Sydney, Feb 1, 2026, 17:20 AEDT — The market has closed.
Wesfarmers Ltd shares closed Friday up 0.29% at A$83.36, gaining some ground after a volatile week for Aussie stocks. The S&P/ASX 200 slipped 0.65%. (Investing)
As the market remains closed over the weekend, focus shifts to the Reserve Bank of Australia’s two-day policy meeting starting Monday. The RBA will release its decision at 2:30 p.m. on Tuesday, followed by a media briefing from the governor an hour later, the central bank confirmed. (Reserve Bank of Australia)
Wesfarmers, owner of Bunnings and Kmart, is set to release its half-year results for 2026 on Feb. 19. Their latest ASX announcement, dated Jan. 19, confirmed this schedule. (Wesfarmers)
On Friday, the stock fluctuated from A$82.75 up to A$83.98, with roughly 1.50 million shares traded, according to pricing data. (The Motley Fool Australia)
The broader market’s stumble late in the week was sparked by miners retreating alongside gold and other commodities. Kyle Rodda, senior market analyst at Capital.com, told AAP the potential shift in U.S. central bank leadership pointed to “Someone who has a history of advocating for high interest rates and sizing inflationary risk over the labour market side of the Fed’s mandate.” (Morningstar)
Wesfarmers isn’t a straightforward commodity play, yet it remains sensitive to interest-rate shifts since the bulk of its profits come from consumer-focused sectors. Changes in rates swiftly influence how households spend their disposable income.
Traders are focused on the RBA’s statement, hunting for clues on whether rates might climb again or if the central bank signals a pause. That language weighs heavily on discretionary retail stocks, even without new company updates.
Wesfarmers’ Feb. 19 earnings will zero in on sales trends at Bunnings and Kmart, and whether cost pressures are loosening or holding firm. Margins and inventory levels—less flashy but crucial—will draw investor scrutiny, especially as uneven consumer demand can tip the profit scales.
Any ripple effect usually drags down other major local retailers too, like Woolworths, Coles, and JB Hi-Fi. The connection is straightforward: interest rates, wage pressures, and consumers feeling the pinch.
The setup works both ways. If the RBA signals a more hawkish stance, or if spending weakens ahead of the half-year results, expectations could tumble quickly, squeezing retail margins even further.
Monday’s open will reveal how much of Friday’s rotation sticks. The next major events to watch are Tuesday’s RBA decision and Wesfarmers’ half-year results due Feb. 19.
