Fear & Greed Q+A

With house prices rising and the rental crisis deepening, build-to-rent is emerging as a serious alternative to Australia’s traditional rental model. Local: Residential  founder and co-CEO Matt Berg talks to Sean Aylmer about how institutionally owned housing works, why long-term leases matter, and why investors are backing the model as both a solution and an opportunity. To find out mo...

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....

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  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 answ...

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...

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. Find out more: https://fearandgreed.co...

When equities, bonds and the US dollar all fall at once, where do investors turn?  Sean Aylmer speaks to Gemma Dale from nabtrade about the rise in anti-US sentiment, the concentration risk hiding in global portfolios, and why some investors are choosing cash over bonds while reassessing their exposure to US markets. This is general information only. Seek professional advice tailored to your...

The Australian economy enters 2026 as uncertain as ever. There is geopolitical risk and uncertainty over the independence of the world’s most important central bank, the US Federal Reserve. Locally, it's unclear what will happen to interest rates in Australia, while the economy is expanding at what is best described as a modest clip. But at the same time, Australia has an abundance of growth...

One year into Donald Trump’s second presidency, has he delivered or damaged America’s global standing?  Dr Charles Miller, Senior Lecturer at the ANU School of Politics and International Relations, joins Sean Aylmer to assess Trump’s record so far — from markets and Gaza to tariffs, Venezuela and the risks to global security. Find out more: https://fearandgreed.com.au/...

This first Week Ahead episode of 2026 highlights a patchwork economy. Michael Thompson is joined by economist  Stephen Koukoulas  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...

Every year around this time there's talk of a Santa Claus rally on the ASX. So what is it, is it real, and will we see one this year? Fear & Greed Q+A: Join Sean Aylmer and Michael Thompson as they answer questions on business, investing, economics, politics and more. If you have your own question, get in touch via our  website ,  LinkedIn ,  Instagram  or  Facebook ....

Markets aren’t always rational, and neither is the commentary around them. Diana Mousina, Deputy Chief Economist at AMP, talks to Sean Aylmer about the five lessons she learnt this year, including the growing market impact of politics, how to read Trump’s trade agenda, why gold and tech defied the textbook, why Fed “speak” can be noise, and why inflation can stay sticky, ev...

Today's question comes from listener Peter, who sent it through the  Fear & Greed website : Who measures emissions, how are they measured, is the number audited, checked off on, and by who? Is it measured the same way in every country? BHP and FMG can measure their emissions, I'm assuming they have budgets, but what about for smaller companies, companies that aren't listed?  Sean Ayl...

Australia’s small and medium-sized businesses are under sustained pressure from higher costs, tighter cash flow and uneven economic conditions.  Sean Aylmer speaks with CreditorWatch chief economist Ivan Colhoun about why capital city SMEs are failing at higher rates than regional businesses, which sectors are most exposed, and what the latest Business Risk Index reveals about the year...

As expectations shift from rate cuts to possible hikes, many investors are rethinking portfolio positioning. Tim Carleton, Chief Investment Officer at Auscap Asset Management, talks to Sean Aylmer about how investors should think about a turning rate cycle, why sentiment often overshoots reality, and where he’s finding value in healthcare and property despite rising rates. This is general in...

Three rate cuts, a surprise inflation flare-up, house prices roaring and the labour market finally losing a bit of steam – 2025 has been a strange year for the economy. In this special year-in-review, Michael Thompson is joined by economist  Stephen Koukoulas  to unpack what happened with rates, government spending, jobs and productivity, and whether the next move is a rate hike. F...

A drop in the national participation rate sparks a very personal discussion: what does participation look like in real life? Sean, Michael and Adam talk honestly about the times they’ve loved work the most, why being busy might actually make us happier, and the unexpected rituals that keep them sane. Fear & Greed Q+A: Join Sean Aylmer, Michael Thompson and Adam Lang as they answer questi...

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:...

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 on...

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 “insecurit...

From private credit to private equity, gold and real estate, alternatives are now playing a greater role in portfolio diversification. It's a story playing out in the US, where there is $US46 trillion in retirement savings, with about $17 trillion of that held in IRAs, or Individual Retirement Accounts.  Henry Yoshida , co-founder and CEO of  Rocket Dollar , joins Sean Aylmer to unpack w...

This week, the Reserve Bank board meets. What will they make of last week's GDP figures, and the jump in household spending? Also this week: labour force data, and the crucial December meeting of the US Federal Reserve.  Michael Thompson is joined by economist  Stephen Koukoulas . Fear & Greed Q+A: Join Sean Aylmer & Michael Thompson and the team as they answer questions on busin...

Most of us have had bosses who didn't quite live up to expectations. Today, the Fear & Greed make a list of the eight biggest mistakes managers make. 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 ,  LinkedIn ,  Insta...

Banks hold a unique position on the ASX - they dominate the list of the biggest companies on the bourse, but the game has changed.  Andrew Dale from ECP Asset Management joins Sean to unpack performance gaps across the majors, what’s driving the recovery stories, and the mix of banks he thinks offers the best medium-term exposure in a shifting market. This is general information only. S...

Black Friday and Cyber Monday have exploded into Australia’s biggest retail moment — bigger than the post-Christmas sales, and now stretching across almost an entire month.  Michael Thompson talks to Stripe Australia / NZ Managing Director Karl Durrance about the extraordinary transaction volumes, why Sydney ranks among the world’s top cities for online spending, and how ret...

With Bitcoin swinging from record highs to sharp drops, investors are asking what’s next. Sean Aylmer speaks to John O’Loghlen, Managing Director of Coinbase Australia, for an insight into market flows, regulation, and whether a Fed change could spark the next rally. This is general information only. Seek professional advice before making investment decisions. Find out more: https://fe...