Sydney, Jan 27, 2026, 17:27 AEDT — Market closed.
- South32 closed at A$4.50, rising roughly 2.5% from its previous session.
- The miner hit A$4.54 during the session, tying its 52-week peak.
- Attention shifts to Australia’s crucial inflation figures and the upcoming earnings report from South32.
Shares of South32 Ltd (S32.AX) closed Tuesday up, finishing at A$4.50 after fluctuating between A$4.47 and A$4.54 throughout the session. 1
The timing was crucial as Australian stocks climbed to a three-month peak, led by gains in materials. Investors are now focused on inflation figures due Wednesday morning, just ahead of the Reserve Bank’s decision next week. 2
South32 has gained amid a more favorable market for metals and miners, as investors track tariff-induced disruptions in aluminium supply and premiums. On Monday, Reuters reported that Century Aluminum will acquire a 40% stake in a proposed U.S. smelter. Century CEO Jesse Gary noted that “about 85%” of U.S. aluminium demand currently relies on imports. 3
Benchmark aluminium prices stayed firm, with LME aluminium cash-settlement hitting $3,192 a tonne on Jan. 26, Westmetall data shows. 4
Broader markets reacted to a softer U.S. dollar and ongoing tariff news, which have rattled investors and funneled money into commodities and metals-related assets, according to a Reuters global markets wrap. 5
South32’s immediate focus is on its upcoming dates. The company is set to release its interim report on Feb. 12, with the quarterly update coming on April 16, per Market Index’s corporate calendar. 6
Investors are keenly awaiting updates on costs and project timelines, alongside any new insights into how price changes are impacting earnings across South32’s range of commodities.
But the trade swings both ways. Aluminium prices and premiums, driven by tariffs and tight inventories, can quickly reverse if policies shift or supply eases, exposing miners to sudden drops in realized prices. 7
