Tuesday 17 February 2026

The competition watchdog alleges in Federal Court that Coles has used promotions to disguise big price rises. 

 * JB HiFi surges as shoppers stock up on electronics
 * New Liberal leader Angus Taylor outlines his vision
 * Steel maker BlueScope becomes Santa Clause for shareholders
 * Cherie Blair gives a very frank interview about her husband, former British PM Tony Blair

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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/] - this week, the money basics you don't know (but everyone assumes you do). 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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ACCC v Coles on misleading promos; JB HiFi surges; Taylor outlines vision

The share market is swinging wildly this reporting season — blue chips are plunging and rebounding, banks are rallying, tech is getting sold off on AI fears, then bouncing back again.

Sean Aylmer speaks with Morningstar equity market strategist Lachlan Halloway about what’s driving the volatility, whether AI is a real threat to listed companies, and why long-term investors might actually benefit from the chaos.

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

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Q+A: Markets are acting first, asking questions later

This is the Fear and 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. Tech sector rebouncs

 2. Leaked Liberal immigration policy

 3. Death at Rio Tinto site

 4. Results wrap: JB Hifi, Treasury Wines, A2 Milk

 5. Europe hits back at US

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Afternoon Report | ASX drops on tech sell-off

Monday 16 February 2026

The federal Liberal Party tries for a fresh start as One Nation looms. 

 * The anything-but-tech trade on Wall Street and elsewhere gather momentum, with the big tech companies underperforming the market
 * Macquarie Group is working on a $12 billion bid for Qube Logistics
 * Solar panels produce too much energy
 * Democrats tell European leaders that Donald Trump will be gone in three years

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/] - this week, the money basics you don't know (but everyone assumes you do). 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.

Libs fresh start hopes; anything-but-tech trade grows; Macquarie $12b bid for Qube

It’s a “top shelf” week for economic data, with labour force figures, wage growth numbers and the Reserve Bank minutes all due. 

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=1771588313548765&usg=AOvVaw3elESFBcVDAxfIvrYvIckd] to unpack what the wage price index actually measures, why monthly employment numbers can be volatile, and how real wages, productivity and consumer spending all connect. Plus - what would it take for Australia to fall into a wage-price spiral, and why that remains unlikely.

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Q+A: The Week Ahead | 16 Feb 2026

The Aussie shout might well be dead, with drinks too expensive for people to buy a round on a night out. New data from payments company Tyro suggests customers are hitting a ceiling on what they're willing to pay for coffee and beer. Michael Thompson quizzes Sean Aylmer and Adam Lang on their attitudes to the shout, tipping, splitting bills, money boundaries, and how much is too much to pay for a coffee?

Fear & Greed Q+A: Join Sean Aylmer, Michael Thompson and Adam Lang as they answer questions on business, investing, economics, politics and more. If you have your own question, get in touch via our website [https://www.google.com/url?q=http://fearandgreed.com.au&sa=D&source=calendar&ust=1771416201470831&usg=AOvVaw0Mff7H6V-NCPzUMkroJs8M], LinkedIn [https://www.google.com/url?q=https://www.linkedin.com/company/fear-and-greed&sa=D&source=calendar&ust=1771416201470831&usg=AOvVaw1SS4Ioo6Vy32QJCFU8klkD], Instagram [https://www.google.com/url?q=https://www.instagram.com/fearandgreedpodcast/&sa=D&source=calendar&ust=1771416201470831&usg=AOvVaw1gP9nM3kRBQD3lIEz5Fg99] or Facebook [https://www.google.com/url?q=https://www.facebook.com/FearAndGreedPodcast&sa=D&source=calendar&ust=1771416201470831&usg=AOvVaw1fSnvSVqCisdMegHScJmua].

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Q+A: Death of the Aussie shout

Commonwealth Bank soars, while AMP plummets in a very volatile start to reporting season. Plus a leadership spill, fast internet booms, and who would want the corner office?

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 | 14 Feb 2026

This is the Fear and 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 drops on tech sell-off 

 2. Angus Taylor wins Lib spill

 3. Austal, Cochlear, Webjet tumble

 4. ICE agents out of Minnesota

 5. First Aussie gold at Winter Olympics

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Friday 13 February 2026

Angus Taylor is expected to become leader of the federal Liberal Party this morning, removing Sussan Ley. 

 * ANZ announces a strong quarterly result sending bank shares surging
 * The Reserve Bank concedes it let the unemployment level fall too low, and as a result inflation crept higher
 * The boom in high-speed internet connections
 * The number of global Spotify users hits 750 million 

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/] - this week, the money basics you don't know (but everyone assumes you do). 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.

Taylor set to beat Ley; RBA concedes unemployment too low; Spotify hits 750m users

Testosterone therapy is booming, but how much of it is medically necessary, and how much is hype? Sean Aylmer speaks with Dr Zac Turner about exogenous testosterone, what it actually is, and what the major TRAVERSE clinical trial found about heart risk and safety.

They discuss why falling testosterone levels are common as we age, the surprising role sleep and stress play in suppressing hormone production, and why many people may be able to improve levels naturally before turning to replacement therapy.

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

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

Q+A: Sleep, stress and testosterone levels explained

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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