ASX 200 today: shares jump as oil falls, NAB profit drops 13%

What happened. The S&P/ASX 200 is the index of the 200 largest companies listed in Australia. On Wednesday it closed at 8,834.50, down 0.6%. On Thursday morning, at 10.03am Sydney time (AEDT), AFR had it at 8969.1, up 134.6 points, or 1.5%. Eight of the 11 sectors were higher, led by technology.

Where the lift came from. AFR says Australian shares took their cue from Wall Street after US midterm elections in which the Republican Party lost control of both houses of Congress. The Dow Jones rose more than 1,300 points. AFR's headline says oil fell below US$95, and its summary says oil dropped more than 8%. MT Newswires, in a piece carried by Yahoo Finance, gives the same two drivers: gains in global equities and a sharp fall in oil.

The NAB result. National Australia Bank, one of the country's largest banks, reported results for the year to September 30, 2026. Cash earnings, which is the bank's own management measure and not a statutory accounting figure, were A$6,141 million against A$7,091 million a year earlier. That is down 13.4%. Statutory net profit was A$6,143 million, down 9.1%. Net operating income rose 5.8% to A$22,014 million.

Why profit fell. The results show large notable items of A$949 million after tax, which were booked in costs. Take them out and cash earnings were A$7,090 million, flat on last year. Credit impairment charges, the money set aside for loans that may go bad, rose to A$1,547 million from A$833 million. The bank added A$403 million to forward-looking provisions because of a more challenging economic outlook.

Dividend and job cuts. The final dividend is 85 cents a share, which makes A$1.70 for the year. NAB has announced it will cut up to 2,500 roles by September 2027. CEO Andrew Irvine said these actions reflect an expectation of a tough year ahead.

What it means. The index moved mainly on global news: Wall Street and oil. One bank's report adds detail but does not explain a rise across the whole market. It is too early to say how the day will end.

Confirmed facts

• NAB's cash earnings for the year to September 2026 were A$6,141 million, down 13.4% from A$7,091 million a year earlier.^[2]
• Excluding large notable items of A$949 million after tax, cash earnings were A$7,090 million, flat on the prior year.^[2]
• NAB's statutory net profit was A$6,143 million, down 9.1% from A$6,759 million a year earlier.^[2]
• Net operating income rose 5.8% to A$22,014 million; MT Newswires gives A$22.01 billion against A$20.81 billion a year earlier.^[2][4]
• NAB's credit impairment charge was A$1,547 million against A$833 million a year earlier; forward-looking provisions rose by A$403 million because of a more challenging economic outlook.^[2]
• NAB's final dividend was 85 cents a share, bringing the total for the year to A$1.70.^[1][2]
• NAB plans to cut up to 2,500 roles by September 2027; CEO Andrew Irvine said the actions reflect an expectation of a tough year ahead.^[1]
• The S&P/ASX 200 closed Wednesday at 8,834.50, down 0.6%.^[4]
• At 10.03am Sydney time (AEDT) the S&P/ASX 200 was up 134.6 points, or 1.5%, at 8969.1; eight of 11 sectors were higher, led by technology.^[3]
• The Republican Party lost control of both houses of Congress in the US midterm elections, and the Dow Jones rose more than 1,300 points.^[3]
• Overnight the S&P 500, Nasdaq Composite and Dow Jones rose 1.6%, 1.4% and 3% respectively.^[4]
• AFR's headline says oil fell below US$95; its summary says oil dropped more than 8%.^[3]
• MT Newswires says Australian shares were tracking gains in global equities and a sharp decline in oil prices.^[4]

Implications

• ConfirmedThe whole gap between cash earnings of A$6,141 million and A$7,090 million without one-offs is the A$949 million of large notable items after tax.
• ConfirmedNAB itself expects a tough year: it has built up provisions for bad loans and is cutting roles.
• Our readingThe index rise is explained by global events and not by NAB's report, because the sources name Wall Street and oil as the drivers.

Still unknown

• How the ASX trading day ends and whether the index keeps its gain
• How NAB's own share price moved: we did not verify it
• Whether oil stays below US$95
• What the cut of up to 2,500 roles will cost the bank

Who it affects

Australia, United States. People who follow the Australian market and banks, readers learning how oil and Wall Street move world indexes, and holders of NAB shares

Sources

1. National Australia Bank: NAB announces its 2026 Full Year Results November 4, 2026 · official
2. National Australia Bank (ASX announcement): NAB Full Year Results Summary 2026 November 4, 2026 · official
3. Australian Financial Review: ASX 200 LIVE: ASX jumps as oil plunges below $US95; NAB dives on results November 4, 2026 · media
4. Yahoo Finance Australia (MT Newswires): ASX Preview: Australian Shares to Rise as Oil Prices Tumble; National Australia Bank Fiscal 2026 Cash Earnings Down, Net Operating Income Up November 4, 2026 · media