Fear & Greed Q+A

Are Australia’s big department stores running out of road? In the US, iconic names like Saks and Macy’s are shrinking fast. At home, David Jones and Myer have both been closing stores as consumer behaviour shifts and online retail keeps growing. Sean Aylmer speaks with retail expert Professor Gary Mortimer from Queensland University of Technology, about whether department stores c...

After years of hype, ethical and green investing has cooled. But instead of going away, it's evolving. Sean Aylmer speaks with Dugald Higgins, Head of Responsible Investment and Real Assets at Zenith Investment Partners, about where sustainable investing now sits, why Australia has held steady while other markets pulled back, the difference between ESG and sustainability, and how new climate repor...

The Reserve Bank has lifted interest rates for the first time in two years, and while the hike was widely expected by markets, not all economists thought the RBA would do it. AMP Deputy Chief Economist Diana Mousina explains why the unanimous vote raised eyebrows, and why she believes this may still be a one-off adjustment rather than the start of a tightening cycle. Find out more: https://fe...

Roger Montgomery, founder and Chief Investment Officer at Montgomery Investment Management, looks back at the forces that drove markets in 2025 — from the AI boom to the “great broadening” beyond US megacaps. He talks to Sean Aylmer about the bull and bear cases for US equities in 2026, why the US dollar matters for Australian investors, and where diversification may make sense a...

It's all about the RBA this week, with interest rates tipped to rise. Michael Thompson is joined by economist  Stephen Koukoulas  to look at what to expect. 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 , ...

This week the Winter Olympics kick off in Italy. Sean Aylmer and Michael Thompson talk about the big sporting events they've covered in the media, from the Atlanta and London Olympics, to the US Open tennis. 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 touc...

Weight-loss drugs like Ozempic and Wegovy are reshaping healthcare — and potentially the economy. Dr Zac Turner explains to Sean Aylmer how GLP-1 drugs work, what we’re still learning about their long-term effects, why the next generation matters, and how these medications may go far beyond weight loss. Find out more: https://fearandgreed.com.au/ See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy...

A rate hike is now firmly back on the table next week after a sharp jump in inflation.  Economist Warren Hogan, from  EQ Economics  and Judo Bank, talks to Sean Aylmer about where the RBA went wrong, why inflation is proving stubborn, and why the Reserve Bank should increase rates by 40 basis points next week. Find out more: https://fearandgreed.com.au/ See omnystudio.com/listener f...

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:...