Tuesday 18 Aug 2026

A disappointing earnings result at JB HiFi sends consumer stocks tumbling. 

 * The federal government and opposition come to a deal on gambling legislation
 * New rules for data centre builders in NSW could set the standard for the rest of the country
 * National Australia Bank’s share price falls after it says customers are struggling
 * The first Ferrari EV sells for $US40 million

 

Hit follow on the podcast so you don’t miss the latest news, and join our free daily newsletter here [https://fearandgreed.com.au/newsletter-signup]. 

 

And don’t miss the latest episode of How Do They Afford That? [https://fearandgreed.com.au/how-do-they-afford-that-sugar-mamma-canna-campbell/], exploring margin loans for investing. Get the episode from Apple [https://podcasts.apple.com/au/podcast/how-do-they-afford-that/id1644255235], Spotify [https://open.spotify.com/show/1EW5WRlRh7MovSBNkk6dG8?si=b2203ec2fa934a14] or anywhere you listen to podcasts.

Find out more: https://fearandgreed.com.au/ [https://fearandgreed.com.au/]

See omnystudio.com/listener [https://omnystudio.com/listener] for privacy information.

Consumer stocks dumped; gambling deal done; 1st EV Ferrari sells for $US40m

QBE has spent years trying to become a less volatile, more predictable insurer. But that's no easy task when the risks it covers - from natural catastrophes to cyber attacks - keep changing.

Sean Aylmer speaks with QBE Insurance Group CEO Andrew Horton about the strategy behind the global insurer's growth, why cyber has become a half-billion-dollar premium business for QBE, how AI could help both cyber attackers and defenders, and what he's hearing from businesses around the world about the risks they face.

Find out more: https://fearandgreed.com.au/ [https://fearandgreed.com.au/]

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Q+A: The biggest risk worrying business right now

This is the Fear & Greed [https://fearandgreed.com.au/] Afternoon Report - everything you need to know about what happened in the markets, economy and world of business today, in just a few minutes.

 1. JB Hi-Fi tumbles

 2. Swans players investigated over alleged sexual assault

 3. Coles, Woolworths test facial recognition

 4. Joyce backs easier access to super

 5. Hayden Panettiere dies aged 36

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Afternoon Report | JB Hi-Fi tumbles; Swans allegations

Monday 17 August 2026

Aussie investors look for dividends and interest as tax changes bite. 

 * The federal and NSW governments kick off a gun buyback scheme with little support from the rest of the country
 * Five years since the end of COVID, and the number of visitors to Australia still hasn’t caught up
 * Auditors under pressure over relationships with clients
 * Why climbing up and down stairs for three minutes a day can help beat cancer

 

Hit follow on the podcast so you don’t miss the latest news, and join our free daily newsletter here [https://fearandgreed.com.au/newsletter-signup]. 

 

And don’t miss the latest episode of How Do They Afford That? [https://fearandgreed.com.au/how-do-they-afford-that-sugar-mamma-canna-campbell/], exploring margin loans for investing. Get the episode from Apple [https://podcasts.apple.com/au/podcast/how-do-they-afford-that/id1644255235], Spotify [https://open.spotify.com/show/1EW5WRlRh7MovSBNkk6dG8?si=b2203ec2fa934a14] or anywhere you listen to podcasts.

Find out more: https://fearandgreed.com.au/ [https://fearandgreed.com.au/]

See omnystudio.com/listener [https://omnystudio.com/listener] for privacy information.

Investors seek dividends, interest; Aussie tourism trails; 3 mins a day to beat cancer

The RBA may have finally reached the end of its rate-hiking cycle, with signs that higher interest rates are starting to bite across the economy.

Michael Thompson is joined by economist Stephen Koukoulas [https://www.google.com/url?q=http://www.marketeconomics.com.au/stephen-koukoulas&sa=D&source=calendar&ust=1787311689384867&usg=AOvVaw3yOfVp5cLvhff35KuTRkjO] for the Week Ahead, looking at why rates could now stay on hold for the next year, whether falling house prices are being overblown, and what could turn a housing downturn into a credit crunch.

They also preview the upcoming wages and jobs data, including Stephen's forecasts for wage growth and unemployment, and explain why Australia's productivity problem is much harder to measure than it might seem.


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Q+A: The Week Ahead | 17 Aug 2026

Fear & Greed is proud to share an episode of our sister podcast - How Do They Afford That? - out every Wednesday, wherever you get your podcasts.

Some investors swear by margin loans, while others won't go near them. So are they a powerful wealth-building tool, or a trap for the unprepared investor? Join Canna Campbell [https://www.google.com/url?q=https://www.instagram.com/sugarmammatv/&sa=D&source=calendar&ust=1787143324000241&usg=AOvVaw21LfW22xM76BrsSKP2Sj-D] - a financial planner for 20 years - and Fear & Greed [https://www.google.com/url?q=https://fearandgreed.com.au/&sa=D&source=calendar&ust=1787143324000241&usg=AOvVaw3J7dx8MWemFdtpOa-_OJ6W]'s Michael Thompson [https://www.google.com/url?q=https://www.instagram.com/michaelthompsonauthor/&sa=D&source=calendar&ust=1787143324000241&usg=AOvVaw12x1oTayV3QYpRTPAJvD7x] as they look at how margin loans can be used for investing, and some of the risks and pitfalls to avoid.

Canna and Michael have written a book! Twelve Months to Financial Freedom will hit the shelves on September 1 - but you can preorder your copy right now [https://www.google.com/url?q=https://www.booktopia.com.au/twelve-months-to-financial-freedom-canna-campbell/book/9781761473685.html?srsltid%3DAfmBOoqgbRhz1vZo8ZH_iQwHWlDnohcVHJt5f2PSpViArzCT85TLC4KJ&sa=D&source=calendar&ust=1787143324000241&usg=AOvVaw0eKQufTYuIrNpN-FHfHDeM].

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The information in this podcast is general in nature and does not take into account your personal circumstances, financial needs or objectives. Before acting on any information, you should consider the appropriateness of it and the relevant product having regard to your objectives, financial situation and needs. In particular, you should seek independent financial advice and read the relevant Product Disclosure Statement or other offer document prior to acquiring any financial product.

Canna Campbell is an Authorised Representative and Financial Adviser of Links Licensee Services Pty Ltd AFSL No. 700012 ABN 97 678 975 589.

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Margin loans: powerful tool or dangerous trap?

The Saturday Edition is back with all-new stories, fierce debate and a few laughs.

This week: why bank CEOs are sick of talking about housing, the battle of the luxury brands, political dramas over Japanese melons, and the extraordinary story of Donald Trump’s mid-air decoy.

Sean Aylmer and Michael Thompson go head-to-head, with Adam Lang picking the winner.
Join our free daily newsletter here [https://www.google.com/url?q=https://fearandgreed.com.au/newsletter-signup&sa=D&source=calendar&ust=1787143324000241&usg=AOvVaw3EtxZsaT5wUzfBKJ5scwog].

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The Saturday Edition | 15 Aug 2026

This is the Fear & Greed [https://fearandgreed.com.au/] Afternoon Report - everything you need to know about what happened in the markets, economy and world of business today, in just a few minutes.

 1. ASX falls 0.8pc

 2. Trump considers tariff exemption for Australia

 3. Jacinta Allan quits politics

 4. QBE profit hits $1.5 billion

 5. Baby Bunting profit rises

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Afternoon Report | Trump, Albanese phone call

Friday 14 August 2026

Swiss private equity group EQT bids for Australia’s largest waste collection company, and has a look at one of the country’s high-profile football teams. 

 * Telstra’s outage last month eats into boss Vicki Brady’s pay packet
 * ANZ says home loans applications have tumbled, but not by as much as its big bank competitors
 * The federal government steps in to support the Tomago aluminium smelter
 * A former Disney executive and one of Donald Trump’s in-laws buys the LA Lakers for a record amount

 

Hit follow on the podcast so you don’t miss the latest news, and join our free daily newsletter here [https://fearandgreed.com.au/newsletter-signup]. 

 

And don’t miss the latest episode of How Do They Afford That? [https://fearandgreed.com.au/how-do-they-afford-that-sugar-mamma-canna-campbell/], exploring margin loans for investing. Get the episode from Apple [https://podcasts.apple.com/au/podcast/how-do-they-afford-that/id1644255235], Spotify [https://open.spotify.com/show/1EW5WRlRh7MovSBNkk6dG8?si=b2203ec2fa934a14] or anywhere you listen to podcasts.

Find out more: https://fearandgreed.com.au/ [https://fearandgreed.com.au/]

See omnystudio.com/listener [https://omnystudio.com/listener] for privacy information.

EQT bids for waste, football; Telstra outage costs CEO; LA Lakers sold for $17b

Artificial intelligence is moving beyond chatbots and experiments. The next phase is increasingly about AI agents capable of handling entire workflows, forcing businesses to rethink not just which technology they use, but how their organisations actually operate.

In this special Fear & Greed Q+A panel, recorded at the launch of NTT DATA’s Innovation Centre Australia in Sydney, Sean Aylmer speaks with Vannessa Van Beek, CISO at Fortescue; Natalie Piucco, Google Field CTO for Applied AI; and David McKeering, Executive Managing Director at NTT DATA ANZ. 

They discuss how Fortescue is already using AI across its mining operations, why businesses need to stop “Frankensteining” AI onto old processes, and how organisations can balance innovation with governance, security and trust.

NTT Data is a supporter of Fear & Greed

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Q+A: Why businesses need to stop “Frankensteining” AI

Fear and Greed is Australia's most popular business podcast. All the business news you need to know, every day, with business journalist Sean Aylmer and Michael Thompson.

 