FEAR & GREED | Business News

Thursday 13 August 2026
The Commonwealth Bank announces an $11 billion profit but warns that the economy, and housing market, are slowing.
The number of SME exits surges, as the economic going gets tough
The federal coalition provides more details of its immigration policy
Insurer Suncorp says it had to pay out on 32 separate weather events over the past year
Asia is going crazy for air-conditioned clothing, to combat the increasingly number of heatwaves

Hit follow on the podcast so you don’t miss the latest news, and join our free daily newsletter here.

And don’t miss the latest episode of How Do They Afford That?, exploring margin loans for investing. Get the episode from Apple, Spotify or anywhere you listen to podcasts.
Find out more: https://fearandgreed.com.au/
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Commonwealth Bank has delivered a record full-year profit of $10.98 billion, but Australia’s biggest bank is also seeing clear signs of a slowing economy. Mortgage applications have fallen, household pressures are building and CBA expects housing credit growth to weaken.

Sean Aylmer speaks with Commonwealth Bank CEO Matt Comyn about what the bank is seeing inside the Australian economy, the impact of changes to housing taxes, why slower home lending could cost CBA around $100 million in revenue, the outlook for interest rates and housing, and where the bank is investing in AI.
Find out more: https://fearandgreed.com.au/
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This is the Fear & 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 down 0.5pc; CBA result

AGL warns on earnings

Tomago smelter set for bailout

Premier Investments cuts guidance

Trump confirms secret plane swap

Join our free daily newsletter here.
Find out more: https://fearandgreed.com.au/
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Wednesday 12 August 2026
The Reserve Bank keeps interest rates on hold and warns house prices have further to fall.
Australia complains to the US about new tariffs
The government buys bird flu vaccinations
Work sneakers are out, dress shoes are back in
How Australians spend their time, and streaming is a big part of it

Hit follow on the podcast so you don’t miss the latest news, and join our free daily newsletter here.

And don’t miss the latest episode of How Do They Afford That?, exploring margin loans for investing. Get the episode from Apple, Spotify or anywhere you listen to podcasts.
Find out more: https://fearandgreed.com.au/
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Reserve Bank has left interest rates unchanged at 4.35 per cent, but the message from Governor Michele Bullock was hardly reassuring for borrowers. Despite softer inflation and a cooling housing market, the RBA is still warning that rates could need to rise again.

Sean Aylmer speaks with AMP Deputy Chief Economist Diana Mousina about why the decision was a “hawkish hold”, what could trigger another rate rise, why the RBA isn’t particularly worried about falling house prices, and the productivity problem it can’t fix.
Find out more: https://fearandgreed.com.au/
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.