Woolworths (ASX:WOW) rises as staples hold up — here’s what investors watch nextSydney,
January 9, 2026, 17:31 AEDT — Market closed Woolworths Group Ltd shares climbed about 1.8% to A$30.08 on Friday, after trading between A$29.69 and A$30.15. The stock remains below its 52-week high of A$33.76, even after the bounce. Investing.com The move came as Australia’s benchmark index ended barely changed, with investors pushing the consumer non-cyclicals sector — a defensive bucket that includes supermarkets — up 1.1% even as basic materials slipped. Miners were in focus after Rio Tinto confirmed early-stage talks with Glencore, a deal that would be one of the industry’s biggest if it materialises. Why it matters now: