Sydney, Jan 26, 2026, 16:49 AEDT — Market closed
- Coles ended Friday at A$21.00, slipping 0.4% as a holiday-shortened week looms
- Australia’s inflation figures for December are out Wednesday, likely to shake up rate forecasts
- Coles is set to release its half-year results in late February, a crucial moment for assessing margins and pricing.
Shares of Coles Group Ltd (COL.AX) closed at A$21.00, slipping 0.4% after fluctuating between A$20.96 and A$21.18 during the session.
The Australian Securities Exchange shut down on Monday in observance of the Australia Day public holiday. Investors must now wait until Tuesday when trading resumes to adjust their positions.
All eyes are on the upcoming inflation figure: the Australian Bureau of Statistics is set to release the December consumer price index, a crucial measure of inflationary pressure, on Jan. 28 at 11:30 a.m. AEDT.
Friday saw the S&P/ASX 200 tick up 0.13%, ending the day at 8,860. Coles, however, slipped into negative territory.
Coles usually acts as a steadier play in the market, yet it still reacts when investors adjust their rate expectations. Inflation shocks can shake bond yields, rippling out to “defensive” stocks known for reliable earnings.
For supermarkets, the CPI report offers a glimpse into household pressure. If prices remain high, shoppers may lean toward budget options and buy less, even if total food volumes stay steady.
Coles is set to release its HY26 results on Feb. 27. Investors will be keen to spot any shifts in the company’s stance on costs, promotions, and supermarket margins.
Traders will be tuning in to Coles’ comments on price investment and its approach to managing supplier and wage costs. Even a slight shift in margin assumptions could outweigh headline sales growth for a stock valued as defensive.
But the downside is clear: if inflation stays high and discounting picks up on both sides, earnings could take a hit even with steady customer traffic. Signs of rising labor costs would only add to the strain.
Coles shares will resume trading when the ASX reopens Tuesday, with Wednesday’s CPI report looming as the immediate test. Eyes then turn swiftly to the February 27 earnings release for a better gauge of the year ahead.
