Fear & Greed Q+A

This week, the labour force figures will give us a valuable insight into the economy - not just whether the unemployment rate is rising, but whether those who have jobs are getting enough  work. Plus the US Federal Reserve is meeting, with an interest rate cut widely tipped for the world's largest economy. Michael Thompson is joined by economist  Stephen Koukoulas . Fear & Greed Q+A:...

Why is copper considered the belwether commodity? 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 ,  LinkedIn ,  Instagram  or  Facebook ! Join our  free daily newsletter here . Find out more: https...

Every major project that’s ever been completed, from putting man on the moon, to developing COVID vaccines, has had one thing in common. And it shares it with smaller projects too: property developments, or the rollout of new software. Behind the scenes of all these things, there’s somebody running the project: a project manager. But despite it being a very common job - and a high earn...

Apple CEO Tim Cook promised the “biggest leap ever for iPhone” - and yesterday, the tech giant unveiled its new suite of products, including the iPhone 17 and 17 Pro, and its thinnest ever phone, the iPhone Air. So did Tim Cook get it right? And is it worth upgrading? Michael Thompson speaks to Stephen Fenech, editor of  techguide.com.au . Fear & Greed Q+A: Join Sean Aylmer &a...

Lachlan Murdoch is set to control the family’s global media assets, including Fox News, The Wall Street Journal and The Australian, under a new deal that ends years of infighting and speculation about what happens when Rupert Murdoch passes away. The agreement effectively sidelines Lachlan’s siblings James, Elisabeth and Prudence, who will each walk away with about $1.7 billion. Sean A...

The US Federal Reserve is tipped to interest rates next week. What does this mean for markets, and why do rate expectations have such an impact on bonds? 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 ,  LinkedIn ,  I...

Last week economic growth picked up slightly - still a tad sluggish, but better than expected. At the same time, household spending increased, including in non-essential spending. So does this mean we shouldn't hold our breath for more rate cuts? Michael Thompson is joined by economist  Stephen Koukoulas . Fear & Greed Q+A: Join Sean Aylmer & Michael Thompson and the team as they answ...

Two new reports - one from Hatch and another from SEEK - show Australians are torn between wanting balance, security, and growth… and the rising pressure of money. Younger workers are leaning into side hustles and hybrid models, while older workers say no pay packet is worth going back into the office full-time. Michael Thompson, Adam Lang and Natalie MacDonald discuss what matters most: se...

In 2023, Ivan Scherman won the World Cup of Trading with a nearly 500% return in one year. How he did it is really quite a remarkable story, and it leads to today's Q+A: can algorithms beat humans at investing? Or, like artificial intelligence, is it the combination of humans and machines that wins?   Adam Lang is joined in studio by Ivan Scherman, Chief Investment Officer at SciTech Investme...

The federal government has commissioned a new report into universal childcare, taking a big step towards reforming the system. Natalie MacDonald is joined by Georgie Dent, CEO of The Parenthood, to explore what universal childcare looks like, and why it's important for families, business and the economy. Fear & Greed Q+A: Join Sean Aylmer & Michael Thompson and the team as they answer ques...

The federal government is reportedly considering major electoral reform: fixed terms, four year terms and a significant increase in the number of seats in the House of Representatives. Michael Thompson and Adam Lang look at how it would work, whether it's even possible, and what it would mean for Australian democracy.  Fear & Greed Q+A: Join Michael Thompson & Sean Aylmer and the team...

The price of the gold sailed past the $US3,500 mark yesterday, hitting a new high. But what’s driving it, and why - in 2025 - are we still going back to gold whenever investors get nervous? Natalie MacDonald is joined by Evan Lucas, economic futurist and the host of Money News on Nine Radio.  Fear & Greed Q+A: Join Sean Aylmer & Michael Thompson and the team as they answer quest...

Earnings season is all but done, with a very volatile four weeks now behind us, defined by huge swings in share prices for some very large companies. So what were the three key takeaways from reporting season this August? Michael Thompson is joined by Roger Montgomery, founder and Chief Investment Officer at Montgomery Investment Management. This is general information only. Seek advice before mak...

Today Michael Thompson is joined by economist Stephen Koukoulas  to look at the week ahead: GDP figures for the June quarter, house prices, building approvals, household spending, international trade and more. Plus, why we shouldn't be too worried about last week's surprise bump in inflation.  Fear & Greed Q+A: Join Sean Aylmer & Michael Thompson and the team as they answer quest...

Is it enough to just do a good job, and hope your reputation spreads? Or do you need to be building a personal brand through social media platforms like LinkedIn?  Turns out, it's both - because a personal brand and platform could be the thing that finds your next job, or launches your side hustle.  Michael Thompson speaks with Fear & Greed presenter Natalie MacDonald, who spent seve...

Are we entering another house price boom? The spring selling season is just about to begin - and we’re entering the season with a fresh interest rate cut, and more expected in coming months. And at the same time, the government is bringing forward its program to help first home buyers into the market. So what will it do to house prices? Michael Thompson is joined by Dr Nicola Powell, Chief o...

With the RBA already trialling stablecoins, all signs point to a major shift ahead for payments. But what are they, how do they work, and what does it mean for ordinary Australian businesses making payments here and around the world? Michael Thompson is joined by Karl Durrance, Managing Director, Australia and New Zealand at payments platform Stripe, for a 101 on all things stablecoin. Fear &...

Guzman y Gomez listed on the ASX last year, in what was probably the most exciting IPO of the year. Late last week, the Mexican-themed fast food chain delivered a 23pc increase in network sales to nearly $1.2 billion, doubled net profits and declared its first-ever dividend. But investors hammered it, with the share price tumbling more than 22pc, on concerns about a steady start to the new financi...

From rising competition posed by private credit lenders, to the make-or-break moment presented by AI, these are the three main takeaways from the big bank results throughout earnings season. Michael Thompson is joined by Noel Williams, PwC Australia’s Banking and Capital Markets Leader. Fear & Greed Q+A: Join Sean Aylmer & Michael Thompson and the team as they answer questions on bus...

Today Michael Thompson is joined by economist Stephen Koukoulas  to look at the week ahead: the RBA minutes, monthly inflation data, and business investment figures. Plus, why there's cause to start being more optimistic about the economic outlook. Fear & Greed Q+A: Join Sean Aylmer & Michael Thompson and the team as they answer questions on business, investing, economics, politics an...

Bank bosses have started putting requirements in place for efficient meetings, asking for an agenda, short presentations only, and action items. Isn't this common sense? How do you actually run an efficient meeting? Fear & Greed Q+A: Join Michael Thompson & Adam Lang as they answer questions on business, investing, economics, politics and more. If you have your own question, get in touch v...

Earlier this month, NBN Co announced it’s partnering with US tech giant Amazon to bring high speed satellite broadband to regional Australia. It’s called Project Kuiper. Joe Lathan is Amazon's Country Manager for Project Kuiper, and he speaks with Michael Thompson about the scale of the project, what it will mean for competition more broadly - and whether Amazon might use its own rocke...

This week Woodside posted a profit of $1.25 billion for the six months to June 30, down 24pc on last year, but in line with expectations, partly as a result of lower oil prices. But Woodside is a fascinating company. It’s been on an investment spree over the last couple of years, and this Ausbiz interview today with CEO Meg O’Neill looks at where those projects are up to. But it also g...

Can BHP continue its dominance as its focus shifts from iron ore to copper? Yesterday, Australia's second largest company announced a 26pc drop in underlying profit, with iron ore prices under pressure from slowing demand in China. It’s BHP’s weakest performance in five years. But the company is still optimistic - particularly about its growing number of copper assets, and also its shi...

It's Equal Pay Day -  what will it take to close the gender pay gap? Natalie MacDonald is joined by Elizabeth Broderick AO, former Australian Sex Discrimination Commissioner and the founder of the Champions of Change Coalition. Today is Equal Pay Day, which marks the end of the 50 additional days into the new financial year that women in Australia need to work to earn the same pay, on average...