Sydney, Feb 1, 2026, 16:54 AEDT — Market closed
The Commonwealth Bank of Australia share price (CBA.AX) closed Friday 0.47% higher at A$149.36. It fluctuated between A$148.33 and A$150.10 during the session, with roughly 2.32 million shares traded. (Investing)
Australia’s S&P/ASX 200 dropped 0.7% on Friday, closing at 8,869.10 as miners and gold stocks pulled back amid profit-taking. Still, the index notched a 1.8% gain for January—the biggest monthly jump since August. Financials edged up 0.5%, with the big four banks rising between 0.5% and 0.8%. “Earnings season will be key to judging whether these recent gains hold at the stock level,” said Marc Jocum, senior product and investment strategist at Global X ETFs. Meanwhile, money markets are pricing in over a 75% chance of a 25 basis point hike at the Reserve Bank of Australia’s Tuesday meeting. (Indo Premier)
The RBA’s cash rate target remains at 3.60%. The central bank will release its policy decision statement at 2:30 pm AEDT on Feb. 3, wrapping up a two-day meeting. A media conference follows an hour later, at 3:30 pm. (Reserve Bank of Australia)
Bank stocks react to rates in two key ways: they influence earnings on new loans and alter how investors value steady dividends compared to bond yields. When expectations shift abruptly, the sector can move fast—often ahead of earnings reports.
Commonwealth Bank is set to unveil its half-year results for the period ending Dec. 31, 2025, on Feb. 11, per its investor calendar. Market watchers will focus on updates around mortgage growth, deposit competition, and cost pressures. (CommBank)
CBA’s shares often set the tone for the sector, so even minor tweaks in margin guidance tend to ripple through the market. Investors will also be watching closely to see how CBA compares with rivals Westpac, National Australia Bank, and ANZ as earnings season progresses.
That said, the situation isn’t one-sided. Should the RBA tighten and hint at further hikes, investors might shift focus to rising funding costs and the threat of weaker credit demand instead of near-term earnings boosts. Conversely, a surprise pause could unsettle markets if they’re heavily tilted in the opposite direction.
Monday’s trading will reveal if Friday’s shift into financials holds up after global markets recalibrated. The real focus, however, is the RBA statement—especially its take on inflation and employment.
