Global markets have faced renewed volatility following the election of Donald Trump, but how much does it really matter for Australia? Sean Aylmer is joined by Westpac Chief Economist Luci Ellis to discuss the US, China and the forces shaping the global outlook in 2026. Luci also highlights a fast-growing but under-appreciated success story.

This episode is brought to you by Westpac. Fear & Greed's summer series - all-new short episodes every day, with regular news back from January 12.

Global markets have faced renewed volatility following the election of Donald Trump, but how much does it really matter for Australia? Sean Aylmer is joined by Westpac Chief Economist Luci Ellis to discuss the US, China and the forces shaping the global outlook in 2026. Luci also highlights a fast-growing but under-appreciated success story.
This episode is brought to you by Westpac. Fear &amp; Greed's summer series - all-new short episodes every day, with regular news back from January 12.

Five business news stories in five minutes, with journalists Sean Aylmer and Michael Thompson. When you remove the grey, you get your news quicker. Find out more at https://fearandgreed.com.au

Five business news stories in five minutes, with journalists <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/sean-aylmer-9922068/">Sean Aylmer</a> and <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/mcwthompson/">Michael Thompson</a>. When you remove the grey, you get your news quicker. Find out more at <a href="https://protect-au.mimecast.com/s/7AmQCOMxmAtl5q0qiE-KY7?domain=fearandgreed.com.au/">https://fearandgreed.com.au</a>

The business news you need, in just five minutes.

Fast Five by Fear and Greed

Five business news stories in five minutes, with journalists <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/sean-aylmer-9922068/">Sean Aylmer</a> and <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/mcwthompson/">Michael Thompson</a>. When you remove the grey, you get your news quicker. Find out more at <a href="https://protect-au.mimecast.com/s/7AmQCOMxmAtl5q0qiE-KY7?domain=fearandgreed.com.au/">https://fearandgreed.com.au</a>

Our $9 billion export that nobody talks about

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/2fb3740d-3436-44af-8cc0-a91900716aa5/clips/6cfb942d-11dd-466b-8a25-b3d200b97512/transcript

Thursday 15 January 2026

The top five business stories in five minutes, with Sean Aylmer and Michael Thompson.
Alphabet hits $US4 trillion
Coalition baulks at hate laws
Rents set to stabilise
Record year for ETFs
China’s trade surplus hits record

Join our free daily newsletter here.

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

Thursday 15 January 2026
The top five business stories in five minutes, with Sean Aylmer and Michael Thompson.
<ol>
<li aria-level="1">Alphabet hits $US4 trillion</li>
<li aria-level="1">Coalition baulks at hate laws</li>
<li aria-level="1">Rents set to stabilise</li>
<li aria-level="1">Record year for ETFs</li>
<li aria-level="1">China&rsquo;s trade surplus hits record</li>
</ol>
Join our<a href="https://fearandgreed.com.au/newsletter-signup"> free daily newsletter here</a>.
And don&rsquo;t miss the latest episode of<a href="https://fearandgreed.com.au/how-do-they-afford-that-sugar-mamma-canna-campbell/"> How Do They Afford That?</a> - this week, your money bounceback plan. Get the episode from<a href="https://podcasts.apple.com/au/podcast/how-do-they-afford-that/id1644255235"> APPLE</a>,<a href="https://open.spotify.com/show/1EW5WRlRh7MovSBNkk6dG8?si=b2203ec2fa934a14"> SPOTIFY</a>, or anywhere you listen to podcasts.

Fast Five | 15 Jan 2026

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/2fb3740d-3436-44af-8cc0-a91900716aa5/clips/7eb02e31-874c-41dc-9c0f-b3d200b8484a/transcript

Wesfarmers is one of the most remarkable success stories on the ASX - a diversified conglomerate thriving in a world where many have failed. Sean Aylmer speaks with Gaurav Sodhi, Deputy Head of Research at Intelligent Investor, about what makes Wesfarmers different. From the extraordinary rise of Kmart’s Anko brand, to Bunnings’ near-monopoly power, and the company’s unique approach to capital allocation and management culture, Gaurav explains why Wesfarmers has delivered such strong long-term returns.

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 needs

Wesfarmers is one of the most remarkable success stories on the ASX - a diversified conglomerate thriving in a world where many have failed. Sean Aylmer speaks with Gaurav Sodhi, Deputy Head of Research at Intelligent Investor, about what makes Wesfarmers different. From the extraordinary rise of Kmart&rsquo;s Anko brand, to Bunnings&rsquo; near-monopoly power, and the company&rsquo;s unique approach to capital allocation and management culture, Gaurav explains why Wesfarmers has delivered such strong long-term returns.
This is Fear &amp; 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 needs

Kmart's Anko and Bunnings: Wesfarmers' secret sauce

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/2fb3740d-3436-44af-8cc0-a91900716aa5/clips/b4e1d7d9-9db7-4d00-9e8e-b3d100b481a0/transcript

Wednesday 14 January 2026

The top five business stories in five minutes, with Sean Aylmer and Michael Thompson.
Aussie housing hits $12.3 tr
Kevin Rudd steps down as US ambassador
Endeavour to compete on price
Woolies AI for shoppers
World’s fastest growing app

Join our free daily newsletter here.

And don’t miss the latest episode of How Do They Afford That? - this week, seven money habits that could change your year. Get the episode from APPLE, SPOTIFY, or anywhere you listen to podcasts.

Wednesday 14 January 2026
The top five business stories in five minutes, with Sean Aylmer and Michael Thompson.
<ol>
<li aria-level="1">Aussie housing hits $12.3 tr</li>
<li aria-level="1">Kevin Rudd steps down as US ambassador</li>
<li aria-level="1">Endeavour to compete on price</li>
<li aria-level="1">Woolies AI for shoppers</li>
<li aria-level="1">World&rsquo;s fastest growing app</li>
</ol>
Join our<a href="https://fearandgreed.com.au/newsletter-signup"> free daily newsletter here</a>.
And don&rsquo;t miss the latest episode of<a href="https://fearandgreed.com.au/how-do-they-afford-that-sugar-mamma-canna-campbell/"> How Do They Afford That?</a> - this week, seven money habits that could change your year. Get the episode from<a href="https://podcasts.apple.com/au/podcast/how-do-they-afford-that/id1644255235"> APPLE</a>,<a href="https://open.spotify.com/show/1EW5WRlRh7MovSBNkk6dG8?si=b2203ec2fa934a14"> SPOTIFY</a>, or anywhere you listen to podcasts.

Fast Five | 13 Jan 2026

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/2fb3740d-3436-44af-8cc0-a91900716aa5/clips/c23c6acc-ca9f-4737-80ad-b3d100aba9da/transcript

Our $9 billion export that nobody talks about

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