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January 2026

As we begin 2026, we extend our warmest wishes for a year filled with health, happiness and success. We look forward to embracing fresh opportunities and new possibilities.

We start the year with the release of the latest inflation data. While figures were lower than expected, economists remain divided about a February rate hike.

There was a larger-than-expected fall in the consumer price index to 3.4 per cent, with the Reserve Bank’s preferred measure of trimmed mean inflation down to 3.2 per cent.

While consumers were cautious in the lead-up to Christmas, with the Westpac–Melbourne Institute Index slipping from 103.8 in November to 94.5 mid-December, early reports show sales over the Christmas period were up on previous years.

Unemployment remained at 4.3 per cent and equity markets closed the year solidly with the ASX 200 up by almost 10 per cent (including dividends), although still short of its October high.

Looking ahead, all eyes will be on the RBA’s February interest rate decision as well as the fallout from the US attack on Venezuela.