Sydney, Feb 23, 2026, 16:56 AEDT — The market has wrapped up for the day.
- CBA ended Monday off 0.6%, settling at A$178.53.
- Tariff uncertainty kept investors on edge, sending ripples across global risk sentiment.
- Attention turns next to Australia’s monthly CPI figures due Feb. 25, with the RBA’s policy meeting on deck in March.
Commonwealth Bank of Australia slipped 0.6% to close at A$178.53 on Monday, with shares moving in line with a softer S&P/ASX 200. (Investing.com South Africa)
The pullback is notable, given CBA’s outsized role as Australia’s biggest lender and a major force in the benchmark index—minor shifts here tend to move the needle. Traders are weighing just how much juice is left in the banks’ earnings-led rally, especially as rate expectations seem to be in flux almost every day.
Income figures in here as well. CBA’s proposed interim dividend stands at A$2.35 a share, fully franked, which means holders get the Australian tax credit. The record date’s set for Feb. 19, locking in eligibility, and payouts land on March 30. (CommBank)
Investors shifted to a more defensive stance after the newest twist in U.S. trade policy. “The tariff landscape is now more uncertain than before,” noted Rodrigo Catril, senior FX strategist at NAB, who cautioned that such uncertainty “is not good news for any economy or market.” (Reuters)
Australian stocks took a hit earlier, echoing the same worries rippling through global markets. “The broader implications remain complex,” said Chris Weston, head of research at Pepperstone. Investors continue to assess how steeper tariffs and shifting regulations might impact growth and risk appetite. (mint)
CBA’s still running strong after its half-year report earlier this month, with record cash earnings and fresh market share gains across home loans, business loans, and deposits. “Household consumption has risen,” CEO Matt Comyn said to investors, but cautioned that rates are set to remain high for as long as inflation sticks around. The bank’s net interest margin edged down to 2.04%. (Reuters)
Investors aren’t letting go of that margin line. When rates climb, banks usually see an upside, but a crowded field for mortgages and deposits can eat into the gains. For CBA, trading at a premium, the market reacts fast—any sign of weakness gets punished.
This one swings fast. If inflation data comes in softer, or tariff chatter cools off, the broader market could bounce—banks included. On the other hand, a hotter CPI or new trade surprises would drag things lower, as rate worries and credit risk dominate the conversation again.
Australia’s latest inflation data is on deck. The ABS will drop the full monthly CPI for January on Feb. 25—a release that could quickly shift expectations ahead of the Reserve Bank of Australia’s Monetary Policy Board gathering set for March 16–17. (Australian Bureau of Statistics)
