SYDNEY, Jan 27, 2026, 17:44 (AEDT) — Market closed
- Telstra closed 2.3% higher at A$4.83, beating the wider market’s gains
- Investors are eyeing inflation figures due Jan. 28 and Telstra’s half-year earnings due Feb. 19
- Among telecom names, TPG slipped, but Aussie Broadband nudged up
Shares of Telstra Group Limited climbed 2.3% to finish at A$4.83 on Tuesday, giving the telco a boost after a subdued run for local defensive stocks. 1
The timing is crucial. Australian markets resumed after the Australia Day public holiday, with investors facing a busy stretch of domestic data and central bank events set to move dividend-heavy stocks. 2
Telstra shareholders have key dates approaching fast. The company will release half-year results on Feb. 19. Ex-dividend trading for the interim dividend starts Feb. 25, with payments expected March 27. 3
The broader market gave a boost. The S&P/ASX 200 climbed 0.9% to 8,941, marking its best close since late October. Materials, tech, and healthcare stocks drove gains as traders braced for inflation data due this week. 4
Telecom services ended up as one of the top sectors by the close, based on market coverage tracking sector performance throughout the day. 5
Rivals diverged notably. TPG Telecom slipped roughly 2% near the close, whereas Aussie Broadband climbed around 1.5%. That left Telstra standing out as the clearer “defensive bid” among the listed telcos. 6
Telstra has quietly pushed forward with capital returns. After announcing an extra on-market buy-back last year, CEO Vicki Brady pointed to the company’s “increased total dividend and further share buy-back” as a sign of confidence in the business now and down the line. 7
Analysts see this move as more than a one-time event. “An increase in dividend per share and a A$750m buy-back signal management’s confidence in the outlook,” Jefferies analysts said following Telstra’s earlier first-half results. 8
But the scene can shift quickly. Australia’s bond market has seen some volatility, and rate expectations have tightened over the past few weeks. That combination could pressure yield stocks if inflation comes in hotter than expected. 9
Wednesday’s CPI release is the immediate focus. The Australian Bureau of Statistics will publish the December 2025 CPI data on Jan. 28 at 11:30 a.m. AEDT. 10
Next up is the Reserve Bank of Australia, with its upcoming cash-rate decision set for Feb. 3, after wrapping up its Feb. 2–3 meeting. 11
