ASX:PDN.AX 28 January 2026

Australia stock market today: ASX 200 snaps winning streak as inflation jolts RBA rate-hike bets

Australian shares ended lower Wednesday, with the S&P/ASX 200 down 0.09% after inflation data showed annual CPI at 3.8%. Swaps now price a 73% chance of a February rate hike. Electricity prices surged 21.5% over the year. The Australian dollar hovered near 69.9 U.S. cents late in the session.

28 January 2026

ASX:CAT.AX·ASX:DYL.AX·ASX:PDN.AX·ASX:SLX.AX·ASX:WDS.AX·Inflation·Interest Rates·NASDAQ:360·Stock Market

First Community (FCCO) Offers Attractive Dividend Yield and Growth Potential
March 20, 2026, 1:52 PM EDT. First Community (FCCO), a finance stock based in Lexington, provides a 2.76% dividend yield, higher than the Banks - Southeast industry average of 2.52% and the S&P 500's 1.57%. The company has increased its annual dividend by 7.1% year-over-year, maintaining a payout ratio of 39%, indicating sustainable dividend payments relative to earnings. Analysts project FCCO's earnings per share to grow 7.74% in 2024, supporting future dividend growth. While high-yield stocks can face challenges amid rising interest rates, FCCO's solid fundamentals and a Zacks Rank of #2 (Buy) make it a promising option for income-focused investors seeking steady cash flow and growth.