Mid-Market: S&P/ASX 200 Trading Higher; 10 Out Of 11 Sectors Are In Green

Source: Kapitales Research

On 22 January 2026, at AEDT 12:45 PM, the benchmark index S&P/ASX 200 is trading higher today, gaining 63.30 points or 0.72%, and is currently trading at 8,846.20 levels. Out of 11, 10 sectors are trading higher along with the gain in the S&P/ASX 200.

The Consumer Discretionary and Energy sectors are the top 2 gaining sectors, gaining 2.05% and 1.89% in their index values. On the other hand, Materials sector is the only declining sector, declining 1.35% in its index value.

Premier Investment Limited (ASX: PMV) and Droneshield Limited (ASX: DRO) are the top-gaining stocks, gaining 9.163% and 6.713% in their stock prices. On the other hand, Pantoro Gold Limited (ASX: PNR) and Vault Minerals Limited (ASX: VAU) are the top-losing stocks and are declining by 10.345% and 9.460% in their stock prices.

Factors influencing the market-

• The Australian share market trimmed its earlier gains today after a surprising drop in unemployment and strong job growth raised the likelihood of an interest rate hike by the Reserve Bank of Australia as soon as next month. The S&P/ASX 200 Index initially rose but leveled off after the jobs data showed unemployment falling to 4.1% with 65,200 jobs created, exceeding expectations. This sparked a shift in market expectations, with a 50% chance of a rate hike in February now priced in. The Australian dollar surged to a 15-month high against the US dollar, reflecting the shift in market sentiment.
• IperionX gained 3.5% following a US$300,000 ($444,010) prototype order from American Rheinmetall to produce 700 lightweight titanium components for US Army heavy ground combat vehicles.
• DroneShield rose 6.71% after Bell Potter increased its price target by 13%, setting it at $5, and predicted that 2026 would be "the year of the drone.”
• South32 Limited’s shares climbed 4.9% as the mining company maintained its full-year production guidance for its operated assets, with half-year operating costs tracking in line with expectations.
• The Dow Jones closed up by 1.21%, S&P 500 gained by 1.16% and Nasdaq was up by 1.18% in the previous session.
• Hang Seng is up by 0.35%, and FTSE 100 is up by 0.11%.

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