The S&P/ASX 200 climbed 0.9% to 9,106 on Wednesday, breaking a three-day losing streak as investors positioned ahead of January inflation data. Markets expect annual inflation to ease slightly to 3.7% from 3.8% in December, while the RBA’s trimmed mean is forecast to remain at 3.3%, with both measures still above the central bank’s 2–3% target range.
The January figures will also capture the expiry of energy rebates, a factor likely to push headline prices higher and provide clearer signals on whether the recent rate hike was a one-off move or the start of a renewed tightening cycle.
On the corporate front, technology stocks advanced, mirroring gains in US peers amid renewed optimism around artificial intelligence. WiseTech Global jumped 7% despite outlining plans to cut roughly 2,000 jobs over the next two years, while Xero rose 3.1% and NextDC added 2.2%. Elsewhere, Woolworths Group gained 0.7% to its highest level since September 2024 after reporting a strong half-year profit of $859 million.
