SYDNEY, Jan 20, 2026, 17:58 AEDT — After-hours
- Shares of Macquarie Group fell alongside other Australian financial stocks on Tuesday.
- The company provided an update on the timetable and progress of its on-market share buyback.
- Investors are now eyeing a February operational briefing for their next glimpse into trading conditions.
Macquarie Group (ASX:MQG) shares dropped 1.82%, ending Tuesday at A$206.97. The stock underperformed the broader market as bank shares dipped late in the session. 1
Macquarie’s shift counts as a key signal for Australian financials, known for its liquidity. Tuesday’s trading carried that familiar jittery, risk-averse tone. While the company’s buyback aims to steadily prop up the market, it hasn’t deterred investors from pulling back amid growing macro worries.
The S&P/ASX 200 closed 0.66% lower, dragged down mainly by financials and materials. Financial stocks fell 1.08%, according to the market wrap. 2
Macquarie on Tuesday filed an update to extend its on-market buy-back program through Nov. 6, 2026. The company plans to repurchase up to A$2 billion worth of ordinary shares and had already acquired roughly A$1.013 billion by Jan. 20. 3
In a separate filing dated Jan. 19, Macquarie and its controlled entities revealed they were no longer a “substantial holder” in Downer EDI, having fallen below the 5% ownership mark that triggers Australia’s disclosure rules. The form indicated the group dropped below this threshold on Jan. 14. 4
The wider sentiment has weighed on markets. Global investors are shaken by renewed trade tensions sparked by Washington’s Greenland initiative, fueling what traders dub the “Sell America” trade — a swift exit from U.S. equities, bonds, and the dollar. 5
“Fears of prolonged uncertainty, strained alliances, and waning trust in U.S. leadership” are pushing investors to reduce their exposure, Tony Sycamore, a market analyst at IG in Sydney, told Reuters. 6
For Macquarie, that tape carries extra weight. The group’s earnings hinge on market volumes, deal flow, and swings in commodities and financing — all sectors that turn volatile quickly when traders dial back risk.
But here’s the catch for those banking heavily on buybacks: they might temper volatility slightly, but they don’t guarantee a floor. If global risk markets take another hit or rate expectations swing wildly, the stock will still behave like a high-beta financial.
Investors are set to focus on Macquarie’s operational briefing scheduled for Feb. 10, with the full-year results due on May 8. 7
