Westpac Banking Corp (ASX: WBC), Cleanaway Waste Management Ltd (ASX: CWY), and Qantas Airways Ltd (ASX: QAN) are grabbing plenty of investor interest today.
As we head into the Tuesday lunch hour, all three of the S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) stocks are underperforming the current 0.4% gain posted by the benchmark index.
Here's what's happening.
Qantas shares slide on surging jet fuel costs
Qantas shares are slipping today, down 1.3% at time of writing at $8.90 each.
This follows an update this morning in which the ASX 200 airline stock warned that fast rising energy costs are going to impact its full year costs assumptions.
Indeed, since the outbreak of the Iran war, the Brent crude oil price has surged from US$71 per barrel to US$98 per barrel today. Brent crude oil traded near US$113 towards the end of March, having kicked off 2026 at just US$61 per barrel.
And that's going to have a material impact on fuel guzzling jetliners.
How much of an impact will that have on Qantas shares?
Well, enough so that the airline has more than doubled its previous expectations for second half year (H2 2026) jet fuel costs to the range of $3.1 billion to $3.3 billion.
To mitigate the impact of the ongoing conflict in the Middle East on its operations, Qantas said it is taking steps that include international network changes, capacity adjustments and fare increases.
With the current uncertainty in mind, Qantas planned $150 million on-market share buyback has not yet commenced.
Which brings us to…
Cleanaway shares slip on earnings downgrade
Cleanaway shares are also grabbing investor interest today, and for a related reason to Qantas shares.
Shares in the ASX 200 waste management and environmental services company are down 1.1% at time of writing, changing hands for $2.31 apiece.
Investors are bidding down Cleanaway shares after the company announced that it was downgrading full year FY 2026 earnings before interest and tax (EBIT) guidance to between $460 million and $480 million. That's down from prior full year earnings guidance of $480 million to $500 million.
The reason?
You guessed it. The Iran war.
The company estimates earnings will take a full year hit of some $20 million, catching headwinds from higher fuel prices, increased supplier and logistics costs, and lower Middle East project activity.
Westpac shares in focus amid rising inflation and interest rates
Atop Cleanaway and Qantas shares, investors are tuning into Westpac today after the ASX 200 bank stock released an update detailing items impacting its first-half 2026 (H1 2026) results.
These include, wait for it, the initial impacts of the Middle East conflict.
Westpac noted:
With the supply shock from the energy market disruption expected to result in higher inflation and higher interest rates, an expected slowing in economic growth will create a more challenging environment for some customers.
The bank said its "strong financial position" enables it to support customers during these uncertain times while accelerating the execution of its strategic priorities.
The post Why Westpac, Cleanaway and Qantas shares are catching ASX investor interest on Tuesday appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.
Motley Fool contributor Bernd Struben has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool Australia's parent company Motley Fool Holdings Inc. has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool Australia has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. This article contains general investment advice only (under AFSL 400691). Authorised by Scott Phillips.
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