FEAR & GREED | Business News Afternoon Report | ASX dips on trade war fears
Jan 19, 2026
The ASX experiences a dip as fears of a trade war escalate, with safe-haven assets gaining traction. In political news, support for One Nation surges, overtaking the coalition in polling. The government's housing targets face a cost blowout, raising doubts about their feasibility. Meanwhile, the UK is considering a social media ban for under-16s, reflecting increasing regulatory scrutiny. Additionally, ChatGPT is set to display ads in the US, steering clear of sensitive topics. Tune in for these intriguing developments!
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Markets Shift To Safe Havens
- Global markets reacted to US-EU tariff fears, pushing investors toward safe havens like gold and silver.
- Gold hit a fresh high and miners such as Northern Star and Perseus Mining benefited from the move.
One Nation Surges, Coalition Falls
- One Nation's primary support surged to 22%, overtaking the coalition for the first time and challenging traditional party dynamics.
- Polling also shows Anthony Albanese's net approval has slumped, reflecting political fallout from recent events.
Housing Target Faces Big Cost Blowout
- Treasury now estimates Housing Australia will cost $15.2 billion over four years, nearly $4 billion more than previously forecast.
- Officials concede the government's 1.2 million homes target by 2029 is unlikely due to costs, labour shortages and low productivity.