Sydney, Jan 16, 2026, 17:31 AEDT — After-hours
- Wesfarmers closed at A$83.21, rising A$0.22, or 0.27%. 1
- Australia’s S&P/ASX 200 climbed 0.48% by Friday’s close. 2
- Wesfarmers will release its half-year results on Feb. 19. 3
Wesfarmers Ltd (WES.AX) shares closed Friday 0.3% higher at A$83.21. The stock fluctuated between A$82.21 and A$83.24, with around 1.5 million shares changing hands. 4
The move was modest. Investors are already eyeing the weekend ahead. Wesfarmers’ half-year results will be the next key gauge of demand across its major retail chains and the remaining pricing power.
Wesfarmers, which owns Bunnings, Kmart Group, and Officeworks, also has interests in chemicals and fertilisers, industrial and safety, plus a health business. This diverse mix positions it as a key indicator for household spending and segments of the industrial cycle. 5
Australian shares closed the week at an 11-week peak, led mainly by banks, while materials lost steam following a record streak, AAP reported. “By and large, it’s been a really solid week … after a particularly good run by the big mining stocks,” said IG market analyst Tony Sycamore to AAP. 6
The ASX cash market will be closed on Jan. 26 for Australia Day, according to the exchange’s trading calendar, with regular sessions leading up to that date. U.S. markets shut on Monday for Martin Luther King Jr. Day, often muting overseas signals early in the week. 7
Investors in Wesfarmers will be keenly watching for any insight into discretionary volumes following a turbulent period for consumer stocks. Attention centers on the resilience of the home-improvement division and whether discounting in general merchandise remains under control.
They’ll also watch for shifts in inventory and working capital — subtler clues about demand. Cash flow is crucial since it supports dividends and buybacks.
The risk is well-known: if households cut spending more sharply than predicted, margin pressure will surface quickly, particularly in areas relying on promotions. A sluggish start to 2026 might also refocus attention on costs over growth.
The stock often swings with shifts in bond yields and the Australian dollar, even when the company itself stays quiet. This pattern has shown up with other big consumer discretionary stocks as well.
Wesfarmers is set to release its half-year results and hold a briefing on Feb. 19. Traders will be watching closely for updates on how the company sees trading conditions shaping up in the second half. 8
