Australia’s share market has fallen for a fourth-straight session, with banks and miners weighing heavily on the bourse as the Persian Gulf conflict dims the global economic outlook.

The S&P/ASX200 slipped 6.9 points on Friday, down 0.08 per cent, to 8,786.5, as the broader All Ordinaries lost 17.8 points, or 0.08 per cent, to 9,006.4.

The All Ordinaries fell 162.3 points, or 1.77 per cent, for the week.

Energy, utilities stocks and the traditionally defensive consumer staples sector had a positive week, buoyed by rising oil prices with no end in sight to the US-Iran conflict that has strangled a key crude shipping route.

The Australian dollar is buying 71.29 US cents, down from 71.52 US cents on Thursday at 5pm.

Party City is expanding its retail footprint into more than 700 Staples stores nationwide, marking a major distribution push after shuttering hundreds of locations in recent years.

The partnership, announced Tuesday, will bring Party City’s balloons, décor and party supplies into Staples stores and onto its website, with plans to expand to additional locations through 2026.

The move follows a wave of closures tied to financial struggles and restructuring efforts. Instead of reopening standalone stores, the company is betting on partnerships to quickly scale its presence at a lower cost.

The rollout comes just in time for graduation season, a key spending period for retailers. Nearly 4 million students are expected to graduate in 2026, with graduation-related spending topping $6.8 billion last year, according to industry estimates.

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Party City has struggled financially in recent years. (Gabby Jones/Bloomberg via Getty Images)

For consumers, the collaboration is designed to streamline event planning by combining party supplies with Staples’ existing print and marketing services. Shoppers will be able to purchase balloons, décor and tableware while also creating customized invitations, banners and signs in one place.

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A Staples office supply store is seen in Springfield, Virginia (Saul Loeb/AFP via Getty Images)

Staples, long known for office and school supplies, has been expanding its in-store services to drive foot traffic and diversify beyond its traditional business. The addition of Party City products is expected to draw in customers planning celebrations while creating opportunities to boost spending through add-on services like printing and signage.

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As part of the rollout, customers will be able to order party supplies online for in-store pickup, with additional features such as scheduled balloon pickups expected to launch in the coming weeks.

Staples has been expanding its in-store services to drive foot traffic and diversify beyond its traditional business.  (David Paul Morris/Bloomberg via Getty Images)

Staples and Party City are also offering promotional deals tied to the launch, including discounts on balloons, decorations and custom printing services.

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The companies said they plan to expand the partnership to more locations over time, signaling a continued push to capture a larger share of event-driven consumer spending.

Jeff Malec Managing Director & Partner has spent 25+ years in the futures industry, from his days as a clerk in the bond futures pits, to manager of multiple commodity-based hedge fund products, to host of RCM’s popular alternative investment podcast, the Derivative. Prior to RCM, Mr. Malec was the founder and CEO of Attain Capital Management, which merged with RCM after 13 years assisting clients with alternative investments. He is the great grandson of Harley Davidson founder Walter S. Davidson, and a former board member of the National Futures Association. He holds the Chartered Alternative Investment Association (CAIA) designation, and has authored hundreds of white papers covering alternative investments.

SYDNEY — Anzac Day will be observed as a public holiday across every Australian state and territory on Saturday, April 25, 2026, but only residents in New South Wales, the Australian Capital Territory and Western Australia will enjoy an additional day off on Monday, April 27, creating uneven long weekends as the nation commemorates its fallen service members.

The variation stems from differing state and territory policies on when public holidays are observed if they fall on a weekend. While April 25 remains the official date for dawn services, marches and remembrance ceremonies nationwide, three jurisdictions have declared the following Monday a substitute holiday to provide workers with a meaningful break.

Fair Work Ombudsman guidance confirms Anzac Day is a national public holiday in all eight states and territories. However, the treatment of the weekend date creates a patchwork. NSW, the ACT and WA will observe both Saturday and Monday as public holidays, while Victoria, Queensland, South Australia, Tasmania and the Northern Territory observe only Saturday.

In New South Wales, Premier Chris Minns’ government confirmed the extra Monday holiday, marking a policy shift. Previously, NSW did not always grant a substitute day when Anzac Day fell on a weekend. This year’s decision gives many workers a rare four-day break from Friday evening through Tuesday morning.

The Australian Capital Territory has aligned with NSW, declaring both days public holidays. ACT Chief Minister Andrew Barr noted the move honors the significance of Anzac Day while recognizing modern workforce needs. Public sector and most private employers will observe the additional Monday.

Western Australia continues its long-standing practice of providing a substitute day when Anzac Day lands on a weekend. The state will observe Saturday, April 25, and Monday, April 27, as public holidays, a policy welcomed by workers and unions.

For the majority of Australians, however, only Saturday counts as the public holiday. In Victoria, Queensland, South Australia, Tasmania and the Northern Territory, businesses and services will largely operate as normal on Monday, April 27. Employees rostered to work Saturday may receive penalty rates or time off in lieu depending on awards and agreements.

The discrepancy has sparked lively debate on social media and talkback radio. Many in non-substitute states expressed disappointment at missing a long weekend, while others argued that the solemn nature of Anzac Day should focus on commemoration rather than extra leisure time. Unions have used the occasion to renew calls for more consistent national public holiday rules.

Anzac Day holds profound cultural importance. The date marks the 1915 landing of Australian and New Zealand troops at Gallipoli. Dawn services, marches and community events will proceed nationwide on Saturday regardless of holiday status. Major ceremonies are planned at the Australian War Memorial in Canberra, Sydney’s Anzac Memorial, Melbourne’s Shrine of Remembrance and equivalent sites across the country.

Retail trading restrictions vary. In jurisdictions with only Saturday as the holiday, many shops will open normally on Monday. States granting the Monday holiday will see broader closures or reduced trading similar to other public holidays. Hospitality and tourism sectors anticipate strong demand in NSW, ACT and WA for the extended break.

Employers and employees are advised to check specific awards, enterprise agreements and state legislation. Penalty rates for working on public holidays remain applicable on April 25 everywhere, and on April 27 in the three jurisdictions observing the substitute day. Casual workers generally do not receive the day off but may be entitled to higher rates.

This year’s arrangement repeats a pattern seen in previous weekend Anzac Days. With the date falling on a Saturday again in 2027, similar debates are expected unless more states align policies. Federal efforts toward greater harmonization of public holidays have gained little traction so far.

Community events will bridge the differences. Schools are closed nationwide on Saturday, and many workplaces will pause for minutes of silence or allow staff to attend services. Veterans’ groups emphasize that remembrance transcends holiday entitlements.

Travel operators report mixed bookings. Destinations popular for long weekends, such as the NSW South Coast, Blue Mountains and Western Australia’s Margaret River region, expect surges, while other states anticipate standard Saturday traffic. Airlines and accommodation providers have adjusted pricing accordingly.

Historians and defense analysts note Anzac Day’s evolution from a solemn military commemoration to a broader reflection on service, sacrifice and national identity. The public holiday variations highlight Australia’s federal system, where states retain significant autonomy over employment and holiday matters.

As April 25 approaches, Australians are encouraged to check official government websites or the Fair Work Ombudsman for jurisdiction-specific details. Whether enjoying a single day of reflection or a full long weekend, the focus remains on honoring those who served and remembering the human cost of conflict.

For many, the extra day in NSW, ACT and WA offers welcome respite. For others, Saturday’s observances provide sufficient opportunity to pause and pay respects. In either case, Anzac Day 2026 will see communities united in remembrance, even as holiday rules differ across the map.

The public lender on Thursday reported a 6.6% year-on-year (YoY) rise in net profit to Rs 5,316 crore for the January-March quarter of FY26. Its net interest income (NII), however, slipped over 1% YoY to Rs 9,406 crore during the quarter under review.

Provisions saw a sharp spike during the quarter, increasing to Rs 1,055 crore from Rs 322 crore in the December quarter, marking a nearly three-fold rise, according to the company’s regulatory filing. Asset quality, however, improved, with the gross NPA ratio declining to 2.82% and the net NPA ratio easing to 0.48% during the quarter under review.

Along with the Q4 results, Union Bank of India recommended a dividend of Rs 5 per equity share for the financial year 2026, subject to necessary approvals. The record date to determine the eligibility of shareholders set to receive the dividend is yet to be announced.

Why Motilal Oswal remains ‘Neutral’ on Union Bank shares?

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Motilal Oswal maintained its ‘Neutral’ rating on the shares of Union Bank of India, with a target price of Rs 180 apiece, implying a marginal upside potential over the stock’s previous closing price of Rs 179.71 apiece on NSE. The domestic brokerage said that the company’s net profit beat its estimate by 18%, led by NPA recoveries and lower opex. This was partly offset by lower NII and higher-than-expected provisions.
NIM contraction was majorly attributed to the transmission of the repo rate cut, Motilal noted, adding that the management expects growth to sustain at 13-14% while the CD ratio shall remain comfortable at approximately 82-83%.
Union Bank of India reported a modest quarter, with NIM contraction weighing on performance, although stronger other income supported an earnings beat, even as credit costs were elevated due to the creation of standard asset provisions, the domestic brokerage said. “Loan growth improved following a subdued 1H, while deposit growth also rebounded in a seasonally strong quarter, with the bank remaining cautious on bulk deposits. Management has guided for loan growth of 12-14%, with a continued focus on margin-accretive expansion. Margins came in below expectations, largely impacted by repo rate transmission following the Dec’25 rate cut. The bank has built a standard asset provision buffer of ~INR30b (including ~INR7b created in 4Q), while the estimated ECL transition impact stands at ~INR42-43b. Asset quality continued to improve overall, although slippages were marginally higher in 4Q,” it further said, adding, “We fine-tune our estimates and project FY27E RoA/RoE at 1.1%/13.9%. We expect loans to expand at a 10.5% CAGR over FY26-28.”

Union Bank of India share price

Union Bank of India dropped over 2% to trade at Rs 175.52 apiece on Friday. The stock has fallen around 10% in two days after announcing its Q4 earnings during market hours on Thursday. The stock has declined around 7% in one month, but is up 15% in 2026 so far.

In the longer term, the shares of the bank gained around 37% in one year and more than 139% in three years.

Also read: Why is the stock market falling today?

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