Sydney, Feb 3, 2026, 17:22 AEDT — After-hours
- Macquarie shares ended the day 2.4% higher, closing at A$216.80 and outpacing the wider market.
- The Reserve Bank of Australia raised the cash rate 25 basis points, bringing it to 3.85%.
- Filings revealed Macquarie took a significant position in Sky Metals Limited while cutting back its holding in Bannerman Energy Ltd.
Macquarie shares closed Tuesday up 2.4%, hitting A$216.80 after fluctuating between A$212.55 and A$217.01. Investors pushed financial stocks higher heading into the final minutes.
The central bank increased its cash rate by 25 basis points—0.25 percentage points—to 3.85%, marking its first rise in two years and signaling that inflation is expected to remain above target for a while.
This shift changes the near-term rate outlook after last year’s easing, forcing markets to rethink the impact of tighter policy on funding costs, credit demand, and risk appetite. The central bank noted inflation “picked up materially” in the second half of 2025 and said it would remain “attentive to the data” when deciding its next move. Reserve Bank of Australia
The ASX 200 rose 0.89%, boosted by banks and miners bouncing back after a volatile session post-rate decision, Commonwealth Bank reported in its market wrap.
David Bassanese from Betashares said the central bank has “bared its teeth” on inflation but cautioned the outlook remains unclear. “Is one rate rise enough? Only time will tell,” he wrote. ABC News
Macquarie revealed in late Tuesday disclosures that it has become a substantial holder in Sky Metals, with voting power reaching 5.28% and holding 44.96 million shares.
A separate filing revealed Macquarie trimmed its voting stake in Bannerman Energy to 9.67%, down from 10.77% reported earlier.
For Macquarie, rate swings cut both ways. Rising rates boost returns in certain banking areas, yet they can also dampen dealmaking and weigh on asset valuations if growth slows and volatility climbs.
Bulls face the risk that the rate hike could stretch out, tightening financial conditions faster than investors anticipate and dragging down credit and capital markets activity. A stronger Australian dollar combined with higher bond yields may also alter the calculations on offshore earnings when converted back to local currency.
As the market remains closed, all eyes turn to Macquarie’s operational briefing on Feb. 10 for clues on trading conditions and capital. The full-year results are set for May 8.
