AUS
NZ
UK
CA
USA
IND
Highlights
- ASX 200 posts first weekly gain in a month
- Woolworths and Coles lift market after regulatory report
- Consumer staples sector leads six sectors higher
The Australian sharemarket closed out its strongest week of the year, lifted by solid performances in supermarket giants Woolworths and Coles. The S&P/ASX 200 gained 0.2% on Friday, rising 13.2 points to finish at 7932.10. The weekly gain of 1.7% marked the index’s first positive performance in four weeks.
Momentum was largely driven by the consumer staples sector, which topped six of the 11 sectors that finished in the green. Investors responded positively to a long-awaited report from the national competition regulator, which scrutinised pricing behaviour among Australia’s major supermarket chains.
The findings revealed that Woolworths (ASX:WOW) and Coles (ASX:COL) are among the most profitable supermarket operators globally. Despite public scrutiny over food prices, the report found limited evidence of systemic price gouging. This helped ease market concerns around reputational risks and regulatory pressures.
Woolworths surged 6.3% to close at $29.93, while Coles climbed 4.9% to $19.46. The sharp upward moves from both companies helped offset broader market caution, which had been influenced by international concerns including the potential inflationary impact of former U.S. President Donald Trump’s tariff policy proposals.
The broader All Ordinaries index also edged higher, rising 0.1%. While some sectors struggled under global uncertainty, consumer staples emerged as a resilient performer, benefiting from renewed confidence in their earnings outlook following the regulator's findings.
Outside the retail sector, market sentiment remained mixed. Concerns over global trade tensions and economic fallout from potential policy shifts in the U.S. weighed on investor confidence. However, defensive sectors such as utilities and healthcare provided some support to the index.
The week’s performance reflects a turning point for the ASX, which had been under pressure through March. The rally in supermarket stocks helped restore broader optimism and demonstrated the market’s responsiveness to local economic indicators and sector-specific developments.
As attention turns to upcoming inflation data and global policy signals, the performance of consumer-focused sectors may continue to play a stabilising role in the Australian equity market. For now, the strong finish to the week highlights the influence of regulatory clarity and corporate resilience in shaping investor sentiment.
