Simplifying Investing

Fresh from her travels through the Middle East and Central Asia, Diana Mousina joins My Bui to unpack three big economic themes: how Middle East tensions are affecting oil flows, inflation and consumers; what Australia could learn from overseas approaches to construction and housing; and how cities and communities can better accommodate families and children. They also explore US mortgage rates and markets, Australia’s housing challenges, regulation, wages and the productivity puzzle.
Important information: This podcast is general in nature and hasn’t taken your circumstances into account. It’s important you consider your personal circumstances and speak to a financial adviser before deciding what’s right for you. Any general tax information provided is intended as a guide only. Remember the value of investments may go up or down and you may not get back the amount you invested. The opinions and views featured in this podcast reflect the individual’s own. Date of publication 15 October 2026. AWM Services Pty Ltd ABN 15 139 353 496, AFSL No. 366121, part of the AMP Group

00:00 Diana’s travels and lessons from abroad
01:16 Middle East oil flows recover
02:00 How ship-to-ship oil transfers work
03:14 Why oil prices remain above $1000
4:13 Energy costs, inflation and consumers
05:18 US politics, energy prices and markets
06:01 US mortgages, housing and the AI boom
07:01 What overseas construction can teach Australia
08:22 Regulation and Australia’s housing challenge
09:34 Why Australian apartments take longer to build
10:11 Cities, children and “third spaces”
12:47 Does regulation make simple projects harder?
13:29 Wages, labour costs and Australia’s productivity puzzle
14:36 Wrap-up

Could AI be making inflation harder to beat? Shane Oliver and My Bui unpack how the AI boom, data centre investment, chip and energy costs, government spending and geopolitical pressures are adding to Australia’s inflation challenge. They also explore how higher interest rates bring inflation down, whether there are fairer alternatives, and what could come next for the RBA and Australian rates.
Important information: This podcast is general in nature and hasn’t taken your circumstances into account. It’s important you consider your personal circumstances and speak to a financial adviser before deciding what’s right for you. Any general tax information provided is intended as a guide only. Remember the value of investments may go up or down and you may not get back the amount you invested. The opinions and views featured in this podcast reflect the individual’s own. Date of publication 02 October 2026. AWM Services Pty Ltd ABN 15 139 353 496, AFSL No. 366121, part of the AMP Group
 
00:00 What’s driving inflation?
01:18 Is AI becoming an inflationary force?
02:09 Data centres, construction and Australia’s tradie shortage
02:35 AI’s growing demand for energy and materials
03:01 Chip and memory costs push technology prices higher
04:04 Why tech equipment is shifting from deflation to inflation
06:19 AI, the Middle East and excess demand
07:27 Government spending and Australia’s capacity constraints
09:10 The combination of forces keeping inflation elevated
10:12 Can higher interest rates still bring inflation down?
11:16 How rate hikes flow through the economy
13:22 Are there fairer alternatives to raising interest rates?
14:43 Why inflation control falls to independent central banks
16:41 What could happen to interest rates next?
17:21 The outlook for the RBA’s next moves

Markets have enjoyed a strong run, but are there warning signs investors should be watching? In this episode, Diana Mousina and My Bui unpack five key risks that could impact markets in the months ahead, from rising bond yields and interest rate expectations to Middle East tensions, US politics and a slowing Australian consumer. They also explain why long-term investors shouldn't lose sight of the opportunities that still exist despite the uncertainty.
Important information: This podcast is general in nature and hasn’t taken your circumstances into account. It’s important you consider your personal circumstances and speak to a financial adviser before deciding what’s right for you. Any general tax information provided is intended as a guide only. Remember the value of investments may go up or down and you may not get back the amount you invested. The opinions and views featured in this podcast reflect the individual’s own. Date of publication 17 September 2026. AWM Services Pty Ltd ABN 15 139 353 496, AFSL No. 366121, part of the AMP Group

00:00 Introduction: Why investors should pay attention to risks
01:05 Risk #1: Rising bond yields and why markets care
03:49 Risk #2: Interest rate expectations increase
04:33 Why the US Fed may still raise rates
07:12 Fed credibility, politics and market expectations
09:20 Risk #3: Middle East tensions and oil prices
10:19 Risk #4: Trump, US politics and midterm elections
12:00 Risk #5: Australian consumer slowdown
13:45 What it means for markets and investor returns
14:12 Reasons to remain optimistic long term
14:37 Closing remarks.

Australia's retirement system is often called one of the best in the world, but are retirees making the most of it? As AMP launches its Retirement Confidence Pulse for 2026, Diana Mousina sits down with AMP's Ben Hillier to explore the shape of retirement today: why many retirees are spending less than they can afford, the growing divide between homeowners and renters, and whether Australians are too fearful of running out of money. They also discuss intergenerational wealth transfer, helping children into the housing market, unlocking home equity, and why confidence may be the missing ingredient to a better retirement.
Read more on the Retirement Confidence Pulse for 2026
https://www.amp.com.au/about-amp/news/2026/september/Retirement-confidence-flatlines-as-fear-of--running-out-grips-three-in-five-Australians

Important information: This podcast is general in nature and hasn’t taken your circumstances into account. It’s important you consider your personal circumstances and speak to a financial adviser before deciding what’s right for you. Any general tax information provided is intended as a guide only. Remember the value of investments may go up or down and you may not get back the amount you invested. The opinions and views featured in this podcast reflect the individual’s own. Date of publication 03 September 2026. AWM Services Pty Ltd ABN 15 139 353 496, AFSL No. 366121, part of the AMP Group
Timestamps
00:00 Introduction and Australia's two-speed economy
01:18 What retirement looks like in Australia today
03:29 Why retirees could be spending more
04:42 Home ownership, mortgages and retirement
07:28 The Bank of Mum and Dad
09:19 How much money do you really need to retire?
10:00 The "10-30-60" retirement spending rule
11:32 Why spending naturally declines in retirement
13:03 Is $500,000 enough for retirement?
14:02 Biggest challenges facing retirees
14:39 Why Australia's retirement system is so complex
15:14 Do retirees really need financial advice?
17:08 New retirement income solutions explained
18:23 Unlocking home equity in retirement
20:27 Should retirees leave an inheritance?
21:49 Giving with a warm hand, not a cold hand
22:01 The coming $3.5 trillion wealth transfer
22:44 Is Australia's retirement system world-leading?
23:26 How confidence changes retirement spending
24:09 Closing remarks

Australia's latest profit reporting season is showing its strongest results in years, but is it enough to compete with booming global markets? Shane Oliver and Diana Mousina unpack company earnings, the outlook for Australian shares, the Reserve Bank's interest rate dilemma, persistent inflation pressures, and the debate around superannuation's role in tackling cost-of-living challenges.
Important information: This podcast is general in nature and hasn’t taken your circumstances into account. It’s important you consider your personal circumstances and speak to a financial adviser before deciding what’s right for you. Any general tax information provided is intended as a guide only. Remember the value of investments may go up or down and you may not get back the amount you invested. The opinions and views featured in this podcast reflect the individual’s own. Date of publication 21 August 2026. AWM Services Pty Ltd ABN 15 139 353 496, AFSL No. 366121, part of the AMP Group

00:00 Introduction and profit reporting season begins
02:02 Australia's strongest earnings season in years
03:21 Why US company profits are outperforming Australia
04:39 Dividends, franking credits and investor returns
06:06 Australia vs global shares outlook
06:38 Budget changes and capital gains tax concerns
08:00 Property market impacts and RBA policy outlook
09:19 Should the RBA be raising rates now?
13:26 Forecasts, inflation and the role of economists
16:19 Shane and Diana's interest rate predictions
17:09 Consumer spending, wages and inflation pressures
18:04 Buying Australian products vs imports
21:05 Could superannuation help fight inflation?
23:23 Debate over accessing super during cost-of-living pressures
24:25 Why long-term super investing still matters
25:52 Wrap up