News 14 May 2026

Goodman Group’s Data Centre Bet Faces a Crucial May Test as ASX:GMG Shares Rise
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Goodman Group’s Data Centre Bet Faces a Crucial May Test as ASX:GMG Shares Rise

Goodman Group shares closed at A$31.40 Thursday, up 0.32% after a 1.39% rise Wednesday, as investors focused on its data-centre pipeline ahead of a Q3 FY26 update due May 26. Data centres accounted for 73% of its A$14.4 billion work in progress in February. The S&P/ASX 200 rose 0.12% Thursday, while the RBA cash rate stands at 4.35%. Goodman reported first-half operating profit of A$1.20 billion.
May 14, 2026
Wesfarmers Limited Just Put ASX:WES Investors on Notice: Bunnings, Kmart and Rates Are the Test
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Wesfarmers Limited Just Put ASX:WES Investors on Notice: Bunnings, Kmart and Rates Are the Test

Wesfarmers will hold its Strategy Briefing Day in Sydney on June 10, with presentation materials set for release before an 8:30 a.m. AEST webcast. Shares closed at A$71.73 on May 14, near recent lows, as the Reserve Bank of Australia’s rate hike to 4.35% dampens hopes for retail relief. February’s half-year net profit rose 9.3% to A$1.603 billion, but shares fell after the result missed trading expectations.
May 14, 2026
Lynas Rare Earths Stock Slumps as Trump-Xi Rare Earth Talks Test Its Rally
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Lynas Rare Earths Stock Slumps as Trump-Xi Rare Earth Talks Test Its Rally

Lynas Rare Earths shares fell 9.8% to A$17.95, erasing recent gains as investors reacted to ongoing U.S.-China rare earth tensions. Chinese exports of some heavy rare earths remain down about 50% since April 2025 controls. Polymarket traders put the odds of a U.S.-China tariff deal by May 31 at 53%. Lynas reported quarterly sales of A$265 million, more than double a year earlier.
May 14, 2026
ANZ Group Holdings Bonus Shake-Up Puts Managers on Notice After Bank Rout
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ANZ Group Holdings Bonus Shake-Up Puts Managers on Notice After Bank Rout

ANZ is overhauling manager bonuses to link pay more closely to conduct and performance, affecting thousands of managers, The Australian reported. Shares rose 0.8% to A$34.84 Thursday after a week of sector volatility. The move follows shareholder dissent over pay and recent misconduct findings. Rate and housing-policy risks remain, with markets pricing a high chance of no RBA change in June.
May 14, 2026
CSL Limited Share Price Slides Again as $5 Billion Writedown Puts Biotech Turnaround on the Clock
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CSL Limited Share Price Slides Again as $5 Billion Writedown Puts Biotech Turnaround on the Clock

CSL Limited shares closed at A$97.26 on Thursday, down 1.55%, extending losses after a profit downgrade and plans for US$5 billion in writedowns. The stock hit its lowest level since January 2017 earlier in the week. CSL cut its FY26 revenue outlook to US$15.2 billion and expects further pressure from U.S. immunoglobulin inventory and lower albumin prices in China.
May 14, 2026
Fortescue Ltd’s A$150 Million Hit Isn’t Over: Yindjibarndi Weighs Appeal
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Fortescue Ltd’s A$150 Million Hit Isn’t Over: Yindjibarndi Weighs Appeal

A Federal Court ordered Fortescue to pay A$150 million to Yindjibarndi traditional owners for cultural loss tied to its Solomon Hub iron ore mine. Yindjibarndi leaders are considering an appeal after the court rejected their royalties-based economic claim. Fortescue said it accepts compensation is owed and could pay quickly. The case is Australia’s largest native title compensation award to date.
May 14, 2026
Westpac Banking Corporation Stock Faces New Test as Bad-Loan Fears Hit Australia’s Banks
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Westpac Banking Corporation Stock Faces New Test as Bad-Loan Fears Hit Australia’s Banks

Westpac shares rose 0.4% to A$35.72 on Thursday but remain down 8.3% over the past week after a sector-wide selloff triggered by Commonwealth Bank’s record 10.43% drop. Westpac reported a A$443 million credit impairment charge for the half, up from A$250 million a year ago, and a 12.4% common equity tier 1 ratio. Stressed exposures fell to 1.16% of total commitments.
May 14, 2026
National Australia Bank Limited Just Bought Banked — Why NAB’s Payments Bet Matters Now
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National Australia Bank Limited Just Bought Banked — Why NAB’s Payments Bet Matters Now

National Australia Bank has acquired payments platform Banked to expand real-time account-to-account payments for business clients; terms were not disclosed. NAB shares closed down 1.19% at A$36.42 after Australian banks fell on concerns over higher provisions and budget-driven housing policy changes. The Reserve Bank of Australia raised its cash rate to 4.35% on May 5, citing inflation pressures. Business confidence remains negative, according to NAB’s April survey.
May 14, 2026
Macquarie Shares Jump Near Record as Profit Beat Puts Its Commodities Desk Back in Focus
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Macquarie Shares Jump Near Record as Profit Beat Puts Its Commodities Desk Back in Focus

Macquarie Group shares closed at A$244.53, up 3.26% and near a record, after reporting a 30% rise in annual net profit to A$4.847 billion, driven by strong commodities trading and asset sales. Turnover exceeded recent averages. The S&P/ASX 200 edged up 0.12% amid broader market uncertainty. Macquarie’s Commodities and Global Markets unit posted a 49% profit jump to A$4.221 billion.
May 14, 2026
BHP’s Incoming CEO Opens Door to Copper Deals as Shares Hit Record
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BHP’s Incoming CEO Opens Door to Copper Deals as Shares Hit Record

BHP incoming CEO Brandon Craig said the miner will pursue smaller acquisitions and partnerships to drive growth beyond 2035. BHP shares hit record highs this week, buoyed by copper exposure, closing at A$62.06 in Australia. China’s port stocks of BHP’s Jimblebar iron ore dropped 3.1% after Beijing lifted purchase curbs, but inventories remain elevated. Former BlueScope CEO Mark Vassella joins BHP’s board June 1.
May 14, 2026
Commonwealth Bank of Australia Shares Bounce After Record Rout as Budget Shock Tests Mortgage Growth
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Commonwealth Bank of Australia Shares Bounce After Record Rout as Budget Shock Tests Mortgage Growth

Commonwealth Bank of Australia shares rose 1.79% to A$156.42 on Thursday after a record 10.43% drop erased nearly A$30 billion in value. The rebound followed a federal budget move to restrict negative gearing and raise capital gains tax for property investors. CBA reported a quarterly cash net profit of A$2.7 billion and increased loan loss provisions by A$200 million. Analysts expect mortgage growth to slow as new tax rules take effect.
May 14, 2026
Australia Stock Market Today: ASX 200 Snaps Losing Run as CBA Bounces — But Rally Looks Thin
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Australia Stock Market Today: ASX 200 Snaps Losing Run as CBA Bounces — But Rally Looks Thin

The S&P/ASX 200 rose 0.12% to 8,640.7 on Thursday, breaking a four-day losing streak as bank stocks rebounded late, led by Commonwealth Bank’s 1.8% recovery after a record drop. Decliners outnumbered advancers, with tech and staples falling sharply. BHP and Rio Tinto closed at record highs, but rare earths and consumer staples slumped. Investors remain focused on budget-driven tax changes and recent interest rate hikes.
May 14, 2026
UK Stock Market Today: FTSE 100 Rises as GDP Surprise Offsets Starmer Turmoil
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UK Stock Market Today: FTSE 100 Rises as GDP Surprise Offsets Starmer Turmoil

The FTSE 100 closed up 0.5% at 10,372.93 and the FTSE 250 rose 1.3% to 22,828.07 after UK GDP grew 0.6% in Q1, beating forecasts. Sterling slipped 0.1% and 10-year gilt yields hovered near 5.02% as political uncertainty grew following Health Minister Wes Streeting’s resignation and doubts over Prime Minister Keir Starmer’s future. Prediction markets put Andy Burnham at 47% to become the next UK prime minister in 2026.
May 14, 2026
Haleon’s New UEFA Medical Deal Puts Voltaren in Football Spotlight—But Shares Lag
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Haleon’s New UEFA Medical Deal Puts Voltaren in Football Spotlight—But Shares Lag

Haleon became UEFA Medical’s first Health Partner in a multi-year deal focused on football-related pain management and clinician education. The company’s pain relief sales slipped 0.3% in the first quarter, while respiratory health dropped 3.4%. Haleon shares ended slightly lower in London. Financial terms of the UEFA partnership were not disclosed.
May 14, 2026
Diageo PLC Gets an India Profit Boost as Premium Drinks Outrun U.S. Weakness
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Diageo PLC Gets an India Profit Boost as Premium Drinks Outrun U.S. Weakness

United Spirits, Diageo’s Indian unit, posted a 28% rise in March-quarter consolidated profit to 5.39 billion rupees, with revenue at 68.55 billion rupees. The board recommended a final dividend of 11 rupees per share. Growth in higher-priced drinks offset some local policy pressures. Diageo’s North American sales fell 9.4% in the third quarter, contrasting with India’s gains.
May 14, 2026
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Stock Market Today

  • Oil prices drop below $100 on Iran peace deal hopes, markets rise
    May 25, 2026, 8:37 AM EDT. Oil prices fell below $100 a barrel for the first time in two weeks as hopes grow for a US-Iran peace deal. Brent crude dropped 5.5% to just under $98. The conflict's focal point remains Iran's blockade of the Strait of Hormuz, a critical energy chokepoint. Equity markets responded positively, with Japan's Nikkei up nearly 3% and Europe's Stoxx 600 rising 0.8%. The dollar weakened while the pound hit its highest level since May. Analysts caution markets remain wary as past negotiations have stalled. Inflation fears have driven central banks to consider further rate hikes, with the Bank of England expected to raise rates twice in 2024.