Every year around this time there's talk of a Santa Claus rally on the ASX. So what is it, is it real, and will we see one this year?

Fear & Greed Q+A: Join Sean Aylmer and Michael Thompson as they answer questions on business, investing, economics, politics and more. If you have your own question, get in touch via our website, LinkedIn, Instagram or Facebook.

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Markets aren’t always rational, and neither is the commentary around them. Diana Mousina, Deputy Chief Economist at AMP, talks to Sean Aylmer about the five lessons she learnt this year, including the growing market impact of politics, how to read Trump’s trade agenda, why gold and tech defied the textbook, why Fed “speak” can be noise, and why inflation can stay sticky, even when everyone expects it to fade.

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Today's question comes from listener Peter, who sent it through the Fear & Greed website:

Who measures emissions, how are they measured, is the number audited, checked off on, and by who? Is it measured the same way in every country? BHP and FMG can measure their emissions, I'm assuming they have budgets, but what about for smaller companies, companies that aren't listed? 

Sean Aylmer is joined by Thomas Hodgson from sustainability consultancy Anthesis for an answer to Peter's question.

Fear & Greed Q+A: Join Sean Aylmer & Michael Thompson and the team as they answer questions on business, investing, economics, politics and more. If you have your own question, get in touch via our website, LinkedIn, Instagram or Facebook!

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Australia’s small and medium-sized businesses are under sustained pressure from higher costs, tighter cash flow and uneven economic conditions. 

Sean Aylmer speaks with CreditorWatch chief economist Ivan Colhoun about why capital city SMEs are failing at higher rates than regional businesses, which sectors are most exposed, and what the latest Business Risk Index reveals about the year ahead.

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As expectations shift from rate cuts to possible hikes, many investors are rethinking portfolio positioning. Tim Carleton, Chief Investment Officer at Auscap Asset Management, talks to Sean Aylmer about how investors should think about a turning rate cycle, why sentiment often overshoots reality, and where he’s finding value in healthcare and property despite rising rates.

This is general information only. Seek advice tailored to your circumstances before making investment decisions.

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Three rate cuts, a surprise inflation flare-up, house prices roaring and the labour market finally losing a bit of steam – 2025 has been a strange year for the economy. In this special year-in-review, Michael Thompson is joined by economist Stephen Koukoulas to unpack what happened with rates, government spending, jobs and productivity, and whether the next move is a rate hike.

Fear & Greed Q+A: Join Sean Aylmer & Michael Thompson and the team as they answer questions on business, investing, economics, politics and more. If you have your own question, get in touch via our website, LinkedIn, Instagram or Facebook!

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A drop in the national participation rate sparks a very personal discussion: what does participation look like in real life? Sean, Michael and Adam talk honestly about the times they’ve loved work the most, why being busy might actually make us happier, and the unexpected rituals that keep them sane.

Fear & Greed Q+A: Join Sean Aylmer, Michael Thompson and Adam Lang as they answer questions on business, investing, economics, politics and more. If you have your own question, get in touch via our website, LinkedIn, Instagram or Facebook.

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After surviving the shutdowns and uncertainty of the pandemic, Intrepid Travel has bounced back to post the biggest trading month in its 36-year history. CEO James Thornton joins Sean Aylmer to explain why Australians are travelling more than ever, the destinations dominating demand, and how Intrepid grew from a kitchen-table startup into a global adventure-travel powerhouse.

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Gold has surged past US$4,000 an ounce in 2025 — its strongest year since the late 1970s. 

State Street Investment Management’s Robin Tsui explains why the rally isn’t just about safe-haven demand, but de-dollarisation, central bank buying, and a wave of geopolitical tailwinds. Plus, the outlook: how high gold could realistically climb in 2026.

This is general information only. Seek professional advice before making investment decisions.

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Australia has just raised the social media age from 13 to 16 — a world-first move watched closely around the globe. 

And much of it happened because of a campaign organised by Sydney's Nova FM radio host Michael “Wippa” Wipfli. Wippa joins Sean to explain how the 36 Months campaign helped change the law, why parents are backing it, how algorithms have become “insecurity amplifiers” for teens, and why he expects legal challenges to the ban will fail.

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