Sydney, January 19, 2026, 17:31 AEDT — The market is now closed.
- Woodside (ASX:WDS) ended the day up about 0.3%, settling at A$23.75 after fluctuating between A$23.53 and A$23.79 during trading.
- Oil stayed near its recent highs, giving energy stocks a lift despite broader market declines
- Next catalysts: Australia’s jobs report hits Jan. 22; Woodside is due to report Q4 results Jan. 28
Woodside Energy Group Ltd (WDS.AX), the LNG and oil producer, ended Monday about 0.3% higher at A$23.75. The stock fluctuated between A$23.53 and A$23.79 before settling just above Friday’s finish of A$23.68. 1
The shift unfolds against a backdrop of climbing crude prices clashing with souring risk appetite after fresh tariff threats from Washington. Deutsche Bank strategist George Saravelos warned the conflict could lead to the “weaponisation of capital” if tensions escalate. 2
Oil offered some early relief. Brent crude, the global benchmark, inched up 0.09% to $64.19 a barrel as tensions around Iran cooled, easing concerns about a U.S. strike. Still, Tony Sycamore at IG said the gain mostly reflected a retreat of the “Iran premium.” Vandana Hari, who runs Vanda Insights, expects prices to stay rangebound, particularly with U.S. markets closed for Martin Luther King Jr. Day. 3
Australian shares closed lower, with the S&P/ASX 200 dropping 0.33%. The slide was led by declines in IT, telecoms, and consumer discretionary stocks, according to data from Investing.com. 4
Macro data takes the spotlight next. Australia’s December 2025 labour force report is due at 11:30 a.m. AEDT on Jan. 22. Investors will be tuning in for signals on the direction of interest rates. 5
Woodside is set to release its fourth-quarter 2025 earnings on Jan. 28, with the full-year 2025 report scheduled for Feb. 24, per its investor calendar. 6
That said, the stock might pivot sharply if crude prices drop or if worries over tariffs start to drag on growth and energy demand forecasts. The upcoming quarterly update could prompt a fresh look at the shares, especially if there are shifts in production, shipments, or spending plans.
With U.S. markets reopening Tuesday, traders will focus first on oil before turning to the January 22 jobs report and Woodside’s earnings on January 28 for new data.
