Sydney, Jan 18, 2026, 17:41 AEDT — Market closed
- Wesfarmers (ASX:WES) ended Friday at A$83.21, marking a 0.27% rise.
- The ASX 200 closed Friday at 8,903.90, rising 0.48% to stretch its winning streak to five days.
- Attention this week centers on Australia’s CPI data due Jan 28, followed by the RBA meeting in early February, with Wesfarmers’ half-year results arriving Feb 19.
Wesfarmers Limited (WES.AX) shares ended Friday at A$83.21, edging up 0.27%. The stock saw no movement over the weekend since the Australian market remained closed. 1
Investors now turn their attention to Australia’s December consumer price index (CPI), set for release on Jan 28. As the key inflation indicator, CPI has the power to swiftly shift rate expectations. 2
Company-specific updates are close at hand. The Perth-based owner of Bunnings, Kmart, and Officeworks is set to release half-year results on Feb 19. This will offer a fresh look at household spending and margin trends. 3
The S&P/ASX 200 climbed 0.48% on Friday, closing at 8,903.90. That pushed the index up 2.13% across the last five trading days, according to MarketScreener data. 4
Wesfarmers has climbed steadily in recent sessions. Shares gained 2.65% over the past five trading days and have risen 2.61% year-to-date, according to MarketScreener data. 5
Not much new from the company to move the tape. Wesfarmers’ investor page lists its latest ASX announcement as a tax contribution report dated Dec 11. 6
Wesfarmers ended Friday with a market cap near A$94.5 billion, ranking it among the bigger consumer plays on the market. 7
Wesfarmers is frequently traded alongside other major consumer players like Woolworths Group and Coles Group, especially as the market swings between concerns over growth and interest rates.
The local calendar throws in a couple of curveballs. The ASX kicks off trading on Monday but then shuts down again that same day, Jan 26, for the Australia Day public holiday. 8
Rate-watchers will note the Reserve Bank of Australia’s next policy meeting on Feb 2–3 falls between the CPI release and Wesfarmers’ half-year results. 9
Monday’s open may follow trends from overseas. On Friday, U.S. stocks finished almost unchanged. Anthony Saglimbene, chief market strategist at Ameriprise Financial, said, “most investors will take that as a win two weeks into the year.” 10
The path isn’t set in stone. A hotter CPI reading might reignite rate-hike speculation, putting pressure on rate-sensitive consumer stocks. On the flip side, signs of weaker sales or deeper discounts ahead of the February reporting season could challenge demand for these shares.
