Sydney, Feb 25, 2026, 16:59 AEDT — The market is done for the day.

• Westpac finished the day A$0.40 higher at A$43.05, up 0.94%.
• Core inflation in Australia edged up, prompting traders to price in an additional rate increase by May.
• Brokers are dialing back their optimism on big bank valuations, despite the strong streak in earnings.

Westpac Banking Corp finished Wednesday up 0.94%, settling at A$43.05. Investors parsed a stronger core inflation number, raising fresh questions about the Reserve Bank of Australia’s next steps. (Intelligent Investor)

Australia’s latest monthly CPI figures put the trimmed mean—favored by the RBA—at 3.4%, the highest in 16 months. Headline inflation stuck at 3.8%. The…