1 00:00:06,440 --> 00:00:09,560 Speaker 1: The Reserve Bank has worried that a pickup in economic 2 00:00:09,640 --> 00:00:13,840 Speaker 1: growth could undermine efforts to reduce inflation. Joe Biden and 3 00:00:13,960 --> 00:00:18,079 Speaker 1: Kamala Harris get hero receptions at the Democratic National Convention, 4 00:00:18,560 --> 00:00:22,360 Speaker 1: and the vintage car market crashes. Welcome to Fear and Greed. 5 00:00:22,480 --> 00:00:24,840 Speaker 1: Daily business news for people who make their own decisions. 6 00:00:24,880 --> 00:00:28,000 Speaker 1: It is Wednesday, the twenty first of August twenty twenty four. 7 00:00:28,320 --> 00:00:30,600 Speaker 1: I'm Michael Thompson, and good morning, Sean Aylmer. 8 00:00:31,080 --> 00:00:32,760 Speaker 2: Good morning, Michael, Seawan. 9 00:00:32,800 --> 00:00:35,479 Speaker 1: The main story this morning, a forecast pickup in economic 10 00:00:35,520 --> 00:00:40,040 Speaker 1: growth has increased the risk that inflation could become entrenched, 11 00:00:40,240 --> 00:00:42,600 Speaker 1: meaning that interest rates will need to stay higher for longer. 12 00:00:42,880 --> 00:00:45,720 Speaker 1: This is all according to, of course, the minutes of 13 00:00:45,760 --> 00:00:47,880 Speaker 1: the Reserve Bank's latest board meeting. 14 00:00:48,640 --> 00:00:51,280 Speaker 2: Yes, so the minutes weren't supposed to surprise anyone, but 15 00:00:51,280 --> 00:00:54,760 Speaker 2: they came out yesterday and people really were a little 16 00:00:54,800 --> 00:00:59,080 Speaker 2: shocked about how serious the Reserve Bank is taking the 17 00:00:59,160 --> 00:01:02,880 Speaker 2: threat of this longer growth. The minutes say the Central 18 00:01:02,880 --> 00:01:06,000 Speaker 2: Bank Board considered lifting the cash rate to four point 19 00:01:06,120 --> 00:01:08,520 Speaker 2: six percent from four point three five percent at its 20 00:01:08,560 --> 00:01:12,039 Speaker 2: August five to six meeting, fearing the economy is still 21 00:01:12,080 --> 00:01:15,279 Speaker 2: too hot and inflation is no longer falling as rapidly 22 00:01:15,319 --> 00:01:17,440 Speaker 2: as before and only said. The minutes show that the 23 00:01:17,480 --> 00:01:20,120 Speaker 2: Reserve Bank is even more concerned about higher inflation than 24 00:01:20,160 --> 00:01:23,080 Speaker 2: previously thought. While the Reserve Bank Board ultimately kept the 25 00:01:23,120 --> 00:01:25,199 Speaker 2: cash rate on hold at four point three five percent 26 00:01:25,240 --> 00:01:27,520 Speaker 2: in August, the minutes show the board judged this would 27 00:01:27,560 --> 00:01:30,759 Speaker 2: only be possible if the Central Bank committed to keeping 28 00:01:30,840 --> 00:01:34,679 Speaker 2: higher interest rates in place until next year. Now remember 29 00:01:34,720 --> 00:01:38,240 Speaker 2: after the decision that Governor Michelle Bullock effectively ruled out 30 00:01:38,280 --> 00:01:41,600 Speaker 2: cutting rates before Christmas at the post board meeting press conference. 31 00:01:42,040 --> 00:01:45,679 Speaker 2: The comments were very much in contrast to bond market 32 00:01:45,720 --> 00:01:48,640 Speaker 2: pricing that had a rate cut embedded for later this year. 33 00:01:48,960 --> 00:01:51,559 Speaker 2: The Reserve Bank said it is concerned about the enduring 34 00:01:51,560 --> 00:01:55,040 Speaker 2: strength of the economy and a looming increase in economic growth, 35 00:01:55,080 --> 00:01:57,240 Speaker 2: which it expects to hit an anual rate of two 36 00:01:57,240 --> 00:01:59,520 Speaker 2: point six percent by the middle of the next year, 37 00:01:59,760 --> 00:02:03,960 Speaker 2: up justable one percent presently. According to a report in 38 00:02:04,000 --> 00:02:07,000 Speaker 2: the Financial Review, the Bank's saying that while household spending 39 00:02:07,040 --> 00:02:11,240 Speaker 2: growth has these sharply since the Bank started raising rates 40 00:02:11,240 --> 00:02:13,800 Speaker 2: back in May twenty twenty two, the Central Bank staff 41 00:02:13,840 --> 00:02:16,600 Speaker 2: expect household spending to pick up thanks to the Stage 42 00:02:16,680 --> 00:02:20,720 Speaker 2: three tax cuts. The outlook for government spending has also strengthened. 43 00:02:20,880 --> 00:02:24,560 Speaker 1: The minutes said, so Sean, we knew the Reserve Bank 44 00:02:24,680 --> 00:02:28,959 Speaker 1: was serious about inflation because it comes up after every meeting, 45 00:02:29,800 --> 00:02:32,360 Speaker 1: But the minutes suggests they are are really serious or 46 00:02:32,400 --> 00:02:34,720 Speaker 1: even perhaps worried that not enough has been done to 47 00:02:34,760 --> 00:02:36,840 Speaker 1: push the pace of price rises lower. 48 00:02:37,800 --> 00:02:40,520 Speaker 2: Yeah, that was really the surprise out of yesterday. A 49 00:02:40,600 --> 00:02:43,600 Speaker 2: few things came out of the minutes and sort of 50 00:02:43,639 --> 00:02:46,160 Speaker 2: you put them together with comments over the recent weeks, 51 00:02:46,480 --> 00:02:48,400 Speaker 2: you start to get the picture of what's going on 52 00:02:48,480 --> 00:02:52,400 Speaker 2: inside Martin Place. The Reserve just isn't sure of what's 53 00:02:52,440 --> 00:02:55,359 Speaker 2: going on. I suppose that's what's clear. The minutes yesterday 54 00:02:55,480 --> 00:02:59,680 Speaker 2: used the word uncertain thirteen times, and the Reserve being 55 00:02:59,720 --> 00:03:04,120 Speaker 2: bored to stress its decisions would evolve in line with data. Also, 56 00:03:04,120 --> 00:03:06,440 Speaker 2: the post board meeting announcement two weeks ago triggered a 57 00:03:06,440 --> 00:03:08,200 Speaker 2: bit of a fuerl al between the Central Bank and 58 00:03:08,240 --> 00:03:11,160 Speaker 2: the government, with commentators saying the Reserve Bank had inferred 59 00:03:11,160 --> 00:03:14,919 Speaker 2: that government spending was too strong to get inflation LOWA 60 00:03:15,000 --> 00:03:17,440 Speaker 2: Now on Friday, as Bullock said, public demand isn't the 61 00:03:17,480 --> 00:03:20,519 Speaker 2: main game at the moment. Having said that, there's plenty 62 00:03:20,560 --> 00:03:24,280 Speaker 2: else in those minutes and other commentary during the last 63 00:03:24,520 --> 00:03:27,080 Speaker 2: Fortnite or so to suggest that it's still part of 64 00:03:27,080 --> 00:03:29,840 Speaker 2: the game. The commentary in Board Minutes has helped the 65 00:03:29,880 --> 00:03:33,360 Speaker 2: Aussie dollar, which is training back above sixty seven US scents. 66 00:03:33,400 --> 00:03:35,320 Speaker 2: If you really want to watch what people think is 67 00:03:35,360 --> 00:03:38,200 Speaker 2: going to happen to interest rates relative to other economies, 68 00:03:38,560 --> 00:03:41,040 Speaker 2: watch the currency, and the Aussie dollar is back above 69 00:03:41,040 --> 00:03:43,680 Speaker 2: sixty seven YUS cents. Apart from brief periods in July 70 00:03:44,040 --> 00:03:46,680 Speaker 2: and around Christmas, the currency hasn't been at this level 71 00:03:46,680 --> 00:03:47,600 Speaker 2: in a couple of years. 72 00:03:48,360 --> 00:03:50,960 Speaker 1: Seaw, it's interesting you add into that then as well. 73 00:03:51,760 --> 00:03:55,000 Speaker 1: The comment by Deputy Governor Andrew Howser last week whereas 74 00:03:55,000 --> 00:03:59,240 Speaker 1: criticizing certain economic commentators for being too certain really or 75 00:03:59,240 --> 00:04:03,160 Speaker 1: too specific in their forecasts and this general theme of 76 00:04:03,280 --> 00:04:06,040 Speaker 1: uncertainty really just feels like that is what the Reserve 77 00:04:06,080 --> 00:04:07,760 Speaker 1: Bank is trying to ram home at the moment. 78 00:04:08,400 --> 00:04:11,440 Speaker 2: Yeah, one thing I would say, which is a little ironic, 79 00:04:11,840 --> 00:04:14,640 Speaker 2: Andrew Howse was talking about how uncertain it is and 80 00:04:14,680 --> 00:04:17,160 Speaker 2: the Reserve Bank's talking about it. Yet the bank then 81 00:04:17,200 --> 00:04:18,680 Speaker 2: comes out and says, so we're not going to do 82 00:04:18,720 --> 00:04:21,320 Speaker 2: anything till next year. Now, it got itself into all 83 00:04:21,360 --> 00:04:24,200 Speaker 2: sorts of trouble. When phil Those said interest rates won't 84 00:04:24,520 --> 00:04:27,279 Speaker 2: rise until twenty twenty four, this was early twenty twenty two, 85 00:04:27,800 --> 00:04:30,680 Speaker 2: and later that year they actually started lifting interest rates. 86 00:04:30,960 --> 00:04:33,080 Speaker 2: So the fact that they're now putting a time frame 87 00:04:33,120 --> 00:04:35,880 Speaker 2: on it is a little surprising. You would have thought 88 00:04:35,920 --> 00:04:39,599 Speaker 2: that they had their fingers burnt previously, but clearly they're 89 00:04:39,680 --> 00:04:40,760 Speaker 2: jumping back into the fire. 90 00:04:41,160 --> 00:04:44,440 Speaker 1: Yeah, we'd seem that way, wouldn't it all? Right? Local markets, 91 00:04:44,560 --> 00:04:46,200 Speaker 1: how do they perform? Yesterday? 92 00:04:46,680 --> 00:04:50,039 Speaker 2: Yes, and PASX two hundred finished up slightly to seven 93 00:04:50,480 --> 00:04:53,000 Speaker 2: nine hundred and ninety eight points, having earlier in the 94 00:04:53,080 --> 00:04:55,360 Speaker 2: day pushed through the eight thousand point barrier. Broadly, the 95 00:04:55,400 --> 00:04:57,840 Speaker 2: techtocs did well and the real estate companies did poorly, 96 00:04:57,920 --> 00:04:59,840 Speaker 2: though most of the big moves were earnings for a 97 00:05:00,320 --> 00:05:03,839 Speaker 2: Weistet Global, BHP, Force FU Medals were among the best performers. 98 00:05:04,160 --> 00:05:07,919 Speaker 2: Goodman Group, Aristocrat Leisure laggards. The big banks were mixed, 99 00:05:08,000 --> 00:05:10,720 Speaker 2: so too the big retailers plenty. Oh, look, I'd run 100 00:05:10,760 --> 00:05:12,960 Speaker 2: through a few of these smaller results will go through 101 00:05:12,960 --> 00:05:15,520 Speaker 2: some of the large ones. Later in the show, Rick 102 00:05:15,560 --> 00:05:18,599 Speaker 2: Call and Catman Do owner KMD Brands reported a slight 103 00:05:18,839 --> 00:05:23,039 Speaker 2: improvement in recent months, but sales for the full year 104 00:05:23,080 --> 00:05:26,520 Speaker 2: to July thirty one fell eleven percent across its brands. 105 00:05:26,880 --> 00:05:29,119 Speaker 2: Its share price they jumped seven percent on the news 106 00:05:29,160 --> 00:05:31,800 Speaker 2: that more recently sales have been a bit stronger. Plumbing 107 00:05:31,800 --> 00:05:34,920 Speaker 2: supplies group Reliance Worldwide Corporation was among the best on 108 00:05:34,960 --> 00:05:37,440 Speaker 2: the day, up nine percent after posting better than expected 109 00:05:37,480 --> 00:05:41,400 Speaker 2: results from its US operations. Retailer Baby Bunting jump nine 110 00:05:41,440 --> 00:05:44,320 Speaker 2: percent after saying sales at the start of this financial 111 00:05:44,400 --> 00:05:47,560 Speaker 2: year we're improving, and lender Judo Banks had small and 112 00:05:47,600 --> 00:05:51,160 Speaker 2: medium sized businesses, once resilient to high interest rates, are 113 00:05:51,160 --> 00:05:55,240 Speaker 2: starting to buckle as lower consumer and demand begins to bite. 114 00:05:55,240 --> 00:05:58,200 Speaker 2: Its share price jump more than ten percent yesterday. Finally, 115 00:05:58,360 --> 00:06:01,800 Speaker 2: tech company Appen came out and told the Stock Exchange 116 00:06:01,920 --> 00:06:05,680 Speaker 2: it has no explanation for its shares jumping fifty percent 117 00:06:06,120 --> 00:06:09,640 Speaker 2: in the past few sessions. Now Appened closed eight percent 118 00:06:09,680 --> 00:06:12,800 Speaker 2: high yesterday, more than fifty percent over the last five sessions, 119 00:06:12,800 --> 00:06:16,240 Speaker 2: one hundred and sixty percent since late last month. Appens 120 00:06:16,360 --> 00:06:16,960 Speaker 2: not sure why. 121 00:06:18,160 --> 00:06:21,400 Speaker 1: Very curious quick mention, Sean before we get to international 122 00:06:21,440 --> 00:06:23,800 Speaker 1: markets of the Fear and Greed newsletter just comes out 123 00:06:23,839 --> 00:06:25,600 Speaker 1: to I've got no idea why I'm mentioning it now? 124 00:06:26,480 --> 00:06:27,600 Speaker 2: Why not? Why not? 125 00:06:27,640 --> 00:06:29,880 Speaker 1: Indeed, you're excited about it. We ah, we get very 126 00:06:29,880 --> 00:06:32,719 Speaker 1: excited about this on a Wednesday, because the Fear and 127 00:06:32,720 --> 00:06:34,839 Speaker 1: Greed newsletter are some of your finest work. It is 128 00:06:34,880 --> 00:06:37,160 Speaker 1: some of the kind of the inner workings of the 129 00:06:37,560 --> 00:06:39,960 Speaker 1: mind of Sean Aylmer, which is a dark and dangerous 130 00:06:39,960 --> 00:06:43,000 Speaker 1: place at times. If you're head along to Fearangreed dot 131 00:06:43,000 --> 00:06:45,800 Speaker 1: com dot au, you can pop your email address in. 132 00:06:45,960 --> 00:06:48,119 Speaker 1: You will get the weekly newsletter when it comes out 133 00:06:48,120 --> 00:06:50,720 Speaker 1: mid morning. It's in a couple of hours time, mid 134 00:06:50,800 --> 00:06:55,400 Speaker 1: Wednesday morning, every week. Email address entirely free. There you go. 135 00:06:55,600 --> 00:06:57,920 Speaker 1: Just really went to dot points there, didn't I Sean, 136 00:06:57,960 --> 00:06:58,960 Speaker 1: We did go to dot points. 137 00:06:59,000 --> 00:07:02,400 Speaker 2: That's right. Plenty of interesting stuff. Talk a bit about 138 00:07:02,400 --> 00:07:05,800 Speaker 2: earnings today, a bit about the economy today, you know, 139 00:07:06,040 --> 00:07:08,800 Speaker 2: the US. We've had some really quirky stories in the 140 00:07:08,880 --> 00:07:10,760 Speaker 2: last week too. W should we talk about them too? 141 00:07:11,160 --> 00:07:15,000 Speaker 1: I look forward to this. Anyway, Back on track international markets, 142 00:07:15,000 --> 00:07:15,600 Speaker 1: what's happening? 143 00:07:16,080 --> 00:07:19,000 Speaker 2: Gold remains around twenty five hundred US dollars an ounce. 144 00:07:19,040 --> 00:07:21,600 Speaker 2: Now US Federal Reserve chair is your Own Power is 145 00:07:21,680 --> 00:07:23,320 Speaker 2: due to speak later in the week at the fed's 146 00:07:23,320 --> 00:07:27,239 Speaker 2: annual Jackson Hole Symposium. Much of the focus will be 147 00:07:27,360 --> 00:07:30,440 Speaker 2: on not just whether the Federal cut rates, because they will, 148 00:07:30,680 --> 00:07:34,080 Speaker 2: but how many times they might cut. Expectations of several 149 00:07:34,080 --> 00:07:37,480 Speaker 2: cuts has helped gold, Hence it's staying around that twenty 150 00:07:37,480 --> 00:07:41,120 Speaker 2: five hundred US dollars an ounce level. A little aside here, Michael, 151 00:07:41,800 --> 00:07:46,200 Speaker 2: A gold bar typically weighs about four hundred ounces, So 152 00:07:46,760 --> 00:07:49,360 Speaker 2: at twenty five hundred US dollars an ounce, a gold 153 00:07:49,400 --> 00:07:52,440 Speaker 2: bar is now worth a million dollars. There you go. 154 00:07:52,760 --> 00:07:54,760 Speaker 1: I'm glad you told me. I was there just trying 155 00:07:54,760 --> 00:07:56,960 Speaker 1: to figure this out quickly. For four hundred times two 156 00:07:56,960 --> 00:08:02,960 Speaker 1: and a half thousand, I wouldn't have hit million. You 157 00:08:03,000 --> 00:08:05,720 Speaker 1: would have, Michael, the things I should not admit in public, 158 00:08:05,760 --> 00:08:06,960 Speaker 1: please save me. 159 00:08:07,040 --> 00:08:10,480 Speaker 2: Go on oil prices, they remain relatively low at around 160 00:08:10,520 --> 00:08:13,240 Speaker 2: seventy eight US dollars a barrel. After there was some 161 00:08:13,280 --> 00:08:17,080 Speaker 2: promising signs that the Middle East crisis was de escalating. 162 00:08:17,200 --> 00:08:18,239 Speaker 2: Fingers crossed there. 163 00:08:18,640 --> 00:08:20,520 Speaker 1: And after the show Sean stick around, who got an 164 00:08:20,520 --> 00:08:24,280 Speaker 1: interview coming up with Rachel Wastell, personal finance expert at 165 00:08:24,320 --> 00:08:26,600 Speaker 1: financial comparison site MOSO. 166 00:08:27,360 --> 00:08:29,880 Speaker 2: Yes, it's a fascinating chat about what's happening in the 167 00:08:29,920 --> 00:08:33,600 Speaker 2: credit card industry and how the buy now, pay later 168 00:08:33,960 --> 00:08:38,199 Speaker 2: sector is kind of changing the dynamics of it. So 169 00:08:38,320 --> 00:08:40,600 Speaker 2: Mojoso has done some work. I think she was almost 170 00:08:40,600 --> 00:08:43,240 Speaker 2: two hundred credit cards they've looked at, and she talks 171 00:08:43,240 --> 00:08:46,680 Speaker 2: about fees and interest rates, kind of the best ones 172 00:08:46,760 --> 00:08:49,319 Speaker 2: to use for different people. But then also this role 173 00:08:49,400 --> 00:08:51,600 Speaker 2: that buy now, pay later is playing in the market. 174 00:08:51,760 --> 00:08:53,000 Speaker 2: It's a really interesting chat. 175 00:08:53,200 --> 00:08:55,200 Speaker 1: Yeah, sure is. It is coming up after the show, 176 00:08:55,240 --> 00:08:56,800 Speaker 1: so stick around for that one. We will be back 177 00:08:56,800 --> 00:09:06,360 Speaker 1: in a moment with the rest of the day's business news. Shawn. 178 00:09:06,400 --> 00:09:09,880 Speaker 1: Australian and Indonesian troops will be able to operate from 179 00:09:09,920 --> 00:09:13,560 Speaker 1: each other's countries under a new defense cooperation pact that's 180 00:09:13,559 --> 00:09:17,160 Speaker 1: been billed as the most significant agreement ever to be 181 00:09:17,240 --> 00:09:19,440 Speaker 1: reached between the two neighbors. 182 00:09:19,559 --> 00:09:22,560 Speaker 2: Not that we want I read it here. The treaty 183 00:09:22,640 --> 00:09:27,600 Speaker 2: level agreement final lies between Indonesia's Presidents elect Sibianto and 184 00:09:27,720 --> 00:09:31,440 Speaker 2: Defense Minister Richard Miles yesterday, will allow reciprocal access by 185 00:09:31,480 --> 00:09:35,880 Speaker 2: each country to the other's military facilities, delivering unprecedented joint 186 00:09:35,960 --> 00:09:40,640 Speaker 2: training opportunities. Hailed the very good agreement. That's what he 187 00:09:40,720 --> 00:09:43,360 Speaker 2: called it, very good, as he urged further Australian support 188 00:09:43,360 --> 00:09:46,960 Speaker 2: to boltstter the nation's economic security, develop its agricultural sector, 189 00:09:47,280 --> 00:09:50,920 Speaker 2: and fight Indo's serious problem with drugs and narcotics. According 190 00:09:50,920 --> 00:09:53,400 Speaker 2: to a report in The Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albernezi, 191 00:09:53,440 --> 00:09:55,760 Speaker 2: who hosted be soon to be counterpart at a meeting 192 00:09:55,800 --> 00:09:59,400 Speaker 2: with senior Australian ministers, said the agreement was a breakthrough 193 00:09:59,440 --> 00:10:01,280 Speaker 2: in the nation's lateral relationship. 194 00:10:02,520 --> 00:10:06,199 Speaker 1: I'm there calling it the most significant agreement ever, all 195 00:10:06,240 --> 00:10:08,520 Speaker 1: of the hyperbole in the world, and he describes it 196 00:10:08,559 --> 00:10:12,760 Speaker 1: as a very good agreement. It feels like he dialed 197 00:10:12,760 --> 00:10:15,800 Speaker 1: it back a little bit there, Sean. The share of 198 00:10:15,840 --> 00:10:19,160 Speaker 1: Australians enrolled to vote has reached a near record, with 199 00:10:19,320 --> 00:10:22,839 Speaker 1: pre election enrollment now at its highest level of all time. 200 00:10:23,160 --> 00:10:25,800 Speaker 2: This is good news. Official figures released by the Australian 201 00:10:25,840 --> 00:10:29,640 Speaker 2: Electoral Commission show ninety seven point nine percent of all 202 00:10:29,640 --> 00:10:34,080 Speaker 2: eligible Australians are enrolled to vote. That figure is higher 203 00:10:34,120 --> 00:10:37,199 Speaker 2: than the proportion leading into the previous federal election back 204 00:10:37,200 --> 00:10:39,400 Speaker 2: in twenty twenty two, it was ninety six point two percent. 205 00:10:39,440 --> 00:10:42,680 Speaker 2: Then an estimated ninety two point nine percent of Indigenous 206 00:10:42,720 --> 00:10:45,920 Speaker 2: Australians are now enrolled to vote, significantly higher than the 207 00:10:45,960 --> 00:10:49,200 Speaker 2: seventy nine point three percent leading into the last federal poll. 208 00:10:49,960 --> 00:10:53,960 Speaker 1: Property investor, developer and fund manager Dexis posted a one 209 00:10:53,960 --> 00:10:56,000 Speaker 1: point five to eight billion dollar loss for its twenty 210 00:10:56,040 --> 00:10:59,840 Speaker 1: twenty four financial year, deepening the previous year's loss after 211 00:11:00,040 --> 00:11:02,840 Speaker 1: recording huge devaluations across its portfolio. 212 00:11:03,240 --> 00:11:05,640 Speaker 2: Yes, some very big numbers in this one. In twenty 213 00:11:05,640 --> 00:11:08,920 Speaker 2: twenty three, Dexas's loss was seven hundred and fifty three 214 00:11:08,920 --> 00:11:12,120 Speaker 2: million dollars. The significant worsening in twenty twenty four reflects 215 00:11:12,160 --> 00:11:15,800 Speaker 2: higher interest rates triggering a reduction in the future value 216 00:11:15,800 --> 00:11:19,480 Speaker 2: of properties. The results sent Dexas's share price down nine percent. 217 00:11:19,520 --> 00:11:23,760 Speaker 2: If you exclude the changes in valuations. Dexas's funds from 218 00:11:23,760 --> 00:11:26,680 Speaker 2: operations was five hundred and sixteen million dollars, which was 219 00:11:26,679 --> 00:11:29,520 Speaker 2: about in line with guidance. The group warned that next 220 00:11:29,600 --> 00:11:32,920 Speaker 2: year's earnings would fall. Like many of the property groups, 221 00:11:32,960 --> 00:11:36,559 Speaker 2: Dexas has been transforming, trying to diversify its assets space, 222 00:11:36,880 --> 00:11:41,320 Speaker 2: pushing into other types of property, student housing, healthcare infrastructure. 223 00:11:41,480 --> 00:11:44,040 Speaker 2: It's also boosted its funds at management business, with co 224 00:11:44,160 --> 00:11:48,000 Speaker 2: investment with partners now a key strategy. For example, Dexas 225 00:11:48,080 --> 00:11:51,400 Speaker 2: is co investing with Atlasian for the technology group's new 226 00:11:51,400 --> 00:11:53,640 Speaker 2: headquarters in Sydney and so on. 227 00:11:53,640 --> 00:11:55,959 Speaker 1: There were some good news in the property sector. Vicinity, 228 00:11:56,120 --> 00:11:58,920 Speaker 1: which owns shopping centers including Chadsen in Melbourne and the 229 00:11:58,960 --> 00:12:02,680 Speaker 1: QVB in Sydney, said that occupancy rates are back to 230 00:12:02,760 --> 00:12:05,239 Speaker 1: their highest level since before the pandemic. 231 00:12:05,720 --> 00:12:07,720 Speaker 2: We should celebrate this, don't you reckon that. 232 00:12:07,880 --> 00:12:11,680 Speaker 1: Is actually that is significantly good news. 233 00:12:11,800 --> 00:12:14,760 Speaker 2: Surely it is, and it's coming Despite slowing sales amid 234 00:12:14,760 --> 00:12:18,000 Speaker 2: the cost of living crisis. The group's statutory profit more 235 00:12:18,000 --> 00:12:20,440 Speaker 2: than double to five hundred and forty seven million dollars, 236 00:12:20,440 --> 00:12:23,080 Speaker 2: and its share price ended up one percent yesterday. Chief 237 00:12:23,120 --> 00:12:27,000 Speaker 2: executive Peter Huddle said Vicinity was writing longer leasing deals 238 00:12:27,040 --> 00:12:30,280 Speaker 2: averaging three point six years, up from three point three years. 239 00:12:30,600 --> 00:12:32,960 Speaker 2: On the property front, capitalization rates, which a bit like 240 00:12:32,960 --> 00:12:36,960 Speaker 2: investment yields, we're showing signs of stabilizing, not falling anymore. 241 00:12:37,240 --> 00:12:41,520 Speaker 2: This strong leasing activity lifted Occupancy rates across Vicinity's fifty 242 00:12:41,520 --> 00:12:44,839 Speaker 2: seven assets worth twenty three point two billion to ninety 243 00:12:44,880 --> 00:12:48,760 Speaker 2: nine point three percent. That's the highest level since before 244 00:12:48,800 --> 00:12:53,439 Speaker 2: the pandemic. Occupancy at its CBD malls, including Imporium Melbourne 245 00:12:53,760 --> 00:12:56,880 Speaker 2: and the Queen Victoria Building in Sydney hit ninety nine 246 00:12:56,960 --> 00:13:00,400 Speaker 2: point six percent, which is actually higher than before the pandemic. 247 00:13:01,120 --> 00:13:05,360 Speaker 1: Sean medical glove and protective surgical suits maker Ansel, a 248 00:13:05,840 --> 00:13:09,559 Speaker 1: COVID nineteen favorite among investors, has cut almost ten percent 249 00:13:09,840 --> 00:13:12,839 Speaker 1: of its global workforce as many of its factories step 250 00:13:12,920 --> 00:13:14,000 Speaker 1: up the use of automation. 251 00:13:14,880 --> 00:13:17,959 Speaker 2: Chief executive Neil Salmon said there had been some cuts 252 00:13:18,040 --> 00:13:21,160 Speaker 2: from each one of its fourteen factories and there was 253 00:13:21,200 --> 00:13:23,920 Speaker 2: more cost cutting to come beyond the thirteen to thirty 254 00:13:23,960 --> 00:13:28,000 Speaker 2: people who were made redundant. The reductions are ninety percent complete, 255 00:13:28,040 --> 00:13:30,640 Speaker 2: he told the Australian Financial Review. Chairs in the Ansel 256 00:13:30,840 --> 00:13:33,719 Speaker 2: climbed nine percent, though it is more than twenty five 257 00:13:33,720 --> 00:13:36,560 Speaker 2: percent off its peak during the pandemic. Mister Salmon also 258 00:13:36,600 --> 00:13:39,240 Speaker 2: outlined that a glut of medical gloves and other ppe 259 00:13:39,559 --> 00:13:41,880 Speaker 2: that occurred in the COVID nineteen pandemic had been all 260 00:13:41,880 --> 00:13:45,240 Speaker 2: but whittled away except in small pockets of the market. 261 00:13:45,280 --> 00:13:47,840 Speaker 2: Mister Salmon said the job shedding, in part was the 262 00:13:47,840 --> 00:13:50,679 Speaker 2: result of the company playing catch up in bringing more 263 00:13:50,679 --> 00:13:53,679 Speaker 2: automation and robotics into its factories. 264 00:13:53,960 --> 00:13:57,040 Speaker 1: And one more Sean before we get to international news. 265 00:13:57,120 --> 00:14:00,520 Speaker 1: Coal miner Yan Coal is cashed up ready to buy 266 00:14:00,559 --> 00:14:03,560 Speaker 1: assets such as Anglo Americans Queensland coal mines. 267 00:14:04,080 --> 00:14:06,000 Speaker 2: The group made a half year profit of file one 268 00:14:06,040 --> 00:14:08,360 Speaker 2: hundred and twenty million dollars, but rather than pay out 269 00:14:08,360 --> 00:14:10,960 Speaker 2: a dividend as per usual, the board decided to hold 270 00:14:11,000 --> 00:14:14,440 Speaker 2: onto the money, lifting the group's cash balance to one 271 00:14:14,480 --> 00:14:20,360 Speaker 2: point five five billion dollars with no debt. Quite incredible. 272 00:14:20,640 --> 00:14:22,840 Speaker 2: The board made it clear it's looking for high quality 273 00:14:22,840 --> 00:14:25,720 Speaker 2: acquisition opportunities and alongside the lack of dividend, was the 274 00:14:25,720 --> 00:14:29,080 Speaker 2: main reason the Encol's share price tumbled fifteen percent yesterday. 275 00:14:29,480 --> 00:14:32,600 Speaker 2: Now jen Cole's constitution says that fifty percent of net 276 00:14:32,680 --> 00:14:36,880 Speaker 2: profit must be returned to shareholders as dividends every year, 277 00:14:37,280 --> 00:14:40,440 Speaker 2: but the directors have the right to rescind a dividend 278 00:14:40,840 --> 00:14:44,600 Speaker 2: if they feel the company's financial position no longer justifies it. 279 00:14:45,360 --> 00:14:47,840 Speaker 2: En Cole chief executive David malt has previously said he 280 00:14:47,880 --> 00:14:50,520 Speaker 2: wants to buy Asstes particularly high quality cocin coal mines 281 00:14:50,560 --> 00:14:53,960 Speaker 2: for steel making in Queensland. But it is quite drastic 282 00:14:54,120 --> 00:14:58,080 Speaker 2: to just dump the dividend totally, particularly when you have 283 00:14:58,120 --> 00:14:59,640 Speaker 2: so much cash on your balance sheet. 284 00:15:00,200 --> 00:15:05,600 Speaker 1: Indeed, now International News Sean. US President Joe Biden defended 285 00:15:05,640 --> 00:15:09,560 Speaker 1: his legacy in a really quite a lengthy valedictory speech 286 00:15:09,720 --> 00:15:13,840 Speaker 1: to the Democratic National Convention yesterday, saying his presidency reunited 287 00:15:13,880 --> 00:15:17,960 Speaker 1: the country after the divisiveness of the Trump years. 288 00:15:18,040 --> 00:15:20,960 Speaker 2: And mister Biden called on the convention to support Carmla 289 00:15:21,040 --> 00:15:24,400 Speaker 2: Harris as his successor, saying choosing her as his vice 290 00:15:24,400 --> 00:15:27,000 Speaker 2: president was and I quote the best decision I made 291 00:15:27,040 --> 00:15:30,040 Speaker 2: in my whole career end quote. According to report in 292 00:15:30,120 --> 00:15:32,960 Speaker 2: The Financial Times, mister Biden argued he had set the 293 00:15:33,000 --> 00:15:37,200 Speaker 2: country on a solid economic course and touted foreign policy successes, 294 00:15:37,320 --> 00:15:41,640 Speaker 2: especially the expansion of NATO and helped Ukraine against Russia's invasion. 295 00:15:42,000 --> 00:15:44,960 Speaker 2: His remarks came shortly after Miss Harris made a surprise 296 00:15:45,000 --> 00:15:49,200 Speaker 2: appearance at the convention hailing Biden's lifetime of service. The 297 00:15:49,280 --> 00:15:52,960 Speaker 2: convention came against a backdrop of protests in Chicago against 298 00:15:53,000 --> 00:15:56,360 Speaker 2: Biden's support for Israel in Gaza, with thousands of police 299 00:15:56,400 --> 00:15:58,400 Speaker 2: deployed on the streets and a white security court and 300 00:15:58,480 --> 00:16:01,360 Speaker 2: erected around the confident and spend you. Biden was due 301 00:16:01,400 --> 00:16:03,680 Speaker 2: to fly out of Chicago after his speech. He's going 302 00:16:03,720 --> 00:16:06,760 Speaker 2: to skip the rest of the convention. Very unusual for 303 00:16:06,800 --> 00:16:09,480 Speaker 2: that to happen for a sitting president. It will culminate 304 00:16:09,600 --> 00:16:13,720 Speaker 2: on Thursday, US time with Harris's formal nomination as the 305 00:16:13,760 --> 00:16:17,680 Speaker 2: Democratic presidential candidate. The big name speakers this week will 306 00:16:17,680 --> 00:16:21,160 Speaker 2: include former Presidents Barack Obama and Bill Clinton, and Harris's 307 00:16:21,240 --> 00:16:23,360 Speaker 2: running mate, Minnesota Governor Tim Walls. 308 00:16:24,560 --> 00:16:29,000 Speaker 1: Sean, I was watching the speeches yesterday, the live stream 309 00:16:29,040 --> 00:16:34,760 Speaker 1: of the convention, and I saw Joe Biden's daughter introduce him, 310 00:16:35,320 --> 00:16:38,160 Speaker 1: and she introduced him very well, and then the president 311 00:16:38,240 --> 00:16:40,280 Speaker 1: came out and they embraced and there was a lot 312 00:16:40,320 --> 00:16:44,440 Speaker 1: of tears. It was quite an emotional moment, really, and 313 00:16:44,480 --> 00:16:50,800 Speaker 1: then the standing ovation started and stop and on. Once 314 00:16:50,840 --> 00:16:53,080 Speaker 1: it got to two and a half minutes, I'm like, reckon, 315 00:16:53,080 --> 00:16:56,200 Speaker 1: I've got time to make a cup of tea. I 316 00:16:56,320 --> 00:16:59,640 Speaker 1: ducked out, came back and forgotten that I had turned 317 00:16:59,720 --> 00:17:02,760 Speaker 1: on the stream and so I was somedthing. I to 318 00:17:02,800 --> 00:17:06,239 Speaker 1: hear this voice coming out of my office. What's going on? 319 00:17:06,600 --> 00:17:10,639 Speaker 1: Someone's in there. It was Joe Biden in full flight, 320 00:17:10,680 --> 00:17:13,200 Speaker 1: and he was really he was really getting stuck in 321 00:17:13,600 --> 00:17:14,920 Speaker 1: he was, And you. 322 00:17:14,840 --> 00:17:18,520 Speaker 2: Know, you wonder. I think the fact that they've shifted 323 00:17:18,520 --> 00:17:20,440 Speaker 2: gears and gone for Krma Harris is a good thing. 324 00:17:20,720 --> 00:17:23,439 Speaker 2: But when you see Joe Biden yesterday, you kind of 325 00:17:23,520 --> 00:17:26,480 Speaker 2: understand what a forceful speaker he can be. 326 00:17:27,000 --> 00:17:29,920 Speaker 1: Yeah, yeah, indeed, So now it was a really interesting 327 00:17:29,920 --> 00:17:36,080 Speaker 1: speech watch. But my goodness, that was a very long Indeed, Sean, 328 00:17:36,119 --> 00:17:38,760 Speaker 1: I've been looking forward to this one. Higher interest rates 329 00:17:38,800 --> 00:17:42,080 Speaker 1: and the cost of living crisis is hitting one attractive 330 00:17:42,119 --> 00:17:45,720 Speaker 1: but somewhat expensive hobby vintage car collection. 331 00:17:46,280 --> 00:17:49,000 Speaker 2: Yes, we're in the middle of the vintage auction season 332 00:17:49,000 --> 00:17:52,600 Speaker 2: in the US and for the week ending Saturday, auction 333 00:17:52,760 --> 00:17:54,960 Speaker 2: sales were down eight percent from last year to three 334 00:17:55,080 --> 00:17:58,320 Speaker 2: hundred and thirty one million dollars. However, they were way 335 00:17:58,520 --> 00:18:01,720 Speaker 2: by the twenty twenty two bump, a year where sales 336 00:18:01,760 --> 00:18:04,159 Speaker 2: were four hundred and sixty nine million dollars. According to 337 00:18:04,200 --> 00:18:06,480 Speaker 2: Haggarty Ink. Now, I've got to tell you, I had 338 00:18:06,520 --> 00:18:09,600 Speaker 2: no idea It was auction season for vintage cars, but 339 00:18:09,720 --> 00:18:12,240 Speaker 2: actually gets quite interesting. Half of the vehicles failed to 340 00:18:12,280 --> 00:18:16,879 Speaker 2: realize their low price estimate. Not helping is there the 341 00:18:17,040 --> 00:18:19,520 Speaker 2: large number of vintage cars on the market at the moment. 342 00:18:19,840 --> 00:18:23,000 Speaker 2: The good news is that after auction deals are pushing 343 00:18:23,160 --> 00:18:27,399 Speaker 2: final sales higher. Now it just seems, according to report 344 00:18:27,400 --> 00:18:31,120 Speaker 2: on Bloomberg, that people aren't rushing to buy vintage cars anymore. 345 00:18:31,520 --> 00:18:34,000 Speaker 2: Of the top ten sales of the week six were 346 00:18:34,040 --> 00:18:37,600 Speaker 2: Ferraris that is undoubtedly number one brand. The top seller 347 00:18:37,640 --> 00:18:41,640 Speaker 2: among five auction houses was a nineteen sixty Ferrari two 348 00:18:41,760 --> 00:18:46,720 Speaker 2: fifty spider seventeen million US dollars including the buyer's premium. 349 00:18:46,920 --> 00:18:50,000 Speaker 2: South he sold that one. Not bad. It was better 350 00:18:50,040 --> 00:18:52,399 Speaker 2: than its low estimate of sixteen million dollars, so that 351 00:18:52,480 --> 00:18:54,280 Speaker 2: was good. The next best was a nine point thirty 352 00:18:54,320 --> 00:18:58,159 Speaker 2: eight Alpha Romeo that had actually been stolen and then recovered. 353 00:18:58,640 --> 00:19:00,320 Speaker 2: I think it was a spider as well. Well. No, 354 00:19:00,520 --> 00:19:03,520 Speaker 2: I don't know much about mintage cars, but why why 355 00:19:03,600 --> 00:19:06,600 Speaker 2: is Alpha Romeo and Ferro both got spiders. It went 356 00:19:06,640 --> 00:19:09,680 Speaker 2: for fourteen million dollars including foos Oh. 357 00:19:09,359 --> 00:19:12,400 Speaker 1: What a story. Fourteen million dollars for an Alpha gosh, 358 00:19:12,480 --> 00:19:14,000 Speaker 1: Alpha's nice cars, aren't they. 359 00:19:14,119 --> 00:19:16,240 Speaker 2: You just but you feel like you need to be 360 00:19:16,400 --> 00:19:21,240 Speaker 2: on a movie set to drive one. Yeah yeah, otherwise 361 00:19:21,240 --> 00:19:23,280 Speaker 2: everyone's just going to drive rang out. What a wanker, 362 00:19:23,520 --> 00:19:24,600 Speaker 2: And I'm like, yeah, that's me. 363 00:19:26,080 --> 00:19:28,119 Speaker 1: I've had two Alphas, Sean, thank you for that. 364 00:19:28,160 --> 00:19:34,520 Speaker 2: Oh was one of them in nineteen thirty eight. 365 00:19:35,359 --> 00:19:37,120 Speaker 1: No, no, no, but. 366 00:19:37,119 --> 00:19:41,680 Speaker 2: You'll find that. So I've driven Alphas, but the only 367 00:19:41,680 --> 00:19:43,639 Speaker 2: think about Alphas that I found really difficult was that 368 00:19:43,680 --> 00:19:45,959 Speaker 2: the pedals are always so close together. And if you've 369 00:19:45,960 --> 00:19:48,840 Speaker 2: got big clumsy feet like me, yeah, they're actually. 370 00:19:48,600 --> 00:19:52,159 Speaker 1: Quite hard to drive, Sean, clubfoot Alma, and that's it 371 00:19:52,200 --> 00:19:56,560 Speaker 1: bashing everything. Yeah, goodness, you've hurt my feelings now, Sean. 372 00:19:56,960 --> 00:19:59,639 Speaker 1: You effectively called me a wanker, which is actually fairly 373 00:19:59,640 --> 00:20:01,840 Speaker 1: consistent with what you do off air as well. Up 374 00:20:01,880 --> 00:20:06,160 Speaker 1: next is the Fear and Greed Daily interview with Rachel Wastell, 375 00:20:06,840 --> 00:20:10,159 Speaker 1: personal finance expert at financial comparison site MOSO. That is 376 00:20:10,240 --> 00:20:11,200 Speaker 1: quite a mouthful, Sean. 377 00:20:11,560 --> 00:20:14,080 Speaker 2: It sure is all about credit cards. They've looked at 378 00:20:14,080 --> 00:20:17,280 Speaker 2: almost two hundred credit cards, compared interest rates, fees, how 379 00:20:17,320 --> 00:20:20,119 Speaker 2: the buy now pay the latest sector impacts the credit 380 00:20:20,160 --> 00:20:21,480 Speaker 2: card sector. It's a great trip. 381 00:20:21,760 --> 00:20:23,280 Speaker 1: Yeah, it really is. It is up next to the 382 00:20:23,280 --> 00:20:25,600 Speaker 1: Fear and Greed playlist on your podcast platform or at 383 00:20:25,600 --> 00:20:29,600 Speaker 1: fearanngreed dot com dot au and also worth a listening. 384 00:20:29,640 --> 00:20:31,520 Speaker 1: Today is the new episode of How Do They Afford That, 385 00:20:31,560 --> 00:20:34,679 Speaker 1: which is out every Wednesday. Today's episode, Sean, it's all 386 00:20:34,720 --> 00:20:38,119 Speaker 1: about six side hustles that you may not have considered, 387 00:20:38,960 --> 00:20:43,360 Speaker 1: which is interesting, especially because I disagree with Canna on 388 00:20:43,359 --> 00:20:43,920 Speaker 1: one of them. 389 00:20:44,040 --> 00:20:45,600 Speaker 2: I disagree podcasting. 390 00:20:46,040 --> 00:20:51,040 Speaker 1: Oh the side hustle shot of things that you make 391 00:20:51,080 --> 00:20:51,560 Speaker 1: money from. 392 00:20:52,880 --> 00:20:53,040 Speaker 2: Good. 393 00:20:53,680 --> 00:20:56,560 Speaker 1: There you go anyway, check it out. It does get 394 00:20:56,600 --> 00:20:58,879 Speaker 1: a little bit heated in the studio. It's worth listeners 395 00:20:58,920 --> 00:21:00,600 Speaker 1: for that reason. Thank you very much, Sean. 396 00:21:00,880 --> 00:21:01,560 Speaker 2: Thank you, Michael. 397 00:21:01,880 --> 00:21:04,960 Speaker 1: It is Wednesday, the twenty first of August twenty twenty four. 398 00:21:05,040 --> 00:21:07,199 Speaker 1: Make sure you're following the podcast and please join us 399 00:21:07,240 --> 00:21:11,280 Speaker 1: online on LinkedIn, Instagram, x TikTok and Facebook. I'm Michael 400 00:21:11,320 --> 00:21:15,680 Speaker 1: Thompson and that was Fear and Greed. Have a great day.