The S&P/ASX 200 dropped 0.8% to around 8,940 on Wednesday, hitting a two-week low, as faster-than-expected inflation data strengthened bets that the Reserve Bank of Australia will keep rates on hold for longer. The latest figures reinforced the central bank’s view that inflation remains sticky, with the monthly CPI rising 3.5% year-on-year in September 2025, the highest since July 2024, as housing and transport costs pushed price growth further above the RBA’s 2–3% target range. The trimmed mean CPI also rose more than expected, the first time it has increased since December 2022. Markets now see a nearly 90% chance the RBA will keep the 3.6% cash rate unchanged at its November 4 meeting. Rate-sensitive financials fell 1.1%, with the “Big Four” banks down between 0.6% and 1.7%. Real estate stocks also slipped 0.8%, dragged by a 2% drop in Stockland, while healthcare lost 2.6% as biotech giant CSL tumbled 4.8% following delays to its US Seqirus spinoff.
