Monday 23 February 2026

Australia has emerged as a loser after the US Supreme Court’s decision to knock back Donald Trump’s Liberation Day tariffs triggered the imposition of a global 15 per cent levy, which is higher than what we pay now.

• Strong earnings from Aussie companies pushes the ASX to record territory. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese says his government will be focusing on cost-of-living pressures and the economy in the run up to the May budget
• Which Australians feel best about life
• The end of the winter Olympics

Join our free daily newsletter here.

And don’t miss the latest episode of How Do They Afford That? - this week, the kids’ money blueprint. Get the episode from APPLE, SPOTIFY, or anywhere you listen to podcasts.

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

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Michael Thompson is joined by economist Stephen Koukoulas to look at the week ahead for the economy, including monthly inflation data, and capex figures - including a closer look at the impact of business investment.

Join our free daily newsletter here.

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

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A bumper week of results, a renewed Liberal Party, and Coles and Instagram in court on different sides of the world.

Sean Aylmer and Michael Thompson go head to head on the top business stories of the week, with Adam Lang picking a winner in a fierce debate.

Join our free daily newsletter here.

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

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Has remote work contributed to a loneliness epidemic? Michael Thompson quizzes Sean Aylmer and Adam Lang about talking to strangers, phone vs email, and whether remote work has made us braver online and quieter in person.

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, Instagram or Facebook.

Join our free daily newsletter here.

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

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This is the Fear and Greed 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 flat

2. CharlesIII: “law must take its course”

3. Taylor on energy

4. Guzman tumbles

5. QBE surges

Join our free daily newsletter here.

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

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Friday 20 February 2026

Telstra announces a jump in its dividend as its mobile business powers earnings, just as Wesfarmers provides a note of caution about consumer spending.

• The unemployment rate last month came in at 4.1 per cent, upping the chance of an interest rate hike in coming months.
• The local share market hits an all-time high.
• Mark Zuckerberg concedes it is difficult to enforce age limits on social media. The era of super-sized meals might be coming to an end.

Join our free daily newsletter here.

And don’t miss the latest episode of How Do They Afford That? - this week, the kids’ money blueprint. Get the episode from APPLE, SPOTIFY, or anywhere you listen to podcasts.

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

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Wesfarmers has reported a jump in sales and a better-than-expected net profit of $1.6 billion for the December half. But CEO Rob Scott warns households are feeling the full impact of inflation and interest rates.

In a wide-ranging conversaiton, Sean Aylmer speaks with Rob Scott about the consumer outlook, productivity initiatives across Bunnings and Kmart, the future of lithium and chemicals, the strategy behind Target, and how AI is being deployed across the group.

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

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This is the Fear and Greed 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 soars, unemployment stable

2. Aussie giants report results

3. PM’s‘contempt’ for ISIS brides

4. ACCC targets Temu, Shein

5. US-Iran tensions build

Join our free daily newsletter here.

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

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.