The S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) climbed 0.31% higher on Wednesday, closing the day at 8,830.40 points.
The hump-day close marks a rebound for the week, and investors were able to breathe a sign of relief.
On Monday the index fell 0.24% to 8,849.60 points after a broad-based weakness across the energy and financial sectors. At the same time, share prices of supermarket giants Woolworths Group Ltd (ASX: WOW) and Coles Group Ltd (ASX: COL) were under pressure from a Federal Court ruling requiring them to backpay managers.
On Tuesday the ASX 200 dipped another 0.52% to 8,803.5 points thanks to declines across the energy, banking, and healthcare sectors.
ANZ Group Holdings Ltd (ASX: ANZ) also announced a large job-cut initiative and energy stocks fell due to an OPEC+ oil production increase.
But Wednesday's rebound was led by the banking sector – the big 4 major banks saw gains of 1.47% to 1.70%, fuelled by cost-cutting announcements and renewed investor confidence.
And the good news is, there is room for more tailwinds throughout the remainder of the 2025 calendar year.
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Potential for earnings surprises
Macquarie strategist Matthew Brooks told The Australian that conservative company guidance over the past month has led analysts to set their sights too low. This creates an ideal condition for future upgrades as businesses deliver above expectations.
"Conservative guides have set a low bar for FY26. Coupled with the RBA rate cuts and an already improving domestic economy, this could allow for earnings upgrades over FY26," he said.
"We could even start to see some more positive outlook comments in AGM season," he told The Australian.
Brooks is encouraged that ASX companies beat fiscal 2025 earnings estimates despite years of high rates, cost of living pressures and more recently, US tariffs.
More RBA rate cuts could stimulate growth
The RBA has already delivered three rate cuts and as borrowing costs continue to come down (while disposable incomes go up), it'll only boost consumer spending, housing demand—especially amid lower inflation and improving employment conditions.
This is particularly beneficial for ASX stocks in the consumer staples, retail spending, real estate or consumer discretionary sector.
For example, REA Group Ltd (ASX: REA) would benefit from more property selling and buying activity while electronics retailer JB Hi-Fi Ltd (ASX: JBH) would benefit from consumers with more dictionary spending.
With economic growth set to accelerate and conservative ASX company guidance given in August, the remainder of 2025 could see ASX 200 index growth much stronger than originally expected.
