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 down, gold hits high

 2. One Nation support surges

 3. Govt’s housing target cost blowout

 4. UK poised to follow social media ban

 5. ChatGPT to start showing ads

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Afternoon Report | ASX dips on trade war fears

Monday 19 January 2026

The World Economic Forum kicks off tonight in Davos, 48 hours after US President Donald Trump slapped tariffs on European Allies, which will remain until they agree to sell him Greenland. 

 * Prime Minister Anthony Albanese shelves half his racial vilification legislation as parliament sits for a two day summer session
 * The remarkable improvement in cancer recovery rates
 * Holiday makers into Australia surge
 * The Australian Tennis Open kicks off

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, your money bounceback plan. 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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See omnystudio.com/listener [https://omnystudio.com/listener] for privacy information.

US hits Europe with Greenland tariffs; PM waters down racial bill; cancer success soars

This first Week Ahead episode of 2026 highlights a patchwork 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=1769168935597684&usg=AOvVaw3QYbHvsbycTed5PUKgUNtT] to look at why inflation data is still noisy, why Black Friday distortions matter, how consumer spending is improving, and what businesses should focus on as confidence and activity become the key drivers of growth.

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=1769168935597684&usg=AOvVaw2t4oQbCn7SEbAXDCSdA3vx], LinkedIn [https://www.google.com/url?q=https://www.linkedin.com/company/fear-and-greed&sa=D&source=calendar&ust=1769168935597684&usg=AOvVaw3GpvcxS5q_MxaL74vyQLbo], Instagram [https://www.google.com/url?q=https://www.instagram.com/fearandgreedpodcast/&sa=D&source=calendar&ust=1769168935597684&usg=AOvVaw2mO2gPQWnT4oB8sULk1Acy] or Facebook [https://www.google.com/url?q=https://www.facebook.com/FearAndGreedPodcast&sa=D&source=calendar&ust=1769168935597684&usg=AOvVaw2VvpsnsMm2D0NJ6wHL1yIg]!

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Q+A: The Week Ahead | 19 Jan 2026

Luxury travel is evolving - it’s no longer just about five-star hotels, but about experiences, space, food and service. Michael Thompson chats with Dylan O'Brien from Luxury Escapes about what luxury travel looks like in 2026, where Australians are heading, and how travellers are redefining what “luxury” really means.

This episode is brought to you by Luxury Escapes. Fear & Greed's summer series - all-new short episodes every day, with regular news back from January 12.

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

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

A guide to luxury holidays in 2026

Is the four-day work week realistic, or just wishful thinking? Sean Aylmer talks to Simon Kuestenmacher from The Demographics Group about why Gen X is obsessed with work-life balance, and what global trials really show. Simon explains why productivity hasn’t collapsed in some experiments - and why labour shortages, not lifestyle trends, may ultimately decide where it works and where it doesn’t.

This is Fear & Greed's summer series - all-new short episodes every day, with regular news back from January 12.

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

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

Gen X’s 'dirty fantasy': the four-day work week

Australian investors love dividends, and franking credits only add to the appeal. But picking dividend stocks isn’t as simple as buying whatever yielded the most last year. Sean Aylmer talks to Morningstar strategist Lachlan Halloway about what actually makes a dividend sustainable, why ASX yields are lower than the long-run average, and how Morningstar goes about identifying higher-yield opportunities.

This is Fear & Greed's summer series - all-new short episodes every day, with regular business news back from January 12. All information is general in nature. If you want to invest, we recommend you visit a financial advisor who can tailor investments to your needs.

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

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

Dividend investing: How to pick quality income stocks

Friday 16 January 2026

The federal Opposition and Greens indicate they won’t support the government hate speech legislation next week. 

 * A shortage of air traffic controllers causes chaos across the country
 * Households up their spending
 * NASA performs its first ever medical evacuation
 * Hollywood star Zoe Saldana becomes the highest grossing actor of all time

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, your money bounceback plan. 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.

Hate legislation on shaky ground; air traffic chaos; Hollywood’s highest grossing actor

Global markets have faced renewed volatility following the election of Donald Trump, but how much does it really matter for Australia? Sean Aylmer is joined by Westpac Chief Economist Luci Ellis to discuss the US, China and the forces shaping the global outlook in 2026. Luci also highlights a fast-growing but under-appreciated success story.

This episode is brought to you by Westpac. Fear & Greed's summer series - all-new short episodes every day, with regular news back from January 12.

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

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

Our $9 billion export that nobody talks about

Thursday 15 January 2026

Alphabet, the parent company of Google, hits a $US4 trillion valuation, making it the second largest stock on Wall Street. 

 * The federal opposition baulks at supporting Labor’s anti-vilification laws 
 * A record year for ETFs in Australia
 * House and unit rents are set to stabilise after years of growth
 * China’s trade surplus hits a record $US1.2 trillion, as Donald Trump’s tariffs re-order trade flows

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, your money bounceback plan. 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.

Alphabet hits $US4 trillion; Coalition baulks at hate laws; record year for ETFs

Wesfarmers is one of the most remarkable success stories on the ASX - a diversified conglomerate thriving in a world where many have failed. Sean Aylmer speaks with Gaurav Sodhi, Deputy Head of Research at Intelligent Investor, about what makes Wesfarmers different. From the extraordinary rise of Kmart’s Anko brand, to Bunnings’ near-monopoly power, and the company’s unique approach to capital allocation and management culture, Gaurav explains why Wesfarmers has delivered such strong long-term returns.

This is Fear & Greed's summer series - all-new short episodes every day, with regular news back from January 12. All information is general in nature. If you want to invest, we recommend you visit a financial advisor who can tailor investments to your needs

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

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

Kmart's Anko and Bunnings: Wesfarmers' secret sauce

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.

 