FEAR & GREED | Business News

Luci Ellis, Westpac's Chief Economist, shares her insights into the Australian housing market. She discusses the surprising slowdown in Sydney and Melbourne while Brisbane, Adelaide, and Perth thrive. From the impact of interest rates on household sentiment to current low housing supply, Luci covers it all. She highlights government programs boosting first-home buyer confidence and emphasizes housing's economic importance. Lastly, Luci reveals Westpac's optimistic forecast for a 6% increase in house prices by 2026-27, contingent on stable interest rates.

Stefan von Imhoff, co-founder of Alts.co and expert on alternative investments in spirits, dives into the fascinating world of tequila as a booming investment opportunity. He discusses how tequila can appreciate faster than wine or whiskey and how premiumisation is driving demand for high-quality agave products. Stefan introduces the concept of tequila tourism, envisioning an upscale resort in Jalisco, highlighting its parallels with famous wine trails. With rising interest in 100% agave, he makes a convincing case for why now is the perfect time to invest in tequila.

Sammy Turpin, a travel expert from Luxury Escapes, shares insights on budget-friendly vacation options. She highlights the tremendous value of cruises, offering all-inclusive amenities that cater to various traveler types, from families to singles. Sammy emphasizes how cruising can provide access to pricey destinations like Norway and Iceland without breaking the bank. She also contrasts intimate river cruises with larger ships and suggests popular all-inclusive resorts in Bali, Thailand, and the Maldives as great alternatives.

Gaurav Sodhi, Deputy Head of Research at Intelligent Investor, dives deep into the tumultuous year of James Hardie, renowned for building supplies. He reveals why investors, including himself, were left bewildered by the company’s unexpected decisions, like a shocking acquisition that strained their finances. Gaurav discusses how management's overreach eroded trust and the impact of added debt on future valuations. With a heart in his mouth, he questions whether the business can be salvaged, making the listener ponder—what’s next for James Hardie?

Luci Ellis, Westpac's Chief Economist, dives into the vitality of household spending in the economy. She discusses the recent uptick in consumer spending and suggests we're past the peak of cost-of-living pressures, with inflation easing and real incomes recovering. Luci highlights the critical role of employment in supporting spending and explains how steady consumption is more reliable than volatile investments. Ultimately, she forecasts mid-2% growth in consumption if interest rates remain stable, painting a cautiously optimistic outlook.

Australian equities have come back toward fair value... but that doesn’t mean every sector is attractive. Sean Aylmer speaks with Morningstar equity market strategist Lachlan Halloway about why Morningstar now sees the ASX as fairly valued, where the opportunities are starting to emerge, and which parts of the market still look expensive. This is Fear & Greed's summer series - all-new short episodes every day, with regular business news back from January 12. All information is general in nature. If you want to invest, we recommend you visit a financial advisor who can tailor investments to your needs.Find out more: https://fearandgreed.com.au/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Simon Kuestenmacher, co-founder of The Demographics Group and demographic analyst. He talks about how rising university participation has diluted degree value. He outlines degree inflation and the push for postgraduate credentials. He explores how AI is automating many entry-level tasks, shrinking graduate intakes. He warns this could create future mid-career shortages while interpersonal skills grow in importance.

From the Murdoch empire to Hollywood’s upheaval, the global media landscape is shifting fast. Michael Thompson talks to Tim Burrowes from Mumbrella and Unmade about Rupert and Lachlan Murdoch’s consolidation of power, the streaming wars, Hollywood’s structural challenges, and why Netflix, Amazon and Apple are reshaping old business models - just as AI emerges as a new threat. This is Fear & Greed's summer series - all-new short episodes every day, with regular news back from January 12.Find out more: https://fearandgreed.com.au/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Car dealerships don’t sound exciting, but they can be extraordinary wealth generators. Sean Aylmer is joined by Gaurav Sodhi, Deputy Head of Research at Intelligent Investor, to unpack the Eagers Automotive story. Gaurav explains why car dealerships are widely misunderstood by markets and how Eagers has quietly built a dominant position in Australia: everything from land ownership to electric vehicles brands like BYD. This is Fear & Greed's summer series - all-new short episodes every day, with regular news back from January 12. All information is general in nature. If you want to invest, we recommend you visit a financial advisor who can tailor investments to your needsFind out more: https://fearandgreed.com.au/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Camping has grown up - and glamping is one of the fastest-growing travel trends. Sean Aylmer chats with Sonny Hawkins from Luxury Escapes about why 2026 could be the perfect year to try glamping. From luxury tents to unique nature-based stays, this is a look at why travellers are choosing the outdoors... with a few indulgent extras. This episode is brought to you by Luxury Escapes. Fear & Greed's summer series - all-new short episodes every day, with regular news back from January 12.Find out more: https://fearandgreed.com.au/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.