Summary: Wednesday 4-November-2026

Australian share market stumbles led by sharp falls in the resources sector. Interest rate-sensitive sectors like real estate and technology are also very weak. US futures slump as the US midterm elections suggest that the Democrats will win both houses of Congress.

S&P/ASX 200 Intraday

ABS figures show job vacancies were down 0.9% in the three months to August 2026. Private sector vacancies fell 1.5% and public sector openings jumped 7.8%.

ABS living cost indices show inflation averaging 4.5% for most household types in the year ended September 2026. Rising transport costs were driven by higher automotive fuel prices while increases in water & sewerage charges and rents & property rates drove the increase in housing costs.

ABS Living Cost Indices (Yearly % change)

Other data show that household spending was up 0.6% in September 2026, higher than most estimates, and was 6.8% higher for the year.

Buy-now-pay-later operator Block Inc (XYZ) jumps 6.1% after its latest quarterly results that beat guidance. Gross profit was up 22% year-over-year to US$3.24 billion, adjusted operating income surged 92% to US$923 million and adjusted EPS more than doubled to US$1.13.

S&P/ASX Sector Indices (% change)

City Chic Collective (CCX) soars 13.9% after saying it expects to record positive EBIT in the first half of FY27, subject to continuing sales momentum. The retailer says its decision to reduce promotional activity initially affected sales but that sales momentum has since improved in response to the new season range, with 'materially healthier margins.'

Ingenia Communities (INA) drops 3.8% after a receiving a revised proposal from Warburg Pincus which the Board says could not reasonably be considered a 'superior proposal' to the AVID Property Group offer. It therefore says Warburg Pincus' access to due diligence 'remains terminated.'

Scentre Group (SCG) sheds 1.4% despite downplaying the potential impact of retailer David Jones falling into administration. SCG says gross rent from these stores represents approximately 1.8% of the Group's gross rent and 3.6% of the funds from operations (FFO) on an annualised basis. David Jones has provided $45 million in bank guarantees for its stores across the Westfield Australia/New Zealand portfolio, of which the Scentre Group's share is approximately $30 million. These guarantees can be applied against any unpaid rent.

S&P/ASX Market Moving Stocks