Wesfarmers shares jump 2.3% as Australia CPI looms

Sydney, January 27, 2026, 17:43 AEDT — The market has closed.

Wesfarmers outperformed the broader market, closing 2.34% higher at A$84.74.
With no new company news, traders shifted focus to Wednesday’s inflation figures and the February earnings schedule.
Upcoming triggers: ABS CPI data due Jan. 28, followed by Wesfarmers’ half-year earnings on Feb. 19.

Wesfarmers Ltd shares climbed 2.34%, closing at A$84.74 on Tuesday. The jump outpaced the broader Australian market as investors came back from the long weekend and adjusted positions ahead of crucial inflation figures. (Wesfarmers)

This move is significant, with a packed 24 hours ahead. Australia’s consumer price index lands Wednesday at 11:30 a.m. AEDT and serves as the key data point for short-term rate expectations. (Australian Bureau of Statistics)

Wesfarmers, which owns Bunnings, Kmart, Target, and Officeworks, is especially sensitive to changes in interest-rate expectations. Such shifts tend to ripple through forecasts for household spending and profit margins, especially in discretionary sectors.

The benchmark S&P/ASX 200 rose 0.9% on Tuesday, buoyed by broad gains that extended beyond the resource stocks grabbing headlines. (ABC)

Wesfarmers hasn’t released any fresh ASX announcements since January 19, when it outlined the schedule for its 2026 half-year results. (Wesfarmers)

Macro signals came through mixed. A National Australia Bank survey out Tuesday revealed better business conditions in December, with sales and profits on the rise and capacity utilisation remaining elevated — factors likely to keep central banks cautious. “Momentum improved in the Australian economy in the fourth quarter,” said NAB’s chief economist Sally Auld. (Reuters)

That said, the interest rate angle presents a double-edged sword for Wesfarmers. If CPI comes in hotter than expected, it could bolster arguments for tighter monetary policy, raising borrowing costs and putting pressure on discretionary spending right as retailers gear up for February earnings season.

Markets are gearing up for the ABS CPI report due Wednesday, followed by the Reserve Bank of Australia’s policy meeting set for Feb. 2–3. (Australian Bureau of Statistics)

Wesfarmers shareholders will be eyeing the half-year results due Feb. 19, which cover the period ending Dec. 31. Investors will pay close attention to management’s remarks for any shifts in consumer demand. (Market Index)

Shan Ahmed Khan Latest posts

As a journalist focused on finance and the stock market, he delivers fast, reliable, and easy-to-understand coverage of market news.

View all

Energy Transfer's 7.3% Yield Signals New Growth Phase for Income Investors
January 27, 2026, 1:55 AM EST. Energy Transfer (ET) offers a 7.3% dividend yield with plans for steady 3-5% distribution growth annually, appealing to aggressive income investors. The midstream energy company, which transports oil and natural gas, generates reliable cash flow with a distributable cash flow coverage of 1.8x through late 2025. Despite a troubled past marked by a 2020 dividend cut and a canceled 2016 merger, new leadership aims to restore investor trust. Capital investments up to $5.5 billion in 2026 will focus on expanding natural gas infrastructure, boosting long-term growth prospects through 2029. Combining yield and growth suggests a potential 10% annual return, matching broad market expectations. Energy Transfer targets becoming a dependable dividend stock, signaling a shift from volatility to stability.