Sydney, Jan 23, 2026, 22:03 AEDT — Market closed.
- Australian shares edged up at the close but wrapped the week in the red.
- Tech was buoyed by Life360’s upgraded guidance, while gold stayed firm above $4,900 an ounce.
- Attention shifts to CPI data due next week and the RBA’s meeting in early February.
Australia’s stock market edged up on Friday, boosted by a strong rally in tech stocks and gains in materials that outpaced a drop in financials. The S&P/ASX 200 closed 0.13% higher at 8,860.1. Technology climbed 3.83%, while materials added 1.44%; financials dipped 0.50%. Despite the gains, the benchmark ended the week down 0.49%.
Local traders head into a long weekend as the ASX shuts Monday for Australia Day, reopening Tuesday. All eyes are turning to the December-quarter CPI report due Jan. 28 at 11:30 a.m. AEDT. That data could shake up rate forecasts before the next RBA meeting.
Expectations shifted forward by a day following robust labor figures. Australia’s unemployment rate dropped unexpectedly to 4.1% in December, while employment increased by 65,200, Reuters reported. This data nudged the market to price in a higher likelihood of a February rate hike. Traders now see about a 57% chance of a 25-basis-point increase—a quarter-point move.
Life360 surged 27%, leading today’s biggest gainers after raising its preliminary full-year guidance. The company reported global monthly active users hit 95.8 million in the December quarter. It now forecasts full-year revenue between $486 million and $489 million, with adjusted EBITDA—its operating profit metric—expected at $87 million to $92 million. “Life360 continues to deliver strong, consistent growth,” CEO Lauren Antonoff said. The company will release full 2025 results and 2026 guidance on March 3 (AEDT). MarketScreener
Gold surged past $4,900 an ounce, supporting miner stocks after a choppy week. Spot gold hovered near $4,956 late in the local session. The Australian dollar traded close to 68.47 U.S. cents, while iron ore drifted down to roughly $104.81 a tonne, according to ABC data.
Guzman y Gomez attracted investors following a new multi-year exclusive delivery deal with Uber Eats in Australia, starting Feb. 22. “Our guests love the convenience of delivery,” said founder and co-CEO Steven Marks. The company highlighted that delivery made up roughly 27% of its Australian sales in the first half. ASX Announcements
In currency markets, the Australian dollar hovered close to 15-month peaks after breaching a crucial technical barrier in the previous session amid a softening U.S. dollar, Reuters reported. This shift has heightened the equity market’s responsiveness to international news, especially developments that alter expectations for global interest rates.
Banks lagged, as usual, when investors adjusted their rate expectations. While higher yields can boost margins, they also squeeze financial conditions, hitting growth stocks and rate-sensitive sectors fast.
The market remains fixated on a single data point. A weaker CPI reading might ease bets on further rate hikes, sending the dollar and gold lower. On the flip side, a stronger-than-expected print could drive them up and weigh more heavily on financials and consumer stocks.
Trading picks up next week with investors focused on the CPI release on Jan. 28. Then, eyes turn to the Reserve Bank of Australia’s Monetary Policy Board meeting scheduled for Feb. 2–3 for a clearer policy direction.
