Australian Market 19 March 2026

Suncorp buyback close to wrapping up, weather bills in focus
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Suncorp buyback close to wrapping up, weather bills in focus

Suncorp Group Limited is set to max out its A$400 million share buyback, according to a filing. The Australian insurer picked up another 555,147 shares on May 14. Suncorp also plans to launch a new round of capital notes next week. Suncorp is sending cash back to investors via an on-market buyback. The company is buying its own shares on the exchange, while it also raises regulatory capital following a stretch of large storm and hazard claims. Timing is key here.
May 16, 2026
Why Commonwealth Bank of Australia Stock Price Is Holding Up as the ASX Sinks
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Why Commonwealth Bank of Australia Stock Price Is Holding Up as the ASX Sinks

Commonwealth Bank of Australia finished Thursday at A$177.36, up 0.15%. That’s a four-day winning streak for CBA, even as the S&P/ASX 200 dropped 1.7% to hit a four-month low. The stock now sits about 7% under its 52-week peak of A$191.40 from June 25, 2025. It’s catching attention now: investors are still piling into the big banks, despite the wider market wobbling as oil prices jump and inflation jitters linger. On March 17, the Reserve Bank of Australia pushed its cash rate—the main policy rate—up to 4.1% by a narrow 5-4 vote, fueling expectations that higher borrowing costs aren’t going away anytime soon.
March 19, 2026