Woolworths shares slip as rate-hike talk dents “defensives”; RBA decision looms
Woolworths closed down 1.0% at A$36.00 on Wednesday as investors sold defensive stocks ahead of a possible Reserve Bank of Australia rate hike. The RBA has signaled its March 16–17 meeting is “live,” fueling market bets on higher borrowing costs. Rate concerns have pressured supermarket shares, which often trade as safe havens during volatility.