Why do central banks target 2–3% inflation? What’s so magical about that number?

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Why do central banks target 2&ndash;3% inflation? What&rsquo;s so magical about that number? Join Sean Aylmer &amp; Michael Thompson as they answer questions on business, investing, economics, politics and more. If you have your own question for Ask Fear &amp; Greed, get in touch via our&nbsp;<a href="https://www.google.com/url?q=http://fearandgreed.com.au&amp;sa=D&amp;source=calendar&amp;ust=1747487354629733&amp;usg=AOvVaw0vnLR7L1D1nk8u1yDpgUbN">website</a>,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://www.linkedin.com/company/fear-and-greed&amp;sa=D&amp;source=calendar&amp;ust=1747487354629733&amp;usg=AOvVaw1ukw0m5b5JeTaH2nkrvpBg">LinkedIn</a>,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://www.instagram.com/fearandgreedpodcast/&amp;sa=D&amp;source=calendar&amp;ust=1747487354629733&amp;usg=AOvVaw2Qxov-yp2eRvarHgRg0lvI">Instagram</a>&nbsp;or&nbsp;<a href="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://www.facebook.com/FearAndGreedPodcast&amp;sa=D&amp;source=calendar&amp;ust=1747487354629733&amp;usg=AOvVaw3B4bNdRvZtDY_Jy0dM_MI1">Facebook</a>!

Business news you can use. A daily business news podcast with journalists Sean Aylmer and Michael Thompson. Find out more at https://fearandgreed.com.au

Business news you can use. A daily business news podcast with journalists <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/sean-aylmer-9922068/" data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://www.linkedin.com/in/sean-aylmer-9922068/&amp;source=gmail&amp;ust=1689199223540000&amp;usg=AOvVaw0wu3ezGEfBZFYspJbTTaYL">Sean Aylmer</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/mcwthompson/" data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://www.linkedin.com/in/mcwthompson/&amp;source=gmail&amp;ust=1689199223540000&amp;usg=AOvVaw08pZ8jZ88rHJgCfbHkTr5k">Michael Thompson</a>.&nbsp;Find out more at&nbsp;<a href="https://protect-au.mimecast.com/s/7AmQCOMxmAtl5q0qiE-KY7?domain=fearandgreed.com.au/" data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://protect-au.mimecast.com/s/7AmQCOMxmAtl5q0qiE-KY7?domain%3Dfearandgreed.com.au/&amp;source=gmail&amp;ust=1689199223540000&amp;usg=AOvVaw1DLq_FuqjEt3HC-ZK1704H">https://fearandgreed.com.au</a>

Fear and Greed is Australia's most popular business podcast.

FEAR & GREED | Business News

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Fear & Greed Q+A

Daily business news for people who make their own decisions, with business journalist Sean Aylmer and Michael Thompson. Find out more at https://fearandgreed.com.au

Daily business news for people who make their own decisions, with business journalist <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>. Find out more at <a href="https://protect-au.mimecast.com/s/7AmQCOMxmAtl5q0qiE-KY7?domain=fearandgreed.com.au/">https://fearandgreed.com.au</a>

Ask Fear & Greed: Why does the Reserve Bank target 2-3% inflation?

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/2fb3740d-3436-44af-8cc0-a91900716aa5/clips/e6b93e4f-cef6-4b69-b32a-b2db00d71669/transcript

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 slips on tariff uncertainty


Govt accused of hypocrisy on tariffs


Royal Commission set to begin


Results wrap


Man shot dead at Trump’s Florida home

Join our free daily newsletter here.

This is the&nbsp;<a href="https://fearandgreed.com.au/">Fear and Greed</a> Afternoon Report - everything you need to know about what happened in the markets, economy and world of business today, in just a few minutes.
<ol>
<li>
ASX slips on tariff uncertainty
</li>
<li>
Govt accused of hypocrisy on tariffs
</li>
<li>
Royal Commission set to begin
</li>
<li>
Results wrap
</li>
<li>
Man shot dead at Trump&rsquo;s Florida home
</li>
</ol>
Join our <a href="https://fearandgreed.com.au/newsletter-signup">free daily newsletter here</a>.

Afternoon Report | ASX slips on tariff uncertainty

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/2fb3740d-3436-44af-8cc0-a91900716aa5/clips/16ba2307-4e69-45d2-99ba-b3fa00682f87/transcript

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.

Monday 23 February 2026
Australia has emerged as a loser after the US Supreme Court&rsquo;s decision to knock back Donald Trump&rsquo;s Liberation Day tariffs triggered the imposition of a global 15 per cent levy, which is higher than what we pay now.&nbsp;
<ul>
<li aria-level="1">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</li>
<li aria-level="1">Which Australians feel best about life</li>
<li aria-level="1">The end of the winter Olympics</li>
</ul>
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, the kids&rsquo; money blueprint. 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.

US tariff decision bad for Australia; PM to focus on economy; Winter Olympics glory

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/2fb3740d-3436-44af-8cc0-a91900716aa5/clips/418f3d37-2ec8-4d7d-bab3-b3f900ad6b90/transcript

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.

Michael Thompson is joined by economist <a href="https://www.google.com/url?q=http://www.marketeconomics.com.au/stephen-koukoulas&amp;sa=D&amp;source=calendar&amp;ust=1772188403345128&amp;usg=AOvVaw05MICzQ8eZdMPPDrI2S44K">Stephen Koukoulas</a>&nbsp;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<a href="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://fearandgreed.com.au/newsletter-signup&amp;sa=D&amp;source=calendar&amp;ust=1772188403345128&amp;usg=AOvVaw0fykjlxe9iacTJs80I-5R2">&nbsp;free daily newsletter here</a>.

Q+A: The Week Ahead | 23 Feb 2026

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/2fb3740d-3436-44af-8cc0-a91900716aa5/clips/ec013b44-3485-4e6f-8d34-b3f900ad692f/transcript

Ask Fear & Greed: Why does the Reserve Bank target 2-3% inflation?

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