ALS on watch as cyber scare and dividend set stage for results day
ALS closed Friday at A$22.20, down 0.31%, ahead of its FY26 results and final dividend announcement
Brambles shares ahead of Monday on ASX after choppy week
Brambles closed Friday at A$22.10, up 1.28% for the day but down 1.56% for the week. The S&P/ASX 200 index dropped about 1.3% last week, led by declines in miners and banks.
Santos Stock Gets a Fresh Tailwind as Gas Curbs Ease and Oil Stays Hot
Santos shares closed at A$7.88 on Friday, up 2.74%, outperforming the S&P/ASX 200, which slipped 0.11%. Australia paused winter gas-export curbs after exporters, including Santos, gave supply assurances. The company also approved a Papua New Guinea gas tie-in project, aiming for first gas in 2028. Elevated oil prices continued to support Santos’ outlook.
Northern Star Resources Stock Sets Up Monday Test at ASX Open
Northern Star Resources shares fell 2.98% to A$20.50 Friday, down 3.12% for the week, as gold miners sold off after spot gold dropped 2% to $4,557.61 an ounce. The S&P/ASX 200 slipped 0.1% Friday and lost 1.2% for the week. Northern Star’s buyback of up to A$500 million remains in place. Peers Evolution Mining and Genesis Minerals also declined.
Fortescue Shares Face Test After A$150 Million Court Loss
Fortescue shares closed Friday at A$22.60, down 1.7% for the day but up 6.3% for the week, as traders weigh a Federal Court order to pay the Yindjibarndi Ngurra Aboriginal Corporation A$150 million for cultural loss. The S&P/ASX 200 fell 0.12% Friday, with major miners also dropping. Fortescue shipped 48.4 million tonnes of iron ore in Q3 and maintained full-year guidance.
Woodside Shares Trade Monday With $35 Billion Browse LNG Bet Back In View After Inpex Deal
INPEX agreed to buy PetroChina’s 10.67% stake in Woodside’s Browse gas project, pending regulatory and partner approval. Woodside shares closed up 2.1% at A$31.25 Friday, outperforming the broader ASX 200, which fell 0.11%. Browse is Australia’s largest undeveloped offshore gas resource. Woodside said it will review the deal under normal processes.
Goodman Group Shares Just Beat the ASX — Why Its Data-Centre Bet Faces a New Test
Goodman Group shares closed at A$31.38 Friday, up 3.7% for the week, while the S&P/ASX 200 dropped 1.3%. The company’s next Q3 FY26 operational update is set for May 26. Data-centre projects now make up 73% of Goodman’s A$14.4 billion development pipeline. The ASX had not reopened as of early Monday.
CSL shares under pressure as traders eye critical week
CSL Ltd shares fell 18% last week after a profit warning and a $5 billion non-cash impairment, closing Friday at A$97.96. The company cut its 2026 revenue outlook to $15.2 billion and NPATA to $3.1 billion. Interim CEO Gordon Naylor cited delays in financial benefits from growth initiatives and revenue hits in the U.S., China, and the Middle East. The ASX cash market reopens Monday at 09:59:45 Sydney time.
Pegasystems Shares Approach 2026 Lows Ahead of Monday AI Cloud Event
Pegasystems shares closed at $33.71 Friday after a five-day slide, down 43.55% year-to-date, despite a 0.96% gain that day. First-quarter revenue fell 10% to $429.97 million, while GAAP net income dropped 62%. CEO Alan Trefler and CFO Ken Stillwell will present at J.P. Morgan’s tech conference Monday. Twelve analysts maintain a “Buy” consensus with an average price target of $60.13.
Tate & Lyle’s 45% rally puts focus on results week
Tate & Lyle shares closed at 536p Friday, up 45% in a week after Ingredion’s takeover approach valued the company at up to 615p per share. Tate & Lyle said shareholders would receive 595p in cash plus up to 20p in dividends if a deal is agreed. Talks continue, with a June 11 deadline for a formal offer. Both companies say there is no certainty a bid will be made.
CSL shares under pressure as traders eye critical week
CSL Ltd shares fell 18% last week after a profit warning and a $5 billion non-cash impairment, closing Friday at A$97.96. The company cut its 2026 revenue outlook to $15.2 billion and NPATA to $3.1 billion. Interim CEO Gordon Naylor cited delays in financial benefits from growth initiatives and revenue hits in the U.S., China, and the Middle East. The ASX cash market reopens Monday at 09:59:45 Sydney time.
Pegasystems Shares Approach 2026 Lows Ahead of Monday AI Cloud Event
Pegasystems shares closed at $33.71 Friday after a five-day slide, down 43.55% year-to-date, despite a 0.96% gain that day. First-quarter revenue fell 10% to $429.97 million, while GAAP net income dropped 62%. CEO Alan Trefler and CFO Ken Stillwell will present at J.P. Morgan’s tech conference Monday. Twelve analysts maintain a “Buy” consensus with an average price target of $60.13.
Tate & Lyle’s 45% rally puts focus on results week
Tate & Lyle shares closed at 536p Friday, up 45% in a week after Ingredion’s takeover approach valued the company at up to 615p per share. Tate & Lyle said shareholders would receive 595p in cash plus up to 20p in dividends if a deal is agreed. Talks continue, with a June 11 deadline for a formal offer. Both companies say there is no certainty a bid will be made.
Intertek Stock’s Takeover Week: The £10.6 Billion EQT Question Traders Can’t Shake
Intertek closed Friday at 5,615p, down 1.1% on the day but up 14% for the week after EQT’s £60-a-share bid. Shares remain about 7% below the proposed offer. Intertek’s board signaled it would recommend the deal if terms are formalized; EQT has until June 11 to make a firm offer. The company’s annual meeting is set for May 20.
BAE Systems Stock Drops; Traders Watching Upcoming Sessions
BAE Systems shares fell 3.77% to 1,850.50p Friday, capping a 4.3% weekly drop and underperforming the FTSE 100. The company maintained 2026 growth guidance and continued its buyback program. Thales announced a new collaboration with BAE on underwater vehicle sensors. Investors await Monday’s open after a weak week for defence stocks.
Glencore Faces Monday Trading Test After Dividend and FTSE Drop
Glencore shares fell 3.62% to 574.30 pence Friday, despite a 1.97% gain over five sessions. The company confirmed a US$0.085-per-share capital return for June 3, pending shareholder approval. The FTSE 100 dropped 1.7% amid political uncertainty and inflation concerns. Glencore’s copper output rose 19% in Q1, while cobalt production fell 39% due to DRC export quotas.
UK & AU Stock Market Today: Live Updates 18.05.2026
LIVEMarkets rolling coverageStarted: May 18, 2026, 12:00 AM EDTUpdated: May 18, 2026, 3:24 AM EDT Why Hays Share Dealing Is Attracting Market Attention May 18, 2026, 3:17 AM EDT. Hays, the global recruitment firm, has seen increased market interest due to recent share dealing activities. Significant transactions by insiders have prompted investors to reassess the stock's outlook. Share dealing refers to buying or selling company shares, often signaling confidence or concerns from those with direct knowledge. Market participants are closely watching Hays for potential shifts in strategy or valuation triggers. This activity could impact Hays' stock performance amid evolving industry
Computershare stock holds up on soft ASX as rate outlook steers focus
Computershare shares closed at A$31.07 on Friday in Sydney, up 3.43% for the day and 1.1% for the week, outperforming the S&P/ASX 200’s 1.27% weekly drop. The company last affirmed FY26 management EPS guidance at about 144 cents and raised margin income guidance to $740 million. No new filings appeared over the weekend. The ASX cash market was closed at publication, with trading set to resume Monday.
ALS on watch as cyber scare and dividend set stage for results day
ALS closed Friday at A$22.20, down 0.31%, ahead of its FY26 results and final dividend announcement set for Monday. Investors are awaiting updates on the financial impact of a May cyber incident that disrupted some operations. The stock slipped about 0.6% last week, less than the S&P/ASX 200’s 1.3% drop. ALS will hold its results briefing at 10 a.m. AEST.
IAG Jumps 10% as Traders Watch Monday’s ASX Open
Insurance Australia Group shares closed at A$8.01 Friday after a 10% weekly gain, following the release of its Ambition 2030 plan targeting over A$25 billion in gross written premium. The S&P/ASX 200 slipped 0.1% the same day. IAG’s proposed RAC Insurance acquisition faces a Phase 2 review by Australia’s competition regulator. First-half cash earnings in February fell 21% to A$507 million.
Japan’s $1.2 Trillion in US Treasuries Is Now a Market Risk for America
Japanese investors sold a net ¥4.67 trillion ($29.6 billion) in U.S. government and agency debt in the first quarter, the largest pullback since 2022, official data showed. Rising Japanese bond yields, with the 10-year JGB at 2.73%, are drawing funds back home. Japan remains the largest foreign holder of U.S. Treasuries, owning $1.239 trillion as of February.
Brambles shares ahead of Monday on ASX after choppy week
Brambles closed Friday at A$22.10, up 1.28% for the day but down 1.56% for the week. The S&P/ASX 200 index dropped about 1.3% last week, led by declines in miners and banks. Investors are watching if Brambles’ cash-flow upgrade and buyback plans can counter weak consumer demand. Trading resumes Monday at 9:59 a.m. Sydney time.
Cochlear Stock Faces Crucial ASX Open After Post-Crash Bounce Fades
Cochlear shares closed at A$96.33 on Friday, up 0.95% for the day but down 3.6% from the previous week. The stock remains volatile after plunging 40.7% on April 22, when Cochlear cut its FY26 profit outlook to A$290 million–A$330 million on weak demand. Normal ASX trading had not started as of 07:06 AEST Monday.
4DMedical Shares Move Higher Pre-Market With Test Ahead for 4DX
4DMedical shares closed at A$4.17 on Friday, up 8.88% on heavy volume, outpacing the S&P/ASX 200’s 0.11% drop. The lung-imaging firm joined the ASX 200 in April and recently announced a one-year analytics deal with GlaxoSmithKline. No new contracts or earnings were disclosed Friday. Normal trading resumes Monday in Sydney.
QBE Stock Has a Monday-Morning Test After Last Week’s Jump
QBE Insurance closed Friday at A$23.04, up 1.86% for the day and 3.32% over five sessions, ahead of Monday’s Sydney open. The insurer recently priced AUD500 million in floating-rate capital notes, rated BBB- by Fitch. First-quarter gross written premium rose 11% to $9.2 billion, with net catastrophe claims at about $300 million for the first four months.
Suncorp Shares Beat the ASX. The A$17.49 Line Is Monday’s Test
Suncorp shares closed Friday at A$17.49, up 2.16% for the day and 5.05% over the week, outpacing a 1.27% drop in the S&P/ASX 200. The insurer announced a routine buy-back update and priced A$200 million in subordinated notes due 2037. Suncorp reported A$1.319 billion in first-half natural hazard costs and net profit after tax of A$263 million, down from A$1.1 billion a year earlier.
WiseTech Stock Faces Monday Test After 10% Slide as AI Pivot Faces Scrutiny
WiseTech Global shares closed at A$38.01 Friday, up 3.65% after a three-day slide, but remain about 10% below the prior week’s close and down 44.55% year to date. The logistics software maker reaffirmed FY26 revenue and EBITDA guidance in February, but investors are watching integration of e2open and its AI cost-cutting plan. WiseTech serves around 22,000 logistics firms in 193 countries.
Coles Shares Face a Fresh Test as ‘Down Down’ Ruling Puts Pricing in the Crosshairs
The Federal Court found Coles misled shoppers with “Down Down” price tickets, with penalties pending. Coles shares closed Friday at A$20.81, down 3.8% from a week earlier. Woolworths faces similar court scrutiny, with judgment still pending. The S&P/ASX 200 last stood at 8,630.80, down 0.11%.
Berkshire Hathaway successor update: Delta in, Amazon out
Berkshire Hathaway revealed a $2.65 billion stake in Delta Air Lines and sharply increased its Alphabet holdings in the first quarter, while exiting Amazon, Visa, Mastercard, and UnitedHealth. The Form 13F filing showed Berkshire held 39.8 million Delta shares and about $16.6 billion in Alphabet stock as of March 31. Greg Abel oversaw the changes after taking over as CEO. U.S. markets will react when trading resumes Monday.
Woolworths Stock Faces Next Test Ahead of ASX Open
Woolworths closed Friday at A$32.98, up 1.35% for the day but down 1.8% for the week. The ASX cash market was closed at 05:11 AEST, with trading set to resume at 10 a.m. Pricing scrutiny remains high after a Federal Court ruling found Coles misled shoppers with discount claims; Woolworths faces a pending case. Both grocers are under pressure as promotion practices draw regulatory and investor focus.
South32 drops 5%, Alaska project lifts copper outlook but cost concerns remain
South32 closed Friday at A$4.21, down 5.18%, ahead of Monday’s Australian session. The company faces higher capital costs at its Hermosa project in Arizona, now estimated at $3.3 billion, with first output delayed to late 2028. The Arctic Project in Alaska, a joint venture with Trilogy Metals, gained U.S. FAST-41 permitting status last week. Broader metals and mining shares also fell Friday amid weaker copper and gold prices.
Transurban Stock Is Quietly Defying the ASX Selloff — Monday Will Show If It Lasts
Transurban Group closed Friday at A$14.60, up 1.2% for the week, while the S&P/ASX 200 fell 1.3%. April traffic rose in Melbourne and Brisbane but fell in Sydney; commercial vehicle traffic jumped 10.8%. The company reaffirmed FY26 distribution guidance of 69.0 cents per stapled security. Transurban’s market value stood at about A$45.55 billion.
Ampol approaches 52-week high as investors bet on refinery margins ahead of ASX open
Ampol shares closed at A$35.05 on Friday, up 2.88%, trading near a 52-week high as investors focused on strong Lytton refinery margins and the pending EG Australia deal review. The broader S&P/ASX 200 index slipped 0.11%. The ASX cash market remains closed until just before 10 a.m. Sydney time. The ACCC is expected to rule on the EG Australia acquisition by June 5.
REA Group Shares Trade Lower Ahead of Buyback Hitting A$98 Million Mark
REA Group shares closed at A$162.01 Friday, down 8.4% for the week despite reporting a third-quarter revenue rise of 11% to A$398 million and continued share buybacks. The company faces pressure from higher rates and new competition after CoStar’s acquisition of Domain. The S&P/ASX 200 ended Friday at 8,630.80, down 0.11%.
Aristocrat Stock’s $1 Billion Buyback Bounce Faces Its Next Big Test
Aristocrat Leisure shares closed at A$51.53 Friday, up 10% for the week, after reporting a 6% rise in half-year revenue and an expanded share buyback. Profit after tax from continuing operations reached A$798.5 million, up from A$511 million. The S&P/ASX 200 fell 1.3% over the same period. Aristocrat lifted its interim dividend to 50 cents a share, unfranked.
Lynas Rare Earths Faces a Monday Test After 7.7% Slide as China Curbs Keep Sector in Play
Lynas Rare Earths closed at A$17.95 on Friday, flat for the day but down 7.7% for the week after a sharp Thursday drop. The S&P/ASX 200 fell 1.3% over the week. China’s export controls continue to restrict heavy rare-earth shipments, keeping supply risk high. Lynas reported March-quarter sales revenue of A$265 million and 1,996 tonnes of NdPr production.