Sydney, Jan 21, 2026, 16:52 AEDT — Market closed.
ANZ Group Holdings (ANZ.AX) slipped 2.1% to close at A$36.17 on Wednesday. The shares have dropped roughly 3% over the last two days, moving in a range from A$36.06 to A$36.76 on a turnover of around 3.43 million shares. (Investing)
The pullback is significant since Australia’s major banks hold central roles in local portfolios and index weightings. Rate bets have shown signs of faltering once more. As key inflation figures and central bank meetings near, investors are quicker to trim positions on dips, holding fire ahead of upcoming data releases.
The S&P/ASX 200 slipped 0.4% amid a wave of global anxiety hitting Asia. Peter McIntyre, investment adviser at Craigs Investment Partners, described the mood as “a general risk off sentiment.” (NBR News)
Gold surged past $US4,800 an ounce, highlighting a clear shift toward defensive assets. Kyle Rodda, senior market analyst at Capital.com, pointed to “fears about global geopolitical tensions” as driving the rally. (ABC)
Bank investors are still focused on rates and funding costs. Net interest margin — the difference between what a bank earns on loans versus what it pays on deposits — can shift rapidly as markets adjust the cash-rate outlook.
Australia’s CPI figures for December drop Wednesday, Jan. 28, with the potential to quickly shift rate expectations. A stronger reading could reignite worries about prolonged higher rates; a weaker number might ease that pressure. (Australian Bureau of Statistics)
The Reserve Bank of Australia is set to meet on Feb. 2–3, with investors watching closely for any change in stance following the CPI release. February’s meeting remains the next major event on the calendar. (Reserve Bank of Australia)
Deposit pricing is another hot topic for major lenders. Jarden puts “lazy deposits” sitting in zero-interest transaction accounts at more than A$320 billion. Analyst Matt Wilson has even labeled 2026 “the year of the deposit,” anticipating fiercer competition. (The Australian)
The reverse holds true as well. When banks face higher costs for holding deposits or mortgage arrears rise due to stress, earnings estimates can quickly be slashed.
ANZ is set to release its half-year results on May 7. The bank’s interim dividend schedule will be announced later in May. (ANZ)
ANZ traders are gearing up for the next session, eyeing global risk developments and the CPI data set for release on Wednesday, Jan. 28. (Australian Bureau of Statistics)
