Australian businesses are pouring money into artificial intelligence — but many still don't know whether it's actually paying off. New research from Elastic suggests one in three businesses exceeded their AI budget last financial year, while just 8% are tracking AI's contribution to revenue or cost savings.

Sean Aylmer speaks with Jeremy Pell, Country Manager ANZ at Elastic, about why AI spending is blowing out, how businesses can measure the return they're getting, and why the next phase could be about matching different AI models to different jobs.

To find out more, check out Elastic's information on tokenmaxxing.   

Elastic is a supporter of Fear & Greed.

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This is the Fear & Greed Afternoon Report - everything you need to know about what happened in the markets, economy and world of business today, in just a few minutes.

1. ASX slips as oil jumps

2. Fuel imports widen Australia’s deficit

3. CBA tips 10pc housing correction

4. Smooth FM breaks audience record

5. Messi calls time on Argentina

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Tuesday 1 September 2026

The house price downturn spreads to almost every capital city, creating a buyers market… with few buyers.

• The federal government announces an overhaul of privacy laws
• The ski season comes to an early end
• Tensions flare in the Middle East
• Qantas workers vote to strike

Michael Thompson and Canna Campbell’s new book, Twelve Months to Financial Freedom, is out today.

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

And don’t miss the latest episode of How Do They Afford That? - are you taking the right amount of risk? Get the episode from Apple, Spotify or anywhere you listen to podcasts.

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Australia’s FY26 reporting season looked reasonably strong on the surface, with aggregate profits rising by around 11.6%. But underneath the headline numbers, the recovery was much narrower - and investors were often more interested in what companies said about FY27 than the profits they had just reported.

Michael Thompson speaks with Roger Montgomery, founder and Chief Investment Officer at Montgomery Investment Management, about his 10 lessons from reporting season. They discuss why consumers are still spending but demanding value, expensive bank valuations, the limits of cost-cutting, opportunities in healthcare and why stock selection is becoming increasingly important.

This is general information only, and you should seek advice tailored to your circumstances before making investment decisions.

Find out more: https://fearandgreed.com.au/

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This is the Fear & Greed Afternoon Report - everything you need to know about what happened in the markets, economy and world of business today, in just a few minutes.

1. ASX dips on talk of US rate hike

2. Monash IVF profit plunges

3. Hanson accuses PM of inciting violence

4. Music giants sue Anthropic

5. 15-metre rugby flyover raises eyebrows

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Monday 31 August 2026

August earnings season wraps up, with profit growth rebounding, but wariness about the year ahead. 

• One Nation’s win in a state by-election sends the major parties scrambling
• The US strikes a deal for partial control of Venezuela’s oilfields
• Auction clearance rates soften as we head into spring
• Australia Post warns we could be heading to weekly deliveries and $4 stamps.

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

And don’t miss the latest episode of How Do They Afford That? - are you taking the right amount of risk? Get the episode from Apple, Spotify or anywhere you listen to podcasts.

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A hotter-than-expected inflation result and surprisingly strong household spending have changed the outlook for interest rates, with another RBA hike now looking increasingly likely.

Michael Thompson is joined by economist Stephen Koukoulas for the Week Ahead, looking at what this week's GDP figures will tell us about the strength of the economy, and why Stephen has changed his call on rates.

They also look at building approvals and the balance of payments, and ask why the RBA has scheduled its crucial September rates decision just one day before the next inflation figures are released.

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Fear & Greed is proud to share an episode of our sister podcast - How Do They Afford That? - out every Wednesday, wherever you get your podcasts.

We often talk about the need to spend less. But today we're looking at the other side of the equation. Because sometimes the smartest financial decision isn't spending less money. It's spending money in the right place. Join Canna Campbell - a financial planner for 20 years - and Fear & Greed's Michael Thompson as they look at ten purchases that can actually save you money over the long run.

Canna and Michael have written a book! Twelve Months to Financial Freedom will hit the shelves on September 1 - but you can preorder your copy right now.

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The information in this podcast is general in nature and does not take into account your personal circumstances, financial needs or objectives. Before acting on any information, you should consider the appropriateness of it and the relevant product having regard to your objectives, financial situation and needs. In particular, you should seek independent financial advice and read the relevant Product Disclosure Statement or other offer document prior to acquiring any financial product.

​Canna Campbell is an Authorised Representative and Financial Adviser of Links Licensee Services Pty Ltd AFSL No. 700012 ABN 97 678 975 589.

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The Saturday Edition brings together the serious, the surprising and the slightly ridiculous stories of the week.

This week: what results from Woolworths, Coles, Qantas, Wesfarmers and more tell us about the economy; the threat of another interest rate hike; Nvidia’s extraordinary AI boom; the legacy of Dolly Parton, and the billion-dollar power of Bluey.

Michael Thompson and Natalie MacDonald go head-to-head, with Adam Lang picking the winner.

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This is the Fear & Greed Afternoon Report - everything you need to know about what happened in the markets, economy and world of business today, in just a few minutes.

1. Nepal floods: 39 Australians missing

2. ASX ends week up 0.4pc

3. Virgin pays first dividend since relisting

4. Nvidia adds $US442 billion in a day

5. Trump secretly sends CIA chief to Moscow

Join our free daily newsletter here.

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