Sydney, Jan 21, 2026, 16:51 AEDT — Market closed
- Commonwealth Bank (ASX:CBA) slipped 2.2%, closing at A$147.22
- The ASX 200 dropped 0.4%, dragged down by financials, marking its third straight day of losses
- Attention turns to Australia’s jobs data on Jan. 22, followed by inflation figures on Jan. 28, and then CBA’s earnings report on Feb. 11
Shares of Commonwealth Bank of Australia dropped 2.2% to A$147.22 on Wednesday, slipping from a range of A$146.98 to A$149.08. The stock continues to retreat from its 52-week peak of A$192.00. (Investing)
This is significant since CBA is the largest stock on the local exchange, and banks have often driven the index’s moves. The S&P/ASX 200 slipped 0.4% for the third day running, weighed down by rate-sensitive sectors but buoyed somewhat by stronger miners. (ABC)
A more pronounced global “risk-off” mood is taking hold, with investors pulling back from riskier assets amid the spat between the U.S. and Europe over Greenland and tariffs. “It’s the loss of trust in the U.S.,” said Kyle Rodda, senior market analyst at Capital.com. (Reuters)
Tuesday saw Wall Street suffer its steepest decline since October, with the selloff rippling across European and Asian markets, Reuters reported. Wasif Latif, chief investment officer at Sarmaya Partners, pointed to resurging geopolitical risks as a key concern, while investors kept a close eye on rising Japanese bond yields. (Reuters)
During Sydney trading, CBA slipped below recent lows, hitting its weakest point since April 9, 2025, MarketIndex reported, marking a 1.8% drop by midday. The note also highlighted a 3.2% decline in the heavyweight financials sector over the last three sessions. (Market Index)
The slide has been creeping up. On Tuesday, CBA fell 1.51% to A$150.91. ANZ, National Australia Bank, and Westpac also slipped, according to an IG market report. (IG)
Investors are eyeing local data that could shift interest-rate forecasts and, in turn, send bank shares into motion. The ABS labour force figures for December 2025 drop Thursday at 11:30am AEDT, according to the bureau’s timetable. (Australian Bureau of Statistics)
Inflation is up next. The ABS will release December-quarter CPI figures on Wednesday, Jan. 28—a crucial moment for the Reserve Bank of Australia’s policy decisions. (Australian Bureau of Statistics)
Commonwealth Bank’s next key event is its half-year results and interim dividend announcement set for Feb. 11, according to its financial calendar. Investors will be watching closely for updates on the net interest margin outlook — that is, the difference between what the bank earns on loans versus what it pays to fund them. (CommBank)
The trade can reverse quickly. A drop in geopolitical tension or yields might ease pressure on big banks. But watch out for stronger domestic data that could lift rate expectations—or another risk-off selloff hitting the sector’s lofty valuations.
CBA shares will react next to the Dec-2025 labour force report dropping on Jan. 22, then the CPI data on Jan. 28, leading up to the bank’s earnings on Feb. 11. (Australian Bureau of Statistics)
