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 down 0.5pc; CBA result

 2. AGL warns on earnings

 3. Tomago smelter set for bailout

 4. Premier Investments cuts guidance

 5. Trump confirms secret plane swap

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Afternoon Report | ASX down 0.5pc

Wednesday 12 August 2026

The Reserve Bank keeps interest rates on hold and warns house prices have further to fall. 

 * Australia complains to the US about new tariffs
 * The government buys bird flu vaccinations
 * Work sneakers are out, dress shoes are back in
 * How Australians spend their time, and streaming is a big part of it

 

Hit follow on the podcast so you don’t miss the latest news, and 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/], exploring margin loans for investing. 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.

RBA: house prices to fall; govt complains to US over tariffs; how we spend our time

The Reserve Bank has left interest rates unchanged at 4.35 per cent, but the message from Governor Michele Bullock was hardly reassuring for borrowers. Despite softer inflation and a cooling housing market, the RBA is still warning that rates could need to rise again.

Sean Aylmer speaks with AMP Deputy Chief Economist Diana Mousina about why the decision was a “hawkish hold”, what could trigger another rate rise, why the RBA isn’t particularly worried about falling house prices, and the productivity problem it can’t fix.

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

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Q+A: RBA holds, but this economist says another hike is still coming

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 edges higher after RBA holds

 2. Bendigo fined after bank hack

 3. SGH slides 10pc despite profit jump

 4. Colombia earthquake kills at least 132

 5. Trump smuggled out of Turkey in security ruse

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Afternoon Report | ASX edges higher after RBA holds

Tuesday 11 August 2026

Westpac warns of a slump in home loan applications on the back of tax changes, sending bank share prices and the ASX lower. 

 * Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and Opposition Leader Angus Taylor try to negotiate a deal on gambling advertising
 * Treasury Wine Estates writes down its US business, again
 * Weight loss drug Ozempic set to join the pharmaceutical benefits scheme
 * How the war in the Middle East and climate change are combining to create new, faster shipping routes around the globe

 

Hit follow on the podcast so you don’t miss the latest news, and 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/], answering a listener question: what happens when the market hits my goal before I 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.

Mortgage slump hits banks; Ozempic for PBS; climate change opens new shipping routes

REA Group has delivered full-year revenue of $1.8 billion, up 11 per cent, with listing volumes holding up despite higher interest rates and a cooling housing market. But the company is now seeing very different conditions around the country.

Sean Aylmer speaks with REA Group CEO Cameron McIntyre about why the business has remained resilient, what REA’s data is showing about buyers and sellers, the outlook for house prices and investors, and why the company sees itself as a beneficiary of artificial intelligence.

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

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

Q+A: Why a weaker housing market hasn’t hurt REA

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 dragged down by banks

 2. Calls for PM to apologise to Japan leader

 3. Jim Chalmers digs in over miner

 4. Kyle Sandilands’ shaky digital debut

 5. Netanyahu rejects Hamas peace plan

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Afternoon Report | ASX dragged down by banks

Monday 10 August 2026

Federal parliament is back, the Reserve Bank will deliberate on whether to hike interest rates again, and banks, telcos and retailers report earnings in one of the busiest corporate weeks of the year. 

 * Auction clearance rates jump, but prices keep falling
 * The ASX’s top performing stock over the past 12 months gets a massive boost from the Trump Administration
 * 25,000 people die in Europe’s heatwave
 * AI is put to work to find new ways to handle viruses

 

Hit follow on the podcast so you don’t miss the latest news, and 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/], answering a listener question: what happens when the market hits my goal before I 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.

Rates, earnings, fed parliament; auction rates jump but prices fall; ASX’s 1300pc winner

The Reserve Bank looks likely to leave interest rates on hold this week. But what actually happens behind closed doors when that decision is made?

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=1786708126821033&usg=AOvVaw1Y_baQkTczkGBKCXXmg8eU], looking at why he expects the RBA to stay on hold, how the nine-member Monetary Policy Board reaches its decision, and just how close those votes can be.

They also preview the NAB Business Survey, average weekly earnings and housing lending data, and look at what Commonwealth Bank's results could tell us about stress among Australian borrowers.

Join our free daily newsletter here [https://www.google.com/url?q=https://fearandgreed.com.au/newsletter-signup&sa=D&source=calendar&ust=1786708126821033&usg=AOvVaw2U4JM08-u46UllJZQNKJPW].

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

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

Q+A: The Week Ahead | 10 Aug 2026

Michael Thompson turns the tables on experienced business journalist Sean Aylmer to find out what he looks for during reporting season.

From the numbers that really matter to spotting CEO spin, Sean reveals what makes a good CEO interview - and why the best answers are often the ones that aren't rehearsed.

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 to spot a good CEO in five minutes

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.

 