ASX:WOW 19 May 2026

Wesfarmers jumps as buyers return to ASX retail stocks
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Wesfarmers jumps as buyers return to ASX retail stocks

Wesfarmers shares closed up 2.4% at A$72.98 Tuesday, outperforming the S&P/ASX 200’s 1.17% gain to 8,604.7. Investors rotated back into consumer stocks after recent losses, with Wesfarmers trading 1.56 million shares. Woolworths rose 3.7% after a JPMorgan upgrade, while Coles gained 2.7%. Cost pressures persist, with CEO Rob Scott warning of potential price increases due to fuel and freight.
May 19, 2026
Woolworths Shares Hold Steady as Discount Worries Persist
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Woolworths Shares Hold Steady as Discount Worries Persist

Woolworths shares closed flat at A$32.98 on Monday as the S&P/ASX 200 dropped 1.45% to a seven-week low. The company faces renewed scrutiny over supermarket discounting after new pricing data and Coles’ court loss on misleading promotions. Woolworths’ third-quarter update showed stronger food sales, but profit outlook remains cautious amid rising fuel costs and legal risks.
May 19, 2026

Stock Market Today

  • UK Gilt Yields Fall Amid Political Stability and Eased Rate Hike Concerns
    May 26, 2026, 9:28 AM EDT. U.K. gilt yields declined to five-week lows as investor worries about political instability eased following Labour's local election setbacks. The 10-year gilt yield dropped to 4.85%, down about 30 basis points, reflecting reduced expectations for interest rate hikes. Prime Minister Keir Starmer, though challenged by potential rivals including Andy Burnham, remains in charge, calming markets concerned about fiscal policy shifts. Additionally, optimism surrounding a possible U.S.-Iran peace deal and the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz has eased inflation fears, further reducing yield pressures. Analysts at Pantheon Macroeconomics noted that investors are discounting weak economic data and now anticipate fewer rate increases in 2026, driving the largest weekly drop in gilt yields since late 2023.