Monday 20 April 2026

Today, the success of the big banks and miners is creating risk for ASX investors, as financial markets are buffeted by the war in the Middle East. 

 * The Strait of Hormuz re-opens, and then closes, with hopes peace talks could reconvene as early as tonight
 * The Wall Street stock that jumped 900 per cent in three days
 * Banks battle for mortgage money
 * Robots beat humans at the Beijing half marathon

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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/] - what’s your money personality… and is it costing you? 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.

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ASX risks rise as banks, miners dominate and Iran rattles markets

What to make of last week's dismal business confidence and consumer sentiment figures, what the labour figures tell us about the RBA's next interest rate move, and a closer look at the Aussie dollar's strong run. 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=1777033300403761&usg=AOvVaw3eL00B1SEtcQ3BxCRaMPst].

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Q+A: The Week Ahead | 20 April 2026

Have we made travel easier... but somehow worse? From seat space and in-flight Wi-Fi to queues, convenience and expectations, Michael quizzes Sean and Adam on what really makes a good trip today.

Does experience still matter more than efficiency? Do airline and hotel brands still influence decisions? How does travel change depending on who you’re with?

Plus, their one fix to improve travel immediately... including a very specific request from Sean.

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Five Questions: Have we made travel worse - even as it’s gotten easier?

Confession time for corporate Australia, the PM on a dealmaking tour, and a legal battle for the ages finally comes to an end. Sean Aylmer and Michael Thompson go head to head on the top business stories of the week, with Adam Lang picking a winner in a fierce debate.

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The Saturday Edition | 4 Apr 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. Defensive’s win

 2. $10b frigate deal

 3. Roberts-Smith granted bail

 4. Trump lashes Australia

 5. Europe fuel crisis

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Afternoon Report | ASX lower for the week

Friday 17 April 2026

Defence Minister Richard Marles warns that the world might be on the foothills of a new nuclear arms race. 

 * The Aussie dollar hits a four year high against the US dollar
 * The unemployment rate steadies at 4.3 per cent but economists warn the jobs market is about to get much tougher
 * Prime Minister Anthony Albanese’s latest deal in Asia to buy oil
 * Rolls Royce’s new $5 million car

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/] - what’s your money personality… and is it costing you? 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.

Is the world entering a new nuclear arms race?

There’s a $US2 billion pipeline of infrastructure projects across the Pacific - and up to $14 billion more behind it - but many Australian businesses aren’t taking advantage.

Sean Aylmer speaks with Austrade’s Trade Commissioner for the Pacific, Tim Houghton, about why the opportunity exists, what types of projects are on offer, and how businesses - from SMEs to large corporates - can get involved.

The new platform launched by Austrade can be accessed here [https://www.google.com/url?q=https://pacificinfrastructure.org/&sa=D&source=calendar&ust=1776771969566221&usg=AOvVaw31QuFpr9UojXjDhLjQ7cty].

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

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Q+A: $2bn pipeline: how Aussie businesses can win work in the Pacific

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 slumps despite Wall St records

 2. Viva refinery fire

 3. Blackmores bets on probiotics

 4. Prince Harry: social media ban ‘epic’

 5. China’s economy beats forecasts 

Join our free daily newsletter here [https://fearandgreed.com.au/newsletter-signup].

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Afternoon Report | ASX slumps despite Wall St records

Thursday 16 April 2026

Australia’s richest person, Gina Rinehart, and Rio Tinto, will have to pay hundreds of millions of dollars in royalties to another Western Australian mining family after a decades long legal battle

 * US President Donald Trump says the war in the Middle East is close to over
 * One of the founders of the gig economy, Uber, is dumping drivers, spending up big on autonomous vehicles 
 * The RBA takes to social media to explain economic concepts
 * A lucky raffle winner takes home a $2 million Picasso painting

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/] - what’s your money personality… and is it costing you? 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.

Billions, bloodlines and iron ore – the mining feud that won’t die

Tech stocks have had a rough few months, but the story is more complex than just a sell-off. Rising interest rates, global uncertainty and the rapid rise of artificial intelligence are reshaping the sector. Some companies are benefiting from the AI boom, while others - particularly in software - are facing new competitive threats.

Sean Aylmer speaks with William Liu, Deputy Portfolio Manager at WAM Global, about where the tech sector is now, and what it means for investors. Why are companies like Nvidia, Microsoft and Apple moving in different directions? Are hyperscalers like Google and Amazon the real winners? And is the so-called “SaaS apocalypse” a genuine risk, or overblown?

This is general information only. Seek professional advice tailored to your circumstances before making investment decisions.

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

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Q+A: Nvidia, Microsoft, Amazon: what’s next for tech stocks

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.

 

Michael Thompson

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