Sydney, Jan 15, 2026, 17:39 AEDT — The market has closed.
- Wesfarmers climbed roughly 0.9% on Thursday, outpacing the wider Australian market.
- Household spending climbed once more in December, according to a Commonwealth Bank report, fueling ongoing rate discussions.
- Upcoming catalysts: Jan 28 CPI, Feb 3 RBA decision statement, and Wesfarmers’ half-year results on Feb 19.
Wesfarmers Limited (ASX:WES) closed Thursday up around 0.9%, finishing at A$82.99 compared to Wednesday’s A$82.29. The stock swung between A$82.18 and A$83.15 during the session, with roughly 1.03 million shares traded. (Eoddata)
The update followed fresh data showing Australian consumer spending remained solid at year-end—a crucial factor for Wesfarmers’ retail-focused earnings. Household spending increased 0.7% in December and climbed 6.3% over the year, according to de-identified payments data analysed by Commonwealth Bank, reported by Capital Brief. Belinda Allen, the bank’s head of Australian economics, described the figures as “more robust than anticipated” and said they “support our expectation for a February rate hike,” with the January 28 consumer price index (CPI) report seen as a key pivot point. (Capital Brief)
Wesfarmers is eyeing rate moves closely, as rising borrowing costs could tighten spending on discretionary items like household goods and home improvement. The Reserve Bank of Australia meets Feb 2–3, with its policy decision announced on Feb 3. Wesfarmers will release its half-year results shortly after, on Feb 19.
Australian equities closed up, with the S&P/ASX 200 gaining 0.47% on Thursday, driven by strength in materials and mining stocks, Investing.com data showed.
Wesfarmers investors got no new company updates to act on. The latest ASX filing on the Intelligent Investor announcements feed dates back to Dec 11, so the stock’s moves have mostly reflected broader market shifts and positioning ahead of February earnings.
Wesfarmers ranks among Australia’s largest listed companies, with its profits heavily linked to domestic spending via Bunnings, Kmart Group, and Officeworks, as well as its industrial and chemicals divisions. Whenever debate over interest rates heats up, investors often focus first on these major consumer brands.
Heading into the next session and through next week, traders will watch closely for any uptick in rate-hike bets following Thursday’s spending report. Even a slight tweak in the anticipated cash rate trajectory could rattle discretionary retailers, whose sales hinge on consumer confidence and mortgage expenses.
Yet, the very spending power buoying retail sales now could backfire if it keeps inflation elevated. A stronger CPI report on Jan 28 risks pushing policy tighter, which could dampen demand down the road — a clear downside for stocks priced on steady consumer spending.
