Podcasts about FMG

The ASX 200 kicked another 93 points higher to 8238 (1.1%) as China appears to often its tactics. A big kick in US futures on the news helped. Banks led the way higher for a change. The Big Bank Basket up to $269.96 (+1.6%) ahead of the results kicking off next week. CBA up 1.4% and WBC playing some catch-up up rising 1.9%. MQG finally joined in, and other financials did ok with the exception of XYZ, which cratered 26.7% on a downgrade and disappointing earnings. REITs continued higher led by GMG up 1.4% and SCG up 0.6%. Industrials continued to find strength, WOW up 2.3% and COL up 2.1% with WES up 1.2%. Retail took a breather, but tech was mixed with WTC looking at a potential US acquisition up 0.7%. The All-Tech Index down 0.9% as CPU weighs. Off 4.1%. Travel stocks sold down after CTD issued a warning, off 10.0% dragging WEB down 4.2%. Resources initially languished buy bucked up as China news came through, BHP up 0.7% and FMG rallying 1.1%. Gold miners also picked up with news that GOR had gone into a halt pending a takeover offer potentially, NST finding a base up 0.7% and EVN up 2.9% on copper rallies too. MIN rallied 0.8% with LYC under a little pressure still on Ukraine moves and China holding a olive branch. Oil and gas better, WDS up 2.0% ahead of OPEC+ meeting Monday, uranium stocks continue to push ahead as shorts cover, PDN up 2.8% and BOE up 5.3%. In corporate news, CSC jumped 2.8% on record revenues. On the economic front, retail trade rose 0.3% MoM. Asian markets rose, Japan up 1.2%, HK up 1.6% and China closed for a holiday. 10-year yields steady at 4.22%Want to invest with Marcus Today? The Managed Strategy Portfolio is designed for investors seeking exposure to our strategy while we do the hard work for you. If you're looking for personal financial advice, our friends at Clime Investment Management can help. Their team of licensed advisers operates across most states, offering tailored financial planning services.  Why not sign up for a free trial? Gain access to expert insights, research, and analysis to become a better investor.

The ASX 200 finished the month up 56 points to 8126 (+0.7%), giving us a 3.7% rise for the month. Hard to believe really. A 14% rally off the lows. CPI today came in slightly higher than some expected, but clears the way for a rate cut next week. Banks celebrated with CBA pushing 2.2% higher, NAB up 0.5% and the Big Bank Basket up to $265.43 (+1.6%). Other financials were a little mixed. MQG fell 0.5%. Insurers better, SUN up 2.3%. REITs also going well. GMG up 1.9% and SGP up 1.3%. Industrials firmed with retail again doing better, JBH up 0.7% and WES up 1.6%. COL reported today and eased 0.8%. BXB starting to find support. ALL up 1.9% and Tech doing ok, WTC up 1.0% and the Index up 1.2%.Resources took a breather today as the shorts backed off on the buying. Uranium stocks fell back a little as did gold miners. NST still suffering from soft quarterly, down another 3.5%. FMG gave back some of yesterday's gains, down 1.1%, and S32 fell 1.1%. BHP and RIO were relatively steady. Lithium stocks slipped a little, PLS down 2.3% and MIN unchanged after the big rally yesterday. JHX finding support, up 1.2%.In corporate news, plenty of quarterlies. ORG fell 1.4% on its weaker quarterly. SGR unchanged despite news that losses increased.On the economic front, the local CPI came in at 0.9% and 2.4% for the year, giving the RBA a reason to be cheerful. Meanwhile in China, factory activity fell. No surprise there really. Asian markets were firm. 10 -year yields slipped to 4.13%. Dow futures flat, NASDAQ futures down 0.4%Want to invest with Marcus Today? The Managed Strategy Portfolio is designed for investors seeking exposure to our strategy while we do the hard work for you.If you're looking for personal financial advice, our friends at Clime Investment Management can help. Their team of licensed advisers operates across most states, offering tailored financial planning services.  Why not sign up for a free trial? Gain access to expert insights, research, and analysis to become a better investor.

The ASX 200 closed up 74 to 8071 in another strong day pushing to a two-month high. Up 0.9%. All sectors firing, the banks did well with NAB up % and WBC up % as the Big Bank Basket crept to $261.14 (0.4%). Financials also in demand, PNI up 2.3% PPT up 3.1% and MQG up 0.8%. AMP continues to push higher, up another 3.6%. Insurers and REITS firmed, GMG up 1.6% and SCG rising 0.9% with SUN better by 0.7%. Industrials better across the board, BXB bounced back 1.5% with CPU up 1.9% and ORG rising 3.2%. Retail stocks also in demand again, JBH up % and TPW rising %. Travel stocks also better, CTD up 4.3% leading the pack. Healthcare pushed back up too, PME up 2.7% and TLX recovering a little. In resources, iron ore miners gained with FMG quarterly and a broker upgrade helping it rise 5.8% with S32 up 2.6%. The gold sector recovered some of its recent losses with GMD up 5.1% and BGL rising 4.0%. NST quarterly disappointed on production guidance and fell 4.7%. Heavily shorted resource company also squeezed a lot higher, MIN up 13.2% after its quarterly, uranium stocks continue to power ahead, PDN up 8.5% with BOE up 14.3%. Lithium plays also in demand, LTR up 5.6%.  WDS rallied 1.5% on its big US LNG project FID. In corporate news, EDV got a new CEO, WHC rose on quarterly production report, AIA fell as it announced it would delay a second runway. Nothing on the economic front. Asian market better, Japan up 0.4%, China down 0.1% and HK up 0.1%. 10-year yields 4.19%.Want to invest with Marcus Today? The Managed Strategy Portfolio is designed for investors seeking exposure to our strategy while we do the hard work for you.If you're looking for personal financial advice, our friends at Clime Investment Management can help. Their team of licensed advisers operates across most states, offering tailored financial planning services.  Why not sign up for a free trial? Gain access to expert insights, research, and analysis to become a better investor.

Today, Doug welcomes back Samantha Russell, Chief Evangelist at FMG, to talk about how advisors can turn market volatility into a marketing strength. Samantha stresses that during uncertain times, silence from advisors breeds anxiety. Instead, consistent, proactive communication builds trust and positions advisors as steady, reliable guides—like a pilot reassuring passengers during turbulence. She shares … Continue reading Episode 258 – How Elite Advisors Win Trust in Volatile Markets with Samantha Russell →

A strong finish to a short week as the ASX 200 closed up 48 points to 7968 (0.6%). For the week we are up another 1.9%. A solid performance from the banks again with NAB up % and WBC rising %. The Big Bank Basket rose to $260.77 (+0.75%). MQG up another 1.2% as brokers upgraded post the Nomura deal. Fund managers picked up too, PNI up 2.6% and MFG rising 1.2%., GDG failed to touch the wall with its business update falling 14.9%. AMP feeling some love from brokers up 2.5%. ZIP also doing well as shorts covered. REITs better as an RBA rate cut beckons. At least according to WBC. Industrials relatively flat, tech better, WTC up 2.5% and the All-Tech Index up 0.6%. Healthcare saw gains with RMD doing well up 8.5% as it believes it is exempt from tariffs. The action again was in resources, BHP up 0.9% and FMG up 1.0%. Gold miners bounced back as bullion bounced and panic subsided. NEM quarterly helped and were up 3.5%, RRL up 4.1% with NST bouncing slightly. Shorts were being covered in uranium stocks again, PDN roaring ahead, up 12.1%, MIN up 5.9% and ILU up 2.4%. In corporate news, plenty of quarterlies dropping. PWH fell 5.7% as the CEO and founder is stepping back for medical leave. JHX is getting attention from Jim Chalmers on its move to redomicile without shareholder approval. On the economic front, WBC's economist Luci Ellis says a 25bps cut in May is now on the cards. Asian market mostly better. 10-year yields at 4.24%.Want to invest with Marcus Today? The Managed Strategy Portfolio is designed for investors seeking exposure to our strategy while we do the hard work for you.If you're looking for personal financial advice, our friends at Clime Investment Management can help. Their team of licensed advisers operates across most states, offering tailored financial planning services.  Why not sign up for a free trial? Gain access to expert insights, research, and analysis to become a better investor.

The ASX 200 was a mirror of yesterday with CBA and gold miners down today and the rest of the market up. The index closed up 104 points at 7920(1.3%). In the banks, CBA fell 2.5% with NAB the standout up 3.2% with the Big Bank Basket down to $258.77 (-0.8%). MQG leapt 5.3% with other financials back in demand, PNI up 6.0% and GQG up 7.1%. REITs also doing well with GMG rallying 3.0% and VCX up 2.7%. Industrials firmed across the board, WES up 1.8%, ALL rising 4.4% and SGH up 3.2%. Healthcare stocks also saw gain, TLX up 12.5% on a sales update. Tech stocks better, WTC put in 5.5% with XRO up 2.9% and the All-Tech Index up 3.5%. Resources were generally firm, BHP up 3.3% with FMG rallying 2.7%, LYC fell 7.6% on possible Chinese de-escalation, gold miners too saw some profit taking across the board, with NST down 9.6% and EVN falling 10.9% as NEM dropped 7.0%. Uranium stocks had a lovely day out, PDN reassured the markets with a production update, up 24.6%, and Spott has been buying the sector; DYL is up 12.0% with oil and gas stocks also doing well, STO is up 6.1% with WDS putting on 3.6%. On the corporate front, IFL revealed FUM and rallied 4.5% with CTT falling 24.4% on reporting weak demand in US on tariff uncertainty. On the economic front, new business activity in Australia's private sector rose at the fastest pace in three years. Asian markets firmed with Japan up 1.9%, HK up 2.2% and China up 0.3%. 10-year yields eased slightly to 4.26%.Want to invest with Marcus Today? The Managed Strategy Portfolio is designed for investors seeking exposure to our strategy while we do the hard work for you.If you're looking for personal financial advice, our friends at Clime Investment Management can help. Their team of licensed advisers operates across most states, offering tailored financial planning services.  Why not sign up for a free trial? Gain access to expert insights, research, and analysis to become a better investor.

ASX 200 gives up gains to close down 3 points at 7759 as US futures turn down on Nvidia news. Banks as usual a safe place to be, the Big Bank Basket up to $252.55 (1.0%). WBC up 1.5% and MQG unchanged. Financials mixed, ZIP rising 16.2% on a very positive update and upgrades. REITS firmed with SCG up 1.2% and VCX up 0.5% whilst GMG fell 0.5%. Industrials were weaker, SGH down 1.5%, GYG fell 3.5% and FLT off 2.3%. Retail stocks eased back, LOV down 2.5% and AX1 off 6.3%. Tech fell, the All-Tech Index dropped 0.6% as WTC announced Richard White had a new role. Same as the old role really. XRO fell 1.2%. Resources were slipping again, iron ore miners fell, BHP down 1.2% with RIO off 2.7% and FMG falling 2.4%, Gold miners soared as quarterlies are pointing to the cash piling up, GMD up 8.4% and EVN kicking 1.3% higher again. Energy stocks under pressure, WDS down 2.3% and WHC falling 7.4% with uranium stocks once again on the nose, the fallout continues, PDN down 4.6% and BOE off 4.6%. In corporate news, BOQ up 5.5% on higher margins, SGR trading again unchanged as the rescue plan continues to play out. KAR up 1.6% after raising expenditure guidance. In economic news, Chinese GDP beat estimates. Locally building activity fell, the total number of dwelling units commenced fell 4.4% to 41,911 dwellings. Asian markets under pressure, Japan down 1.3%, HK off 2.3% and China off 0.7%. 10-year yields rose to 4.34%.Want to invest with Marcus Today? The Managed Strategy Portfolio is designed for investors seeking exposure to our strategy while we do the hard work for you.If you're looking for personal financial advice, our friends at Clime Investment Management can help. Their team of licensed advisers operates across most states, offering tailored financial planning services.  Why not sign up for a free trial? Gain access to expert insights, research, and analysis to become a better investor.

The ASX 200 consolidated the move yesterday with a gain of 13 points to 7762. Easter is calling it seems. Banks were the key with the Big Bank Basket up to $250.19 (0.6%). CBA up 0.5% and MQG gaining 0.8% too. Other financials were a little soggy, GQG down 1.9% with HUB falling 2.9% despite good FUA numbers. PNI dropped 5.0%. REITs eased back too, GMG down 1.2% and SCG down 0.9%. Healthcare saw CSL better despite threats from Trump to put tariffs on pharma; Industrials drifted lower. WOW down 1.8% with REA off 1.8% and tech under some pressure. WTC down 2.2% with XRO falling 1.5% as the All-Tech index dropped 0.8%. Retail generally slipped with SUL off 2.9% and FLT falling 2.8%. Resources were flat in the main; EVN had a great quarterly and rose 3.9%, whilst other gold miners saw some profit-taking; BHP, RIO, and FMG showed slight gains. LYC and other rare earth stocks in demand,  as China blocks exports. Uranium and coal stocks falling away, NXG down 2.6% and NHC off 1.3%. In corporate news, BGL resumed trade down % as it raised $156m to buy back its hedge. CKF fell 7.7% on news it will close Taco Bell. PPT fell 1.4% as money left the building and AX1 up 4.7% on news of Sports Direct launch. On the economic front, The RBA minutes left the door open for a possible May rate cut. Asian markets mixed, Japan up 0.9%, HK down 0.3% and China down 0.3%. 10-year yields falling to 4.35%.Want to invest with Marcus Today? The Managed Strategy Portfolio is designed for investors seeking exposure to our strategy while we do the hard work for you.If you're looking for personal financial advice, our friends at Clime Investment Management can help. Their team of licensed advisers operates across most states, offering tailored financial planning services.  Why not sign up for a free trial? Gain access to expert insights, research, and analysis to become a better investor.

Interview with Kevin Das, Senior Technical Consultant of Frontier Minerals Ltd.Recording date: 8th April 2025New Frontier Minerals, dual-listed on the London and Australian Stock Exchanges, is strategically positioning itself in Australia's critical minerals sector with a focused approach to exploration and development. The company is advancing two key projects: the Harts Range project near Alice Springs and a copper development in Northwest Queensland.The Harts Range project has generated significant interest following recent airborne geophysical surveys that identified 46 potential targets, exceeding management expectations. The company's exploration focus centers on high-value heavy rare earth elements, particularly dysprosium and terbium, which are primarily sourced from China and are essential for defense applications and electric vehicles."What we have at Harts Range which makes it different to all the other rare earth projects is we have their high value heavy rare earths," explains Kevin Das, Senior Technical Consultant for New Frontier Minerals. "These high value heavy rare earths can only be found really in China and there's probably another handful of companies around the world that have these valuable and highly critical minerals."The company has identified two promising prospects at Harts Range, named "Bobs" and "Cusp," where surface sampling has yielded consistently high grades. An interesting feature of the mineralization is that rare earths, uranium, and niobium occur together, creating efficiency in exploration.Simultaneously, New Frontier is advancing its copper project in Northwest Queensland's Mount Isa region. The project includes the "Big One" deposit, containing approximately 2.2 million tons of copper at 1.1% grade. In January, the company signed an MOU with Austral Resources to potentially process ore at their nearby Mount Kelly facility, creating a pathway to production without substantial capital investment."That gives us a real clear pathway to production because we don't have to go to markets to raise $100 million to build a processing facility," Das notes.To fund its exploration activities, New Frontier has divested three non-core assets over the past six months, generating sufficient working capital for planned activities. This approach demonstrates capital discipline and allows the company to focus on its most promising assets without immediate dilution to shareholders.Near-term plans include validating targets at Harts Range, conducting trial processing of copper stockpiles, and drilling at Harts Range later this year. The company's presence in a region attracting major mining companies like Glencore, Anglo America, Rio Tinto, and FMG also creates potential for future M&A activity.Sign up for Crux Investor: https://cruxinvestor.com

The ASX best day in five years up 335 points to 7710 although off early opening highs. Remarkably stable after the initial surge and fall back. Waiting for more information perhaps. Resources were the big winners today, BHP up 5.4% and RIO and FMG a similar rise, shorts getting hurt in MIN up 18.1% and S32 rising 9.5% with the gold miners also very positive. In AUD terms bullion fell but NEM up 4.0% and NST rising 5.1%. Lithium stocks recovered as shorts covered positions, LTR up 15.1% and PLS rising 12.7%. BSL rallied 8.0% and even JHX up 12.0%. Oil and gas showed strength as crude rallied, WDS up 4.7% and STO gaining 4.1%. Uranium stocks were back in fashion, no fall out today, PDN up 17.4% and DYL rallying a dizzying 15.9%. Banks were firm too although off early highs, CBA up 3.6% and WBC gaining 4.9% with MQG up 5.5%. Insurers and financials were very positive, GQG up 3.4% and XYZ rising 13.3% with ZIP rallying 20.7%. QBE up 4.4% and MPL rising 3.7%. Healthcare stocks were better, CSL recovered 3.5% and PME gained 8.4%. Across the board gains in industrials, WES up 2.6% and GMG rising 6.6%. Tech in demand, WTC rallied another 8.0% with XRO up 6.2% and the All -Tech Index up 6.8%. Retailers did well, JBH up 6.6% and travel stocks in demand. In corporate news, QUB got ACCC approvals, ABB rose 4.9% after announcing plans to expand its mobile network. Nothing on the economic front locally. Deutsche pulled back its call for an emergency 50bps rate cut and in Asia, China saw more evidence of deflation and a weakening yuan. Asian market burst higher, Japan up 8.3% with HK up 2.6% and China up 1.3%. 10-year yields slid to 4.33%.Want to invest with Marcus Today? The Managed Strategy Portfolio is designed for investors seeking exposure to our strategy while we do the hard work for you. If you're looking for personal financial advice, our friends at Clime Investment Management can help. Their team of licensed advisers operates across most states, offering tailored financial planning services.  Why not sign up for a free trial? Gain access to expert insights, research, and analysis to become a better investor.

The ASX 200 fell another 135 points to 7375 (-1.8%). At one point the market rallied to a drop of only 75 points as banks found defensive buyers. Resources were the point of pain as commodities fell on global growth and Chinese economic output. BHP fell 3.5% and FMG crashed 4.2% with LYC bucking the trend rising 2.0% as gold miners held relatively steady with bullion pushing higher. MIN fell 12.1% with PLS off 8.4% as NIC fell 14.1%. BSL continues to suffer, down 3.7%. Oil and gas stocks, dropped hard, STO down 5.7% and WDS off 3.7% with uranium under pressure again, PDN down 4.5% and DYL off 7.7%. Coal stocks fell too. Banks held up better, CBA up 0.5% with NAB down 0.7% and the Big Bank Basket down to $237.07 (-0.3%). Healthcare was hit, CSL down 5.0% on pharma taxes to come. COH also falling 2.6% with REITs down too. GMG off 1.6% and VCX falling 1.4%. Industrials were weaker across the board, WES fell 0.6%, WOW and COL eased with QAN down 4.0% and retail trying hard to hold the line. Tech stocks fell back to earth, WTC down 1.8% and XRO off 0.9% and the All-Tech Index down 1.9%.In corporate news, RPL fessed up to the FUM loss due to OPT and fell hard, down 11.9%. On the economic front the RBNZ cut rates by 25bps. Asian markets were volatile, Japan whacked again down 4.2% with China positive despite the 104% tariffs. HK down 1.6%.10-year yields pushing up again. Long-dated yields are surging, whilst short-dated yields are falling. US 30-year now at 4.9%. Dow and NASDAQ futures both down 1.8%.Want to invest with Marcus Today? The Managed Strategy Portfolio is designed for investors seeking exposure to our strategy while we do the hard work for you. If you're looking for personal financial advice, our friends at Clime Investment Management can help. Their team of licensed advisers operates across most states, offering tailored financial planning services.  Why not sign up for a free trial? Gain access to expert insights, research, and analysis to become a better investor.

The ASX 200 rose 167 points to 7510 in a Tuesday turnaround. Buoyed by hopes that the tariffs are still negotiable and the US futures showing a good start at least. The market rallied across the board with a special shout out to resources with BHP up 2.3% and FMG gaining 3.5%. Gold miners were also better despite bullion falling as quarterlies beckon. NST ran 5.0% ahead, EVN bounced 5.0% and NEM up 2.7%. Lithium stocks rallied on hopes for more EV stimulus in China, PLS up 5.4% and LTR up 8.1%, short covering helped. In the uranium space, BOE saw shorts in play up 11.0% and WDS rallied 3.3% with STO up 5.4%. Coal stocks also did well, WHC up 8.7%. Banks were solid with the Big Bank Basket up to $237.69 (+2.2%). CBA up 2.8% and MQG bouncing another 3.8%. Financials generally much stronger, GQG up 6.2% and XYZ up 8.6%. ZIP announced a $50m buyback and rallied 6.7%. RETs firmed,  GMG up 0.4%. Industrials were strong across the board, WES up 3.0% with JBH up 3.4% and REA doing well up 4.6%. SGH rallied 4.3% with healthcare stocks also in demand, COH up 1.2% on tariff relief, SIG up 5.3%. Tech also doing well, WTC up another 5.0% with XRO up 4.3% and the All-Tech Index up 4.5%. In corporate news, GYG said it was on track for dividend payment. WPR also better on capex required to convert stores with VEA. In economic news, Consumer sentiment fell, the RBNZ has a temporary governor in Christian Hawkesby. Asian markets recovered along China was muted after talking tough on a fightback. 10 -year yields rallied to 4.23%. Want to invest with Marcus Today? The Managed Strategy Portfolio is designed for investors seeking exposure to our strategy while we do the hard work for you. If you're looking for personal financial advice, our friends at Clime Investment Management can help. Their team of licensed advisers operates across most states, offering tailored financial planning services.  Why not sign up for a free trial? Gain access to expert insights, research, and analysis to become a better investor.

The ASX 200 dropped as expected 325 points to 7343 (4.2%). US futures pointing to another realignment of valuation with a big drop in store. Asian markets are playing some catch-up as China comes back from a holiday. Our market bounced off its low this morning of 7169 with the banks recovering some ground. The Big Bank Basket down 5.7% to $232.68, CBA down 6.2% and WBC off 5.6% with MQG turning positive after an 8% fall to close down 0.8%. Financials were squashed, GQG down 1.9% and PPT does 7.3%. QBE were hit hard as bond yields fall down 6.8%. Some winners in finance though with CGF up 8.3% on a strategic stake acquired and ASK also doing well up % on a NBIO. REITS stumbled lower, GMG down 4.3% and SCG off 3.8% despite rate falls. Industrials too under pressure, WES down 4.9% and CPU off 4.4% with QAN falling 3.7%. ALL came up lemons dropping 6.2% and retail in trouble, JBH down 5.9% and LOV off 8.3%. Travel stocks fell, and tech stocks did better than expected, with WTC actually firmer by 2.2%. The All-Tech Index down 3.1%. Resources struggled as global growth expectations were adjusted, BHP down 6.1% with FMG losing only 3.6%. Gold miners saw profit taking but off early lows, NEM down 3.5% after being down twice that.  Oil and gas stocks declined as crude fell, WDS off 5.8% despite selling a US LNG business. Uranium under pressure again, PDN down 9.6% and BOE off 8.7%. In corporate news, ASK got a NBIO from Ki Corp at 147c, CGF saw a Japanese buyer take a 15% stake. Nothing on the economic front. Asian markets played catch up, China down 7.1%, HK off 12.2% and Japan down 6.7%.Want to invest with Marcus Today? The Managed Strategy Portfolio is designed for investors seeking exposure to our strategy while we do the hard work for you. If you're looking for personal financial advice, our friends at Clime Investment Management can help. Their team of licensed advisers operates across most states, offering tailored financial planning services.  Why not sign up for a free trial? Gain access to expert insights, research, and analysis to become a better investor.

The ASX 200 tried hard but ultimately failed falling 192 points to 7668 (2.4%) for a 4.0% loss for the week. It feels like a lot more. After the drubbing of the iron ore stocks yesterday, all held up better than the market, BHP down only 0.5% and FMG off 0.6%. Elsewhere copper and base metal stocks were slashed, S32 down 5.4% with NIC off 8.0% and MIN falling 9.9%. Lithium once again under pressure, PLS down 4.9% and LTR off 3.1%. Oil and gas stocks were under serious pressure on OPEC+ moves, WDS fell 9.1% and STO down 9.4%. Uranium stocks found little support, BOE up 2.7% and PDN down only 0.7%. Some big moves in JHX down 7.8% and DNL (IPL in old money) dropping 8.2% Gold miners were mixed. GOR up 2.4% and RMS gaining 2.1% but NEM down 2.5%. Banks gave up the unequal struggle with the Big Bank Basket down to $246.87(-1.9%) and ANZ down 3.7%. MQG fell a huge 9.0% with financials under pressure. A report of hacking of some superfund managers did not help. MPL rose 1.1%. At least it wasn't them this time. WOW and COL rose on defensive aspects, retail stumbled and REITs falling, GMG down 5.0%, WES fell 2.5% and SGH off 5.3%. Healthcare stocks eased. In corporate news, ANN bounced 3.0% after saying it would fully offset tariff rises. Nothing on the economic front. NFP in the US tonight. Asian markets muted, China and HK closed for a holiday, Japan down 3.6%Want to invest with Marcus Today? The Managed Strategy Portfolio is designed for investors seeking exposure to our strategy while we do the hard work for you. If you're looking for personal financial advice, our friends at Clime Investment Management can help. Their team of licensed advisers operates across most states, offering tailored financial planning services.  Why not sign up for a free trial? Gain access to expert insights, research, and analysis to become a better investor.

The ASX 200 pushed 9 points higher to 7934 (0.1%) in defensive quiet trade ahead of Liberation Day.  Money flowed into banks and REITs with resources under pressure on global growth fears. BHP gave back 1.5% with RIO off 1.7% and FMG down 1.6%. Lithium stocks poleaxed again, PLS down 3.1% and LTR falling 4.3%. Gold miners too under pressure as AUD rallied and bullion steady, profit taking in NEM down 2.1% and RMS off 3.8% with VAU down 3.3%. Uranium remains in fallout mode with PDN down 3.3% and BOE down 3.4% with nearly 25% of the company shorted now. Coal stocks fell and oil and gas slid, WDS down 1.5% and STO off 0.4%. Meanwhile banks firmed again, the Big Bank Basket up to $250.98 (1%). CBA up 1.0% and other financials also doing well, NWL up 1.9% and MPL rising 2.2%. REITs also in demand, GMG up 3.1% and CHC up 3.2%. TLS continues to creep higher up another 1.2% with retail better too. JBH up 1.5% and MYR rising 0.8%. Even DMP rose 2.5%. Tech better as WTC continued to find friends up 1.1%. CPU dropped again down 4.1%. QAN off 2.5%. In corporate news, new CEO at KLS set to shake things up by trying to sell tourism assets, RPL wrote down its OPT to zero! SGR has failed to secure a $750m lifeline from Salter Brothers and WBC has a new chief people officer. Nothing on the economic front. Asian markets in wait and see mode. 10-year yields steady at 4.41%. Want to invest with Marcus Today? The Managed Strategy Portfolio is designed for investors seeking exposure to our strategy while we do the hard work for you. If you're looking for personal financial advice, our friends at Clime Investment Management can help. Their team of licensed advisers operates across most states, offering tailored financial planning services.  Why not sign up for a free trial? Gain access to expert insights, research, and analysis to become a better investor.

The ASX 200 rallied hard despite negative US futures with a 82-point gain to 7925 (+1.0%). The RBA left rates on hold as expected. Banks were the turn around story with CBA up % and the Big Bank Basket up to $248.66 (1.2%). REITs also in demand as GMG bounced 2.7% and SCG up 1.8%. Financials services still under some pressure, IFT down 1.4% and ASX off 3.0%. Industrials generally firmed, WES up 1.3% and WOW and COL better; Retail was back in demand, as retail sales numbers were released, JBH up 1.1% and PMV up 0.9%. Tech was better, WTC up 2.3% and XRO up 1.2% with ORG rallying 2.7% on news from Earring power station. JHX remained under pressure as the recent acquisition plan continues to spur selling, down 3.9%. Resources were back in demand, BHP bouncing % and FMG up %. Gold miners limped higher, NEM up 1.1% and RMS better by 0.8%. EVN doing well up 1.7%. PLS crumbled 5.5% again as shorts took control, MIN fell 0.8% and LTR down 6.4%.  Oil and gas positive as crude rose, WDS up 1.7% and STO up 1.7%. Uranium under pressure again. In corporate news, AVJ gained 8.3% as it agreed terms with AVID. Looks like Virgin is heading for a June listing. On the economic front, retail sales rose 0.2% slightly below forecasts. Asian markets better across the board, Japan up 0.2%, China up 0.3% and HK up 1.1%. 10-year yields steady at 4.41%.Want to invest with Marcus Today? The Managed Strategy Portfolio is designed for investors seeking exposure to our strategy while we do the hard work for you. If you're looking for personal financial advice, our friends at Clime Investment Management can help. Their team of licensed advisers operates across most states, offering tailored financial planning services.  Why not sign up for a free trial? Gain access to expert insights, research, and analysis to become a better investor.

The ASX fell 139 points to 7843 (-1.7%). Tariff and global growth fears weighed as Asian markets saw profit taking, Japan off 3.8%. Some patches of green with the banks holding up better than expected, CBA up 0.3% but MQG off 3.4% though with the Big Bank Basket down to $(%). Financials geared to the market were in trouble across the board, GQG fell 2.8% with the ASX in trouble with ACCC and ASIC off 2.8%. PNI fell 4.0% with ZIP dropping 7.7% on US consumer slowdown. AMP also falling 3.5%. REITs slid, GMG dropped 2.9% with SCG down 2.0% and industrials also falling. TLS fell only 0.5% on defensive perceptions, CPU down 2.7% and retail sliding, JBH off 1.9% and PMV falling 2.8%. ARB dipped another 3.1% with DMP down 4.6%. ‘Old Skool' platforms also under pressure, REA dipped 3.3% on news NEC were in DD for the CoStar bid, SEK down 4.0% and the All-Tech Index down 2.2%. WTC rallied 1.5% as it named two new directors. Resources which had done better last week, cast all that asunder and we saw selling in the iron ore stocks, BHP down 3.8% and FMG off 4.0% with lithium under pressure, PLS off 8.2% with LTR falling 4.6%. Gold miners were mixed despite gold heading through $4900. WGX fell 1.4% and NST down 1.7%. Oil and gas also lower, WDS off 2.9% and KAR dropping 5.1%. Uranium stocks were knocked over again, PDN down 5.7% and NXG off 7.3%. In corporate news, DHG was the big one today, down 1.6%. Todd Sampson quit the QAN board, and HMC fell 5.8% as talks emerged of ambitions on Healthscope. Nothing locally on the economic front. Asian market fell hard, Japan under serious pressure, off 3.8% with China and HK down 1.7% and 1.0% respectively. 10-year yields around 4.39%Want to invest with Marcus Today? The Managed Strategy Portfolio is designed for investors seeking exposure to our strategy while we do the hard work for you. If you're looking for personal financial advice, our friends at Clime Investment Management can help. Their team of licensed advisers operates across most states, offering tailored financial planning services.  Why not sign up for a free trial? Gain access to expert insights, research, and analysis to become a better investor.

The ASX 200 dropped 30 points to 7969 (0.4%) as the banks came under a little pressure on car tariffs in the US. The Big Bank Basket rose to $245.27 (+0.1%).  Financial services also under some pressure as the OPT fall out continues. MQG down 1.1% and GQG off 1.8%. PNI also falling 3.5%. REITs also under some pressure with GMG falling 4.0% as data centre growth seems to be questioned. SCG off 1.4% and GPT down 2.0%. Tech is also under pressure with WTC off 2.0% as AussieSuper sells out on government issues. The All -Tech Index down 2.6%. REA and CAR fell too with DHG down 4.9% on CoStar revised bid being best and final. Retail down too with car stocks sliding, APE off 2.7%, BAP down 2.5% and ARB down 2.0%. Resources were holding their end up, gold miners pushing ahead again, NEM up 0.7% and NST up 0.8%. GOR rose 3.9% as shareholders urged the board to engage. LTR up 1.5% and MIN slightly firmer. BHP, RIO and FMG seeing small gains. JHX finding some support up 2.1% with uranium shorts back in control. BOE falling 5.0% and NXG off 0.3%. Oil and gas better WDS up 1.5%. In corporate news, TRS soared 109.5% on a huge premium bid from Dollarama. RPL fell another 8.9% as OPT fall out continues. DVP quashed rumours on BGL contract. Nothing significant on the economic front although it looks like Albanese will call an election tomorrow for May 3rd. Asian markets were weaker with car makers under pressure. Japan down 0.9%, HK up 1% and China up 0.4%. 10-year yields 4.50%Want to invest with Marcus Today? The Managed Strategy Portfolio is designed for investors seeking exposure to our strategy while we do the hard work for you. If you're looking for personal financial advice, our friends at Clime Investment Management can help. Their team of licensed advisers operates across most states, offering tailored financial planning services.  Why not sign up for a free trial? Gain access to expert insights, research, and analysis to become a better investor.

Marketing can make or break a business, but for financial advisors, clear and compelling communication is more important than ever. How can advisors stand out in a crowded space? How can they use digital tools to connect with clients more effectively? In this episode of Mitlin Money Mindset®, Larry Sprung speaks with Samantha Russell, Chief Evangelist at FMG, about strategies financial advisors can use to grow their businesses through digital marketing. She shares insights on content strategy, social media, and branding, emphasizing the importance of clarity, engagement, and community-building. Samantha discusses: How simplifying language and avoiding jargon helps advisors connect better with their audience The impact of Google verification and reviews on local search rankings and credibility The power of social media engagement and how authentic interactions can strengthen professional relationships Her late husband Ryan Russell's legacy, including his bestselling children's book and its lasting impact The importance of teaching children gratitude, cultural awareness, and an appreciation for different perspectives And more! Resources: Mitlin Financial   The JOY and Productivity Journal by Lawrence Sprung  Download Your Free Copy of the Couple's JOYful Money Guide Connect with Larry Sprung:  LinkedIn: Larry Sprung Instagram: Larry Sprung Facebook: Larry Sprung X (Twitter): Larry Sprung Connect with Samantha Russell:  LinkedIn: Samantha Russell X: Samantha Russell Website: Samantha Russell Website: FMG Suite About our Guest: Samantha is the Chief Evangelist at FMG and has been helping financial advisors grow through creative digital marketing and communication strategies for the last 10+ years. A big part is helping them switch their mindset from an "outbound cold sales" to a "warm inbound" approach. The strategies she teaches (including optimal website design, SEO, content marketing, social media, and video) have helped thousands of advisors experience significant organic growth and new business over the last 10 years. Samantha is a prolific speaker and content creator, and she often appears on stage at conferences and on the pages of well-known industry publications. She is an Investment News 40 Under 40 award winner, a ThinkAdvisor Luminary, and a WealthManagement.com "10 to Watch" honoree. Disclosure: Guests on the Mitlin Money Mindset are not affiliated with CWM, LLC, and opinions expressed herein may not be representative of CWM, LLC. CWM, LLC is not responsible for the guest's content linked on this site.  

The ASX 200 pushed up 57 points to 7999 (0.7%) after a better lead from the US and benign CPI numbers. Banks once again leading us higher with the Big Bank Basket up to $245.09 (+1.3%). ANZ bouncing back from the big sell down yesterday. Other financials also in demand, MQG up 0.5% and ASX up 1.3% as volumes pick up. REITs better led by GMG up 1.0% and SCG rising 3.3% on Budget news and CPI. Industrials also feeling the love, WES up 0.7% and TCL rising 2.0% with WOW and COL rising 1.7 and 1.5%. Retail was mixed with SUL off 0.8% and LOV falling 1.7% as JBH bounced back 2.5%. Tech was mixed, WTC up 0.3% and XRO down 0.2%. Resources were a happy place as US copper hit record levels. BHP and RIO doing well with FMG up 0.8%. Gold miners were back in demand, NEM up 1.1% and SPR doing well up 4.9% on a RMS upgrade. BGL in a trading halt pending another production issue. MIN bounced 1.8% with LTR up 4.0%. PDN collapsed 11.6% as more issues with rain and production in Namibia, BOE off 4.0% and NXG falling 2.9%. Both WDS and STO were firmer. In corporate news, TUA fell 7.5% on disappointing results, VUL up 12.8% on EU critical project status. WOR CFO resigned. In economic news, CPI fell to 2.4% perhaps opening the door for a rate cut. Budget had no impact. Asian markets mixed again, Japan up 0.8% and HK finding support up 0.3% with China flat. 10-year yields rising to 4.47%.Want to invest with Marcus Today? The Managed Strategy Portfolio is designed for investors seeking exposure to our strategy while we do the hard work for you. If you're looking for personal financial advice, our friends at Clime Investment Management can help. Their team of licensed advisers operates across most states, offering tailored financial planning services.  Why not sign up for a free trial? Gain access to expert insights, research, and analysis to become a better investor.

The ASX 200 gave up strong gains to finish up 6 points at 7943 (0.1%) as US futures turned slightly negative. Banks were mixed with ANZ sold off by 3.2% and CBA up 0.7%. The Big Bank Basket down to $242.05 (-0.1%). MQG had a good day, up 2.6% as financials generally did well. RPL came clean with its exposure to OPT. VG1 rose 0.6% with RF1 down 2.4%. REITs did well, SGP up 0.8% with SCG up 0.9%. Healthcare too in demand, CSL up 1.4% and RMD up 1.5%. Industrials generally firmed, JBH up 1.0% and WTC bouncing 3.8% with the All-Tech Index up 1.1%. REA and CAR bouncing back on tech enthusiasm.Resources mixed again, BHP off 0.7% with FMG sliding 1.3%. Gold miners were slightly better with news of a bid for GOR dominating the sector. GOR rose 13.9% with GMD up 0.6% and SPR up 1.2%. Lithium stocks under some pressure, LTR down 3.9% and MIN back 1.0%. JHX continued to slide, 5% down. Oil and gas stocks firmed with uranium buyers getting a note from their parents to avoid buying. PDN fell another 2.4% with NXG running hot on drill results, up 5.8%. In corporate news, NHC fell 3.6% after downgrading its convertible bond conversion price.Nothing on the economic front ahead of the Budget tonight. Asian markets saw sellers hit HK down 2.2%, China down 0.2% and Japan up 0.2%. 10-year yields steady at 4.43%.Want to invest with Marcus Today? The Managed Strategy Portfolio is designed for investors seeking exposure to our strategy while we do the hard work for you. If you're looking for personal financial advice, our friends at Clime Investment Management can help. Their team of licensed advisers operates across most states, offering tailored financial planning services.  Why not sign up for a free trial? Gain access to expert insights, research, and analysis to become a better investor.

The ASX 200 rose 6 points to 7937 (0.1%) in quiet trade ahead of the Budget. Banks were firm with the Big Bank Basket at $242.34 (+1.5%). Tariff proof fenced perhaps. CBA up 1.4% and insurers better too, QBE up 0.3%. REITs were a little mixed, GMG down 0.6% and SCG rising 0.6%. RPL was smashed 14.8% on news from OPT that it had missed Phase III end point. RPL owns 32% of the biotech. In the industrials, WOW and COL both giving back some of the optimism from Friday's ACCC report. Tech stocks also under pressure, WTC down 2.9% and 360 falling 4.4%. The All-Tech Index down 0.5%. Retail weaker, PMV down 2.9% with NCK off 2.0% and MYR down 2.1%. WES rose as did JBH.Resources were a mixed bag of lollies. BHP fell 0.6% with FMG up 3.2% on some broker upgrades. Gold miners were mixed, VAU down 3.2% with NST off 1.3% and BGL dropping 12.8% on change in substantial holding. MIN bounced 6.9% as the haul road reopened. Oil and gas flat, coal eased, NHC down 4.4% and WHC off with uranium sellers back. BOE down 3.5% and DYL falling 1.8%. In corporate news, JHX announced a huge US merger and dropped 14.5% on the news. HLI fell 25.6% as CBA said it may not renew its contract. SM1 curdled 12.0% on unimpressive results.Nothing on the economic front. Asian markets flat. 10-year yields back up to 4.42%.Want to invest with Marcus Today? The Managed Strategy Portfolio is designed for investors seeking exposure to our strategy while we do the hard work for you. If you're looking for personal financial advice, our friends at Clime Investment Management can help. Their team of licensed advisers operates across most states, offering tailored financial planning services.  Why not sign up for a free trial? Gain access to expert insights, research, and analysis to become a better investor.

The ASX 200 rose 91 points to 7919 (1.2%) as the Fed soothes nerves. Banks did well with the Big Bank Basket up to $238.79 (+1.9%). MQG bouncing hard, up 3.8% as a market player. Other financials also doing well, GQG up 2.8% and NWL rallying 4.6%. CGF put in a stellar day up 5.7%. REITs also rallying hard, GMG up 2.8% and SCG up 2.5% with industrials seeing bargain hunters. ALL up 2.3%, CPU up 2.2% and SGH doing better up 1.9%. Retail showing signs of life, JBH up another 3.1% with WES up 0.9% and WEB rising 3.9%. MYR struggling after the recent robo update. Tech better, WTC up 2.5% and XRO doing well as the All -Tech Index rose %. Resources out of favour today. BHP down 1.1% and FMG tumbling another 3.3%. Gold miners better as bullion held records, NST up 3.1% and GMD up 3.2% with GOR bouncing back 2.1%. Lithium stocks saw the shorts stay their hand, LTR down 4.8% and PLS off 2.5%. MIN continue to disappoint, down 2.1%. Uranium stocks finding buyers again. DYL up 5.2% and BOE up 8.4%. Have we seen the bottom here? In corporate news, NANrose 14.0% after US regulators approved its tool designed to clean endoscopes. ARU bumped 2.7% higher on an offtake deal and CWY jumped 2.0% on an acquisition. TPG also got the Vocus nod, up 5.9%. On the economic front, unemployment came in at 4.1%. Pretty much in line. Asian markets saw some profit taking. Japan down 0.3%, China off 0.4% and HK down 1.2%. 10-year yields slipped to 4.38%.Want to invest with Marcus Today? The Managed Strategy Portfolio is designed for investors seeking exposure to our strategy while we do the hard work for you. If you're looking for personal financial advice, our friends at Clime Investment Management can help. Their team of licensed advisers operates across most states, offering tailored financial planning services.  Why not sign up for a free trial? Gain access to expert insights, research, and analysis to become a better investor.

The ASX 200 fell 32 points to 7828 (0.4%) after a failed rally attempt petered out. Losses across the board with the banks under pressure again, the Big Bank Basket slipping to $234.26(-0.7%). MQG down again off 0.9% with other financials sliding lower, PNI down 5.4% and MFG off 1.8%. REITs down led by GMG off 1.6% and SCG down 1.5%. Industrials also under pressure, ALL off 1.6%, QAN falling 2.7% with tech stocks falling, WTC down 2.3% on the governance update. Utilities also gave up some recent gains, ORG down 1.9% and AGL off 2.0%. Retail was mixed, LOV down 3.3% but JBH found friends on a broker note, up 3.6%. Travel stocks dropped, WEB down 2.9% and CTD off 2.8%.Resources fared slightly better in places, BHP unchanged, RIO off 0.7% and FMG falling 1.0%. Gold miners were mixed despite a push above $3000, EVN off 0.9% and GOR off 4.0%, falling again. SPR fell 1.4% and GMD off 1.1%. NEM up 1.0%. Lithium stocks bid higher but lost momentum, LTR up 2.1% and MIN smashed 3.9% on another accident on its haul road. Well off its lows. Uranium stocks doing well today as shorts continue to cover, DYL up 4.5% and BOE up 3.3%. In corporate news, MYR dropped 1.3% on flat sales. DDR dropped down 1.4% as David Dicker sold down his holding, CMM off 4.2% as it unwound its hedge book.Nothing locally on the economic front, the BoJ kept rates unchanged. Fed to come. Asian markets firm but uninspiring, Japan up 0.6%, China down 0.1%, HK up 0.2%. 10-year yields steady at 4.41%.Want to invest with Marcus Today? The Managed Strategy Portfolio is designed for investors seeking exposure to our strategy while we do the hard work for you. If you're looking for personal financial advice, our friends at Clime Investment Management can help. Their team of licensed advisers operates across most states, offering tailored financial planning services.  Why not sign up for a free trial? Gain access to expert insights, research, and analysis to become a better investor.

The ASX 200 rose another 64 points to 7854 (0.8%) with the banks finding bargain hunters, CBA up % and ANZ rallying % as the Big Bank Basket hit $236.48 ( +1.2%). Financials were mixed, MQG up 1.3% with GQG down 0.5% and PNI rallying 3.2%. REITs were flat as GMG rose 0.3%. Industrials a mixed picture, QAN down 0.9% and WOW and COL slipping slightly, Tech mixed, WTC down 0.6% and XRO up 1.0%. Retails stocks firmed, LOV up 4.2% and PMV rising 1.3% with DMP up 3.6%. Footy has started perhaps! MYR also had a good day, up 3.3%. Resources were the stand outs, BHP up 2.4% and FMG rallying 4.2%. Lithium shorts scrambling to cover with MIN up 11.6% as UBS upgraded. PLS rallying 7.1%. LTR also doing well, roaring 6.2% ahead. Gold miners were slightly better, GMD up 1.8% and SPR rose 9.1% as RMS made its move to merge. Oil stocks formed, WDS up 1.9% and coal better too, WHC up 2.5% with uranium stocks finding a little love. In corporate news, the NAB CFO has switched banks to WBC, SMP jumped 47.1% on news TYR and another was looking at a bid. Nothing on the economic front, Asian markets pushed hard, Japan up 1.3%, HK up 1.3% and China flat. 10-year yields 4.41%.Want to invest with Marcus Today? The Managed Strategy Portfolio is designed for investors seeking exposure to our strategy while we do the hard work for you. If you're looking for personal financial advice, our friends at Clime Investment Management can help. Their team of licensed advisers operates across most states, offering tailored financial planning services.  Why not sign up for a free trial? Gain access to expert insights, research, and analysis to become a better investor.

A solid end to the week with the ASX 200 up 41 points to 7790 (0.5%). For the week the ASX 200 is down 2%. Resources leading the charge higher and Asian markets soaring. Banks flat with the Big Bank Basket down to $233.56 (-0.7%). Insurers gained a little QBE up 1.2% and financials generally better, GQG up 1.4% with MQG rallying 0.8%. REITs were better generally, SCG up 0.9% and GPT up 1.4%. Industrials also saw bargain hunting, WES up 0.8% with BXB up 0.8% and utilities bouncing, ORG up 1.9% and TWE up 1.9% on wine tariffs. Healthcare also back in demand, SIG rising 2.9%. Tech slightly better, TNE up 2.1%.Resources were the stars today, iron ore miners finding some love with BHP up 1.1% and FMG up 2.7%. Gold miners celebrated record gold prices, NST up 2.8%, NEM up 5.7% and EVN up 4.6%.  Lithium stocks also saw gains with PLS up 4.3% and MIN gaining 0.9%. MLX soared 22.2% as tin prices erupted as a mine in Africa closed. Even uranium stocks managed a small bounce, PDN up 2.2% and BOE up 4.5%. In corporate news, MYR announced some C-Suite changes. CYL up 5.2% after initiating production at Plutonic.Nothing on the economic front. Asian market bouncing hard. Japan up 0.9%, HK up 2.5% and China up 1.8%. 10-year yields steady at 4.42%.Want to invest with Marcus Today? The Managed Strategy Portfolio is designed for investors seeking exposure to our strategy while we do the hard work for you. If you're looking for personal financial advice, our friends at Clime Investment Management can help. Their team of licensed advisers operates across most states, offering tailored financial planning services.  Why not sign up for a free trial? Gain access to expert insights, research, and analysis to become a better investor.

 The ASX 200 turned turtle after a promising start and closed down 37 points at 7749. (0.5%). Market heavyweights led us lower with the banks under pressure again, the Big Bank Basket fell to $235.18. WBC off 1.5% and CBA down 0.6%. MQG dropped another 1.2% and insurers slid, SUN off 1.4%. REITS firmed, GMG finding bottom feeders up 1% and SCG rising 0.3%. Healthcare mixed, RMD continuing to fall, down 1.6% and FPH off 1.5%. Industrials fell too, WES off 0.8% and ALL down 0.7% with retail under some pressure, JBH falling 1.4%. Electricity prices are set to rise around 9% on the east coast. PMV off 2.4% and APE falling 2.5%. In resources, Macquarie downgraded coal and coal stocks, WHC down 5.8% and YAL ex div off 12.6%. Iron ore stocks slid too, BHP off 1.8% and FMG down 0.5%. Gold miners doing well today, NEM up 0.9% and NST up 2.5%. Lithium stocks also finding some friends, PLS up 1.8% and MIN moving 3% higher. Oil and gas stocks slightly firmer, uranium stocks also in the green, PDN up 1.8% and BOE up 1.8%. In corporate news, SLH fell 22,2% as the ACCC said they had some concerns on the DP World takeover. NEC appointed Matt Stanton as chief executive.  Nothing on the economic front. Asian markets mixed Japan up 0.3%, HK down 0.7% and China falls 0.4%.10-year yields ease to 4.42%. Want to invest with Marcus Today? The Managed Strategy Portfolio is designed for investors seeking exposure to our strategy while we do the hard work for you. If you're looking for personal financial advice, our friends at Clime Investment Management can help. Their team of licensed advisers operates across most states, offering tailored financial planning services.  Why not sign up for a free trial? Gain access to expert insights, research, and analysis to become a better investor.

Another day, another drubbing as the ASX falls 104 points to 7786 (1.3%) with banks soggy again. The Big Bank Basket down to $236.66 (-1.7%) with NAB and WBC the worst affected. MQG dropped another 1.4% with ASX off 3.8% despite good volumes recently. GQG fell 2.4% and CGF off 1.5%. REITs also in the seller's sights, GMG bucked the trend, up 0.5% and SGP off 1.0% with healthcare under pressure as the holy trinity of CSL, RMD and COH all lost ground. Industrials found it tough going today, TCL fell 1.9% with WES off 2.6% and BXB down 2.6% with ALL slipping 1.6%. Retail once again saw selling, JBH off 1.0% and NCK down 3.5%. Travel stocks all fell, significantly as did gaming stocks, tech slipped with WTC down 1.7% and XRO off 1.1% as the All-Tech Index dropped 1.1%. Resources were again a mixed bag; gold miners rallied but somewhat muted, RMS fell 8.7% on a disappointing mine plan, EVN rose 0.8% and NEM was up 1.5%. BHP and RIO all fell 1.8% with FMG finding some friends up 1.5%. Lithium remains depressed and uranium stocks mixed. PDN up 2.7% and DYL up 3.2%. Oil and gas stocks eased back. In corporate news, IPH fell 10.0% as the CFO quit. Nothing on the economic front with US CPI due tonight. Asian markets eased slightly and 10-year yields rose to 4.43%. US Futures slightly positive.Want to invest with Marcus Today? The Managed Strategy Portfolio is designed for investors seeking exposure to our strategy while we do the hard work for you. If you're looking for personal financial advice, our friends at Clime Investment Management can help. Their team of licensed advisers operates across most states, offering tailored financial planning services.  Why not sign up for a free trial? Gain access to expert insights, research, and analysis to become a better investor.

A quiet muted start to the week with the ASX rising a modest 16 points to 7964 (0.2%) as US futures pointed to another tricky US session ahead. Banks were flat with the Big Bank Basket easing to $241.33 (-0.3%). MQG down another 0.4% with insurers looking better as Cyclone Alfred was downgraded. REITS improved led by GMG up 0.6% with some bottom fishing taking place. Industrials a mixed bag too, QAN off 1.7% and ALL down 0.5% with retail steady, APE rose 3.3% with JBH up 0.8%. Some buying in BXB and CPU with TLS off 1.0%. Tech stocks mixed, WTC off 1.1% and XRO up 0.6% with the All-Tech Index up 0.1%. Resource stocks were generally firmer, BHP rallied 0.6% with RIO doing very well up 3.1% as the capital raise looks to have been put on ice. FMG still struggling. Gold miners still in demand, NEM up 0.6% and VAU up 3.7%. MIN had a good day up 3.3% with PLS rallying too. Oil and gas stocks also finding friends, WDS up 1.9% and BPT up 4.1%. Uranium still toxic, BOE down 3.9% and NXG off 1.4%. In corporate news, GQG were off 0.9% on FUM, JLG fell 12.5% on index changes due on March 25th. SGR looks to have had a last-minute rescue attempt from Bally although it remains in a trading halt. Nothing on the economic front. Asian markets mixed, China down 0.9% and HK off 2.1% with Japan up 0.3%.10-year yields at 4.44%.Want to invest with Marcus Today? The Managed Strategy Portfolio is designed for investors seeking exposure to our strategy while we do the hard work for you.If you're looking for personal financial advice, our friends at Clime Investment Management can help. Their team of licensed advisers operates across most states, offering tailored financial planning services.  Why not sign up for a free trial? Gain access to expert insights, research, and analysis to become a better investor.

The ASX 200 fell another 48 points today to 8198(0.6%). Trump's tariff chaos continues with Mexico and Canadian levies due to take effect in days. Canada has already fired back, losses were tempered as banks found a footing. CBA rose 0.4% with WBC up 0.2% and the Big Bank Basket at $254.30 (). Financials were weaker, MQG down 1.2% and insurers down heavily as Alfred comes to QLD. QBE down 2.0% and SUN down 2.0%. REITs were weaker, GMG off another 0.9% with DXS bucking the trend up 1.6%. Healthcare weaker though CSL up 1.0% in defensive buying. Industrials fell across the board. Some love found for rate sensitive stocks, QAN rose 2.1% on oil price falls. Retail pushed lower, LOV down 3.5% and TPW off 5.3% with WEB falling 4.4% and GYG dropping another 4.4%. Tech dropped with the index down 0.8% Resources could have been worse. Iron ore stocks found some buying, BHP down 0.3% with RIO similar, FMG fell 3.4% with PLS down 3.8% and MIN off 10.2%. Gold miners firm but unspectacular, NEM down 0.9% and EVN up 1.6%. Energy stocks suffering big falls, WDS off 3.1% and STO down 4.7% with uranium stocks still toxic. In corporate news, IFL fell 5.6% as it declined to make an early debt repayment, HCW dropped 7.8% as Healthscope failed to pay some rental invoices. In economic news, RBA minutes showed RBA in no hurry to cut rates and retail sales rose by 0.3% in January. Steady as she goes. Asian markets weaker but 10-year yields continuing to fall to 4.27%.Want to invest with Marcus Today? The Managed Strategy Portfolio is designed for investors seeking exposure to our strategy while we do the hard work for you. If you're looking for personal financial advice, our friends at Clime Investment Management can help. Their team of licensed advisers operates across most states, offering tailored financial planning services.  Why not sign up for a free trial? Gain access to expert insights, research, and analysis to become a better investor.

According to 2023–24 data from the Psychology Board of Australia, there are 48,240 psychologists nation-wide and 0.8 per cent identify as Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander.

ASX 200 pushed 28 points higher to 8268 (0.3%) as results nearly finished. Banks were flat with ANZ up 0.5% and WBC up 0.4% with the Big Bank Basket at $253.25 (). Health insurers raced away on results and increases from April 1. REITs not doing much, GMG down 0.2% as it released the SPP details. Industrials mainly firmer, WTC still suffering down 2.6% with COL reporting and rallying 3.5%. QAN results and special dividend cheered up 5.6% and retail slightly firmer, LOV up 0.5% and PMV up 0.9%. BAP had a solid reaction day up 5.3% and APE shot the lights out, up 19.9% on better-than-expected numbers. IEL crashed 7.6% on worse than expected results. In resources, iron ore stocks found some friends, BHP up 0.8% and FMG up 1.7%. Gold miners pushed higher again, aided by a lower AUD, NEM back up 1.9% with EVN up 1.5%. Lithium and rare earths slightly firmer, PLS up 0.5% and LYC up 0.6%. Energy stocks saw some bargain hunting, STO up 1.2% and KAR posting better than expected numbers up 4.7%. Uranium stocks showed a glimmer of light, NXG up 4.5%. In corporate news, PME fell 3.7% on a 4m share block trade from the founder. NEU jumped 8.9% on better Daybue numbers. RHC jumped 6.8% after it appointed Goldmans to potentially sell its 52.8% in the European business. Nothing on the economic front. Asian markets drifted lower, Japan up 0.4%, HK off 1.1% and China down 0.4%. 10-year yield at 4.34% Want to invest with Marcus Today? The Managed Strategy Portfolio is designed for investors seeking exposure to our strategy while we do the hard work for you. If you're looking for personal financial advice, our friends at Clime Investment Management can help. Their team of licensed advisers operates across most states, offering tailored financial planning services.  Why not sign up for a free trial? Gain access to expert insights, research, and analysis to become a better investor.

 The ASX 200 finished down around 11 points at 8241(0.1%) with CPI coming in as expected. Once again results were the focus, banks found buyers with the Big Bank Basket up to $253.05 (+1.1%) with CBA leading the way up 1.3%. MQG rose 0.6% and insurers flat. REITs were weaker, GMG falling 1.6% and SCG off 3.3% on results. Industrials mixed again, WTC rose 2.1% as White became Chair and results showed no further surprises, the All-Tech Index still fell 1.3% with TLS under pressure off 1.9% and QAN down 2.3%. Retail stocks mixed, JBH off 0.6% with LOV finding friends in all the right places up 5.7%. Travel stocks arrived jet lagged as FLT touched down 10.2% and CTD fell 3.6%. DMP hit another 3.7% with LNW better by 7.8% on results. Resources were back in the doghouse as iron ore fell, FMG dropped 6.2% as it went ex-div, BHP off 1.5% and RIO down 3.4%. Gold miners ran out of luck, NST down 2.8% and EVN off 1.7%. NEM off just 2.0%. LYC fell 1.7% after results showed the effects of low REE prices. Uranium stocks showed more fall out with PDN results bringing no joy and coal down too. WDS gained 3.4% after broker comments. STO going nowhere. In corporate news, WOW fell 3.0% after cutting its dividend, PBH had an abundance of bid interest around the 106c level, up 32.5%. BAP rose 13.4% and WOR up 10.3% on results whereas APX crashed 33.3% on disappointment. PTM also suffering as results were nasty, off 20.0%. KLS was another casualty today, maybe just a flesh would, but down 15.2%. In economic news, the CPI came in as expected and hardly moved the dial. Asian markets mixed, Japan down 0.8% and HK up 2.8% with China up 0.6%.  10-year yields at 4.37%. Want to invest with Marcus Today? The Managed Strategy Portfolio is designed for investors seeking exposure to our strategy while we do the hard work for you. If you're looking for personal financial advice, our friends at Clime Investment Management can help. Their team of licensed advisers operates across most states, offering tailored financial planning services.  Why not sign up for a free trial? Gain access to expert insights, research, and analysis to become a better investor.

 The ASX gave up another 56 points to 8252 (0.7%). Results and a negative US lead dominated. Some real shockers today, JLG, DMP and VEA in the frame. Banks and sellers return with CBA down 1.3% and NAB falling 1.4% as the Big Bank Basket fell to $250.25 (-1.1%). MQG slipped 1.0% and PNI retreated 3.3%. Insurers firmed and REITs did better after the sell off yesterday. GMG failed to inspire again though down another 1.4%. Industrials weakened, WES fell 3.4% with ALL off 2.8% and retail suffering again. JBH down 0.5% with DMP falling 10.5% on results and store closure costs. LOV dropped % on broker downgrades, GYG continued to fall, and WTC remained under pressure ahead of results tomorrow, off 2.8%. Tech generally eased with the All-Tech Index down 1.4%. Resources were weak too, BHP, RIO and FMG under pressure, MIN fell 4.6% and PRN rallied 8.6% on a rethink. gold miners found some buyers, NEM bucked that trend down 2.8%. WDS rose 2.8% on better-than-expected results, VEA collapsed 26.7% on challenging condition in the convenience space, uranium stocks were punished again today.  In corporate news, JLG fell 33.4% as it revised down guidance on lack of natural disasters.ZIP rose 13.9% on better results, HLI up 17.2% too on better numbers. QOR rose 4.3% on results and DRO fell 8.6% as numbers underwhelmed. In economic news, nothing locally, South Korea cut rates by 25bps. Asian markets fell, HK down 0.6%, China off 0.1% and Japan off 0.3%. 10-year yields slipped to 4.39%. Want to invest with Marcus Today? The Managed Strategy Portfolio is designed for investors seeking exposure to our strategy while we do the hard work for you. If you're looking for personal financial advice, our friends at Clime Investment Management can help. Their team of licensed advisers operates across most states, offering tailored financial planning services.  Why not sign up for a free trial? Gain access to expert insights, research, and analysis to become a better investor.

The ASX 200 closed up 12 points at 8308 (0.1%) in a good recovery from early 70-plus point losses. Banks were the turnaround story as buyers went shopping. ANZ and NAB leading the sector higher with the Big Bank Basket at $252.96 (2.5%). Macquarie gained 1.5% as insurers also saw a positive turnaround. NHF dropped good numbers and rose 12.5%. PPT knocked back the Barbarians at the Gate falling 2.3% with XYZ falling 12.9% on disappointing numbers. REITs slipped again as GMG fell 4.1% and VCX down 4.4%. Industrials were mixed, ALL bounced 2.9% with WOW and COL better on defensive buying., Utilities also did well with APA rising 7.7% on numbers. Tech was hit hard as news of WTC directors resigning en masse saw losses of 20.1% in WTC and XRO slipped 1.2% with the All-Tech Index dropping 3.2%. Resources succumbed to gravity after holding up well last week, BHP, RIO and FMG all lost ground. Gold miners eased back, NEM fell 2.8% and NST off 2.1% with lithium plays falling but off lows. PLS down 3.4% and MIN off 0.7%. Oil and gas remained neglected and uranium stocks fell on profit taking. In corporate news, plenty of results, IRE fell 14.5% as guidance came in below forecasts, PRN, REH also under pressure on disappointing results. GYG fell 7.0% as brokers downgraded, XYZ hit hard falling 12.9% as crypto lost ground and LOV felt no love at all down 3.8%. Nothing on the economic front today. Asian markets mixed, Japan on a holiday, China and HK taking a break with HK off 0.6% and China unchanged. 10-year yields steady at 4.44%Want to invest with Marcus Today? The Managed Strategy Portfolio is designed for investors seeking exposure to our strategy while we do the hard work for you. If you're looking for personal financial advice, our friends at Clime Investment Management can help. Their team of licensed advisers operates across most states, offering tailored financial planning services.  Why not sign up for a free trial? Gain access to expert insights, research, and analysis to become a better investor.

Another nasty day as the ASX 200 fell 96 points to 8323 (1.2%) as results and bank falls dominated. WBC fell another % and ANZ joined in too falling 3.1% with the Big Bank Basket down to $251.27 (-2.4%). MQG dropped 1.0% with financial sunder a little pressure. REITs fell as GMG returned to trade down 5.0% after the $4bn capital raise. Industrials were mixed, ALL dropped 4.3% despite a new buy back, WES rose 1.3% on good results, TLS also did well, up 5.6% after announcing a buy back. Retail stocks suffered, JBH down 4.2% and BRG falling 3.0%. CTD continued the positive vibes from the results up 4.7%. UNI did very well on results up 9.7%. In healthcare, PME dropped 3.7% and CSL down 2.3%. Resources suffered as RIO cut its dividend, falling 1.5% and BHP fell 2.0% as FMG were savaged on results, down 6.2%. Lithium stock surprisingly rose after PLS results, up 6.0% and oil and gas stocks rose, WDS up 1.0% and STO rising 2.1%. Coal stocks gained 8.9% on WHC results. Uranium stocks were mildly lower. In corporate news, MAF rose 8.7% on good numbers, WTC in a trading halt on governance issues. MP1 had stellar gains on beating expectations. Casualties included, SUL, MFG, and MGH. On the economic front, jobs data came in as expected at 4.1% unemployment and record participation. Asian markets fell, Japan under pressure on proposed car tariffs. Down 1.5%, HK off 1.4% and China down 0.4%. 10-year yields steady at 4.53%. Want to invest with Marcus Today? The Managed Strategy Portfolio is designed for investors seeking exposure to our strategy while we do the hard work for you.If you're looking for personal financial advice, our friends at Clime Investment Management can help. Their team of licensed advisers operates across most states, offering tailored financial planning services.Why not sign up for a free trial? Gain access to expert insights, research, and analysis to become a better investor.

The ASX took another beating down 62 points to 8419 (-0.7%) as NAB cratered 8.1% and the Big Bank Basket came undone, down to $257.57 (-2.8%). MQG held up well considering, other financials came under some pressure, GQG off 3.2% and HMC down 3.9%. REITs were weighed down by the giant $4bn capital raise from GMG to fund its data centre push. DXS off 2.3%, and SGP fell 3.7% on results. Industrials were mainly weaker, WES off 1.8%, WOW and COL eased, retail fell, JBH down 2.3%, and SUL 2.9% cheaper. Travel stocks did well after CTD cheered the sector, up 10.3%. WEB up 4.4%, and FLT up 3.4%. LNW powered 9.6% ahead on an acquisition and ALL joined in the fun up 1.0%. Tech better, with CPU up 1.4% and WTC off 1.4% and the All-Tech Index gained 0.7%. Resources were patchy again, BHP flat and FMG down 0.6% on legal issues, gold miners rose, NEM up 0.5% and NST up 2.1%. Lithium stocks on the nose, MIN crashed 20.7% as it cancelled the dividend and announced a big loss. Energy stocks sold down again, WDS off 2.0% and STO falling 4.5% on results.  On the corporate front, NAB the biggest disappointment on margin compression and rising impairments. CBA was ex-dividend today, NGI rose 15.5% on results, and SXE jumped 14.2% after very positive results. VNT also out today marched 7% ahead. Nothing on the economic front. Asian markets eased, Japan down 0.3% and HK off 0.2%, with China up 0.6%. 10-year yields at 4.52%.Want to invest with Marcus Today? The Managed Strategy Portfolio is designed for investors seeking exposure to our strategy while we do the hard work for you.If you're looking for personal financial advice, our friends at Clime Investment Management can help. Their team of licensed advisers operates across most states, offering tailored financial planning services.Why not sign up for a free trial? Gain access to expert insights, research, and analysis to become a better investor.

ASX 200 fell 19 points to 8537 well off the lows for the day. Results dominated as the Banking sector had two to contend with WBC underwhelmed falling 4.1%, and BEN crashed 15.3% on higher costs and lower margins. The Big Bank Basket fell to $269.95 (-0.9%). Financials were missed with MQG up 0.7% and GQG putting on another 3.3% but insurers slipped on Dutton's comments and IAG downgrades. SUN down 7.2%. REITs are in demand on rate cut hopes, GMG down 1.1% but SGP up 3.2% and GPT up 4.5% on better-than-expected rates. Industrials mixed, AD8 smashed the bears on a decent outlook, rising 26.5%, tech fell as WTC back on the front page again. The All-Tech Index up 0.2%. Utilities firmed with ORG up 2.7% and retail mixed, JBH up 0.3%, and PMV off 0.9%. Resources were very mixed, gold miners saw profit takers move in following bullion falls, GMD down 3.3% and NEM off 2.8%. Iron ore stocks eased, FMG down 0.6% with energy under pressure, WDS off 2.9% on reserve statement and dividend concerns, STO down 0.9%. Uranium did better than expected, NXG off 4.2% though. In corporate news, WBC disappointed, BEN really disappointed. A2M +19.7% saw good traction in China, BSL rose 13.0% on a positive outlook statement and SGR rose 12.5% on an offer from Oaktree to refinance $650m of debt. Nothing on the economic front. Japanese GDP was better than expected. Asian markets slightly better, Japan up 0.1%, China up 0.1% and HK up 0.2%. 10-year yields rose to 4.45%.Want to invest with Marcus Today? The Managed Strategy Portfolio is designed for investors seeking exposure to our strategy while we do the hard work for you.If you're looking for personal financial advice, our friends at Clime Investment Management can help. Their team of licensed advisers operates across most states, offering tailored financial planning services.Why not sign up for a free trial? Gain access to expert insights, research, and analysis to become a better investor.

ASX 200 rallied 5 points as banks lost momentum. CBA up 0.5%, the Big Bank Basket closed at $273.85 (+0.3%). Insurers slumped led lower by IAG on disappointing numbers, losing 12.6%, SUN also off 4.6% with SDF falling 3.1%. Other financials were ok, MQG up 0.3% and GQG up 0.9%. ASX had a good results driven by volume increases on futures and options. REITs slipped, SCG off 3.0% and industrials mixed. Utilities fell as ORG was underwhelming down 1.2% and QAN dropped 2.0% on a broker downgrade. JBH fell 1.1% with LOV up 1.7% and TPW doing very well on positive results. Up 13.0%. ALL and LNW both pushed higher. TLS fell 1.0% despite plans to offload its data-centre business. Resources were the go-to today. Iron ore stocks in demand, BHP up 2.1% and FMG up 1.8% with good numbers from S32. MIN rallied 7.0% on governance news, PLS up 4.7% and LTR better by 9.2% on a presentation. Gold miners in demand again, NEM up 3.2% and NST up 0.2% with EVN seeing some profit taking down 0.6%. BSL continuing to rally on tariff news. Energy stocks fell as oil dropped on Ukraine's peace plan. In corporate news, SIG rose 6.1% kicking off as Chemist Warehouse with several block trades done as some exited. TWE fell 5.7% on no deal on its cheaper brands. DHG ran 7.0% on news of a new CEO from REA. PME also failed to live up to some expectations falling 3.2% on results. Nothing on the economic front, Asian markets firm, HK continues to charge up 1.9%, China flat but Japan up 1.4%. 10-year yields up to 4.48%.Why not sign up for a free trial? Get access to expert market insights and manage your investments with confidence. Ready to invest in yourself? Join the Marcus Today community.

ASX 200 rallied 51 points to a new record of 8535 (+0.6%) after a slow start dominated by results. CBA set the tone and gained 2.5%, with other banks following in its wake, the Big Bank Basket up to $272.97 (+2.0%). MQG found some love from brokers, up 1.7%, and SUN delivered a special dividend up 1.3%. GQG continued higher by 1.7% with MFG going down 2.7%. BVS knocked the lights out with its results up 18.6%, and CPU also doing well on upgrades to guidance, up 15.5%. REITs mixed but uneventful despite yields pushing higher, CQE continued to gather fans up 2.9% after the good result yesterday. Industrials firmed, supermarkets were better, WOW and COL doing ok. SGH continued to grind higher on broker upgrades, up another 2.8%, and REA rose 1.5%. Healthcare seems to be struggling with US concerns on cutbacks, with PME down 1.2% and TLX off 1.0%. CSL stumbling around but trying hard to find fans, In resources, the Three Amigos were mixed, FMG up and RIO down. Gold miners took a breath, NEM down 2.5% ahead of Barrick results tonight, EVN delivered on promise and rose 1.1%. Lithium miners still squirming, MIN off 2.4% and PLS up 0.5%. Oil and gas stocks were slightly firmer as STO upgraded its reserves, uranium slipping slightly and coal not such a merry old soul, WHC off 2.7%. In corporate news, AGL rose 0.2% on better numbers, and AOV fell 7.1% on less than GUD results. On the economic front, lending indicators today. Asian markets a little mixed, with Japan off 0.1%, China unchanged and HK up 1.6%. Why not sign up for a free trial? Get access to expert market insights and manage your investments with confidence. Ready to invest in yourself? Join the Marcus Today community.

In this episode, we have with us Samantha Russell, the Chief Evangelist at FMG Suite. Doug and Samantha unpacked FMG's 2025 Marketing Guide to explore how financial advisors can turn this year's challenges into opportunities. From optimizing your website to growing your network, we share the strategies to elevate your marketing game.   Resources:  Follow … Continue reading Episode 249 – Marketing in 2025: How Financial Advisors Can Turn Challenges into Opportunities with Samantha Russell →

ASX 200 falls 29 points to 8483(0.3%). Banks steady as she goes ahead of CBA results later this week. MQG fell 0.9% and PNI sliding 4.2% with GQG up 3.1% on FUM numbers. REITs mixed as GMG fell 0.9% and SCG rose 1.1%. Healthcare better, RMD up 0.6% and PME up 0.5% with CSL bucking the trend down %. Industrials flat as retail came under some pressure on JBH results, reversing early gains after conference call. LOV down 2.2% and NCK falling 3.7% despite brokers positive. Travel stocks better, WEB up 0.8% and LNW doing well up 7.9%. DMP steady after the big run Friday. Tech stocks dominated by front page headlines for WTC again, the All-Tech Index down 1.0% with WTC off 4.4%.  In resources, iron ore stocks fell, FMG off 1.5% and RIO fell 1.2% on proposed tariffs in the US on aluminum. Gold miners held up, NEM up 0.7% and EVN up 0.3%. LYC continued higher up 1.9% with PLS down slightly on an earnings update. BSL rose 1.8% on Trump steel tariffs. Energy stocks mixed, STO up 0.4% with BPT firming 4.0%. In corporate news, ANN rose 8.1% on better-than-expected numbers, CAR crashed 6.5% on some disappointment on growth and US price rises and JBH down on rethink. SGR rallied 13.6% on news of proposals for its Queen Street Wharf complex in Brisbane. Citi upgraded its gold price forecast to US$2900 this year. In Asian markets, Japan unchanged, HK up 1.4% and China unchanged. 10-year yields at 4.39%.Why not sign up for a free trial? Get access to expert market insights and manage your investments with confidence. Ready to invest in yourself? Join the Marcus Today community.

 A quiet cautious session as the ASX 200 gave back 9 points to 8411. Down 21 points for the week after a torrid start. Banks were solid ahead of CBA results next week. The Big Bank Basket rose to $268.42 +0.2%) MQG slipped slightly with GQG down 1.3% with insurers steady. REITs better on lower 10-year yields, GMG up 0.6% and CHC up 0.5%. Industrials were mixed, and REA kicked 2.8% on broker upgrades. WES slid 1.1% with retail firm, PMV up 1.2% and SUL up 2.6%. Travel stocks also in demand, WEB up 2.6% and CTD rising 3.3%. DMP rose 21.3% like a cheesy crust as store closures were announced in Japan. Finally. Healthcare on the nose as RMD continues to stagger around after quarterly, down another 2.6%. CSL off 1.1% and PME falling 1.5%. Resources were generally weaker, though iron ore miners rose, BHP up 0.6% and FMG up 1.9%. Gold miners saw some profit taking, NST down 2.4% and WGX off 2.0%. Rare earths LYC up 6.1% on Chinese fears, and lithium stocks walloped as CATL rumoured to be reopening a lepidolite mine. PLS down 4.3% and LTR off 4.4%. Energy stocks fell, STO down 0.9% and WHC down 3.9% with uranium under pressure. In corporate news, MMS fell 10.4% on a broker downgrade, and NCK rose 10.5% on better-than-expected results. SIG guided up and rose 3.2%. Nothing locally on the economic front. Asian markets mixed, Japan down 0.6% and HK up 1.5% and China up 1.7%. 10-year yields slightly higher at 4.36%.Why not sign up for a free trial? Get access to expert market insights and manage your investments with confidence. Ready to invest in yourself? Join the Marcus Today community.

Have you ever heard of Bioethics? Us neither! Dr Evie Kendal talks us through the asteroid that's on a collision course with Earth, and how there's a lot of unanswered questions about who is in charge of space defense and if maybe we shouldn't do anything at all. Being a Thursday we've got to get a movies and streaming update from Shane the Movie Analyst. Meanwhile one of WA's biggest companies, FMG, seem to be skimping on what we believe is an Australian worker's right. Also do you think Angie keeps saying a naughty word?See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The former vice president of Federated Farmers (and Wairarapa arable farmer) is leaving FMG to take up the top job at Irrigation New Zealand.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Trying to leverage email marketing to follow up with leads? Learn how to harness the untapped potential of email marketing to captivate prospects, cultivate valuable relationships, and propel your financial advisory business to new heights. Join C2P members, Matt Seitz, Chief Marketing Officer, and Cary Chaitoff, VP of Marketing, as they share practical tips and proven strategies to help you create compelling campaigns, segment your audience, and boost conversions. Whether you're an email marketing novice or a seasoned pro seeking to sharpen your edge, listen for game-changing insights you can deploy immediately to supercharge your lead generation and client acquisition efforts.Resources:Email marketing platforms: FMG, Broadridge, Snappy Kraken, Constant Contact, MailChimp, ZohoAdvanced marketing automation: HubSpot, ActiveCampaign, Act-OnStatistics:65% of marketers don't have a lead nurturing strategy in place. Using "video" in subject lines boosts open rates.Starting subject lines with "most" increased open rates by 24%. 

 As we continue our spotlight on wool this week, all thanks to FMG, we're joined by the GM of registered charity ‘Campaign for Wool NZ' to look at how their work is impacting the industry.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

FMG's sustainability specialist starts Wool Week on The Country by discussing how FMG supports New Zealand sheep farmers and her hopes for a “wool renaissance”.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Kayla Gottschalk, SFP, FMG is Launch Lead at Switchyards, the world's first neighborhood work club, where she is a passionate advocator within the built environment who believes the physical space truly enhances the experience. Mike Petrusky asks Kayla about her FM and workplace career journey as a young professional who entered the field on a mission to lead space transformations, improve business operations, and create globally inspiring spaces. They discuss the power of community connections through IFMA and the opportunity for industry leaders to think creatively and deliver the workplace experiences people desire today. Join the conversation as Mike and Kayla explore the many ways we can all be improving our work and places as they drive around Atlanta together and help inspire you to be a Workplace Innovator! Connect with Kayla on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kayla-gottschalk-sfp-fmg-51a80624/ Learn more about Switchyards: https://switchyards.com/ Watch the full video of this episode: https://youtu.be/5tnAuZktPqM?si=Yu_JpRe4OZBOivXe Check out more of the “On My Way To Work” video series: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLSkmmkVFvM4E39sM-pNaGhLoG0dkM947o Discover free resources and explore past interviews at: https://eptura.com/discover-more/podcasts/workplace-innovator/ Learn more about Eptura™: https://eptura.com/ Connect with Mike on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mikepetrusky/  

In this episode of Building Texas Business, I sit down with Chantell Preston, CEO of Facilities Management Group. She takes us through her journey of transforming the healthcare industry - from an unexpected start managing facilities to founding Mentis Neuro Rehabilitation. Chantell's strategic moves in positioning her company through the pandemic era offer key leadership lessons. We discuss her transition in fostering trust and respect amongst staff, vital for a positive culture, especially in difficult times. Her reflections on setbacks emphasize emotional readiness for both failures and leadership burdens. Wrapping up on a lighter note of future dreams, from travel adventures to family time, Chantell offers a well-rounded portrait of an impactful leader. SHOW HIGHLIGHTS Chantell Preston shares her unexpected entry into the healthcare industry and how it led to her role in developing numerous healthcare facilities across Texas. We discuss Chantell's experience founding and successfully exiting Mentis Neuro Rehabilitation, a company focused on traumatic brain injury patients. Chantell explains her strategic decisions and leadership style transformation during the COVID-19 pandemic, emphasizing the shift from an authoritarian to a collaborative approach. We explore the importance of trust, respect, and open communication in maintaining a positive team culture, especially during challenging times. Chantell recounts the lessons learned from entrepreneurial setbacks, including the emotional toll of difficult business decisions and the significance of building strong relationships. We discuss the tactical choices made to support frontline workers and expand service lines during the COVID-19 pandemic. Chantell reflects on her evolution from a closed-off, authoritative leader to a compassionate and empathetic one, inspired by her business partner's example. We talk about the challenges and liberation of breaking societal norms as a female leader and the importance of achieving work-life integration. Chantell shares her personal dreams of travel and family time, highlighting the difficulty of balancing a busy work schedule with personal aspirations. We discuss the advice Chantell gives to young entrepreneurs, emphasizing the importance of focus, having a supportive team, and being ready to pivot when necessary. LINKSShow Notes Previous Episodes About BoyarMiller About Facilities Management Group GUESTS Chantell PrestonAbout Chantell TRANSCRIPT (AI transcript provided as supporting material and may contain errors) Chris: In this episode, you will meet Chantell Preston, CEO of Facilities Management Group. Chantell is a self-described risk taker who emphasizes the importance of establishing trust and respect in building a strong company culture. Chantell, I want to thank you for coming on Building Texas Business. I appreciate you taking the time. Chantell: Thanks, Chris. I appreciate you inviting me to come on. Chris: So let's just kick this off by telling us a little bit about Facilities Management Group, the company you're currently CEO of. Chantell: Sure, so Facilities Management Group. We're really a platform company. We own and operate healthcare facilities throughout Texas. Initially, when I took it on, we had a hospital in Las Vegas, but we divested that and sold that to a local system there, and so now our main facilities are here in the Texas market. Chris: Okay, and I know this isn't your first venture in the healthcare space Tell us a little bit about how you got involved or found yourself being an executive in the healthcare industry. Chantell: Sure, it's kind of an interesting story, chris. I don't think any of us know when we graduate from college where we're going to end up in life, and I can truly tell you I never thought it would be health care. So you know, straight out of school I got a great opportunity to go to work for a small company that was developing ambulatory surgery centers. Didn't know anything about ambulatory surgery centers but I knew the folks that were in the organization. So took the leap of faith and I just wanted to learn every aspect. I felt like if? How could I go out and sell things if I didn't realize or understand how they were operated? So took the opportunity to really dive into the health care and learn both the development aspect as well as the operational aspect. Best thing I ever did. From there just kind of soared, I became very niched in regards to building healthcare facilities. I've built over 65 hospitals in my career, whether they're LTACs, rehabs, full acute care hospitals, linear accelerators. So I just kind of found a niche. I really enjoyed watching something from concept to operations. However, I got to a certain point in my life I decided I didn't want to be a consultant forever. So my previous partner and I started a company called Atlantic Health Group. We were going to be a surgery center company. We realized the market was saturated at that point, so we started a company called Mentis Neuro Rehabilitation. Mentis was assisted living rehabilitation for traumatic brain injury patients. To be honest, we really didn't know much about it when we started. We built an amazing team to operate the company for us and then we realized how much need there was for traumatic brain injury patients, so we continued down that path. I continued to build facilities to generate revenue, to build Mentus, so we didn't have to raise huge capital. So we bootstrapped everything together and we took Mentus from concept to exit in 2015. Chris: Wow. Chantell: So we exited the mid-market. And then comes back to what are you going to do with your life from there? So I really stayed for about a year and realized that just my heart wasn't in it anymore. Things changed. We built such an amazing culture, so really focused on what was the next phase of my life. That's when I ended up taking over facilities management group. One of my partners that was operating the entity got ill and so I stepped up and said I'll take over, and that's when we really developed Facilities Management Group. At that point, we had a lot of individual facilities running independently of each other and we wanted to build a platform company that we could have some synergistic services across all facilities. So that was 2018. And so that was a great ride. I learned a lot. Six months after I took over, covid hit so you can only imagine what happens with the hospital industry when that happens? Chris: Yeah, I'm sure there's. We'll get into that because there has to be a lot of good stories there, but I can't help but notice that, as you told, that is, you talked about being thrown in cold, knowing nothing about the industry healthcare that is but then you found yourself evaluating opportunities for surgical centers and then the mental health, brain injury type of facilities that you mentioned. I want to talk about what type of processes did you go through, and or with your partners, to evaluate the opportunities when you're like, okay, what's next or what else can we do? What are some of the things that you found to be valuable and useful in going through that process, as well as maybe some of the things you wish you hadn't done? Chantell: Sure, Great question, chris. You know, as we all go through our career, we, you know, we try to evaluate things. Everybody looks at things very differently and you know you probably say I'm a calculated risk taker. So, again, I wanted to be able to find a path where, you know, my number one was I wanted to help people. You know, I think most of us get into health care because we have this naivety that we really, you know we can make a change in the world, and I think we do, just maybe different than what we anticipate when we go in. So I think it's really about when I would look at each of the opportunities that came up. You know, again started at a small company and I wanted to learn as much as I could, and then I got recruited from there. Once I found a niche for myself, I didn't really have to go looking for jobs. People would come to me, but then it was like, okay, I learned some hard knocks at the same time as to going to work for folks, because they throw a lot of money at you or they say, oh, we're going to create this amazing environment, and then you get in and you realize this is not really a productive place for me to be and in those situations you just try to take, learn everything you can, you know, gain as much experience and knowledge, because I look at everything as a stepping stone to the next place. So when we, you know, when we started Atlantic, it was kind of an interesting scenario because I had a ton of development partners that I had already established that I was working for as an independent consultant. I didn't really want to be a consultant forever. I wanted to build something, I wanted to have some security. So I actually talked my partner, my business partner, into leaving his organization because he had a skill set that I didn't have. So he was really more around the finance side of things, operationally, and I was really more the development aspect. And so you know, and I was really more the development aspect, and so you know, I think it's really important when people look at their careers, a everything in life is a stepping stone to the next thing. I mean, you have to look at it that way. What can I get out of this particular situation to advance my overall objectives later? Chris: Sure. Chantell: But also who you're getting in bed with and I speak a lot to entrepreneurs. It's really important to pick your partners wisely. And when you say your partners, you know I tell people it's like a marriage. Oh well, we're best friends. We're never going to, you know, get sideways with each other. Well, it is important that when you're going into a partnership, you know even a company is what's it going to look like if we got divorced? I look at everything as it's kind of like a marriage. Chris: No, no, Look, I advise clients all the time into the same thing. You know, be careful, Don't do 50-50 unless you have a good deadline provision. But it is they are. I can attest from being on the litigation side of these things. They are truly business divorces when they go south, and we always tell people it's better to invest up front to getting your documents right. You don't want to think you and your best friends could ever go south, but there's a reason. There's a bunch of law firms and lawyers that stay busy because that's what happens. Chantell: Right, and I was fortunate not to go through that. To be honest, it was just, I was very cognizant and I think when I was younger I didn't realize the value I brought. So I felt like safety was in numbers, right, and sometimes we create an environment around us because it makes us feel protected and then at the end of the day you go, wait a minute, what about me? And so you know again, lessons learned. You know, we also have a tendency, you know, adhd. We're all entrepreneurs. We like to do lots of different things. You know a few mistakes that we made along the way was we started getting into things that we didn't know too much about, because it was the shiny penny oh this is great, let's go do this and then, oh my God, we would either lose a ton of money. You know a lot of headaches. We didn't stay focused on our core business and it kind of school of hard knocks a little bit. It took us a little bit of time to realize that, hey, we need to solely focus on, you know, our core business, mentis, and let's stop messing around with all this other stuff that seems like it's fun and exciting. Let's stay focused on our core business until we reach. You know what we were hoping to accomplish. Chris: That's great advice. The discipline of staying focused on your core and what you do best can't be overstated. So many people lose their way because of the distractions, and you're right. They end up costing more money than you expected and taking more of your time away, and it takes it away from your core, so then it suffers. Chantell: That's right, and people don't realize. You know, time is the one thing we'll never get back in life, and so if you're looking and focusing your attention on something else, what are you losing at your core business? And I see a lot of entrepreneurs and a lot of people oh, I want to go do this and this. Again, we did it Not successful, but we did it. And so now, when I'm looking at things and where do I want to go next, it's where do I want to spend my time, knowing that if I spread myself too thin or too many things, I won't be as successful as I want to be. Chris: Yeah, that's great advice. I hope people are taking notes on that. So let's go back. You kind of left us a minute ago taking over the reins at FMG, right before COVID hits. Obviously, you have to manage through that in the healthcare space. Take us back to that time. What were some of the things that you learned, having to manage through such an uncertain period of time? Chantell: When I took over FMG there was a couple things that identified very quickly. Again, they were all running as independent facilities and there was no collaboration and really the culture there was no culture. You know, in my previous organization with Mentis and a lot of the companies I've been involved with, culture was huge. You know, you wanted people to want to be there and fortunately we were able to quickly build a culture that we felt and it was actually proven true through COVID that people wanted to be there. You know I was very visible in our facilities. I wanted people to know me, I wanted to hear what they had to say. As a new CEO coming in, you know, tell me how can we help you do your job more effectively? How can we help you be happier? You know, looking at things in a different perspective, other than you need to be here nine to five every day, do exactly what we want, right? You know, when COVID hit, the uncertainty of everything I mean we were. Some of my facilities were emergency rooms at the time, some of them were hospitals. You know we had limited staff, we had limited services. You know, when COVID hit it was really interesting because with the unknown of nobody really understanding the magnitude of what was happening. It was decisions on a day to day basis. Right, you know, everything was a crisis every single day. It was a very time for me, as a leader, to figure out how could I continue to hold on to this culture that we had built so we didn't lose staff, right? So, but also giving our staff the ability to take a break every once in a while, even though we didn't really have folks to fill in for them, in for them. So it was a time that we really had to bond together. And again, me being in our facilities during that time, even though I really couldn't do much to help, but at least showing my face, saying hey, I'm here with you and I'm standing beside you, especially on some of those hard decisions, I think made a big difference for our success. Chris: Yeah, you raised an interesting point there because first of all, I mean I it's been four years and maybe the memories start to fade but health care frontline workers, right, that was ground zero for the response. So I can only imagine the taxing environment for your employees. Most CEOs can be there shoulder to shoulder with their employees and maybe actually get in, you know, step in on the manufacturing line or pick up something and help out in the shop, and if you're not a licensed physician or a PA or a nurse, you can't right, you couldn't do the work, you could just be there to encourage them. Chantell: That had to be a challenge. You know you're right, because we just want to jump in and help and but there was a lot of things that what I could do and again you know, spirits high, helping clean, I mean there was, you know, again it wasn't above anybody. We had to kind of all throw hands in, all hands on deck, to help out in any aspect. And so we did what we could to try to motivate and try to help give people some breaks and give them the resources that they needed, and that was a big thing. That we did was just trying to get the resources that they needed, and so it was a trying time, but again we came across. You know, as a CEO, I wanted to be able to expand our service lines because we knew what was coming. And you know, after we got kind of settled in and we realized this was going to be a longer, a longer path than we thought, we converted all of our ERs into hospitals so we could provide additional service lines. So there was things that we could do on the strategic and on the management side where we weren't necessarily in the trenches, but yet it provided our staff some amazing resources that they needed. Chris: So you talked about culture and how important it is. It doesn't have to necessarily be at FMG, but just in your role as a leader. What are some of the things that you have done to try to build that positive, sounds like collegial team environment type of culture at the various organizations you've been? I mean, is it kind of the same playbook every time, or you know? If so, what is it? And if it's changed, how do you adapt? Funny question I'm just going to. I'll give you a quick story. You know? If so, what is it? And if it's changed? Chantell: how do you adapt? Funny question. I'm just going to give you a quick story. You know there's a lot of people that have been with me for the last 10, over 10 years, so they've seen me kind of develop as a better leader as I've gotten a little bit older. So in my old days, I have to tell you I was probably very authoritarian, very dictatorship it's my way, no way. And leadership, it's my way, no way. And then, as I've gotten a little bit older and through you know my role at FMG I realized I can't continue to lead like this. This is not how to get the most productivity out of my staff, and so I changed a lot in regards to how to build a culture. And so now you know people will tell you these are the four principles I use authenticity, I want to build trust and respect. You know again, you know I'm going to be very direct with individuals. I don't beat around the bush and I think anybody that knows me knows that. Collaboration I want people to have the ability to have a say. I want them to take ownership. You know used to as my way. You know we're going to do things my way. Now it's let talk about it Because, in today's world, I want my staff members they're there for a reason and that's to come together in a path or a process that everyone feels like is going to be beneficial to the organization. Now, it doesn't mean I won't give them my thoughts, but again, that collaboration and that belonging, I want them to feel like they're part of the team. Whether you and I both know, in an organization everyone's valuable and I want everyone to realize how valuable each member is and where they fit within that organization. Authenticity, trust, collaboration yeah, those are communication too, you know. Chris: Oh, for sure. Chantell: We used to be like we wouldn't tell anybody anything, you know, just say here's our goals, to go do them. Now we really talk about why you know and really have those hard conversations about this is you know the company. And when we went through COVID I know everybody's tired of hearing the COVID stories, but when we went through COVID, you know we would tell them hey, this is why we're doing this. And it wasn't just oh, they're causing us all these headaches. You know they're pushing stuff down. No, it was. We're doing it because of X, y and Z, and that made people appreciate it a little bit more, versus us just shoving things down. Chris: Yeah. Chantell: And so I think communication is a big one as well. Chris: Couldn't agree more. I mean, I think you know, at the end of the day, all those things sound really good and are important, but if you're not communicating effectively, it won't matter. That's right. So, something that occurred to me, I want you to talk a little bit about being innovative, because I know for sure at FMG, because I just know enough about the story that in the middle of all that y'all did some pretty innovative things that other competitors of yours weren't doing. That required some really quick on the fly decisions to get some innovative things going. So tell us about that. It helped the patients and it helped your facility. Chantell: Sure, you know, one of the perks of dealing with a smaller organization is we can make quick decisions. So when all of this was happening, you know we did have to get innovative in regards to how we were running tests, how we were treating the patients, what we were doing when we couldn't find patients higher level of care. So there was a lot of innovation that we did, you know, whether it was streamlining our processes, whether it was, you know, the equipment that we were bringing in to try to mitigate certain things. I mean, there was a lot of stuff that we did that if we weren't going through that time, we probably wouldn't have been forced to do so quickly, if that makes sense. And so there was some stuff that we tried to do in regards to you know, I'm trying to think of some specifics. A lot of it's around the labs and the testing side of making sure that our patients are being treated in-house versus having to send things out. I mean, we just tried to do everything we could to control our own destiny. Advert Hello friends, this is Chris Hanslik, your Building Texas business host. Did you know that Boyer Miller, the producer of this podcast, is a business law firm that works with entrepreneurs, corporations and business leaders? Our team of attorneys serve as strategic partners to businesses by providing legal guidance to organizations of all sizes. Get to know the firm at boyermiller.com, and thanks for listening to the show. Chris: Well, for example, I know one of the things you did was very quickly developed an app so patients could schedule an appointment that you didn't have before. Chantell: Yeah, that's correct. We tried to do some things so people would mitigate being around other, you know, possibly infected COVID people. So, yes, we did do some things to try to limit exposure during that time, just because, again, we didn't know what was going to happen long-term. Chris: So I guess one thing that people may not know about you that we want to talk about is, in addition to this professional you know journey you've described, you do a lot and have done and continue to do a lot where you advise other entrepreneurs. I want to ask you a little bit what are some of the kind of the key nuggets of advice that you tend to provide, and maybe what are some of the mistakes you see young entrepreneurs making that you try to correct before what still can be corrected, I guess Sure, it's kind of interesting. Chantell: The world has changed a lot in regards to entrepreneurship. You know, in our day it was just work your ass off. You know 24-7 and just try to climb the ladder. You know now, with some things that have happened, you know, with technology, sometimes they have this misperception that it's just going to be easy, it's going to be rainbows and unicorns all the time. It's not. There was many nights we'd sit at the bar going, holy shit, how are we going to make payroll? So I mean again, I think it's bringing that true realism back into their world of hey, you're not going to go get a CPT code for a device that doesn't exist in six months. It just doesn't work like that. And I think sometimes these young entrepreneurs are given almost bad counsel because they think that things are just so easy. Well, so-and-so did it, so I can do it. I see that a lot. I do get the opportunity to speak to some of the entrepreneurship classes up at UT and I do probably focus more on the negatives versus the positives, because I've always learned more from my failures and my successes. Some of the things of hey look, be focused. You know you don't have to have everything figured out, but have a pretty good path of where you're headed. You know, and surround yourself with the folks that are going to build you up, not break you down. You know, as an investor as well. I look at who's the team. If you've got a good jockey, I'm going to go ahead and support you. Having that right team in place is so critical and you want it to be more than just one individual. You know you want to make sure if they get hit by a bus, somebody else is right there ready to take the company. So I think that there's just little things that you know. I would probably give some insight to the entrepreneurs of you know, again, you're going to have good times and bad times. The bad times will come and go. But again, being willing to pivot If something's not working, don't wait too long to pivot or to reevaluate maybe certain aspects of the organization. Chris: Okay, so you brought it up, but I was going to. You said you learn more from your failures than successes, so tell us a story it's story time now, chantel a failure or setback that you've encountered, experience that you survived because you're sitting here today, and what that learning was and how it made you better. Chantell: So we talked a little bit earlier about how we got a little bit outside of our wheelhouse of oh, let's go do some different things, because we, you know, have been very successful at what we were doing. We were trying to purchase a hospital group out of bankruptcy. We thought, oh, how hard can this be? We can run organizations, we can run ASCs. Why can't we do this? It was a very eye-opening experience because when we got in there, we hadn't really had a path forward as to what we were going to do or how we were going to do it. It was just like, oh, we'll figure it out as we go. We also didn't think about other things that could come in and really impact us that we couldn't control. So we had purchased, we were in the process of purchasing this group, they were in bankruptcy, and then we had a flood. Well, we had just finished remodeling a hospital here in town. The flood came in. It flooded the hospital. At that point we were kind of at a place where there was not much more we could do. It was a horrible time to have to tell all those individuals that worked so hard with us that we were going to have to let them all go and you know lessons learned. You know there was positives in there because I remember the day we were getting ready to tell these poor individuals we were going to fire them the night before. You know we probably drank too much and you know it was a very emotional situation because I'd worked hand in hand with these individuals for so long. Chris: Sure. Chantell: And I remember having to tell them in tears I mean, you know, I know we're not supposed to be emotional, but these are these people's livelihoods. I was emotional, I you know I was not in a great place and I remember, after that happened, one of the the janitors came up to me and she said don't worry, chantel, we're going to be okay. But are you going to be okay? Chris: Oh, wow. Chantell: And I realized, you know, even through this failure, we had built such great relationships with these individuals and made them feel valued in so many ways that you know again, that's probably a really good example of learning myself of how important it is for relationships you know and building that trust as a leader. Chris: Well, to what to point you made just a minute ago. There is emotion in business. For sure, people try to carve it out and maybe for decades that's been the mentality, but it's ignored the reality that there's emotion in business and you're affecting people's lives when you are hiring them and when you're firing them. So you know people that lose sight of that are missing the boat, and I think how you manage the emotion in the business is one thing, but don't make the mistake of thinking it's not there. Chantell: No for sure, and you know, again, my old days I would have never showed, you know, a whole lot of emotion. I will tell you, though, being authentic with people just builds more trust. And look, some people say I'm very challenging to work with. You know, because I'm very specific, I'm very direct, but you know where you stand with me at all times, you know, and I had a situation last year where I had to let someone go, and it was. I mean, I really love this person as an individual, but this just wasn't the right place for them, and I tried very hard to mentor, to get him to that place, and I just couldn't, and it was very emotional to have to say, hey look, this is not, you know, the best place for you. The greatest return was six months later. They contacted me and said thank you so much. The best thing you ever did was have that conversation, and now I found a place where I love I'm being respected, and so, again, I think we all have emotion. It's as you mentioned, it's how you use it. It's okay for people to realize that you're human. I mean you know I'm human, I mean, and so I have emotions, and there's people I like and, again, you are impacting their lives and they're impacting yours. Chris: For sure, and I mean I have a number of stories similar to the one you just shared, where you run into an employment situation that's not working. You, knowing that it's not working, have to make a decision, expend a ton of emotional energy over it, worried about it. My experience has been, I think I can say, almost every time, despite that hard conversation, that person ends up in a better place because it's where they were meant to be. And we say this all the time. We're not trying to be the largest organization. We just want to be the best for those that fit with our mission and what we're passionate about and our values. And doesn't mean we're right for everybody and that doesn't make people a bad person. Chantell: That's right. Chris: There there's another organization where they're going to fit. Chantell: And and, and she did say to me she goes thank you, because I always knew where I stood with you and thank you for always being very direct. You know and that's the other thing people hide from those conversations. I'd rather have those conversations, you know, leading up to it. Look, here's the expectations. Let's talk about how you can get there, and I'm always happy to mentor and advise, but at some point you have to say, hey, look, this just isn't the right place. Chris: Right. Chantell: And so, and that's OK too. Chris: So let's talk a little bit about as you built these companies. You've had to have key stakeholders and relationships with them that are part of the success, that's vendors, customers. Let's talk about what are some of the things that you've learned that have helped to kind of build, nurture and grow those types of strategic relationships, if you will. Chantell: Sure, most of the people that I still work with, I've worked with for many years and I think you know I tell people all the time my integrity is the only thing that I really is mine in this world. My kids have everything else, but my integrity is mine. I think it's really being fair with people. You know I'm loyal to a fault, but I'm also again, I don't want to say high maintenance, but I have great expectations of people as well. And so if you look at a lot of the vendors, you know, again, they've been with me forever because I'm very loyal to them, I'm very fair, I'm very direct and they're good to me. Chris: Right. Chantell: You know, and I think as I've gotten older I had never realized the importance of relationships and how you have to be very intentional with giving and taking Right Right. But I also know with my vendors, they do a great job for me. I'm going to, I want to give them out to everybody else. I mean, I'm going to drive business their direction. And so I think that you know, with the stakeholders, a lot of people make a mistake of. You know everyone's got to win. You know that's just the reality. There's an abundance for everyone in life. You know, one of my best friends is a direct competitor of us. We laugh all the time. We can't be friends in public, but we can be friends behind closed door. But there's an abundance for everyone in life and so if you treat people like that and you're fair, I think you know you win, everyone wins. Chris: Everyone wins, and that's the thing I think finding the way where everyone can win, sure, and there's the value in kind of reciprocity, right, when someone does treat you well, that you obviously should treat them well in return. But have that be a lesson how you should be treating others that you're coming into contact with, right, absolutely, absolutely. So you mentioned this earlier because I like to talk about leadership style and you've kind of alluded to some of your evolution. Any more you can share kind of on how you view your style, how you feel like it's evolved and maybe some of the things that have helped you make those steps to kind of grow from the command and control to the more collaborative leader. Chantell: I think self-awareness, I think when we're younger, we think we're invincible and we do no wrong. I think self-awareness, I think when we're younger, we think we're invincible and we do no wrong. I think self-awareness has been critical for me, just for personal growth, right. So I also realized, you know, I wasn't getting the most out of the people and I realized that how I came in impacted everybody around me, if that makes sense. Chris: Sure. Chantell: So when I walk in and I'm closed off, everyone's going to scatter. If I walk in and I'm in a great mood and I say hello to everybody, your energy that you put out, you get back. And so I think, as I've gone through my career path, I've realized that, getting more and really I had a great partner, business partner, that he would talk to everyone. I wondered how he got anything done some days because he was just the most jovial guy that loved everyone and he would sit and listen to people for hours and I used to say I don't know how you do this. Isn't this driving you crazy? You know, I just I want, I don't want to know what time it is, I want to know, yeah, I want to know what time it is. I don't want to know how to build the clock. And I realized how much everyone respected him because he not only cared about them on the job, he cared about the whole person. Right, and people felt that. And I finally asked him one day. I said can you teach me how to be like that? Because I want people to realize I do care. I may not come across and show it, and so I that's how I kind of evolved, of taking that time and realizing ten minutes out of my day of sitting down and really focusing and being present with people, how much more they wanted to be there, how much more productive they were, and so it's really again being the leader that you have to establish boundaries. I'm not saying you, you know, let everybody circumvent their ladder, but having the ability to really show how much you care for those individuals and also what's going to put them in a position to be a better employee, right, right. And look, I went through a big thing with my team about working from home. Okay, I hate working from home, ok. Chris: I hate working from home. I'm just going to tell you that I like the collaboration. I like everyone in the office. You know that you're in good company. There was literally an article in the online Houston Business Journal this morning about that topic and how everything is swinging back to five days a week in the office. Chantell: That's right, and it was a big fight in my office about that and I finally said, okay, let's compromise, because I realized that some of them were driving an hour both ways, okay. So Mondays and Fridays we have home days. Tuesday, wednesday, thursday, we're all in the office. So again, I met them where they wanted to be and how could they be most effective. And I realized, having that time at home, where they didn't have 5,000 people walking in their offices every day, they were more productive. And so again it's you know. You know you asked me a specific question about how I've changed. I mean, I've really come, you know, 180 in regards to who I was many years ago versus how I am now. Chris: Well, and what I hear you saying is there was an evolution and development in your leadership style that started to focus on and demonstrate humility and empathy, absolutely, you know, going back to kind of the work remote thing. I think those things, what you've got going on, can be successful because you have to start with why are we here? It's the why around the company, and we have to all agree that the company has to survive in order for any of us to have any benefits. That's right, right and so what's that going to take? And then where can there be some compromise around? You can't sacrifice productivity and you can't sacrifice delivery of services or you won't have the business. Right and right. It's really to me, getting clear around that, communicating, that we talk about communication with clarity and really everyone understanding the why absolutely, and I'll just we'll talk about the elephant in the room also being female, I mean. Chantell: So in my younger days I thought in order for me to gain respect, I had to be that authoritative bitch. You know. Basically Because that's what society told me, you know in order for me to be able to play in a man's world, I had to really be that person. You know, as my career, and I got to a point where I didn't need anybody's approval or permission. You know, I realized, got to a point where I didn't need anybody's approval or permission I realized, wait a minute, I can be my authentic self. I can be compassionate, I can be empathetic and I can still be a damn good leader at the same time. Chris: That had to be liberating. Chantell: It was very liberating, and I try to instill this with a lot of the women that I talk to now. It's okay to be who we are. Let's use our innate qualities that make us such great individuals in our professional lives. You know, and I mean again, people say I'm aggressive. That's okay, I'll take it and I can be, but it enables me to also utilize what I need to build the culture and the team that I want, and so I think that's also been, you know, the last 30 years. It's also changed a lot, you know, as a society, but that's also breaking the societal norms of, oh, I have to be a certain way in order to be a good leader. I don't think that's true anymore. Chris: I agree with you Again. I think there's been an evolution in how we think about business, corporate America, whatever. And again I go back to as long as we realize that there are certain fundamentals that, no matter what is going on, we have to do for the business to survive. Then we can look on the fringes and go okay, where can we make maybe some things a little more accommodating. Chantell: Exactly so. Chris: I like to talk about those a little bit. So what are some of the strategies that you've employed to kind of and you mentioned being a mom, being a leader, being an entrepreneur to help, not necessarily balance, but be successful in both your business and personal life? Chantell: Great question. Here's my theory behind that. There's no such thing as balance. Chris: That's why I didn't use the word. Chantell: I call it work-life integration. I can't say I've figured it all out, chris. I'll just be honest and I think it's being very intentional with your time. I used to let a lot of people control my time, meaning, you know, I was always willing to meet whenever they were available. I was willing to move around things because it was important to them. I've now really been intentional about taking control back of my own time, and that's time for myself in the mornings, that's time for my kids, but that's time for work too, and so I think we all have to establish boundaries. Because I used to work 24 seven. I'd be at dinner. I mean, my five-year-old used to say mom, please put the phone down, and I would thought I was that important that I had to respond to that email, right. That second, because that's how important I was. It's not true, and I think that really establishing you know we also try to get through our entire things to do list every day what are the top three priorities I really need to get done today? Okay, let's focus on those. First, because we all know once everybody starts coming to the office, you're going to get blindsided 5,000 different ways. So really prioritizing maybe three items that I need to get done that day and then all the rest of it's great if I do, but if I don't, it's okay to walk out of there at 4.30 to go to my kids' game, right. And so I'm really trying to be intentional with my time. I'm not going to say I'm successful all the time. Chris: You know, but I've really tried with that. You have to keep in mind no one's perfect right, but I think, if you have, those intentions, that thoughtfulness about how you're going to approach your day, and I totally agree with the work-life integration. I think that's a much better way to think about it than balance, I mean. Chantell: I've learned you can have it all. You just can't have it all at the same time. So, everything in life is about a give and take. It's about you know you're sacrificing something for something else. And so it's again where are you in your life, what's important to you? I mean, I waited late in life to have children, you know, and now I'm going to enjoy my kids. So again, doesn't mean I'm sacrificing my professional, but I do amazing conversation. Chris: I really appreciate it. I want to kind of turn to some less business topics that I like to cover with all my guests. So what was your first job? Chantell: My first job. I worked at Mount Asia when I was in high school. I loved scooping ice cream and I loved hosting birthday parties for small kids. Chris: Okay, so that was it. I was going to ask what Mount Asia was. It's that golf off I-10. Chantell: So yes, that was it. I was going to ask what Mountasia was. It's that golf off I-10. Chris: So, yes, that was my first job. I love it. Do you prefer Tex-Mex or barbecue? Chantell: Tex-Mex, of course. Chris: All right. And if you could take a sabbatical for 30 days, where would you go? What would you do? Chantell: Oh gosh, A sabbatical for 30 days. Chris: Does that exist I? Chantell: don't know. I think I would really just like to travel the world. You know, I spent so much time working I would never take more than two days off at a time. I never got to see a lot of the world, and so I think it would probably just grab my kids and just embrace a great trip with my family. Chris: That sounds great. Yeah, pick a spot and go enjoy it Absolutely. Very good. Well, again, this has been great. Thank you for taking the time to share your story Lots. Special Guest: Chantell Preston.