FEAR & GREED | Business News The Saturday Edition | 21 Mar 2026
Mar 20, 2026
A fast-paced debate on interest rate hikes versus a sudden petrol supply crisis. Markets wobble amid geopolitical shocks and big leadership shakeups at major companies. Discussion of a possible EU‑Australia trade deal and worrying signs of mortgage fraud and money laundering. Lively picks for the week’s most remarkable business stories.
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Interest Rate Hike Reshapes Household Budgets
- Interest rate moves have immediate household impact through higher mortgage and loan payments.
- Sean Aylmer notes rate rises are rare events that reshape long-term household budgets and economic policy.
Fuel Crisis May Bite Harder Than One Rate Rise
- Fuel shortages and surging petrol prices can hit household spending more than a single rate rise.
- Michael Thompson highlights rural diesel shortages, national taskforce formation and ACCC probes into major fuel suppliers.
Geopolitical Shock Drives Market Volatility
- Markets became highly volatile after the Middle East conflict, wiping large swathes of ASX value in weeks.
- Michael notes ASX 200 fell ~7.5% since the conflict started, with single-day drops and commodity moves amplifying losses.