Wednesday 4 February 2026

The Reserve Bank lifts interest rates and hints that there could be more hikes later in the year. 
The federal Coalition parties remain at odds over reuniting. 
Cheaper, challenger brands are winning the mobile battle in Australia. 
Elon Musk combines his two private companies as he pushes to develop data centres in space. 
US owned TikTok changes terms and conditions, upsetting users.

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And don’t miss the latest episode of How Do They Afford That? - this week, seven signs you’re better with money than you think. Get the episode from APPLE, SPOTIFY, or anywhere you listen to podcasts.

Wednesday 4 February 2026
The Reserve Bank lifts interest rates and hints that there could be more hikes later in the year.&nbsp;
<ul>
<li aria-level="1">The federal Coalition parties remain at odds over reuniting.&nbsp;</li>
<li aria-level="1">Cheaper, challenger brands are winning the mobile battle in Australia.&nbsp;</li>
<li aria-level="1">Elon Musk combines his two private companies as he pushes to develop data centres in space.&nbsp;</li>
<li aria-level="1">US owned TikTok changes terms and conditions, upsetting users.</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, seven signs you&rsquo;re better with money than you think. 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.

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

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>

More rate hikes in 2026; Coalition at odds; challenger brands winning mobile battle

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/2fb3740d-3436-44af-8cc0-a91900716aa5/clips/97cc95f5-bbd5-4c97-86f0-b3e600b91a4b/transcript

The Reserve Bank has lifted interest rates for the first time in two years, and while the hike was widely expected by markets, not all economists thought the RBA would do it.

AMP Deputy Chief Economist Diana Mousina explains why the unanimous vote raised eyebrows, and why she believes this may still be a one-off adjustment rather than the start of a tightening cycle.

The Reserve Bank has lifted interest rates for the first time in two years, and while the hike was widely expected by markets, not all economists thought the RBA would do it. AMP Deputy Chief Economist&nbsp;Diana Mousina explains why the unanimous vote raised eyebrows, and why she believes this may still be a one-off adjustment rather than the start of a tightening cycle.

Q+A: Did the RBA have no choice but to hike?

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/2fb3740d-3436-44af-8cc0-a91900716aa5/clips/2168d691-8ce7-428c-acdc-b3e600b8a2dc/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 closes up 1pc


Nats on crossbenches


Qantas selldown


Corporate updates


Clintons to testify

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 closes up 1pc
</li>
<li>
Nats on crossbenches
</li>
<li>
Qantas selldown
</li>
<li>
Corporate updates
</li>
<li>
Clintons to testify
</li>
</ol>
Join our <a href="https://fearandgreed.com.au/newsletter-signup">free daily newsletter here</a>.

Afternoon Report | Rate rise hits AUD, ASX

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/2fb3740d-3436-44af-8cc0-a91900716aa5/clips/184b3c89-e2bb-4a9f-be87-b3e60060470e/transcript

Tuesday 3 February 2026

The federal Liberals and Nationals in talks to reform the Coalition just as parliament resumes for the year. 
Competition in home lending heats up just as interest rates are set to rise 
The boss of Corporate Travel Management resigns five months after the company said it can’t sign off its annual accounts. 
The rest of the world pushes to follow Australia’s social media ban for kids
Melania, the documentary, about the First Lady Melania Trump, fails to set the box office alight

Join our free daily newsletter here.

And don’t miss the latest episode of How Do They Afford That? - this week, inside the Frugal February challenge. Get the episode from APPLE, SPOTIFY, or anywhere you listen to podcasts.

Tuesday 3 February 2026
The federal Liberals and Nationals in talks to reform the Coalition just as parliament resumes for the year.&nbsp;
<ul>
<li aria-level="1">Competition in home lending heats up just as interest rates are set to rise&nbsp;</li>
<li aria-level="1">The boss of Corporate Travel Management resigns five months after the company said it can&rsquo;t sign off its annual accounts.&nbsp;</li>
<li aria-level="1">The rest of the world pushes to follow Australia&rsquo;s social media ban for kids</li>
<li aria-level="1">Melania, the documentary, about the First Lady Melania Trump, fails to set the box office alight</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, inside the Frugal February challenge. 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.

Libs-Nats in talks to reunite; mortgage competition heats up; Melania doco flops

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/2fb3740d-3436-44af-8cc0-a91900716aa5/clips/a795d9bc-982b-452f-a2f2-b3e500bd13ce/transcript

More rate hikes in 2026; Coalition at odds; challenger brands winning mobile battle

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