The Saturday Edition | 21 Feb 2026

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.

Q+A: Has remote work made us lonely?

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 a…

Afternoon Report | Andrew released after arrest

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. ASX flat CharlesIII: “law must take its course” Taylor on energy Guzman tumbles QBE surges Join our free daily newslet…

Telstra boosts dividends; labour market stays tight; end of the supersize meal era?

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.  T…

Q+A: Wesfarmers CEO Rob Scott on Bunnings, Kmart & Target

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 …

Afternoon Report | ASX rises on bumper results day

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. ASX soars, unemployment stable Aussie giants report results PM’s‘contempt’ for ISIS brides ACCC targets Temu, Shein US-…

Real wages fall as inflation rises; NAB’s bumper profit; $14.2b bid for BlueScope

Thursday 19 February 2026 Real wages in Australia went backwards last year, challenging the view that the cost-of-living crisis is lessening.  NAB’s share price soars after a bumper quarterly profit Another, bigger bid for BlueScope Steel Santos to cut ten per cent of its workforce The countries w…

Q+A: Why regional property is outperforming the capitals

A listener question from far North Queensland sparks a dive into regional property trends. Michael Thompson speaks with Tim Lawless, Executive Research Director for Asia Pacific at Cotality, about how regional markets are performing versus the capitals, what’s driving growth, and whether the pandem…

Afternoon Report | ASX higher on NAB result

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. ASX higher on NAB result Pauline Hanson’s partial apology Health insurance premiums to rise Earnings wrap: Santos, Mirvac…

BHP bumper profit, dividends; rate hikes on RBA agenda; Taylor’s new frontbench 

Wednesday 18 February 2026 BHP announces a bumper half year profit as its copper division earnings surpass iron ore.  The minutes of last fortnight’s Reserve Bank board meeting suggest another rate hike is possible.  The IMF calls on Australia to cut income taxes and lift the GST.  Angus Taylor an…