Sydney, Jan 12, 2026, 21:57 (AEDT) — After-hours
- The ASX 200 rose 0.48% to 8,759.4, driven by gains in consumer and financial sectors
- Light & Wonder surged almost 18% following a settlement in the Dragon Train lawsuit with Aristocrat
- Super Retail dropped roughly 6% following a warning that first-half profits would fall short compared to last year
Australian shares climbed on Monday, driven by a boost in household spending that lifted banks and retailers. Gaming supplier Light & Wonder also jumped following a legal settlement. The S&P/ASX 200 finished 0.48% higher at 8,759.4.
The move came after new data showed consumers continue to spend even as prices remain high. Australia’s household spending indicator climbed 1.0% in November compared to October, with annual growth hitting 6.3%, according to official figures.
Rates have become the market’s key fault line. Abhijit Surya, an economist at Capital Economics, noted that the stronger data might spark renewed talk of another rate hike, despite markets still pricing in at least one cut by 2026.
Big banks and consumer discretionary shares drove most of the gains, while energy added some support as oil prices nudged higher. Miners lagged, tempering the benchmark’s advance despite the risk-on mood.
Light & Wonder and Aristocrat have resolved their legal disputes in Australia and the U.S. concerning Light & Wonder’s Dragon Train and Jewel of the Dragon games. As part of the settlement, Light & Wonder will pay $127.5 million and permanently stop marketing the titles. Aristocrat CEO Trevor Croker emphasized the company’s commitment to protecting its intellectual property while welcoming fair competition. Light & Wonder CEO Matt Wilson expressed satisfaction with the resolution, saying the company was “pleased to resolve this matter and move forward.”
Domino’s Pizza Enterprises appointed Merrill Pereyra as CEO for Australia and New Zealand starting Jan. 23. At the same time, CFO George Saoud took on the additional role of chief operating officer. Executive chairman Jack Cowin expressed confidence that Saoud “will work closely with our franchise partners to improve our business performance.”
Super Retail Group slipped after warning of weaker first-half earnings amid rising discount pressure. The retailer forecast normalised profit before tax between $172 million and $175 million, on roughly $2.2 billion in revenue. CEO Paul Bradshaw highlighted “an elevated level of promotional intensity impacting realised gross margins, most notably in rebel.” The company plans to report its final first-half numbers on Feb. 26.
Gold-linked stocks got a boost as bullion climbed, even as the market’s volatility gauge edged higher alongside rising stocks—a sign that traders remain cautious. Light & Wonder topped the winners, whereas Mesoblast and DroneShield lagged behind.
The upside scenario comes with a warning. Should strong spending push inflation expectations higher, bond yields might rise once more, putting pressure on the rate-sensitive sectors that drove Monday’s rally.
Investors are eyeing the Reserve Bank of Australia’s first policy meeting of the year, set for Feb. 2–3, to gauge if rate cuts might come later in 2026 — or if the focus swings back to holding steady, or even tightening.
