This was the week where the RBA signalled the end of rate cuts, and the beginning of hikes. But it was also the week where Australia led the world on social media reform. 

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 Weekend Edition | 13-14 Dec 2025

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. Miners lead the way

 2. Wall Street boom

 3. Tomago extension

 4. Reddit HC challenge

 5. Austal approval

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

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

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

Afternoon Report | Markets surge

Friday 12 December 2025

The Australian economy sheds jobs as the employment market slows. 

 * Oasis, Metallica and ACDC spur consumer spending. 
 * Australians travelling to the US could have their social media accounts vetted.
 * Woolworths and Coles go head-to-head on home delivery.
 * A scientist claims to have proof that the Star of Bethlehem, that purportedly led shepherds to the birthplace of Jesus Christ, might have been real. 

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: five ways to deal with money anxiety. 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.

Employment market slows; rock ’n roll consumer boom; Woolies, Coles delivery wars

After surviving the shutdowns and uncertainty of the pandemic, Intrepid Travel has bounced back to post the biggest trading month in its 36-year history. CEO James Thornton joins Sean Aylmer to explain why Australians are travelling more than ever, the destinations dominating demand, and how Intrepid grew from a kitchen-table startup into a global adventure-travel powerhouse.

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

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

Q+A: Meet the new generation of travellers

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. Fed cuts rates, unemployment 4.3pc

 2. PM clashes on entitlements

 3. Optus most distrusted

 4. Skydiving near-disaster

 5. SpaceX may list on Wall St

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

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

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Afternoon Report | ASX up, Fed cuts rates

Thursday 11 December 2025

PM AA calls the social media ban for under 16-year-olds a profound reform, as more than one million social media accounts are deactivated. 

 * The travel expenses scandal dogs communications Minister Anika Wells and the government. 
 * Qantas’ latest A380 – the one that had 100,000 hours of maintenance done on it – grounded after part of its wing detached. 
 * The market operator says coal is here to stay for longer than thought.
 * The incredible societal changes triggered by weight loss drugs.

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: five ways to deal with money anxiety. 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.

Social media’s “profound reform”; Qantas A380 grounded; coal’s life extended

Gold has surged past US$4,000 an ounce in 2025 — its strongest year since the late 1970s. 

State Street Investment Management’s Robin Tsui explains why the rally isn’t just about safe-haven demand, but de-dollarisation, central bank buying, and a wave of geopolitical tailwinds. Plus, the outlook: how high gold could realistically climb in 2026.

This is general information only. Seek professional advice before making investment decisions.

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

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

Q+A: Could we see gold hit $US5,000?

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 closes flat

 2. Social ban starts

 3. Westpac outage

 4. Seniors scammed

 5. Putin’s secret sons

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

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

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Afternoon Report | Gold stocks rally

Wednesday 10 December 2025

The Reserve Bank says there are no more interest rate cuts in the foreseeable future. 

 * The parliamentary expenses scandal widens. 
 * Donald Trump makes it very expensive for families to visit the Grand Canyon. 
 * Global online forum Reddit is preparing to mount a legal challenge to the Australian government’s world-first social media ban for under 16-year-olds. 
 * Paramount takes on Netflix in a fight for Warner Brothers.

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: five ways to deal with money anxiety. 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.

Rate cut cycle ends; expenses scandal widens; Trump levies international visitors

Australia has just raised the social media age from 13 to 16 — a world-first move watched closely around the globe. 

And much of it happened because of a campaign organised by Sydney's Nova FM radio host Michael “Wippa” Wipfli. Wippa joins Sean to explain how the 36 Months campaign helped change the law, why parents are backing it, how algorithms have become “insecurity amplifiers” for teens, and why he expects legal challenges to the ban will fail.

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

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

Q+A: How a breakfast radio host helped changed our social media laws

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.

 