Sydney, Feb 3, 2026, 17:45 (AEDT) — After-hours
- Wesfarmers shares ended the day 0.55% higher at A$83.93, having swung between A$83.65 and A$85.09 during trading.
- The RBA raised the cash rate target by 25 basis points to 3.85%, shifting market focus to the possibility of a higher-for-longer stance
- Investors now turn to Wesfarmers’ half-year results on Feb. 19, watching closely for clues on retail demand and cost pressures
Wesfarmers closed Tuesday’s trading up 0.55%, settling at A$83.93. During the session, the share price fluctuated between A$83.65 and A$85.09. It ended the day higher than Monday’s close of A$83.47. (Intelligent Investor)
The price shift may be slight, but the context is anything but. Interest rates dictate sentiment around Australian consumer plays, with Wesfarmers positioned squarely at the center.
Investors are starting to focus on the local reporting season. Wesfarmers will deliver its half-year results on Thursday, Feb. 19, followed by an analyst briefing, the company said in a statement to the exchange.
On Tuesday, the Reserve Bank of Australia lifted the cash rate target by 25 basis points, pushing it to 3.85%. The RBA noted that inflation surged “materially” in the second half of 2025 and warned that price pressures are likely to remain above target for a while. (Reserve Bank of Australia)
Governor Michele Bullock showed little eagerness to lock in policy, stating: “I don’t know if it’s in a (tightening) cycle.” Markets have raised the probability of another rate hike by May, while Sally Auld from National Australia Bank expressed skepticism that this will be “one-and-done.” (Reuters)
Australian shares surged late in the session but eased back after the rate announcement. The ASX 200 ended up 0.9%, with the Aussie dollar hovering near 70.05 U.S. cents. (ABC News)
Wesfarmers faces a tricky spot with rates. Bunnings feels the pinch from shifts in housing and renovation budgets, while Kmart Group depends on customers cutting back without quitting altogether.
Feb. 19 will serve as more than just a profit report. Traders are watching closely for signs of any slowdown in sales momentum and how fast, if at all, cost pressures begin to ease.
But the reverse is true as well. If borrowing costs continue to rise and consumers pull back, demand for big-ticket items can drop sharply, and even top operators could feel the pressure from increased promotions.
Now that the cash market is closed, focus shifts to whether Tuesday’s relief rally can stick as traders eye the next rate move. For Wesfarmers, the February 19 half-year results will be the next major checkpoint.
