Podcasts about Westpac

The global AI investment boom is gathering pace, with OpenAI signalling its intention to eventually join rivals Anthropic and SpaceX on the US sharemarket, potentially fuelling another wave of capital raising worth hundreds of billions of dollars across the industry. SBS Finance Editor Ricardo Gonçalves speaks with Loftus Peak Chief Investment Officer Alex Pollak about what the AI listing race means for investors, while Adam Dawes from Shaw and Partners breaks down a softer day on the ASX after the long weekend. Plus, Matthew Hassan, Senior Economist at Westpac, explains why Australians are turning away from property as the wisest place for savings and what weakening consumer sentiment could mean for the economy.

Boletín 27/05/26: Westpac recibe una multa de 26 millones de dólares por conducta negligente al no responder adecuadamente a clientes con dificultades económicas.

**Westpac fined $26 million over financial hardship cases** National Reconciliation Week marked around the country... - **ウェストパック銀行は、経済的に困窮している顧客に対して適切な対応をとらなかったとして、重大な過失行為により2,600万ドルの罰金を科されました。**オーストラリア統計局の最新データによると、オーストラリアのインフレ率は3年ぶりの高水準を記録した後、鈍化していることが示されました。SBSの日本語放送は火木金の午後１時からSBS3で生放送！火木土の夜10時からはおやすみ前にSBS1で再放送が聞けます。SBS日本語放送ポッドキャストから過去のストーリーを聞くこともできます。無料でダウンロードできるSBS Audio Appもどうぞ。SBS 日本語放送のFacebookとInstagramもお忘れなく。

IS tej nkauj nyab rov qab los rau Australia, kho Australia cov kev pab nrhiav hauj lwm rau neeg Australia ua, NSW cov tshuaj flu vaccine, Westpac cov kev raug nplua, ASIO thiab Akram, tej lus hais rau lub limtiam Reconciliation Week, Ukraine tej cuab yeej tsov rog, Pope Leo 14 tej lus tawm tswv yim txog Aritificial Intelligence (AI), Cob Tsib yog ib lub ntawm kaum lub teb chaws tsim hlau muag, Cob Tsib cov kev tawm tsam nrog cov intellectual property copyright, lus lwm hau zos Xaysomboun cov kev thov txim, Thaib lub Supreme Court tsab cai Bad-Faith Criminal Litigation 2026.

Listen to the Top News of 27/05/2026 from Australia in Hindi.Find our podcasts here at SBS Hindi Podcast Collection. You can also tune in to SBS Hindi at 5 pm on SBS South Asian on digital radio, on channel 305 on your television, via the SBS Audio app or stream from our website.Sorry is not enough: Calls grow for action on Stolen Generations justice and healingNSW's first Migrant Workers Centre opens in Sydney to support temporary visa holders

Kia ora. Welcome to Thursday's Economy Watch where we follow the economic events and trends that affect Aotearoa/New Zealand. I'm David Chaston and this is the international edition from Interest.co.nz. Today we lead with news commodity markets are betting all-in that a deal between the US and Iran will unlock the Strait of Hormuz soon. An Iranian State TV report has triggered the optimism. (And even though the US has denied it.) More ships are transiting, but it is still only a fraction of 'normal'. However it is enough to drive the price of crude oil lower. But despite all that, financial markets seem to remain unconvinced, or at least they have turned defensive due to what lies ahead of a resolution. How well any deal will stick between the two parties who have become quite transactional remains to be seen. Certainly the US is unlikely to be trusted to maintain the deal by both Iran, and even its own traditional allies. Iran will be Iran, agreeing but preparing for another attack/fight. The one thing the US/Israeli thing has done is solidify the Iranian regime's position at home. It no longer has internal dissent or street challenges, and it will thank Trump for that. In the US, mortgage applications fell sharply last week, as US 30 year mortgage rates rose. Most of the fall is from the outsized retreat in refinance activity (-18%), although new purchase activity did dip as well. Those mortgage rates rose to their highest level since August 2025. Meanwhile, the ADP tracking of private payrolls showed the good levels continued last week, even if there was a small dip posted. And that is supported by factory survey data out from the Richmond Fed for the mid-Atlantic states area. New order levels rose notable. And firms expected growth in prices paid to moderate slightly over the next 12 months. But there was no improvement in the forward expectations, despite these improvements. Meanwhile the Dallas Fed services sector survey remained quite negative, even if less so in May than in April. But their uncertainty metric is notably less. There was a US Treasury 5yr Note auction overnight and that delivered a yield of 4.13% (4.18% high), up sharply from the 3.90% yield at the prior equivalent event a month ago. In Australia, consumer price inflation came in lower than most analysts were expecting for Aril. It rose 4.2% from a year ago, lower than the March 4.6%, and lower than the expected 4.4%. From March, CPI prices rose +0.4%, also lower in the same way. A key reason is that fuel prices fell -7.0% from March to April, after rising 33% in the previous month. The fall this month includes the halving of the fuel excise on 1 April. Fuel prices are still +23.5% higher than in February and before the impact of the Middle East conflict. Apart from fuel, outsized rises were recorded for 'housing' (+6.3%) and 'clothing' (+5.9%). The main contributors to the annual housing rise were Electricity (+22.5%), New dwellings (+4.7%) and Rents (+3.5%). And staying in Australia, Westpac has been hit with a AU$26 mln civil penalty for not dealing with clients who were struggling financially in a proper way. Remediation of all costs to those clients was AU$1.7 mln. The UST 10yr yield is now just on 4.48%, down -1 bp from this time yesterday. The price of gold will start today down another -US$49 at US$4450/oz. Silver is down -US$1.50 at just under US$74.50/oz. Oil prices have fallen -US$4.50 to just on US$89.50/bbl in the US, while the international Brent price is now at US$95/bbl. The Kiwi dollar is up +60 bps from yesterday at this time at 58.9 USc. Against the Aussie we are up +110 bps at 82.6 AUc. Against the euro we are up +50 bps at just under 50.7 euro cents. That all means our TWI-5 starts today at just under 62.4 which is up +60 bps from yesterday. The bitcoin price starts today at US$74,765 and down -1.5% from this time yesterday. Volatility over the past 24 hours has been modest at just on +/- 1.0%. Join us later today for full coverage of the 2026 Budget release, an election budget of course. You can get more news affecting the economy in New Zealand from interest.co.nz. Kia ora. I'm David Chaston and we'll do this again tomorrow.

The Australian Government has unveiled its Budget, with the Iran war continuing to loom large. Gross debt is expected to hit $1 trillion for the first time this year, and the federal government isn't expected to be back in surplus until 2036. The Australian Treasury is forecasting inflation will peak about 5%. Treasurer Jim Chalmers says they're dealing with the fifth economic shock in less than 20 years. Westpac Chief Economist Kelly Eckhold told Ryan Bridge that all the new measures the Budget introduces are backloaded, so they might be spending a bit of money now, and might not get the savings later. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Kia ora. Welcome to Wednesday's Economy Watch where we follow the economic events and trends that affect Aotearoa/New Zealand. I'm David Chaston and this is the international edition from Interest.co.nz. Today we lead with news oil prices are still rising as the two sides dig in in the Persian Gulf with no obvious off-ramp for this toxic situation. And hot on the heels of what is being seen as this humiliation of the US in the Middle East, Trump is heading to Beijing where the Chinese are waiting to attempt to get the US separated from Taiwan. Their chances seem better because China seems much less reliant on the inward-looking US. But first, the overnight dairy Pulse auction brought little-change in prices from last week's full auction event. In the US, their April CPI inflation rose slightly more than expected, coming in 3.8% higher than year-ago levels and a three year high. Trump's war pushed fuel costs up (+17.9%). But it is pushing non-fuel costs up too with core inflation its highest in 7 months. Electricity prices are up +6.1%. (Remember, this data is from the Trump-friendly 'new management', so we should remain sceptical.) The weekly ADP Pulse monitoring reports that the private sector added +33,000 jobs in the last week of April, keeping up the page it has reported for the prior five weeks. An new monitoring shows it is not a good time to be young in the US. The NFIB Small Business Optimism Index was little-changed in April and near its 11-month low of 95.8. Analysts had expected a small improvement, but it was not to be with survey respondents concerned about rising inflation, and affordability stress on their customers. Overall US household debt was basically steady in Q1-2026 according to the latest update. But their Federal Government debt is increasing in cost and at a faster face. The overnight auction for their ten-year bonds came in at 4.41% median yield, up from 4.23% at the prior equivalent event a month ago. The May USDA WASDE report exposes the risks to American agriculture from creeping changes to their climate. They now concede that the US wheat crop will be sharply lower this coming season. Reductions from the EU, Argentina, and Australia are being forecast too. Corn production is likely to be lower too, although that is off this year's record harvests. All this pressure probably means there will be no US Fed rate cuts for the foreseeable future. If there are any movements, rises are the more likely. Across the Pacific, Japanese household spending turned worryingly lower in March as inflation started to bite and their households turned risk-averse. They are saving more. Household spending there fell -2.9% in March, much more than the -1.8% drop in February and below the expected -1.3% retreat. This is the fourth straight decrease and the largest. India's CPI inflation rate inched up to 3.5% in April from March's 3.4%, not the big rise (to 3.8%) that was anticipated by market watchers. In Germany, their ZEW Indicator of Economic Sentiment was expected to get more negative in May that in April, but in fact it got less negative, which was a market surprise. Economic expectations are brightening, they say. In Australia, they released a fairly ambitious Budget overnight, doing more needed reform than anticipated. But it is still a budget in deficit, even if less so. With some unusual bravery, they are tackling stubborn policy areas and will no doubt have to use some political capital to do so. Redistribution pain will bring howls from the usual suspects at the top end of the wealth spectrum. They have been aided by stronger than expected starting point from tax flows from commodities and corporate good health. Here is one less-partisan analysis. But accelerating cost pressures are squeezing margins and demand is cooling, with the latest NAB Monthly Business Survey signaling a tougher operating environment for Australian businesses. This April survey shows purchase cost growth lifted sharply to +4.5% in April, outpacing product price growth at +1.8%. Business conditions fell while confidence marginally but it is still deeply negative (in fact, its worst since the pandemic). Those surveyed reported that forward orders fell further in April to be down sharply since February and giving up all the gradual gains achieved over the past year. Only mining orders rose and to be fair these were outsized gains in that sector. (Later today, we expect to get the Westpac consumer sentiment survey results.) The UST 10yr yield is now just on 4.47%, up another +6 bps from this time yesterday. The price of gold will start today down -US$44 at US$4678/oz. Silver is down -50 USc at just under US$85/oz. American oil prices are up another +US$3 at just over US$101.50/bbl, while the international Brent price is at just over US$107.50/bbl, also up +US$3. The Kiwi dollar is down -30 bps from yesterday at this time at 59.4 USc. Against the Aussie we are up +10 bps at 82.3 AUc. Against the euro we are unchanged at just under 50.7 euro cents. That all means our TWI-5 starts today at just over 62.7 which is down -20 bps from yesterday. The bitcoin price starts today at US$80,465 and down -1.9% from this time yesterday. Volatility over the past 24 hours has been modest at just under +/- 1.5%. You can get more news affecting the economy in New Zealand from interest.co.nz. Kia ora. I'm David Chaston and we'll do this again tomorrow.

The ASX 200 we dropped 134 points to 8744 (-1.5%) today as the banking sector came under extreme pressure. We saw CBA down 1.9%, WBC down 4.8% ex-dividend today and the Big Bank Basket falling to $288.50 (-2.3%). Other financials also under pressure today, with the insurers falling as QBE updated the market on their gross written premium expectations and MQG suffering after reporting their second-biggest profit ever, falling 1.1%. Other financials also in trouble today included GQG falling 4.1% and the ASX down 3.2% too, with ZIP giving up some of its gains this week. REITs also under pressure with GMG down 1.9% and SCG down 2.4%. Industrials generally were weaker today, with WES continuing to fall as well, down 2.0% with ALL slipping lower too. Healthcare once again eased back, with CSL falling again and RMD slipping 0.9%. Both COL and WOW slipped today, as well as utilities, where we had ORG down 2.3% and APA down 2.0%.Resources generally were somewhat better than their banking cousins, with BHP down only 1.0%, RIO off 0.8%, and the gold miners easing back, but generally a little mixed, and we had NST down 2.5%. Lithium stocks slipped, and we saw energy stocks as well under some pressure, with WDS down 1.4% and the coal stocks easing back together with uranium stocks.In corporate news today, REA rose 1.4% despite lowering its full-year cost growth guidance. QBE reaffirmed its guidance, and TAH continued to fall on analyst downgrades following the investigation launched by AUSTRAC. We also had NWS results today with a stronger-than-expected third quarter.Nothing on the economic front as we await US NFP numbers for April. Locally, Westpac pushed out its next RBA rate rise to August. UK Council elections see 'Reform' doing well.Asian markets saw losses today; Japan slipped 0.4% on the Nikkei, HK down 1.1% and China down 0.5%.US futures slightly higher. Dow up 85, Nasdaq up 137. European markets set to fall around 0.7%.—Marcus Today – Daily Market InsightsMarcus Today provides clear, practical commentary for self-directed investors – covering markets, portfolios, education, and decision-making without the noise.If you'd like to go further:Start a free 14-day trial of Marcus Today http://bit.ly/mt-trial-podcastJoin Marcus Today Use code MTPODCAST for 10% off http://bit.ly/mt-join-podcast-offerMT20 – Managed ETF Portfolio A professionally managed portfolio run by Marcus Padley and the team, using ASX-listed ETFs with active market timing. http://bit.ly/mt20-podcastPrinciples – How We Think About Investing A short video series on timing, behaviour, and decision-making. No stock tips. http://bit.ly/mt-principles-podcast—Disclaimer This podcast is general information only and does not consider your personal circumstances. It is not personal financial advice.

Send us a question/idea/opinion direct via text message!The Cotality-Westpac First Home Buyer Report May 2026In this special guest episode Kelvin Davidson is joined by Satish Ranchhod from the Westpac Economics team to discuss the latest co-branded First Home Buyer Report.They cover off the Iran conflict, the implications for NZ's economy, inflation, and interest rates, then what it might all mean for first home buyers.Lately FHBs have remained a dominant force in the property market, accounting for high shares of transactions, and also getting 'more house for their money' - supported by a soft market, plenty of listings, and low deposit lending allowances at the banks.Indeed, Westpac's own data shows that the average LVR has recently gone above 80%, while the average FHB age has dipped a little.Ultimately, it's a continued good news story - and FHBs still have reason for optimism in the coming months too.Sign up for news and insights or contact on LinkedIn, X @NickGoodall_CL or @KDavidson_CL and email ngoodall@cotality.com or kdavidson@cotality.comThis podcast is for educational and entertainment purposes only and does not constitute financial, legal, or tax advice. The hosts are not licensed Financial Advice Providers in New Zealand. All information is of a general nature and does not take into account your personal situation or goals. Please consult a qualified professional before making any financial decisions.

Peter Merel: When a Hub-and-Spoke Executive Hijacks Your Agile Transformation — And What to Do About It Read the full Show Notes and search through the world's largest audio library on Agile and Scrum directly on the Scrum Master Toolbox Podcast website: http://bit.ly/SMTP_ShowNotes.   "Either you're going to do what you know works, or you're going to step away. Either way, you're not going to do damage to your client." - Peter Merel   After a successful transformation at Commonwealth Bank of Australia, Peter Merel moved to Westpac, another major Australian bank, expecting to replicate the same approach. He found an executive who appeared eager to support an agile transformation — but this executive saw agile as the ideal form of micromanagement. Everything and everyone revolved around this one individual, and as Peter began facilitating conversations that didn't hub on the executive, the executive felt disempowered. Peter was blind to this dynamic — he had never encountered it before. The situation deteriorated because Peter had been hired to run a push-based transformation, when he knew from experience that only pull-based transformation works. At Commonwealth Bank, he had built a thin steel thread from business through to DevOps with a small group, proved it worked, and then grown it organically. At Westpac, he let himself be persuaded to push change into the organization, and it compromised everything. The lesson Peter shares is stark: if you can't do what you know works, and you can't step away, then you are the problem. He also warns that when coaches fail this way, they make life harder for whoever comes next — a responsibility that's easy to overlook in the moment.   In this segment, we talk about pull-based transformation and why push-based change programs consistently fail in large organizations.   Self-reflection Question: Are you currently in a situation where you've compromised on your approach to change — and if so, are you doing more damage by staying than you would by stepping away? Featured Book of the Week: The Agile Way by Peter Merel Peter's own book, The Agile Way, is his modern translation of the Tao Te Ching — a 3,000-year-old text he argues was originally about how to achieve agile development in organizations large and small. Peter first started translating this text in 1989, and after decades of iteration, the book draws connections between ancient wisdom and modern agile practices — XP, Lean, Theory of Constraints, throughput accounting, and permaculture. As Peter explains, "The sage in Lao Tzu is Shang Ren — agile people. This is a book about agile people, agility, and it always was." The book is available at agile.way.pm, and Kent Beck, who wrote the foreword, calls it "a dangerous little book" — dangerous in the same sense as the word extreme.   [The Scrum Master Toolbox Podcast Recommends]

Westpac's CEO says they have noticed changing customer habits in the backdrop of a tougher economy. The bank's half-year profit is up four percent, with its net profit rising to $545 million dollars. It's down 19 percent on the previous six months. CEO Catherine McGrath says businesses are getting good at controlling what they can. "There's a little bit less money being spent on things like hospitality and retail spend - with businesses, some of them are pausing a bit on whether they want to do their expansion plans." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The local market slid by 0.2% today as investors juggled a hawkish Reserve Bank and a dangerous escalation in the Middle East. Overnight, oil prices jumped 5% following missile exchanges in the Strait of Hormuz, including reports of Iranian strikes on a UAE port and the US sinking Iranian boats. This "oil shock" pushed the RBA to raise interest rates to 4.35%—a third consecutive hike that effectively undoes all of 2025’s rate cuts. Westpac fell 2.3% after missing half-year profit expectations, while Flight Centre defied the gloom, surging 4% despite a $10 million hit from war-related disruptions. Energy stocks rose 1% as crude prices climbed. Steve Daghlian and Laura Besarati are Market Analysts at CommSec. Each episode, they break down the day's market movements and explain what the numbers really mean. The content in this podcast is prepared, approved and distributed in Australia by Commonwealth Securities Limited ABN 60 067 254 399 AFSL 238814. The information does not take into account your objectives, financial situation or needs. Consider the appropriateness of the information before acting and if necessary, seek appropriate professional advice.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Wednesday 6 May 2026 The top five business stories in five minutes, with Sean Aylmer and Juliette Saly. RBA hikes interest rates Westpac sold-off after earnings EV sales surge Qantas CEO upbeat LVMH looks to sell brands Hit follow on the podcast so you don’t miss the latest news. Join our free daily newsletter here. And don’t miss the latest episode of How Do They Afford That? - how not to make your finances overly complicated. Get the episode from APPLE, SPOTIFY, or anywhere you listen to podcasts.Support the show: http://fearandgreed.com.au/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Westpac's CEO says they have noticed changing customer habits in the backdrop of a tougher economy. The bank's half-year profit is up four percent, with its net profit rising to $545 million dollars. It's down 19 percent on the previous six months. CEO Catherine McGrath says businesses are getting good at controlling what they can. "There's a little bit less money being spent on things like hospitality and retail spend - with businesses, some of them are pausing a bit on whether they want to do their expansion plans." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Wednesday, 6 May 2026 The RBA has lifted the official cash rate in a bid to rein in inflation, and made it clear that another hike could be on the way. Westpac sold-off after earnings EV sales surge Qantas CEO upbeat LVMH looks to sell brands Hit follow on the podcast so you don’t miss the latest news Join our free daily newsletter here And don’t miss the latest episode of How Do They Afford That? - how not to make your finances overly complicated. Get the episode from APPLE, SPOTIFY, or anywhere you listen to podcasts.Find out more: https://fearandgreed.com.au/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Send us a question/idea/opinion direct via text message!The April Home Value Index (HVI) results are in, and while the national median technically rose by a modest 0.1%, the broader picture is one of a flattening market. This week, Nick Goodall and Kelvin Davidson peel back the layers on the regional divide - why are Auckland and Wellington softening while Christchurch and Invercargill continue to climb?We also dive into a surprising dose of 'hopium' from the March economic data. With filled jobs up 0.3% and the NZ Activity Index (NZAC) hitting its fastest growth in over three years, we ask if the economy is showing more resilience than expected, or if these are simply lagging indicators of a pre-conflict world.This week, we discuss:April HVI results: The national median is up 0.1%, but regional variability is the real story.The regional divide: Why Auckland's supply pipeline and Wellington's 'vibe' shift are weighing on values compared to the farming-backed strength of the south.March economic resilience: Filled jobs grew by 0.3%, and the NZAC rose 3.2% - could Q1 GDP be stronger than the RBNZ expects?Labour market preview: Why we expect the unemployment rate to hold steady at 5.4% this week.RBNZ watch: A preview of Wednesday's Financial Stability Review (FSR) and the ongoing quest for transparency.First home buyer report: A teaser for our upcoming release with Westpac, including surprising data on buyer ages.Sign up for news and insights or contact on LinkedIn, X @NickGoodall_CL or @KDavidson_CL and email ngoodall@cotality.com or kdavidson@cotality.comThis podcast is for educational and entertainment purposes only and does not constitute financial, legal, or tax advice. The hosts are not licensed Financial Advice Providers in New Zealand. All information is of a general nature and does not take into account your personal situation or goals. Please consult a qualified professional before making any financial decisions.

"There's a real risk to fall into the trap of believing... 'Oh, that's just how it's done there.'"— Audette Exel AOGoverning across borders is not just a compliance exercise — it requires a clear view of where global standards must hold firm, and where local knowledge must lead. Audette Exel AO has been doing this for nearly three decades through Adara Group, which operates across Australia, Nepal, Uganda, and Bermuda, and through board roles at Westpac and Suncorp.In this episode, she talks through the real differences between governing large institutions and small purpose-driven organisations, the practical challenges of oversight in low-infrastructure environments, and why she believes local teams are not just an operational necessity but a governance priority.________________Follow Podcast Host ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Richard Conway⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ on LinkedInFollow ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠boardcycle⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ on LinkedInVisit the ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠boardcycle website

Australia's starting to feel the economic effects of the energy squeeze stemming from conflict on the other side of the world. Annual headline inflation surged to 4.6% in March, up from 3.7% in February. It's the country's highest inflation rate since September 2023, when the economy was bouncing back after Covid. Westpac Chief Economist Kelly Eckhold told Ryan Bridge that New Zealand's inflation is unlikely to reach the same peaks. He says New Zealand economists are predicting a peak of around the mid-4s, whereas Australia's are expecting it to go well over 5%. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

One of the country's biggest banks is calling on social media giant, Meta, to do more to protect New Zealanders from fraud and scams on its platforms. Westpac New Zealand CEO Catherine McGrath spoke to Ingrid Hipkiss.

Westpac's chief economist says the ongoing closure of the Strait of Hormuz will have very serious consequences for the economy. Kelly Eckhold spoke to Ingrid Hipkiss.

The ASX edges higher despite fresh warnings from corporate Australia, with Qantas and Westpac flagging the financial impact of the Middle East conflict as cost pressures build. Ricardo Gonçalves unpacks the latest market moves and what they mean for inflation and interest rates, speaking with NAB Chief Economist Sally Auld and LGT Wealth Management CIO Scott Haslem, while new data reveals rental stress has hit record levels. Cotality's Head of Research Gerard Burg joins to explain why Australians are now spending more than ever on housing and what's driving the shortage.

Another bank is predicting an upcoming OCR raise. ANZ has already picked three consecutive Official Cash Rate hikes in July, September, and October. Now Westpac says it's becoming more of a possibility next month - but is more likely in September. Chief economist Kelly Eckhold says the Reserve Bank will work from specific indicators. "They're looking for indications that the peak in inflation will be even higher than they currently expect." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The ASX snapped a two-day slide today, lifting 0.5% on renewed hopes for a US-Iran peace deal. While gains halved from morning peaks following the start of a US Navy blockade in the Strait of Hormuz, the market remained resilient. BHP surged 3.2% after reports that China is reopening doors to its iron ore, but the corporate "war toll" weighed elsewhere. Qantas flagged an $800 million fuel hit, Westpac fell 2.6%, and Cleanaway cut profit guidance. Meanwhile, consumer confidence plunged 12.5% to near-record lows. Steve Daghlian and Laura Besarati are Market Analysts at CommSec. Each episode, they break down the day's market movements and explain what the numbers really mean. The content in this podcast is prepared, approved and distributed in Australia by Commonwealth Securities Limited ABN 60 067 254 399 AFSL 238814. The information does not take into account your objectives, financial situation or needs. Consider the appropriateness of the information before acting and if necessary, seek appropriate professional advice.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Reserve Bank is expected to take a long-term view on inflation when it sets interest rates today. Economists expect the central bank to play it safe and keep the Official Cash Rate at 2.25% until later in the year. It's the first Monetary Policy Statement since the Iran war began. Westpac Chief Economist Kelly Eckhold told Mike Hosking the bank will be focused on where inflation is heading, not just where it is now. He says it'll forecast what inflation looks like in 12 months rather than three. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Christopher Luxon's weekly interview; An update on how the Middle East conflict is hitting the New Zealand economy from Westpac's Chief Economist Kelly Eckhold; analysis from a maritime expert about how many oil tankers are in their way to New Zealand; Illegal cigarettes being sold at much cheaper price

The Houthi armed group has entered the conflict in the Middle East, raising fears another key route for oil supply could be choked off. Westpac Chief Economist Kelly Eckhold spoke to Corin Dann

A new survey shows people are starting to take action to reduce their fuel costs. Westpac's survey asked 400 people how they felt about the war, and nearly half said they'd thought about driving less. Westpac's , who manages institutional and business banking spoke to Ingrid Hipkiss.

Australian Property Market SpecialWhat do rising interest rates actually mean for your borrowing power, property strategy, and investment decisions in 2026?In this episode, Candice Bourke and Felicity Thomas sit down with leading mortgage broker Mitchell Lobb from Distinctive Finance to break down what's really happening in the Australian property market and where the smartest opportunities may lie.Whether you're a first home buyer, seasoned investor, or business owner, this episode unpacks the real-world lending strategies most people don't understand but absolutely should.

Oil prices rose more than 5% as Iran threatened to target oil and gas facilities in the UAE, Qatar, and Saudi Arabia. Westpac chief economist Kelly Eckhold spoke to Corin Dann.

In the past few days, BNZ, ANZ and Westpac have all announced adjustments to their interest rates. So where does that leave home loan borrowers? Money correspondent Susan Edmunds spoke to Ingrid Hipkiss.

A top economist advises thinking about working from home to save fuel. Iran's maintaining its chokehold on the Strait of Hormuz - retaliating to the continued bombing assault by the US and Israel. It's led Sri Lanka to move to a four-day working week from tomorrow. Westpac economist Kelly Eckhold says unless things change quickly, something will have to be done within the next three weeks. "Through the Covid period, we were able to save quite a lot of fuel with the hard lockdowns. We're not going to save anywhere near that amount, but it'll certainly help provide more fuel for the higher-priority users of it." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The government is expecting the war in Iran and the ongoing fuel crisis could curtail the economy's growth by 0.5%. Westpac chief economist Kelly Eckhold spoke to Corin Dann.

SBS Finance Editor Ricardo Gonçalves speaks with Josh Gilbert from eToro to as NAB, Westpac and Citi predict two RBA interest rate rises in a row as oil prices remain high threatening inflation; and Stephanie Youssef speaks with Blair Davies from the Australian Taxi Industry Association to find out, if like some airlines, taxis will need to increase fares to cover the spike in petrol prices.

The death toll in Iran has reportedly exceeded 1000, conflict continues in the Middle East. The strikes have pushed up the price of brent crude oil but more than 18 percent in the past week as the Strait of Hormuz remains closed. Westpac suggests that if the conflict continues for a month, prices will shoot up much further. It also warned that our inflation rate could be pushed up by one percent. Finance Minister Nicola Willis spoke to Lisa Owen.

New Zealand's economic recovery could be put at risk by disruption in the Strait of Hormuz. Westpac modelling shows if it was to stay closed for a month, it would put inflation over 4% and knock half a percent off GDP. Senior Economist Kelly Eckhold told Mike Hosking we're much more vulnerable than Australia when it comes to energy. He says we only have a few weeks of key petroleum products sitting in the tanks, and after that we're relying on boats turning up to meet our needs. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Send Us A Message! Let us know what you think.Is a flat property market actually your best window of opportunity? In this episode of The Week in Review, Debbie Roberts from Property Apprentice unpacks a New Zealand market that is finding its feet, but moving at a glacial pace. While the headlines might sound sobering, there are massive opportunities hiding in plain sight if you know where to look.We dive into a shocking report revealing how young women are being left behind on the property ladder, alongside alarming Westpac data showing that 1 in 3 Kiwis currently have less than $500 in savings.Plus, we cover why ANZ economists have downgraded their 2026 house price forecasts to just 2%, why landlords are increasingly anxious about tenant legislation, and the good news about property asking price reductions hitting a two-year low—signalling the ground is finally firming up.Key Topics Covered:Landlord Anxiety: Why lower competition makes this the perfect time to buy.The Gender Property Gap: Breaking down the income and knowledge barriers keeping women out of the market.ANZ's 2026 Forecast: What a flat house price forecast means for your mortgage strategy.The Savings Crisis: The reality of Kiwi savings accounts and KiwiSaver balances.Market Data: Why $40 million wiped from asking prices actually points to a stabilizing market.

In this episode of The Smart Property Investment Show, host Phil Tarrant speaks with Eva Loisance, principal at Finni Mortgages, about the pivotal role finance plays in property investment. They explore the resurgence of 95 per cent lending, highlighting how major banks like Westpac are reintroducing high loan-to-value ratio (LVR) options after a period of restraint. Tarrant emphasises that successful property investment relies on strategic financial planning, understanding lending policies, and staying alert to market changes. Loisance explains that while January was quiet, February brought a wave of new policies, with 95 per cent lending offering lower deposit requirements and faster market entry. She also warns that high LVR borrowing carries risks such as negative equity, making it essential to invest in growth areas and align loans with long-term strategies. The discussion covers competitive interest rates, pre-approvals, and the importance of factoring in lenders mortgage insurance when considering high LVR loans. For investors, 95 per cent lending presents both opportunities and challenges, requiring careful planning and professional advice to maximise benefits. Overall, the episode highlights how staying informed and leveraging the right financial tools can help investors navigate the evolving property market successfully. If you like this episode, show your support by rating us or leaving a review on Apple Podcasts and by following Smart Property Investment on social media: Facebook, X (formerly Twitter) and LinkedIn. If you would like to get in touch with our team, email editor@smartpropertyinvestment.com.au for more insights, or hear your voice on the show by recording a question below.

The cost of living is hitting Kiwis hard, with new data showing Aucklanders are more likely to be worse off. More than a third of New Zealanders have a savings balance of less than $500, according to new data from Westpac. Westpac's Financial Wellbeing programme manager, Warren Ngan Woo, says Auckland is a big city where things cost more, which eats into people's ability to save money. "This is just a snapshot in relation to savings, but it certainly doesn't take into account what other people have in options with their savings." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The RBNZ's OCR decision lands Wednesday, 18 February, and it's expected to hold at 2.25%. The deeper truth? Australian banks (ANZ, ASB, BNZ, Westpac) dominate New Zealand's mortgage market, influence media and politics, and shape house prices and the economy at large. With fragile recovery signs amid persistent inflation, will their pursuit of wider margins on “safe” lending tip us toward Japanese-style housing stagnation? Rupert Carlyon of kōura Wealth joins to discuss.Book in a free 15-min phone call with Darcy Ungaro (financial adviser).Sign up to the fortnightly newsletter!Thank You Swyftx: With over 1 million customers across New Zealand and Australia. Ask yourself …”Where can crypto take you?". Check out Swyftx.Provincia: Whether you're looking to invest, or you have a commercial property that needs better management - they the true one-stop shop for wholesale industrial investors. Check out Provincia.co.nz for more.Affiliate Links!The Bitcoin Adviser: Plan for intergenerational digital wealth.Hatch: For US markets.Revolut: For a new type of banking.Sharesies: For local, and international markets.Loan My Coins: Bitcoin lending product.Exodus: Get rewards on your first $2,500 of swapsOnline courses:Take the free, 5-part online course Crypto 101: Crypto with ConfidenceGet Social:Check out the most watched/downloaded episodes hereFollow on YouTube , Instagram, TikTok: @theeverydayinvestor, X (@UngaroDarcy), LinkedIn.www.radicalinvestment.co.nz________________________Disclaimer: Please act independently from any content provided in these episodes; it's not financial advice, because there's no accounting for your individual circumstances. Do your own research, and take a broad range of opinions into account. Ideally, engage a financial adviser / pay for advice!

We've started to see spots of what looks to be recovery in our economy over recent months. It's not consistent, but it's frequent enough to give us some hope for the year to come. Westpac is picking a whole lot of OCR hikes from the end of this year, and other forecasts seem to set a similar scene - a better economy is coming, and rates will have to reflect that when the time comes. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Westpac's economists are picking 6 consecutive OCR hikes from December - they're forecasting that it will hit 4% by the end of next year. The OCR dropped to 2.25% just before Christmas, which is where it stands now, but there have been rumblings for some time that we'd start seeing hikes soon, as all major banks lifted long-term loan rates. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this episode of The Pure Property Podcast, co-hosts Paul Glossop and Phil Tarrant discuss the economic forces shaping Australia's property market and what they mean for investors. Glossop outlines how unexpected inflation data has prompted the Reserve Bank of Australia to reconsider its rate path, fuelling speculation about future interest rate movements. The hosts note a divide among major banks: some forecast stability, while Westpac anticipates further hikes, adding to market uncertainty. Drawing on insights from Chris Joye of Coolabah Capital, the episode highlights how shifting economic data has challenged earlier forecasts and reinforced the need for investors to remain adaptable. The conversation also examines debates about persistent inflation, including criticisms that government spending and subsidies contribute to it. Glossop stresses that investors should focus on fundamentals and adopt disciplined strategies to navigate these headwinds. Potential policy changes, such as adjustments to the capital gains tax (CGT) discount, are flagged as risks that could dampen market liquidity by encouraging investors to hold properties longer. Despite these pressures, strong housing demand, structural undersupply, and strategic planning continue to support long-term opportunities for property investors.

The latest Westpac Economic Overview is pointing to a more positive outlook for the New Zealand economy. It shows growth and employment are picking up, confidence is rising, and household spending is starting to recover. The report points to stronger exports and lower short-term interest rates as key drivers of the improvement. Westpac NZ Chief Economist, Kelly Eckhold spoke to Corin Dann.

The latest Westpac Economic Overview is pointing to a more positive outlook for the New Zealand economy. It shows growth and employment are picking up, confidence is rising, and household spending is starting to recover. The report points to stronger exports and lower short-term interest rates as key drivers of the improvement. Westpac NZ Chief Economist, Kelly Eckhold spoke to Corin Dann.

Westpac Chief Economist Kelly Eckhold joined Andrew Dickens to discuss the economic news in New Zealand and around the world. They discussed European interest rates, the global dairy trade, and the US job market and dollar. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Australia's big four banks will pass on yesterday's rate rise in full, with ANZ, NAB, Westpac and the Commonwealth Bank set to raise rates by 25 basis points mid-way through this month. Finance Minister Katy Gallagher is defending the government's examination of the capital gains tax. - 国内の４大銀行が今月中旬に利上げを行う方針であることがわかりました。オーストラリア・フィナンシャル・レビュー紙は連邦政府がキャピタルゲイン税の50パーセント控除の縮小を検討していると報じました。

Many Kiwis re-fixed their mortgage last year and will be re-fixing their mortgage again this year too. Four in five borrowers have re-fixed in the past year – a 13-year high. And more than two-thirds of fixed rate loans are due to come up for renewal this year. Westpac Chief Economist Kelly Eckhold told Mike Hosking most people have been opting for one-year or 18-month terms, instead of longer periods. He says those terms have the best interest rates and would have allowed people to benefit from any further OCR cuts. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

SBS Finance Editor Ricardo Gonçalves speaks with Kai Chen from MPC Markets about why US, Japanese and German markets are hitting record highs despite the US Administration's investigation into Jerome Powell, plus Matthew Hassan from Westpac on consumer sentiment.

The Giving TreeMichael and Susan Dell to donate $6.25 billion to fund 'Trump accounts' for 25 million U.S. kidsLyft CEO: This Giving Tuesday, I'm matching every rider's donationDavid Risher: $78M in 2023Jeff Bezos and Lauren Sánchez Bezos commit $102.5 million to organizations combatting homelessness across the U.S.: ‘This is just the beginning'The wedding of Jeff Bezos and Lauren Sánchez in Venice is estimated to have cost between $46.5 million and $55.6 millionMacKenzie Scott's $19 billion donations have turned philanthropy on its head—why her style of giving actually worksFighting back! (Stakeholders Rule!)New York City Council passes landmark AI oversight packageThe New York City Council unanimously passed a collection of bills that are designed to provide a heightened level of oversight for the city's use of artificial intelligence tools.Bernie Sanders and Mamdani joined the Starbucks picket line in Brooklyn More than 1,000 Amazon employees sign open letter warning the company's AI ‘will do staggering damage to democracy, our jobs, and the earth'Costco sues Trump administration over tariffs, seeks full refundCostco filed a lawsuit at the U.S. Court of International Trade on Friday, saying the administration's tariffs imposed under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA) are unlawful.The 1977 law has historically been used to impose sanctions against other nations.Exxon bid to dismiss Connecticut climate lawsuit failsA judge moved the case closer to trial after rejecting the company's request to toss it out.OpenAI Completed Its Conversion. A New Ballot Initiative Seeks to Reverse ItA coalition that tried and failed to block OpenAI's conversion earlier this year is back with a new tactic: a California ballot initiative aimed at reining in the startup's power.The planned initiative, dubbed the California Charitable Assets Protection Act, was filed Monday with California's attorney general. It doesn't mention OpenAI by name, but calls for the creation of an oversight board empowered to review and potentially reverse conversions to nonprofit organizations engaged in scientific and technological research that have happened in the state since January of 2024.Starbucks to settle with over 15,000 New York City workers for roughly $35 millionStarbucks will pay about $35 million to more than 15,000 New York City workers to settle claims it denied them stable schedules and arbitrarily cut their hours.The company will also pay $3.4 million in civil penalties under the agreement with the city's Department of Consumer and Worker Protection.It also agrees to comply with the city's Fair Workweek law going forward.Fighting back! (Shareholders Rule!)Michael Burry calls Tesla ‘ridiculously overvalued' and knocks tech industry for a widely used practiceThe post is critical of Tesla and the technology industry as a whole for its use of stock-based compensation and then ignoring it as a legitimate expense.Burry said Tesla share dilution should continue following shareholder approval of CEO Elon Musk's historic pay package.Second proxy adviser calls for vote against Westpac director over ASX stintA second influential proxy adviser has recommended institutional investors vote against re-electing Westpac non-executive director Peter Nash, citing his six-year stint on the board of the troubled Australian Securities Exchange (ASX).CGI Glass Lewis said in a new report on Tuesday that investors should vote against Nash who joined the Westpac board in March 2018 and chairs the board's audit committee.Norway wealth fund to back call for Microsoft human rights report at AGMMicrosoft AGM takes place on December 5Norway wealth fund is Microsoft's eighth-largest shareholderThe fund also said it would vote against the re-appointment of CEO Satya Nadella as chair of the board, as well as against his pay package.PotpourriOpenAI declares ‘code red' as Google catches up in AI raceIn the memo, reported by the Wall Street Journal and The Information, Altman said the company will be delaying initiatives like ads, shopping and health agents, and a personal assistant, Pulse, to focus on improving ChatGPT.This includes core features like greater speed and reliability, better personalization, and the ability to answer more questions, he said.Corporations say they prioritize people. So why do so few chief people officers become CEOs?Only 16 of the CEOs at the 1,000 biggest companies have HR experience.Stephanie Mehta is CEO and chief content officer of Mansueto Ventures, publisher of Inc. and Fast CompanyMATTUplifting stories:Costco sues Trump admin seeking tariff refunds before Supreme Court rules if they're illegalWhy it's uplifting:Costco is the retail bulwark against stupidity - and they're getting paid for it with persistent quarterly growthCostco board member defends DEI practices, rebukes companies scrapping policiesCostco Under Fire in 19 States for Taking Stand Against TrumpSecond proxy adviser calls for vote against Westpac director over ASX stintWhy it's uplifting:This IS NOT AN ACTIVIST DRIVEN VOTE, and it isn't about attendance! This is purely driven by conflict of interest - an ASX listed company using an ASX board member, a board member who up until 6 years ago lead KPMG in Australia - and KPMG is now Westpac's auditorThe move is underway - ISS/GL were never going to vote against directors in the US first, but Australia is much easier to targetGoogle's data centers could actually be going to the moonWhy it's uplifting:While we couldn't solve the climate crisis for the sake of HUMANITY, we WILL solve it for the sake of AI:one hundred trillion times more energy than we produce in all of Earth todayThe space pitch arrives when Earth is starting to look like a bad long-term landlord for the AI build-out. A 2024 Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory report found that U.S. data centers already chew through about 4.4% of the country's electricity, and that share could climb to as much as 12% by 2028 as GPU farms multiply. McKinsey puts a price tag on the race to scale data centers: roughly $6.7 trillion in global data center capex by 2030, about $5 trillion of that aimed at AI-ready infrastructureextraterrestrial data centers could cut emissions by a factor of 10 compared with their earthbound cousinsAlso, GTFO!