Fear & Greed Q+A

Economic growth is slowing, inflation remains stubbornly high, and many businesses are feeling the pressure. But according to one leading business banker, now isn't the time to stand still. Sean Aylmer speaks with Sam Tomaras, Head of Business Banking at Bank of Sydney, about how small and medium-sized businesses are navigating one of the toughest operating environments in years. Tomaras explains...

The next wave of AI isn't just answering questions - it's making purchasing decisions. And that means businesses need to be ready for AI optimisation. Sean Aylmer speaks with Talbott Roche, Global CEO of Blackhawk Network, about the rise of agentic commerce, where AI assistants don't just recommend products but eventually buy them on our behalf. They explore how retailers are rethinking how produc...

Australians have a complicated relationship with their banks. But maybe it's time to see them differently - not just as financial institutions, but as critical economic infrastructure. Sean Aylmer speaks with Simon Birmingham, CEO of the Australian Banking Association, about the role banks play in supporting home ownership, business investment and the broader economy, and why competition in bankin...

Twenty-five years ago, Australia's first exchange-traded fund listed on the ASX. Few people had heard of ETFs, and even fewer believed they'd become one of the country's most popular investment products. Sean Aylmer speaks with Jonathan Shead, Head of Investments at State Street Investment Management and one of the people who helped launch Australia's first ETF. Shead reflects on the challenges of...

This week, it's all about the financial year ahead. What to expect for: economic growth interest rates Australian and US equities commodities employment Michael Thompson is joined by economist  Stephen Koukoulas  to look at the year ahead. Join our  free daily newsletter here . Find out more: https://fearandgreed.com.au/ See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Tax time is here, but the ATO has a clear message: don't rush. Taxpayers are twice as likely to make mistakes if they lodge in the first few weeks of July.  Sean Aylmer speaks with Anita Challen, Assistant Commissioner at the Australian Taxation Office, about the biggest mistakes Australians make when lodging their tax returns, the deductions that catch people out, and how data-matching is ma...

It's been another strong year for superannuation returns, but not without plenty of surprises. Sean Aylmer speaks with Jonathan Armitage, Chief Investment Officer at Colonial First State, about the investment themes that shaped the financial year and how investors can look at the next twelve months, from emerging markets to AI. This is general information only. You should seek professional advice...

Most Australians first heard about RNA during the COVID pandemic. But scientists believe that was only the beginning. Sean Aylmer speaks with Paul McDonald, CEO of RNA Australia, about the technology that's already transforming medicine and could soon play a major role in treating cancer, rare diseases, respiratory illnesses and biosecurity threats. McDonald explains how RNA therapies work, why Au...

Technology stocks have powered global markets higher, fuelled by massive investment in artificial intelligence. But cracks are beginning to emerge. Sean Aylmer speaks with Damien Boey, Portfolio Strategist at Wilson Asset Management, about the recent sell-off in technology stocks and why AI infrastructure spending, crowded trades and uncertainty around interest rates are weighing on markets. They...

This week: Building approvals International trade  House prices for June Michael Thompson is joined by economist  Stephen Koukoulas  to look at what to expect, and what to make of last week's inflation, household spending and employment numbers. Join our  free daily newsletter here . Find out more: https://fearandgreed.com.au/ See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information...

Artificial intelligence is no longer an experiment for most businesses. The question now isn't whether AI matters, but how organisations can use it to improve productivity, create better customer experiences and grow faster. Sean Aylmer speaks with Ben Goodman, President of Asia Pacific at Adobe, about how businesses are moving beyond the AI hype cycle and focusing on real-world outcomes. Ben...

Australia's housing downturn is accelerating, with Sydney prices falling more than 1 per cent in the past month and Melbourne continuing to weaken. Sean Aylmer speaks with Jonathan McMenamin, Head of Economic Forecasts at Barrenjoey, about what's driving the correction and how much further prices could fall. They look at why interest rate hikes account for most of the downturn, how recent tax chan...

The SpaceX IPO triggered a surge in international investing among Australians, but where are investors putting their money beyond the world's most talked-about stock? Sean Aylmer speaks with Steve Daghlian, Market Analyst at CommSec, about the growing appetite for offshore investing, why AI and technology continue to dominate interest, the surprising popularity of UK-listed companies, and how ETFs...

Markets have weathered war in the Middle East, persistent inflation, tariff uncertainty and the rapid rise of artificial intelligence. So where do investors go from here? Sean Aylmer speaks with Shane Oliver, Chief Economist and Head of Investment Strategy at AMP, about why markets have largely looked through the Middle East conflict, why investors may be underestimating inflation risks, and why t...

This week: Monthly inflation data for May, after last week's warning from the RBA about the potential for rate hikes Labour force figures - will unemployment keep rising? Job vacancies Household spending Michael Thompson is joined by economist  Stephen Koukoulas  to look at what to expect. Join our  free daily newsletter here . Find out more: https://fearandgreed.com.au/ See omnystu...

The federal government has announced changes to its capital gains tax reforms, following months of criticism from business groups, investors and entrepreneurs. Sean Aylmer speaks with Skye Cappuccio, CEO of COSBOA (the Council of Small Business Organisations Australia), about what the changes mean for SMEs. Find out more: https://fearandgreed.com.au/ See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy informa...

For decades, businesses have focused on search engine optimisation. Now they face a new challenge: making sure AI can find, understand and recommend their brand. Referral traffic from AI is growing rapidly, and now brands need to think of AI as a new audience. Sean Aylmer speaks with Loni Stark, Vice President of Strategy and Product at Adobe, about the rise of AI-powered discovery through to...

Most investors understand shares, bonds and property. Far fewer understand royalties, and how to make money from Justin Bieber and The Weeknd, or blockbuster healthcare treatments. Sean Aylmer speaks with Stephen Otter, Head of Royalties at Partners Group, about an asset class worth an estimated $2 trillion globally. Stephen explains how investors can generate income from everything from phar...

A peace deal between Iran and the United States has transformed the outlook for global markets - at least for now. Sean Aylmer speaks with Roger Montgomery, founder and chief investment officer at Montgomery Investment Management, about which sectors stand to benefit most from falling oil prices, why airlines, retailers and property stocks could outperform, and why history suggests investors shoul...

This week, the RBA board meets, and is widely tipped to leave rates on hold. But will the next move in rates be down, as more economists are now expecting? And why are consumers so pessimistic right now, when investors are buoyed by monster IPOs and surging markets? Michael Thompson is joined by economist  Stephen Koukoulas . We’re running a short survey to hear from you , with the team...

Space is rapidly becoming a serious investment theme, driven by falling launch costs, the rise of satellite networks, and growing commercial demand. Sean Aylmer speaks with Betashares Senior Investment Strategist Cameron Gleeson about the companies shaping the new space economy, from Starlink and Rocket Lab to geospatial mapping and AI-powered satellite data businesses. ** This interview first air...

Brisbane is rapidly emerging as one of Australia's most important healthcare and life sciences hubs, and global investors are taking notice. Sean Aylmer speaks with John Ratcliffe, CEO of Altea Investments, about the company's decision to launch a new life sciences incubator at QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute. They also discuss how AI is accelerating scientific research, and why global c...

Artificial intelligence, productivity, Bunnings, Kmart and the future of Australia's economy: Sean Aylmer has a wide-ranging conversation with Wesfarmers CEO Rob Scott following the conglomerate's investor day. Scott explains how AI is being rolled out across businesses including Bunnings and Kmart, why Bunnings still has significant room to grow beyond hardware, and how the Anko brand is expandin...

As the end of financial year approaches, many Australians are thinking about tax planning - but philanthropy is increasingly becoming part of the conversation too. Sean Aylmer speaks with Judith Fiander, CEO of Australian Philanthropic Services, about why more Australians are using charitable giving as part of long-term financial planning. Judith explains how philanthropic structures work, why man...

Artificial intelligence is creating an explosion in data, and businesses are scrambling to work out how to store, manage and use it effectively. Sean Aylmer speaks with Jeff Park, ANZ Country Manager at Seagate Technology, about why data storage is becoming one of the most important parts of the AI economy. Jeff explains why businesses are suddenly rethinking the value of the information they&rsqu...