ANZ Shares Decline Amid Broader Banking Sector Weakness
ANZ Group Holdings (ANZ.AX) fell 1.15% to A$36.94 as Australia's banking sector retreated ahead of key economic data. The S&P/ASX 200 dropped 0.66%, reflecting market caution amid trade concerns and global uncertainty.
Commonwealth Bank (CBA.AX) led losses with a 1.81% decline, followed by Westpac (WBC.AX) and National Australia Bank (NAB.AX). Analysts attribute the pullback to shifting interest-rate expectations, with investors awaiting January's labor data and CPI figures to gauge RBA policy moves.
"The financial sector is cooling off after earlier rate-cut optimism," noted Shaw and Partners' Philip Pepe. The Australian dollar edged higher to 67.37 U.S. cents despite the equity weakness.