Tuesday 27 January 2026

Local investors are hoping for a benign inflation reading this week, amid all the global turmoil. But if they don’t get one, then a rate hike next week is likely. 

 * Australia’s largest steel company, Bluescope, shops itself around 
 * The push to replace Liberal leader Sussan Ley intensifies 
 * Protests mar Australia Day across the nation
 * The story of a former flight attendant who conned his way onto hundreds of free flights by posing as a pilot

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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, seven money habits that could change your year. 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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Inflation to set rates; Bluescope looks for buyers; the “pilot” scoring free flights

Australia’s miners are entering a new phase of consolidation, with a potential mega merger between Rio Tinto and Glencore putting copper, scale and growth firmly in focus.

Sean Aylmer speaks to Brian Szeto from Morningstar DBRS in Canada about why the biggest miners are doing deals now, why copper has become the most strategic commodity of all, and why standing still may be the biggest risk.

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

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Q+A: The high stakes behind Rio Tinto & Glencore mega merger talks

Monday 26 January 2026

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese appoints a long-time bureaucrat to the plum, but difficult, job of Ambassador to the US. 

 * Australians are increasingly concerned about their long-term financial prospects. 
 * Delivery wars are heating up with Guzman doing a deal with Uber Eats. 
 * China’s Xi Jinping fires his head of military, consolidating his own power. 
 * Elon Musk ponders buying Ryanair.

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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, seven money habits that could change your year. 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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New Aussie Ambassador to US; long-term finance worries; Guzman-Uber deal

It's a very big week for the economy: the December quarter inflation data is out on Wednesday, and 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=1769770007313748&usg=AOvVaw00E3Wu9q6KatgL-7TVTbsk] to look at what to expect, and what the number will need to be in order to avoid an interest rate hike when the RBA board meets next week.

Fear & Greed Q+A: Join Sean Aylmer & Michael Thompson and the team 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=1769770007313748&usg=AOvVaw2-uEVPL434IVI6UceuYKNN], LinkedIn [https://www.google.com/url?q=https://www.linkedin.com/company/fear-and-greed&sa=D&source=calendar&ust=1769770007313748&usg=AOvVaw35meSxJEjfuWk9dX_TqlMu], Instagram [https://www.google.com/url?q=https://www.instagram.com/fearandgreedpodcast/&sa=D&source=calendar&ust=1769770007313748&usg=AOvVaw1kItve28ZhzlZkv-unMniM] or Facebook [https://www.google.com/url?q=https://www.facebook.com/FearAndGreedPodcast&sa=D&source=calendar&ust=1769770007313748&usg=AOvVaw0QEpeRaswJ-6px-bAPSIQk]!

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Q+A: The Week Ahead | 26 Jan 2026

After this long weekend, business in Australia returns to normal - the summer holiday period is officially over. Sean and Michael share the best and worst aspects of returning to work.

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=1769599400099099&usg=AOvVaw0W51w4480M9fXi6G8Ga927], LinkedIn [https://www.google.com/url?q=https://www.linkedin.com/company/fear-and-greed&sa=D&source=calendar&ust=1769599400099099&usg=AOvVaw3q55hR4oBU4-GOLSU2aY5a], Instagram [https://www.google.com/url?q=https://www.instagram.com/fearandgreedpodcast/&sa=D&source=calendar&ust=1769599400099099&usg=AOvVaw3yLO6maTYYc4CMluwv5h8h] or Facebook [https://www.google.com/url?q=https://www.facebook.com/FearAndGreedPodcast&sa=D&source=calendar&ust=1769599400099099&usg=AOvVaw22owJmeq8KMZfaiRxmVGYe].

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Q+A: The best & worst thing about returning to work

Donald Trump's quest for Greenland vs the implosion of the Coalition, plus good news for super funds, homeowners and more. 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 | 24 Jan 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 flat

 2. Libs come out fighting

 3. Aussie dollar hits high

 4. Gunman search

 5. Tik Tok US deal

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Afternoon Report | Coalition trouble

Friday 23 January 2026

A surprise fall in the unemployment rate increases the odds of a rate hike in a fortnight’s time. 

 * Opposition leader Sussan Ley is under pressure to keep her job after the National Party walks away from the federal Coalition
 * Donald Trump backs down on taking Greenland by force, and on imposing extra tariffs on European countries
 * The IPO outlook in Australia improves
 * Scientists discover 68,000-year-old cave paintings

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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, seven money habits that could change your year. 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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Rate rise in a fortnight?; pressure on Ley to quit; Trump backs down on Greenland

Australia’s housing market has now recorded 12 straight quarters of price growth - the longest run in more than a decade. Michael Thompson talks to Dr Nicola Powell, Chief of Research and Economics at Domain, about why Melbourne's recovery has accelerated, how Perth has become a million-dollar city, and what happens this year if interest rates increase.

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Q+A: Can house prices keep climbing if rates rise?

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 jumps 0.8pc

 2. National Day of Mourning

 3. Gold investment surges

 4. Fortescue output surge

 5. NZ landslide rescue

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Afternoon Report | ASX climbs as Greenland tensions ease

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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