Australian retailers drop after JB Hi-Fi results sound alarm about spending

SUPER RETAIL

17/08/2026 04:43

** Australian retailers drop on the day after electronics seller JB Hi-Fi JBH.AX drops as much as 14.6%
** Sub-index of discretionary stocks .AXDJ is down as much as 2.8%, its biggest intraday pct drop since March 9
** Super Retail Group SUL.AX down 6.8%, Harvey Norman HVN.AX  falls 5%
** JB Hi-Fi's subdued sales raise caution over broader spending drop among Australians amid high borrowing costs; central bank has raised rates 4 times this year
** YTD, AXDJ down 1.1%

 (Reporting by Nichiket Sunil in Bengaluru)
 ((Nichiket.Sunil@thomsonreuters.com))