SYDNEY, Jan 10, 2026, 16:54 AEDT — Market closed
ANZ Group Holdings Ltd shares slipped 0.6% to close at A$35.45 on Friday, edging down as the weekend approached. (MarketScreener)
The pullback is significant now as bank stocks have once again become an interest-rate play. Reserve Bank of Australia Deputy Governor Andrew Hauser said inflation “above 3%” remains “too high” and flagged that the board will monitor fourth-quarter CPI data due later this month to guide policy decisions. (Reuters)
Friday saw investors remain cautious among the big four banks, with Westpac, NAB, and Commonwealth Bank all closing lower. “There’s no clear directional bias” ahead of the U.S. non-farm payrolls report, said Capital.com analyst Kyle Rodda. Meanwhile, AMP deputy chief economist Diana Mousina pointed to a “big chance” the U.S. Supreme Court could rule President Donald Trump’s tariffs illegal, a decision that might shake up risk appetite. (AAP News)
ANZ rolled out disaster-relief measures late last week, targeting customers affected by the Victorian bushfires. The support package offers short-term payment relief on certain loans and waives fees. Kathleen Jahour, ANZ’s General Manager for Victoria, described it as a “critical time for communities” facing damage to homes and businesses. (ANZ)
The stock fluctuated between A$35.23 and A$35.82 on Friday, holding below its 12-month peak of A$38.93 but comfortably above the 12-month low of A$26.22. Traders are now eyeing the A$35.20–A$35.30 range as the key support after this week’s dip. (Intelligent Investor)
Inflation data is the next key event to watch. The Australian Bureau of Statistics will release December-quarter CPI numbers on Jan. 28. Then, the RBA will announce its next policy decision on Feb. 3 at 2:30 p.m. AEDT. (Australian Bureau of Statistics)
ANZ’s financial calendar lists its half-year results for May 7, while the interim dividend will go ex-dividend on May 18—meaning buyers after that date won’t qualify for the payout. (ANZ)
Still, a messy outcome can’t be ruled out. A hotter inflation report, a bigger jump in global bond yields, or clear evidence that higher rates are hurting borrowers could weigh on the sector. That’s true even though banks gain when loan pricing rises faster than deposit costs.
Investors are turning their attention to the December-quarter CPI data due on Jan. 28, along with the RBA’s policy meeting scheduled for Feb. 2–3, to gauge if rates will remain at restrictive levels a while longer. (Australian Bureau of Statistics)
