FEAR & GREED | Business News Q+A: The companies that may surprise this earnings season
Feb 9, 2026
Ben Gilbert, Head of Australian Research at Jarden, shares which companies and sectors could surprise this reporting season. He highlights supermarket momentum, Wesfarmers’ strengths, risks for Treasury Wine and QSR challenges. He also discusses interest-rate impacts, smaller retailers to watch, and how firms should approach AI.
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Supermarkets Showing Green Shoots
- Woolworths may show early signs of recovery driven by better in-store execution and promotions.
- Cycling through strikes and competitors pulling back on brands give Woolies a pricing and assortment edge.
Small Store Actions Move Margins Big
- Supermarket margins are thin so small changes in placement, supply chain and value perception materially affect earnings.
- Winning customer trust on price encourages extra basket items and lifts sales.
Wesfarmers' Dual Retail And Lithium Upside
- Wesfarmers should deliver a solid result as Bunnings and Kmart execute well despite softer tool sales.
- Its lithium exposure via Mount Holland could add upside if prices stay strong.