It's been a rocky year so far for Australian companies with increasing pressure from inflation, high interest rates and the outlook for a slowing economy.

But this week, we'll get a range of updates from some big corporate names .. and a snapshot of how consumers are faring.

Global markets have tumbled on growing fears about a rapid economic slowdown in the United States.

The heavy selling came despite an interest rate cut from the Bank of England overnight .. and signs the US Federal Reserve will begin cutting rates in September.

Westpac and Commonwealth Bank are predicting the Reserve Bank might cut interest rate in November as underlying inflation continties to slow. Rates look like coming down globally after US Federal Reserve chair Jerome Powell signalled a rate cut for September. Also, the Australian Financial Complaints Authority says consumer gripes surged 9pc to 105,000 in 2023/2024.

Reporter: Peter Ryan, Senior Business Correspondent

Featured: Jerome Powell, chair, US Federal Reserve; Justin Untersteiner, Australian Financial Complaints Authority

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Most people know the frustration dealing with banks and insurances companies when they have a gripe about their treatment.

A new report from the Australian Financial Complaint Authority will ring a few bells because it shows financial complaints rise by 9 percent to 105,000 in the last financial year.

The biggest gripes are about the way banks and insurance companies deal with customers, highlighting "cookie cutter" responses where customers are left in the dark.

But the surge in complaints has been driven by the prevalence of scams which rose by 81 percent.

AFCA's chief operating office Justin Untersteiner spoke with the ABC's senior business correspondent Peter Ryan.

The Federal Government has refused to rule out providing an financial lifeline to Rex Airlines which fell into administration overnight.W hile Rex's regional services look like surviving, more than 600 jobs could be in jeopardy.

The airline's capital city routes - where it tried and failed to compete with Qantas - have been axed.

Reporter: Peter Ryan, Senior Business Correspondent

Featured: Marcus Blackie, King Island mayor; Sam Freeman, administrator, Michael Kaine, Transport Workers Union; Jim Chalmers, Treasurer; Catherine King, transport minister; Jayne Hrdlicka, CEO, Virgin Australia

The federal government is under pressure to take an equity stake in Rex Airlines which fell into voluntary administration overnight.

The collapse of the regional carrier comes after it tried and failed to take on Qantas and Virgin on major capital city routes.

Rex's collapse could mean as many as 850 workers will be made redundant.

The federal government is under pressure to take an equity stake in Rex Airlines which fell into voluntary administration overnight. The collapse of the regional carrier comes after it tried and failed to challenge Qantas on major capital city routes. Rex's collapse could mean as many as 850 workers will be made redundant.

Reporter: Peter Ryan, Senior Business Correspondent

Featured: Michael Kaine; Transport Workers Union; Sam Freeman, administrator

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Regional carrier Rex Airlines is on the brink of collapse after a failed bid to challenge Qantas and Virgin on major Australian routes. Also I speak with Australian Foundation Investment Company (AFIC) and tomorrow's quarterly inflation update and rate rise fears.

Regional carrier Rex Airlines is on the brink of collapse after a failed bid to challenge Qantas on major Australian routes. The possibility that Rex will go into voluntary adminstration puts 2,000 jobs in jeopardy and follows the demise of the discount airline Bonza earlier this year.

Reporter: Peter Ryan, Senior Business Correspondent

Featured: Roger Montgomery, fund manager; Michael Kaine, Transport Workers Union; Catherine King, transport minister; Anthony Albanese, prime minister

Financial services giant AMP says few younger Australians are tapping parents for a loan from the "bank of mum and dad". A survey of 2,000 people also found that retirees or people approaching retirement would like to help their kids but are anxious their own nest eggs might run out.

Reporter: Peter Ryan, Senior Business Correspondent

Featured: Ben Hillier, head of retirement, AMP