gold names such as Northern Star (ASX:NST) and Evolution Mining (ASX:EVN) also rallied as gold climbed back above US$5,000 an ounce. Volatility eased, with the ASX 200 VIX down to 11.42. By contrast, technology remained under heavy pressure. Xero (ASX:XRO), Technology One (ASX:TNE) and WiseTech Global (ASX:WTC) all sold off sharply, reflecting the global rotation out of high-multiple software stocks. Banks recovered from early weakness to finish about 1% higher, as investors focused on improving margins in a higher-rate environment. The Australian dollar firmed near $0.703, reinforcing the sense that, for now, growth and commodities are back in favour.

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03 Feb 2026

Australia equities absorb rate shock and rally as banks and miners steady the tape

Australian shares ended Tuesday on a steadier footing, with the S&P/ASX 200 up 0.89% despite the Reserve Bank of Australia delivering its first rate hike in more than two years. Investors appeared relieved that the policy uncertainty had passed, choosing instead to focus on sector fundamentals. Banks led the rebound, with Commonwealth Bank (ASX:CBA) rising 1.6% and its major peers all gaining more than 1%, helped by expectations of stronger margins. Miners also recovered as gold rebounded sharply, lifting names such as Newmont (ASX:NEM), while market volatility eased, with the ASX 200 VIX down nearly 8%. Energy was the clear laggard as oil prices slid on easing geopolitical tensions, weighing on Woodside (ASX:WDS) and Santos (ASX:STO). Still, broader sentiment held up, supported by gains across Asia and Wall Street, a firmer Australian dollar near $0.70 and evidence that investors remain confident the economy can absorb higher rates without derailing growth.

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02 Feb 2026

Australia stocks lower at close of trade; S&P/ASX 200 down 1.02%

Australian shares started the week on the back foot, with the S&P/ASX 200 closing down 1.02% near 8,776 as a sharp sell-off in materials set the tone. A violent crash in gold and silver prices ripped through local miners, dragging the Materials index down about 3% and pushing stocks such as Newmont (ASX:NEM) and Emerald Resources (ASX:EMR) sharply lower. Market breadth was weak, volatility picked up, and Graincorp (ASX:GNC) sank to a three-year low. A brief rotation into banks offered little shelter, with Commonwealth Bank (ASX:CBA) ending only modestly higher after early strength. The mood remains cautious ahead of Tuesday’s RBA decision, with markets pricing a 75% chance of a rate hike as bond yields hover near multi-year highs. Softer January inflation was offset by a rebound in job ads, keeping policy uncertainty high. Globally, weaker Chinese equities, falling oil prices and a firmer US dollar added to the pressure, reinforcing a risk-off start to Australia’s reporting season.

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30 Jan 2026

ASX slips on mining sell-off as January rally holds

Australian shares ended Friday on the back foot, with the S&P/ASX 200 down 0.65%, as a sharp sell-off in gold and mining stocks outweighed pockets of strength elsewhere. The mood turned defensive late in the session, with decliners comfortably outnumbering advancers and volatility ticking higher. Gold names led the retreat as prices pulled back on profit-taking, dragging stocks such as Liontown Resources (ASX:LTR), Genesis Minerals (ASX:GMD) and Newmont (ASX:NEM) lower. Still, the index is closing January near its highs and remains on track for its strongest monthly showing since August. Not all was gloomy. Healthcare stood out, with ResMed (ASX:RMD) jumping after strong earnings, lifting sentiment across the sector. Media and selected financials also helped, led by Nine Entertainment (ASX:NEC) and AMP (ASX:AMP). With the Australian dollar firm near US$0.70 and markets braced for a likely RBA rate hike next week, investors appear content to lock in gains, even as the broader backdrop stays supportive.

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29 Jan 2026

ASX Pauses Near Records as Banks Weigh and Miners Shine

Australian shares ended Thursday slightly lower, with the S&P/ASX 200 down 0.07%, as investors grew more cautious into the close. Early optimism faded as geopolitical tensions in the Middle East took centre stage, prompting a defensive shift across the market. IT, Industrials and Consumer Discretionary led the declines, while banks slipped on rising expectations of a Reserve Bank rate hike next week. Commonwealth Bank (ASX:CBA) and its peers traded lower as the market weighed stronger margins against the risk of higher bad debts. Resources told a different story. Gold’s surge above $5,600 an ounce drove renewed interest in local miners, lifting names such as Sandfire Resources (ASX:SFR) to fresh highs. Energy stocks also found support as oil pushed above US$64 a barrel. Overall, the session reflected a market caught between tightening monetary policy and the growing appeal of hard assets in an uncertain global backdrop.

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28 Jan 2026

Market slips as defensives fail to offset pressure from IT, healthcare and discretionary stocks

Australian shares edged lower on Wednesday, with the S&P/ASX 200 slipping 0.09% as weakness in IT, healthcare and consumer discretionary stocks outweighed strength in resources. Market breadth was negative and investors showed little appetite to take on fresh risk ahead of the February reporting season and next week’s RBA meeting. That caution persisted despite volatility easing, with the ASX 200 VIX down 1.07% to 10.51, suggesting the pullback was more about positioning than rising fear. Within the market, resources again did the heavy lifting. Paladin Energy Ltd (ASX: PDN) rose 5.67% to a 52-week high, while Capstone Copper Corp DRC (ASX: CSC) and Evolution Mining Ltd (ASX: EVN) both closed at all-time highs. Macro signals remain mixed. Inflation re-accelerated to 3.8%, lifting rate hike odds to about 72% and pushing the Australian dollar toward US$0.699, while bond yields eased and gold surged above US$5,200 an ounce. For us, it is a market waiting for earnings to break the stalemate.

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27 Jan 2026

ASX 200 advance to a three-month high as cyclical leadership reasserts itself

Australian equities closed higher, with the S&P/ASX 200 up 0.92% to a three-month high, led by telecoms, metals and broader resources. Telix Pharmaceuticals, Capstone Copper and Rea Group outperformed, while Alcoa, Life360 and DroneShield lagged. Market breadth was mixed and volatility ticked up, reflecting selective positioning ahead of February earnings. Investors are increasingly focused on whether companies can defend margins as labour costs stay high and consumers remain cautious. Macro signals remain supportive but complicated. Bond yields have surged, with the 10-year near 4.83% and markets pricing a 60% chance of an RBA rate hike. The Australian dollar strengthened toward $0.691, while global cues were mixed, with China weaker and US markets awaiting the Fed. Commodities diverged, with oil softer and gold near record highs on geopolitical risk.

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23 Jan 2026

Australian equities edge higher into the January close as gold strength, dividend flows and macro momentum intersect

Australian shares edged higher into the close on Friday, with the S&P/ASX 200 up 0.13%, but the headline move understated the activity beneath the surface. Gold and technology did the heavy lifting, with Life360 (ASX:360) surging 27.76%, while Regis Resources (ASX:RRL) and Ramelius Resources (ASX:RMS) climbed to five year and all time highs respectively as gold pushed above US$4,950 per ounce. Market breadth was supportive, volatility ticked higher and profit taking emerged in names such as DroneShield (ASX:DRO) and Abacus Storage King (ASX:ASK), reflecting a market that is rotating rather than retreating. At the same time, investors are juggling dividends, earnings and rate risk. Cash is landing from payments by Premier Investments (ASX:PMV) and Ricegrowers (ASX:SGLLV), while attention turns to upcoming ex dividend dates and the February reporting season. Strong PMIs, falling unemployment at 4.1% and a 10 year yield near 4.81% have hardened expectations of an RBA hike, lifting the Australian dollar to around $0.684 and sharpening the focus on quality, income resilience and balance sheet strength.

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22 Jan 2026

Australian shares climb as strong jobs data lifts confidence

Australian shares finished Thursday on a firmer footing, with the S&P/ASX 200 up 0.75%, as investors leaned back into risk and volatility eased. Energy, Consumer Discretionary and Utilities led the gains, while stock-specific moves were pronounced. Premier Investments (ASX:PMV) jumped 10.11% ahead of its $0.50 fully franked dividend payment, while DroneShield (ASX:DRO) and Mesoblast (ASX:MSB) extended recent rallies. Gold stocks lagged as bullion pulled back from record highs, with Vault Minerals (ASX:VAU), Northern Star Resources (ASX:NST) and Emerald Resources (ASX:EMR) all sharply lower. Market breadth was positive and the ASX 200 VIX slid to 10.06, pointing to calmer conditions as the market edges into the February reporting season and digests a steady flow of ex-dividend moves and operational updates. The macro backdrop did much of the heavy lifting. December jobs data showed employment jumping 65,200 and the unemployment rate falling to 4.1%, strengthening the case for tighter policy. Bond yields pushed towards 4.79%, the Australian dollar climbed to around $0.679 and markets lifted the odds of a February rate hike. Offshore, easing US-Europe tensions supported global sentiment, oil held near US$61 a barrel and US equities rebounded, giving local investors a more constructive lead into the end of the week.

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21 Jan 2026

Australian shares edge lower as geopolitics and rate nerves weigh

Australian shares slipped modestly on Wednesday, with the S&P/ASX 200 closing down 0.37% as weakness in technology, consumer discretionary and A-REITs outweighed sharp gains in selected resource stocks. Paladin Energy surged almost 13% to a 52-week high, while Emerald Resources and Westgold Resources both hit record levels, underscoring continued appetite for uranium and gold exposure. By contrast, DroneShield, Telix Pharmaceuticals and Xero retreated sharply, with Telix and Xero sliding to fresh 52-week lows. Market breadth was slightly negative and volatility ticked higher, reflecting a cautious tone rather than outright risk aversion. Offshore, geopolitics set the mood. The Australian dollar held near US$0.673 as the US dollar weakened amid tensions between Washington and Europe over Greenland, while bond yields eased after strong demand for a A$15bn government bond sale. Global equities steadied after a sharp US sell-off, oil slipped below US$60, and gold pushed to a fresh record above US$4,870 as investors sought safety ahead of key jobs and inflation data.

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20 Jan 2026

ASX weakens as global tensions weigh on sentiment

We saw Australian shares slide on Tuesday as caution took hold across markets. The S&P/ASX 200 closed down 0.66%, dragged lower by weakness in financials, materials and miners, while market breadth told a familiar story with decliners comfortably outnumbering advancers. A few stocks still found support, with Summerset Group, DroneShield and Xero posting solid gains, but sharp falls in names such as ARB Corporation, Perenti Global and Austal kept the index under pressure. Volatility ticked higher, with the ASX 200 VIX rising 2.12% to a one month high, while the 10-year yield climbed to about 4.77%. Globally, we are navigating a risk-off mood. China equities slipped after the central bank stood pat, US futures softened on renewed tariff threats, oil hovered near US$59 a barrel, and gold pushed to a fresh record above US$4,700 as investors sought safety.

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15 Jan 2026

Australian shares climb to one month high on resource strength

Australian shares climb to one month high on resource strength Australian shares ended Thursday on a firmer note, with the S&P/ASX 200 up 0.47% and touching a one month high as miners and materials stocks did the heavy lifting. Bluescope Steel climbed 4.6% to a five year high, South32 added 4.55% to a 52 week peak and resource names broadly found support despite more stocks falling than rising across the market. Volatility continued to ease, even as investors remained selective, with weakness in Zip, Treasury Wine Estates and Life360 tempering the overall tone. Beyond equities, the backdrop was mixed but steady. Consumer inflation expectations held at 4.6%, keeping the Reserve Bank firmly in focus as markets price a rising chance of a rate hike by May. The Australian dollar hovered near $0.668, bonds edged higher in yield and offshore sentiment was softer, with Chinese shares slipping, US futures pointing lower and oil and gold pulling back as geopolitical tensions eased.

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14 Jan 2026

ASX gains as commodity strength outweighs financials

Australian shares edged higher on Wednesday, with the S&P/ASX 200 up 0.14% to a one month high as energy, resources and gold stocks carried the market. Breadth was positive, with advancers narrowly outpacing decliners, and volatility stayed subdued, with the ASX 200 VIX flat at 10.21. Stanmore Coal stood out, surging 11.81% to a 52-week high of 3.03, while IperionX gained 8.38% and Neuren Pharmaceuticals added 6.53%. Losses were led by Block, down 3.17%, alongside Reliance Worldwide and Nickel Mines. Macro signals were mixed. Dwelling approvals jumped 15.2% in November to 18,406 units, the strongest in nearly four years, while private house approvals rose 1.3%. Bond markets were less relaxed, with 10-year yields at 4.73% as rate hike risks lingered. The Australian dollar held near $0.668. Offshore, China equities rebounded sharply, US futures were steady, oil paused near US$61, and gold hit a record above US$4,630 an ounce.

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13 Jan 2026

ASX 200 reaches one-month high, led by gold and metals

Australian shares pushed higher on Tuesday, with the ASX 200 up 0.56% at a one-month high, driven once again by strength in gold, metals and materials. Resource stocks did the heavy lifting, with Austal and Greatland Resources both closing at record levels, reflecting continued appetite for defence exposure and scarcity-driven commodities. The calm surface was reinforced by falling volatility, even as market breadth was narrowly negative and sharp losses hit names such as GQG Partners, Zip and Viva Energy, a reminder that gains remain selective rather than broad-based. That tension was echoed in the macro backdrop. Consumer sentiment slipped to a three-month low as households grew more cautious about 2026, weighed down by stubborn inflation and rising concern over jobs. The Australian dollar held near $0.67 on expectations the RBA may yet hike rates, while offshore, investors stayed cautious ahead of US inflation data. Firm oil prices, near-month highs, and gold holding close to record levels underscored how geopolitics and policy uncertainty continue to anchor market psychology.

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12 Jan 2026

Australian market climbs as consumers support sentiment

Australian shares ended Monday on a firmer footing, with the ASX 200 up 0.48% as gold miners and consumer stocks did the heavy lifting. Light & Wonder stole the spotlight, surging 17.64% to a record 182.00, while Ramelius Resources and Newmont also hit all-time highs as bullion prices jumped. Declines in names such as Mesoblast, Super Retail Group and DroneShield failed to dent overall sentiment, with advancers comfortably outnumbering decliners. Volatility edged higher, however, with the ASX 200 VIX rising to a one-month high, hinting at lingering caution beneath the surface. Economic signals were mixed. Job ads fell for a sixth month in November, though the pace of decline eased, while household spending rose 1.0% month-on-month, slower than October but still beating expectations. The Australian dollar firmed towards $0.67 on renewed rate-hike speculation, as global markets digested strong gains in Chinese equities, softer US futures, rising oil on Iran-related tensions, and a fresh record in gold prices above US$4,570 an ounce.

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09 Jan 2026

Australian shares close narrowly lower with eyes on rates and global cues

Australian shares ended Friday slightly lower, with the ASX 200 down 0.03%, a flat finish that concealed sharp moves beneath the surface. Losses in IT, A-REITs and miners offset strong gains elsewhere, notably Codan, which surged 16.83% to a record high, while AP Eagers and James Hardie also posted solid advances. Heavyweights weighed, led by Rio Tinto’s 6.20% slide, as declining stocks narrowly outpaced gainers. Volatility eased, bond yields hovered near recent lows at 4.67%, and markets continued to debate whether the Reserve Bank will move as early as February, with odds priced around 24% to 25%. The Australian dollar slipped below $0.670 after weak trade data showed the surplus narrowing sharply. Offshore, Chinese equities rallied to multi-year highs on policy support, while US markets were cautious ahead of jobs data, rotating out of tech into defence. Oil rose on geopolitical tensions, while gold eased but remained up for the week.

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08 Jan 2026

Stocks finish higher in Sydney despite softer exports

Australian shares edged higher on Thursday, with the ASX 200 up 0.29% by the close, as strength in IT, healthcare and consumer discretionary stocks outweighed losses elsewhere. Gains in Mesoblast, which jumped 8.79%, Zip Co, up 7.52%, and Austal, ahead 6.36%, helped lift the tone, while declines in Ansell, Capricorn Metals and Lynas Rare Earths capped broader enthusiasm. Market breadth was positive and volatility eased, signalling steady rather than exuberant risk appetite. The macro backdrop was less supportive. Australia’s trade surplus narrowed to AUD 2.94 billion in November as exports fell 2.9%, led by metal ores, while imports rose to a record high, pointing to resilient domestic demand. The Australian dollar slipped below $0.672 as investors weighed weaker trade data against uncertainty over a February rate move by the Reserve Bank. Offshore, Chinese equities paused after recent gains, US futures softened, oil rebounded above US$56 a barrel and gold eased, keeping global cues mixed.

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