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Q+A

Short, sharp answers to questions about business, investing, economics or politics.

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Q+A: How one radio blow-up wiped half a company’s value

A $200 million radio deal, a legal battle, and a media company that’s seen its value plunge.

The fallout from the Kyle & Jackie O saga is a case study in how fragile legacy media models have become.

Sean Aylmer talks to Mumbrella publisher Tim Burrowes, about how the Kyle & Jackie O vs ARN Media battle goes far beyond one show, and raises big questions about audiences, advertising, and the future of Australian media.

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Q+A: As markets surge, this investor still turns to the words of Warren Buffett

The market has bounced hard - up 2.6% in a day - on news of a ceasefire in the Middle East. But after weeks of volatility, the big question is whether this is the start of something more… or just another short-term surge.

Sean Aylmer talks to Roger Montgomery, Chief Investment Officer at Montgomery Investment Management, who says the rally is real - but the risks haven’t gone away. He also explains why he still considers the wisdom of legendary investor Warren Buffett in times like this.

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

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Q+A: Diesel is the backbone of regional Australia - and it's under strain

Diesel keeps regional Australia moving, touching almost every industry. But rising costs and supply disruptions are hitting hard, affecting everything from farming to mining to local businesses.

Sean Aylmer talks to Andrew Auerbach, Group Executive for Business and Private Banking at NAB, about the impact on the ground, and what lies ahead for the economy if fuel supplies remain under pressure.

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Q+A: What the world’s biggest investors are doing right now

Geopolitical tensions, market concentration, and the dominance of mega-cap tech stocks are forcing big institutional investors to rethink how they allocate capital.

But rather than making big calls, many of the world’s largest pension and sovereign wealth funds are doing the opposite — sticking to their strategy.

Gerard O’Reilly is Co-CEO of Dimensional Fund Advisors, working with many of the world’s largest pension and sovereign wealth funds, and around $1.4 trillion in assets under management.

He tells Sean Aylmer that the key isn’t predicting what happens next — it’s building portfolios that can handle anything.

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

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

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Q+A: The Week Ahead | 6 Apr 2026

This week it's all about household spending - and after consumer confidence hit a 53 year low last week, there could be some tough times ahead. And the big question: are we heading for a recession? Michael Thompson is joined by economist Stephen Koukoulas.

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Q+A: The story (and person) behind Telstra's brand transformation

This week Brent Smart, chief marketing officer at Telstra, announced he was stepping down from the telco after four years in the job. During that time Telstra’s campaigns have won a number of awards… with Telstra now recognised as one of the strongest brands in Australia, and one of the top telco brands globally.

In April 2023 Brent Smart joined Sean Aylmer to talk about what it was like to be the steward of a brand like Telstra - and to be tasked with transforming it, without damaging the legacy.

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Q+A: The truth about executive pay in Australia

Executive pay is one of those topics that always sparks debate, whether it’s CEO bonuses, shareholder backlash, or whether pay really reflects performance.

And increasingly, it’s not just about how much executives are paid, but how those decisions are made, justified, and explained.

Al Jurangpathy, principal at Korn Ferry specialising in executive pay and governance, talks to Sean Aylmer about the nature of executive pay in Australia, with the reality much more more complex than most people think.

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Q+A: Why McDonald's and Coca-Cola may be 'boring but brilliant'

Markets are volatile, unpredictable, and increasingly driven by headlines, making it very hard for investors to pick a direction. In that kind of environment, some are turning back to so-called “boring” stocks - companies with steady earnings, strong cash flow, and reliable dividends.

Sean Aylmer talks to Josh Gilbert, market analyst at eToro, about why names like Coca-Cola and McDonald’s may be boring but brilliant.

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

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

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Q+A: Why this oil crisis won’t unwind quickly

The war in the Middle East has triggered a major oil shock — with supply through the Strait of Hormuz effectively shut and millions of barrels removed from the global market.

Nik Burns, Head of Energy Research at Jarden, says this isn’t just another short-term spike — it could mark a structural shift in global energy markets.

He talks to Sean Aylmer about why prices may stay elevated, what it means for investors, and why the path back to normal could take much longer than expected.

General information only. Seek professional advice tailored to your circumstances before making investment decisions.

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

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Q+A: The Week Ahead | 30 Mar 2026

This week we get the minutes from the RBA board meeting, where four members voted against an interest rate hike. As the oil price shock worsens, hitting many aspects of the economy - could those four members have had the right idea? Michael Thompson is joined by economist Stephen Koukoulas to discuss, and also look at the rest of the week for the economy: building approvals, house prices, and job vacancies.

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