1 00:00:06,200 --> 00:00:08,760 Michael Thompson: Today on Fear and Greed. With five days to go, 2 00:00:08,920 --> 00:00:11,479 Michael Thompson: Anthony Abnezi and Peter Dutton are in a mad dash 3 00:00:11,520 --> 00:00:14,680 Michael Thompson: to polling day, and political experts say, barring a disaster, 4 00:00:14,840 --> 00:00:18,840 Michael Thompson: the Prime Minister will be returned, the local housing market stumbles, 5 00:00:18,920 --> 00:00:21,880 Michael Thompson: and the new Virgin Katar flights to Europe so far 6 00:00:22,160 --> 00:00:25,799 Michael Thompson: haven't led to lower airfares. Plus, US President Donald Trump 7 00:00:25,960 --> 00:00:30,080 Michael Thompson: turns on Russia's Vladimir Putin and judges that the oscars 8 00:00:30,120 --> 00:00:33,159 Michael Thompson: are told they need to watch the movies that they're judging. 9 00:00:33,479 --> 00:00:35,880 Michael Thompson: Welcome to Fear and Greed Daily business news for people 10 00:00:35,880 --> 00:00:38,120 Michael Thompson: who make their own decisions. It is Monday, the twenty 11 00:00:38,120 --> 00:00:40,839 Michael Thompson: eighth of April twenty twenty five. I'm Michael Thompson and 12 00:00:40,840 --> 00:00:42,080 Michael Thompson: good morning Sean Aylmer. 13 00:00:42,400 --> 00:00:43,440 Sean Aylmer: Good morning, Michael. 14 00:00:43,600 --> 00:00:46,040 Michael Thompson: Sean massive week coming up this week, obviously with the 15 00:00:46,080 --> 00:00:49,000 Michael Thompson: election at the end of it. Very good time to 16 00:00:49,159 --> 00:00:52,280 Michael Thompson: subscribe to the Fear and Greed Daily newsletter, which is 17 00:00:52,520 --> 00:00:54,880 Michael Thompson: entirely free and in your inbox every day by six 18 00:00:54,880 --> 00:00:55,160 Michael Thompson: a m. 19 00:00:55,760 --> 00:00:58,760 Sean Aylmer: Yep. I think that anyone who's interested in news should 20 00:00:58,800 --> 00:01:03,200 Sean Aylmer: be doing this week. We have inflation figures on Wednesday, 21 00:01:03,680 --> 00:01:06,240 Sean Aylmer: all sorts of talks about rape, carts. We've got the election, 22 00:01:06,319 --> 00:01:09,200 Sean Aylmer: as you mentioned, plenty going on. So if you're interested 23 00:01:09,200 --> 00:01:11,319 Sean Aylmer: in the news and you want just to have a 24 00:01:11,360 --> 00:01:13,480 Sean Aylmer: fifteen to twenty second grab of it before you hit 25 00:01:13,520 --> 00:01:15,880 Sean Aylmer: your desk every morning, the news that is the place 26 00:01:15,920 --> 00:01:18,640 Sean Aylmer: to be fearandgreed dot com dot au. Sign up today. 27 00:01:18,560 --> 00:01:20,360 Michael Thompson: Absolutely, and I'll put a link in today's show notes 28 00:01:20,400 --> 00:01:22,200 Michael Thompson: as well, just so it's really really easy and that's 29 00:01:22,200 --> 00:01:24,199 Michael Thompson: all you have to do. I'm with the show though 30 00:01:24,400 --> 00:01:26,880 Michael Thompson: shown the main story this morning, of course, Federal Labour, 31 00:01:27,080 --> 00:01:29,800 Michael Thompson: the Liberals and National Party are all in the final 32 00:01:29,920 --> 00:01:33,199 Michael Thompson: stretch of campaigning. With five days to go before the election. 33 00:01:33,360 --> 00:01:36,480 Michael Thompson: The pressure is on, though Prime Minister Anthony Alberzi is 34 00:01:36,760 --> 00:01:39,760 Michael Thompson: firm favorite to return to the lodge come next Monday, 35 00:01:39,800 --> 00:01:42,280 Michael Thompson: and barring a disaster, the question is really whether it's 36 00:01:42,319 --> 00:01:44,800 Michael Thompson: going to be as a majority or a minority government. 37 00:01:45,360 --> 00:01:48,640 Sean Aylmer: That's right. The fourth and final debate last night again 38 00:01:48,720 --> 00:01:52,040 Sean Aylmer: produced no clear cut winner. Probably decided who you were 39 00:01:52,120 --> 00:01:54,360 Sean Aylmer: voting for on who you thought was the winner. Though 40 00:01:54,360 --> 00:01:57,800 Sean Aylmer: across all four debates, I think Prime Minister Anthony Alberzi 41 00:01:57,880 --> 00:02:01,120 Sean Aylmer: probably did enough to get home. Last night's debate on 42 00:02:01,120 --> 00:02:04,040 Sean Aylmer: the Seven network was spirited, particularly as Opposition leader Peter 43 00:02:04,120 --> 00:02:06,680 Sean Aylmer: Dunton knows he has plenty of grounds to make up. 44 00:02:07,040 --> 00:02:08,919 Michael Thompson: I think four debates is too many, Sean. 45 00:02:12,200 --> 00:02:14,680 Sean Aylmer: I looked at your face then you're frowning as I'm 46 00:02:14,680 --> 00:02:16,280 Sean Aylmer: talking about the fourth and final debate. 47 00:02:16,480 --> 00:02:19,960 Michael Thompson: I just watching it. I was just like, I appreciate, 48 00:02:20,280 --> 00:02:25,640 Michael Thompson: I appreciate transparency. Come on forward for for as too many. 49 00:02:26,040 --> 00:02:28,560 Michael Thompson: I think I think there's a bit of election debate 50 00:02:28,680 --> 00:02:32,400 Michael Thompson: fatigue that starts successing by the force. Anyway, Sorry, go on. 51 00:02:32,680 --> 00:02:35,840 Sean Aylmer: It's been very much cost of living election campaign. Labour's 52 00:02:35,880 --> 00:02:39,360 Sean Aylmer: focus on health, particularly Medicare and GPS, and the coalitions 53 00:02:39,360 --> 00:02:41,640 Sean Aylmer: push on energy in the twenty five cent a leader 54 00:02:41,639 --> 00:02:45,760 Sean Aylmer: cut and petrol excise have been the most emphasized issues now. 55 00:02:45,840 --> 00:02:49,959 Sean Aylmer: Polling released over the weekend by SEC Newgate shows that 56 00:02:50,040 --> 00:02:53,720 Sean Aylmer: when it comes to which leader voters SINC would be 57 00:02:53,720 --> 00:02:56,480 Sean Aylmer: best in terms of being a guardian of cost of 58 00:02:56,520 --> 00:03:02,080 Sean Aylmer: living issues, Anthony alberizi Trump's Peter Dutton. Oh bad use 59 00:03:02,120 --> 00:03:06,000 Sean Aylmer: of that word. Anthony Albanezi is better. That is more 60 00:03:06,240 --> 00:03:09,160 Sean Aylmer: like than Peter Dutton. Housing a game got a run 61 00:03:09,280 --> 00:03:13,560 Sean Aylmer: last night. That's another big issue for both sides of politics. 62 00:03:13,760 --> 00:03:17,360 Sean Aylmer: Nuclear energy continues to be a millstone around the opposition's neck, 63 00:03:18,360 --> 00:03:20,799 Sean Aylmer: and it seems it's work from home policy for federal 64 00:03:20,840 --> 00:03:25,400 Sean Aylmer: bureaucrats which it dropped, hasn't helped either Donald Trump and 65 00:03:25,440 --> 00:03:27,679 Sean Aylmer: the perception that Peter Dutton is more aligned with him 66 00:03:28,480 --> 00:03:31,960 Sean Aylmer: isn't helping the opposition mind John Defense on defense as 67 00:03:32,000 --> 00:03:35,440 Sean Aylmer: we saw last night, and the economy too. To some extent, 68 00:03:36,040 --> 00:03:42,040 Sean Aylmer: the government has arguably been out pointed. Media is reporting 69 00:03:42,040 --> 00:03:45,120 Sean Aylmer: that Peter Dutton will visit twenty eight seats twenty eight 70 00:03:45,200 --> 00:03:49,320 Sean Aylmer: electorates over the final week of the campaign, including sixteen 71 00:03:49,360 --> 00:03:53,360 Sean Aylmer: ALP held seats. That is quite the troubles schedule, though 72 00:03:53,360 --> 00:03:55,560 Sean Aylmer: he's still got ground to make up with Anthony Alberanezi 73 00:03:55,640 --> 00:03:57,240 Sean Aylmer: definitely favorite. 74 00:03:56,960 --> 00:04:00,000 Michael Thompson: As an enthusiast. I really do enjoy this last week 75 00:04:00,400 --> 00:04:05,800 Michael Thompson: because you see suddenly the politicians that the pace picks up, 76 00:04:05,960 --> 00:04:07,960 Michael Thompson: like they're trying to get to as many seats as 77 00:04:08,000 --> 00:04:10,000 Michael Thompson: they possibly can and just be seen as much as 78 00:04:10,000 --> 00:04:12,720 Michael Thompson: they can and trying to actually reach as many individual 79 00:04:12,800 --> 00:04:14,560 Michael Thompson: voters as they can. They've got a lot to reach 80 00:04:14,600 --> 00:04:17,880 Michael Thompson: because there's eighteen million Australians enrolled to vote at around 81 00:04:17,920 --> 00:04:21,120 Michael Thompson: eight thousand polling stations across the country and in the end, 82 00:04:21,920 --> 00:04:24,279 Michael Thompson: the winner of the election will be the party that 83 00:04:24,320 --> 00:04:26,919 Michael Thompson: controls seventy six out of the one hundred and fifty 84 00:04:26,960 --> 00:04:28,080 Michael Thompson: House of Repre seats. 85 00:04:28,200 --> 00:04:32,359 Sean Aylmer: Right, that's right, And you said control seventy six. That's important. 86 00:04:32,400 --> 00:04:34,520 Sean Aylmer: That's what we're talking about. If they win seventy six 87 00:04:34,600 --> 00:04:39,080 Sean Aylmer: or more, obviously they're going to be the party in government. 88 00:04:39,800 --> 00:04:41,919 Sean Aylmer: If you can control some of the independence of the Greens, 89 00:04:41,960 --> 00:04:45,120 Sean Aylmer: if they support you when it comes to supply, that 90 00:04:45,200 --> 00:04:49,120 Sean Aylmer: means that you are able to form government this year Michael. 91 00:04:49,160 --> 00:04:52,120 Sean Aylmer: There's one four hundred and fifty six candidates, which is 92 00:04:52,160 --> 00:04:54,680 Sean Aylmer: actually about one hundred and seventy fewer than three years ago. 93 00:04:55,040 --> 00:05:00,080 Sean Aylmer: Three hundred and thirty candidates contesting forty Senate vacancies, one 94 00:05:00,120 --> 00:05:02,920 Sean Aylmer: hundred contesting one hundred and fifty House of rep seats. 95 00:05:03,440 --> 00:05:08,040 Sean Aylmer: Sixty two percent of men, thirty eight percent women. Sixty 96 00:05:08,080 --> 00:05:12,000 Sean Aylmer: million ballot papers been printed, one point eight seven million 97 00:05:12,120 --> 00:05:15,280 Sean Aylmer: people have already voted, according to the Australian Electric Commission. 98 00:05:16,120 --> 00:05:17,799 Sean Aylmer: Just a week to go, Michael, Yes. 99 00:05:17,680 --> 00:05:19,800 Michael Thompson: But what an exciting week it's going to be, sean 100 00:05:20,880 --> 00:05:23,000 Michael Thompson: local markets, How did they finish up last week? 101 00:05:23,160 --> 00:05:25,640 Sean Aylmer: Well, the SMPI SX two hundred have its best week 102 00:05:25,720 --> 00:05:28,119 Sean Aylmer: of the year, up more than two percent. Still, trading 103 00:05:28,160 --> 00:05:30,000 Sean Aylmer: under eight thousand points. 104 00:05:29,760 --> 00:05:31,880 Michael Thompson: Probably helped that there was only three trading days, isn't 105 00:05:31,880 --> 00:05:32,400 Michael Thompson: that true? 106 00:05:32,640 --> 00:05:35,520 Sean Aylmer: Very true? Of course, this week it is all about 107 00:05:35,600 --> 00:05:38,640 Sean Aylmer: March quarter inflation figures, due for a lease on Wednesday. 108 00:05:38,680 --> 00:05:42,480 Sean Aylmer: The consensus view among economists is that if the annualized 109 00:05:42,800 --> 00:05:45,880 Sean Aylmer: underlying number comes in around two and a half percent, 110 00:05:46,640 --> 00:05:50,160 Sean Aylmer: then the Reserve Bank will cut rates on twenty May. 111 00:05:50,920 --> 00:05:53,280 Sean Aylmer: Traders have priced in a four percent chance for fifty 112 00:05:53,400 --> 00:05:56,359 Sean Aylmer: basis point rate cut. That's back to about a one 113 00:05:56,440 --> 00:05:59,240 Sean Aylmer: in ten percent chance or one in ten chance of 114 00:05:59,279 --> 00:06:03,240 Sean Aylmer: that twenty five basis point cut is much more likely. 115 00:06:03,279 --> 00:06:07,479 Sean Aylmer: You can't say it's baked in, but it's pretty close 116 00:06:07,480 --> 00:06:11,279 Sean Aylmer: to it. And normally when the market says something and 117 00:06:11,560 --> 00:06:14,520 Sean Aylmer: the Reserve Bank has the opportunity to kind of refute 118 00:06:14,520 --> 00:06:16,840 Sean Aylmer: it or otherwise it does and it hasn't done that, 119 00:06:17,200 --> 00:06:19,839 Sean Aylmer: so you'd have to say a rate cut is more 120 00:06:19,920 --> 00:06:20,479 Sean Aylmer: likely than not. 121 00:06:20,800 --> 00:06:23,800 Michael Thompson: Yeah, that's pretty significant, and it's worth having a listener 122 00:06:23,800 --> 00:06:25,520 Michael Thompson: as well. After the show to Fear and Greet the 123 00:06:25,560 --> 00:06:29,760 Michael Thompson: Weak Ahead with our resident economist Stephen Coucoulis, who has it, 124 00:06:29,760 --> 00:06:33,559 Michael Thompson: has always got a great insight into the Reserve Bank 125 00:06:33,760 --> 00:06:36,160 Michael Thompson: and the importance of the inflation figures, that kind of thing. 126 00:06:36,400 --> 00:06:38,920 Sean Aylmer: Yeah, exactly, And he talks about the annualized number. So 127 00:06:38,920 --> 00:06:40,920 Sean Aylmer: if you take the last six months worth of inflation, 128 00:06:41,320 --> 00:06:44,720 Sean Aylmer: decend a quarterum this mass quarter reading, you annualize that 129 00:06:44,760 --> 00:06:47,200 Sean Aylmer: you might actually end up under two and a half 130 00:06:47,200 --> 00:06:49,000 Sean Aylmer: a set, which is the midpoint of the range. So 131 00:06:49,080 --> 00:06:51,160 Sean Aylmer: we're worth a listener, Stephen, Just. 132 00:06:51,080 --> 00:06:53,480 Michael Thompson: One more before we take a break, Shawn Globally, the 133 00:06:54,200 --> 00:06:57,320 Michael Thompson: underfire boss of the Federal Reserve, J Powell, who has 134 00:06:57,360 --> 00:06:59,599 Michael Thompson: triggered the wrath of Donald Trump. He's found a bit 135 00:06:59,640 --> 00:07:01,760 Michael Thompson: of support among fellow central bankers. 136 00:07:02,080 --> 00:07:05,240 Sean Aylmer: Well, if you can't find support among fellows bankers, what 137 00:07:05,360 --> 00:07:08,320 Sean Aylmer: chance does he have. He was speaking at the International 138 00:07:08,360 --> 00:07:11,960 Sean Aylmer: Monetary Fund meeting of central bankers and finance ministers over 139 00:07:11,960 --> 00:07:15,480 Sean Aylmer: the weekend. In a speech, he stretched that central banks 140 00:07:15,600 --> 00:07:18,400 Sean Aylmer: must be shielded from politics to ensure they can focus 141 00:07:18,440 --> 00:07:22,520 Sean Aylmer: on keeping inflation stable and employment high. According to Bloomberg, 142 00:07:22,840 --> 00:07:25,400 Sean Aylmer: in response, he received an ovation. 143 00:07:25,920 --> 00:07:30,280 Michael Thompson: Oh there you go, Sean, I've already mentioned the week 144 00:07:30,320 --> 00:07:32,720 Michael Thompson: ahead with Stephen Cockola. See other thing to listen to 145 00:07:32,840 --> 00:07:34,360 Michael Thompson: after the show. We still have more to come, so 146 00:07:34,400 --> 00:07:36,840 Michael Thompson: don't go anywhere just yet. But after the show, you've 147 00:07:36,840 --> 00:07:39,240 Michael Thompson: got an interview coming up with Tom Cranfield, who is 148 00:07:39,320 --> 00:07:42,520 Michael Thompson: executive director of Zaga, which is an alternative real estate 149 00:07:42,640 --> 00:07:43,400 Michael Thompson: investment manager. 150 00:07:44,120 --> 00:07:47,960 Sean Aylmer: Yes, so we talked to Tom all about the benefits 151 00:07:48,680 --> 00:07:54,560 Sean Aylmer: of investing outside just public markets, particularly where alternatives can 152 00:07:54,640 --> 00:07:58,680 Sean Aylmer: be uncorrelated to public markets, and so the benefits of 153 00:07:58,840 --> 00:08:01,680 Sean Aylmer: that for investment. There's fantastic chat with Tom. 154 00:08:01,880 --> 00:08:04,040 Michael Thompson: Yeah, and Tom came into the studio, great fellow listens 155 00:08:04,080 --> 00:08:06,880 Michael Thompson: to the podcast he does as well, So Tom ready 156 00:08:07,160 --> 00:08:09,360 Michael Thompson: after a great start with that chat. It's a really 157 00:08:09,400 --> 00:08:12,120 Michael Thompson: good conversation that it's worth listening to after the show. 158 00:08:12,160 --> 00:08:13,800 Michael Thompson: But stick around, We've got plenty more to come. We'll 159 00:08:13,800 --> 00:08:15,320 Michael Thompson: be back in a moment with the rest of the 160 00:08:15,400 --> 00:08:26,160 Michael Thompson: day's business news sewn. The local housing market is slowing markedly, 161 00:08:26,320 --> 00:08:29,960 Michael Thompson: with auction clearance rates now at their lowest level this year, 162 00:08:30,200 --> 00:08:32,840 Michael Thompson: and the number of houses going out for sale also week. 163 00:08:33,440 --> 00:08:35,720 Sean Aylmer: Just over a thousand auctions over the past week, now 164 00:08:35,960 --> 00:08:38,800 Sean Aylmer: more than the Easter weekend, not surprising, but about half 165 00:08:38,880 --> 00:08:41,319 Sean Aylmer: the level of a year ago. It was a long 166 00:08:41,400 --> 00:08:44,280 Sean Aylmer: weekend because of the Endzact Day weekend, so obviously that 167 00:08:44,600 --> 00:08:47,559 Sean Aylmer: plays a role in that, but still the market is 168 00:08:47,640 --> 00:08:50,959 Sean Aylmer: looking lukewarm at best. The preliminary clearance rate came in 169 00:08:51,000 --> 00:08:54,160 Sean Aylmer: at sixty four point two percent, the lowest level since 170 00:08:54,320 --> 00:08:58,280 Sean Aylmer: mid December twenty twenty four. The final clearance rate from 171 00:08:58,320 --> 00:09:02,280 Sean Aylmer: the previous week was about fifty seven percent, so we're 172 00:09:02,320 --> 00:09:05,520 Sean Aylmer: now running at about fifty fifty six fifty seven to 173 00:09:05,559 --> 00:09:09,679 Sean Aylmer: fifty eight percent in terms of final clearance rates. That's 174 00:09:09,760 --> 00:09:13,000 Sean Aylmer: not that far off. One in two homes not being sold. 175 00:09:13,920 --> 00:09:18,280 Sean Aylmer: The rate the clearance strake peaked in February, immediately after 176 00:09:18,360 --> 00:09:21,000 Sean Aylmer: a twenty five basis point cut from the Reserve Bank, 177 00:09:21,080 --> 00:09:24,360 Sean Aylmer: but it's been sliding ever since. Melbourne is the best 178 00:09:24,400 --> 00:09:26,959 Sean Aylmer: at the big cities. Its preiminary clearance straight came in 179 00:09:27,000 --> 00:09:30,200 Sean Aylmer: at sixty eight percent, Sydney was sixty six, Adelaide about 180 00:09:30,240 --> 00:09:32,600 Sean Aylmer: the same level, but Brisbane and Canberra less than half 181 00:09:32,720 --> 00:09:34,839 Sean Aylmer: the homes on sale were sold. 182 00:09:35,360 --> 00:09:38,040 Michael Thompson: It got a feel for real estate agents or anyone 183 00:09:38,080 --> 00:09:40,560 Michael Thompson: looking to sell their property looking at the calendar at 184 00:09:40,600 --> 00:09:43,760 Michael Thompson: the start of the year and looking at April and going, 185 00:09:44,360 --> 00:09:49,679 Michael Thompson: oh dear, we have here easter, we have Anzac Day, 186 00:09:50,120 --> 00:09:52,800 Michael Thompson: we have school holidays throughout that, and then we've got 187 00:09:52,800 --> 00:09:55,920 Michael Thompson: an election as well at the same time, and everything 188 00:09:56,000 --> 00:09:58,079 Michael Thompson: just always slows down, typically in the lead up to 189 00:09:58,320 --> 00:10:00,199 Michael Thompson: in the lead up to an election. It's just under 190 00:10:00,200 --> 00:10:02,480 Michael Thompson: this collision of all of these factors that, as you say, 191 00:10:02,840 --> 00:10:05,240 Michael Thompson: would have impacted these slower rates. But clearly there is 192 00:10:05,280 --> 00:10:11,199 Michael Thompson: something else going on too. Definitely Sean Virgin Australia it 193 00:10:11,320 --> 00:10:13,920 Michael Thompson: is now flying to Europe, and you talked a lot 194 00:10:13,960 --> 00:10:17,200 Michael Thompson: about this fairly recently, thanks to it's partnership with Qatar Airways, 195 00:10:17,280 --> 00:10:20,520 Michael Thompson: and about the fact that there should in theory increase 196 00:10:20,559 --> 00:10:24,080 Michael Thompson: competition reduce airfares for all of us hoping to travel 197 00:10:24,120 --> 00:10:27,560 Michael Thompson: at some point soon. But so far airfares haven't fallen. 198 00:10:28,000 --> 00:10:30,920 Sean Aylmer: That's because demand is really strong, according to data from 199 00:10:30,960 --> 00:10:34,400 Sean Aylmer: Webjet reported in The Australian. In fact, travelers are paying 200 00:10:34,480 --> 00:10:37,040 Sean Aylmer: more for economy fairs to places like London, Rome and 201 00:10:37,160 --> 00:10:41,800 Sean Aylmer: Paris than previously so in June twenty twenty four, the 202 00:10:41,920 --> 00:10:45,960 Sean Aylmer: cheapest Sydney Rome fair was seventeen forty five. Air China 203 00:10:46,000 --> 00:10:49,080 Sean Aylmer: that wasn't quantas was twenty four to fourteen, the lowest 204 00:10:49,280 --> 00:10:52,959 Sean Aylmer: fair this year, with the extra competition. It's gone from 205 00:10:53,040 --> 00:10:57,120 Sean Aylmer: seventeen forty five to twenty two sixty three. That's a 206 00:10:57,280 --> 00:11:01,000 Sean Aylmer: huge jump. It's supposed to be cheaper. Quanas is charging 207 00:11:01,080 --> 00:11:03,559 Sean Aylmer: more than three thousand bucks for that Cydney Rome fair 208 00:11:03,600 --> 00:11:07,240 Sean Aylmer: twenty four hundred two months ago. Guitar airways fairs have 209 00:11:07,400 --> 00:11:10,440 Sean Aylmer: also climbed, as have business class airfares. The higher prices 210 00:11:10,480 --> 00:11:14,360 Sean Aylmer: have been attributed pretty much to strong demand for eurosummer traveling. 211 00:11:14,600 --> 00:11:17,040 Sean Aylmer: I wonder whether people to start going to North America 212 00:11:17,080 --> 00:11:21,760 Sean Aylmer: or either where people are just deciding let's stay away 213 00:11:21,800 --> 00:11:22,840 Sean Aylmer: from the US at the moment. 214 00:11:23,160 --> 00:11:27,280 Michael Thompson: Yeah, that's really a possibility. Turning to international news, US 215 00:11:27,360 --> 00:11:31,880 Michael Thompson: President Donald Trump says Russia's escalating bombardment of Ukraine has 216 00:11:31,960 --> 00:11:34,560 Michael Thompson: left him concerned that Russia does not want to end 217 00:11:34,640 --> 00:11:38,360 Michael Thompson: the war, and he's threatened new sanctioned on Moscow. This 218 00:11:38,520 --> 00:11:40,880 Michael Thompson: is a pretty sharp about face. 219 00:11:40,920 --> 00:11:44,640 Sean Aylmer: Yeah, it sure was. Trump has been very reticent having 220 00:11:44,679 --> 00:11:47,600 Sean Aylmer: a crack at Vladimir Putin, but he did so yesterday. 221 00:11:47,720 --> 00:11:50,920 Sean Aylmer: It came after him met with Ukrainian President Vladimir Zelenski 222 00:11:51,240 --> 00:11:54,719 Sean Aylmer: in the Vatican ahead of Pape Francis's funeral. Trump run 223 00:11:54,760 --> 00:11:57,280 Sean Aylmer: in social media that too many people were dying and 224 00:11:57,679 --> 00:12:00,000 Sean Aylmer: there was no reason for Pertin to be shooting missile 225 00:12:00,200 --> 00:12:04,400 Sean Aylmer: into civilian areas, cities, and towns. According to AP, he 226 00:12:04,520 --> 00:12:08,200 Sean Aylmer: said he was considering banking sections as well as secondary sanctions, 227 00:12:08,240 --> 00:12:11,240 Sean Aylmer: which are basically penalties imposed on nations or parties that 228 00:12:11,400 --> 00:12:15,440 Sean Aylmer: trade with Russia. Trump went on to say on social media, 229 00:12:15,520 --> 00:12:18,120 Sean Aylmer: I quote, it makes me think that maybe he doesn't 230 00:12:18,160 --> 00:12:20,920 Sean Aylmer: want to stop the war. He's just tapping me along 231 00:12:21,360 --> 00:12:22,800 Sean Aylmer: and has to be dealt with differently. 232 00:12:23,600 --> 00:12:26,760 Michael Thompson: Weren't the pictures incredible? It came out of the Pope's 233 00:12:26,760 --> 00:12:30,719 Michael Thompson: funeral and those and those images of Donald Trump and 234 00:12:30,840 --> 00:12:34,120 Michael Thompson: Voladimir Zelenski sitting on the door together on the chairs. 235 00:12:34,200 --> 00:12:35,800 Michael Thompson: It was also simple. 236 00:12:37,559 --> 00:12:39,920 Sean Aylmer: Into each other. And then the other one which was 237 00:12:39,960 --> 00:12:43,720 Sean Aylmer: a Manuel Macron Keystarma and those two Zelenski and Trump 238 00:12:44,120 --> 00:12:47,040 Sean Aylmer: all together and I think it was a Manuel Macron 239 00:12:47,080 --> 00:12:52,040 Sean Aylmer: had his hand on Zelensky's shoulder. Yeah, it was just 240 00:12:52,240 --> 00:12:53,000 Sean Aylmer: so powerful. 241 00:12:53,559 --> 00:12:58,800 Michael Thompson: It really really was really significant. Sean China has seized 242 00:12:58,920 --> 00:13:03,480 Michael Thompson: a disputed reef just kilometers away from the Philippines' most 243 00:13:03,559 --> 00:13:06,880 Michael Thompson: important military outposts in the South China Sea, and that 244 00:13:07,160 --> 00:13:09,800 Michael Thompson: raises the risk of a news standoff. Now between those 245 00:13:09,880 --> 00:13:11,000 Michael Thompson: two rival claimants. 246 00:13:11,240 --> 00:13:16,680 Sean Aylmer: The China Coastguard implemented maritime control and exercised sovereign jurisdiction 247 00:13:17,200 --> 00:13:19,760 Sean Aylmer: over Sandy K. This month, the military channel of state 248 00:13:19,800 --> 00:13:24,360 Sean Aylmer: broadcaster CCTV reported it said Coast Guard officers had unfiled 249 00:13:24,400 --> 00:13:27,679 Sean Aylmer: the Chinese flag to declare sovereignty over the reef in 250 00:13:27,800 --> 00:13:31,120 Sean Aylmer: the Spratly Islands. According to the FT, the move marks 251 00:13:31,120 --> 00:13:33,280 Sean Aylmer: the first time in many years that Beijing, which claims 252 00:13:33,280 --> 00:13:36,840 Sean Aylmer: the South China Sea almost in its entirety, has officially 253 00:13:36,920 --> 00:13:41,800 Sean Aylmer: planted a flag on another previously unoccupied land feature. Now 254 00:13:41,880 --> 00:13:44,600 Sean Aylmer: it's just sandbag, it's a little more than two hundred 255 00:13:44,640 --> 00:13:49,080 Sean Aylmer: square meters, but Sandy K has strategic value for China 256 00:13:49,120 --> 00:13:53,600 Sean Aylmer: because international law grants it a territorial sea. Therefore it's 257 00:13:53,640 --> 00:13:56,120 Sean Aylmer: a much larger area. The White House of the reports 258 00:13:56,160 --> 00:13:59,960 Sean Aylmer: of China seizing Sandy K were deeply concerning if true. 259 00:14:00,880 --> 00:14:02,640 Michael Thompson: Finally, Sean I mentioned this one at the top of 260 00:14:02,679 --> 00:14:05,920 Michael Thompson: the show. The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences 261 00:14:06,440 --> 00:14:10,360 Michael Thompson: has introduced a new rule for the Oscars. From now on, 262 00:14:10,880 --> 00:14:14,000 Michael Thompson: members of the Academy will be required to actually watch 263 00:14:14,280 --> 00:14:17,280 Michael Thompson: all the nominated films in each category, in which they. 264 00:14:17,320 --> 00:14:19,400 Sean Aylmer: Vote, clearly a break from tradition. 265 00:14:19,480 --> 00:14:23,040 Michael Thompson: Michael, it's extraordinary. And I suppose it makes sense that 266 00:14:23,080 --> 00:14:24,760 Michael Thompson: they would go and watch a movie, if they liked it, 267 00:14:24,840 --> 00:14:27,000 Michael Thompson: they would potentially vote for it. But it does make 268 00:14:27,040 --> 00:14:28,880 Michael Thompson: sense that they actually need to watch all of the 269 00:14:28,960 --> 00:14:31,880 Michael Thompson: competing films. You sort of think there's a judge of 270 00:14:32,000 --> 00:14:35,040 Michael Thompson: seven or ten people making this decision. There's actually ten 271 00:14:35,120 --> 00:14:37,520 Michael Thompson: thousand voting members of the Academy. That's all. 272 00:14:38,080 --> 00:14:40,280 Sean Aylmer: Yeah, it is. And so what they're saying is, if 273 00:14:40,320 --> 00:14:43,160 Sean Aylmer: you're gonna put a vote in, actually watch the movies. Yeah, 274 00:14:44,200 --> 00:14:46,880 Sean Aylmer: for the Best Picture, you might have to watch up 275 00:14:46,880 --> 00:14:48,920 Sean Aylmer: to ten movies because you can have a huge amount 276 00:14:48,960 --> 00:14:52,000 Sean Aylmer: of movies in that category. The Academy plans to keep 277 00:14:52,040 --> 00:14:54,520 Sean Aylmer: track of what members have seen in its digital screening 278 00:14:54,560 --> 00:14:56,680 Sean Aylmer: room and require members to fill out a form noting 279 00:14:56,720 --> 00:15:00,760 Sean Aylmer: films scene elsewhere, including theaters, festival, that type of stuff. 280 00:15:00,760 --> 00:15:03,280 Sean Aylmer: According to New York Times, if any film in a 281 00:15:03,320 --> 00:15:05,800 Sean Aylmer: given category hasn't been viewed, the member won't be able 282 00:15:05,840 --> 00:15:08,680 Sean Aylmer: to vote in that category. Now, several years ago, the 283 00:15:08,800 --> 00:15:12,400 Sean Aylmer: Tony's implemented rules. So Tony's been broadway in rules requiring 284 00:15:12,480 --> 00:15:15,800 Sean Aylmer: voters to see every nominated Broadway Production mark there every 285 00:15:15,840 --> 00:15:19,320 Sean Aylmer: tenants in an online portal. It's a bit self evident, 286 00:15:20,200 --> 00:15:22,840 Sean Aylmer: but it's quite funny that in twenty twenty five they've 287 00:15:22,880 --> 00:15:25,400 Sean Aylmer: actually got to introduce this rule for the oscars. 288 00:15:25,800 --> 00:15:28,600 Michael Thompson: I find that extraordinary. I love that story, Sean. Up 289 00:15:28,680 --> 00:15:30,800 Michael Thompson: next is two Things, Fear and Greed the Week Ahead 290 00:15:30,800 --> 00:15:33,000 Michael Thompson: with Stephen Cocols, very big week for the economy, well 291 00:15:33,000 --> 00:15:35,640 Michael Thompson: worth a listen, and then Tom Cranfield from Zaga, as 292 00:15:35,680 --> 00:15:38,840 Michael Thompson: we mentioned, alternative real estate investment manager, great supporter of 293 00:15:38,880 --> 00:15:41,800 Michael Thompson: the podcast, great conversation as well. Two things to listen 294 00:15:41,880 --> 00:15:44,040 Michael Thompson: to that'll be in your Fear and Greed playlist on 295 00:15:44,120 --> 00:15:47,160 Michael Thompson: your podcast platform or at Fearangreed dot com. Today you, which, 296 00:15:47,400 --> 00:15:49,280 Michael Thompson: as we mentioned, is where you sign up for the 297 00:15:49,520 --> 00:15:54,280 Michael Thompson: free daily newsletter in your inbox every morning, weekday morning 298 00:15:54,320 --> 00:15:56,400 Michael Thompson: by six am. Thank you very much, Sean, Thank you. 299 00:15:56,480 --> 00:15:56,760 Sean Aylmer: Michael. 300 00:15:56,960 --> 00:15:59,280 Michael Thompson: It's Monday, the twenty eighth of April twenty twenty five. 301 00:15:59,360 --> 00:16:01,400 Michael Thompson: Make sure you follow the podcast and please join us 302 00:16:01,440 --> 00:16:05,520 Michael Thompson: online on LinkedIn, Instagram, x TikTok and Facebook. I'm Michael Thompson. 303 00:16:05,560 --> 00:16:07,360 Michael Thompson: That was Fear and Greed. Have a great day,