

The Fin
Australian Financial Review
A weekly podcast from The Australian Financial Review that examines the biggest stories in business, markets and politics, and why they matter, explained by the best financial journalists in the country.
Search The Fin and follow us wherever you get your podcasts.
Search The Fin and follow us wherever you get your podcasts.
Episodes
Mentioned books

May 8, 2024 • 29min
Budget 2024: rates watch, tax breaks & the NDIS ticking bomb
This week on The Fin podcast, political editor Phillip Coorey talks about what the government is likely to announce in the federal budget, what that means for inflation and interest rates, and gives his assessment of how Anthony Albanese and Peter Dutton are faring as we count down to the next election. This podcast is sponsored by AICD Further reading: Labor election plans start blowing smoke Labor is banking on at least one rate cut before calling an election. That scenario is no longer guaranteed. Chalmers locks in business tax breaks to help Made in Australia The budget will contain tax breaks for investors to turbocharge the government’s Future Made in Australia Act, Jim Chalmers has confirmed. ‘Vigilant’ RBA puts home loan borrowers on notice Governor Michele Bullock has issued a fresh warning to mortgage holders, two years after the Reserve Bank of Australia began raising interest rates.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

6 snips
May 1, 2024 • 27min
Nuclear power: Could we? Should we?
Exploring the economics and implications of nuclear power in Australia, Peter Dutton's controversial nuclear bet, AI's impact on electricity demand, and the skepticism within the energy industry. The podcast discusses the challenges, costs, and political dynamics of nuclear power, highlighting the internal divisions in coalition parties and the push for nuclear energy to meet renewable targets. It also delves into the generational shifts in attitudes towards nuclear energy and the global trend towards nuclear power.

Apr 24, 2024 • 29min
Why China's slowing economy is Australia's problem
Exploring China's evolving economy and its impact on Australia, Japan's resurgence, and the truth behind Australia's economic ties with China. Delving into China's slowing growth, Japan's defense deals, and Australia's economic forecasts amidst changing global dynamics.

Apr 17, 2024 • 30min
The death of cash & the company caught in the middle
Senior reporter James Eyers delves into the high-stakes negotiations surrounding Armaguard's financial future, the shift from cash to digital payments, Coles' cash hoarding amidst Armaguard's struggles, and the debate on the future of cash in a digital era.

Apr 10, 2024 • 25min
How Zoë Foster Blake bought back her business (for a tenth of the price)
Beauty entrepreneur Zoë Foster Blake talks about regaining control of her skincare business at a fraction of the price. The podcast delves into the takeover activities in the beauty industry, the rise of independent beauty brands, and major industry deals. Explore Zoe's journey from journalist to beauty mogul, the challenges faced by beauty brands, and the strategic acquisitions in the market.

Apr 3, 2024 • 26min
The relentless rise of Australian house prices
This week on The Fin podcast, property editor Nick Lenaghan and Chanticleer columnist James Thomson on the relentless rise of house prices and the dilemma it poses for the RBA. This podcast is sponsored by ANZListen to 5-in-5 with ANZ on Spotify hereListen to 5-in-5 with ANZ on Apple here Further reading: Record-breaking house prices make early rate cuts ‘less likely’ Home values nationwide hit new peaks in March, boosted by strong gains in the more affordable markets, but rising prices could also delay rate cuts. Why good intentions are no match for housing’s grim reality Big house price gains in 2025 and 2026 look likely as Australia’s housing supply crisis gets worse The housing data that should make the RBA wary of cutting rates Australia is a nation obsessed with house prices, and with 60 per cent of people planning to buy in the next five years, the central bank is unlikely to be immune from that.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Mar 27, 2024 • 22min
Inside the AFR investigation into luxury’s grey market
This week on The Fin podcast, Jonathan Shapiro and Carrie LaFrenz take us inside their shopping experiment and talk about what happens in the luxury grey market and why investors are so polarised when it comes to the high-end retailer, Cettire. Further reading: Cettire’s Texas hold ’em reveals questions about the value of luxury The red-hot ASX-listed retailer appears to have one figure for customs and another for customers when it comes to its products. The market battle over secretive e-commerce play Cettire There’s smart money on either side of the Cettire trade. But there remain unanswered questions about its closely guarded business model. We spent $1300 shopping at Cettire. Here’s what happened It’s the buzziest stock on the ASX, thanks to “eye-watering” sales and wide margins. Customer reviews aren’t all so glowing. What’s behind the success?See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Mar 20, 2024 • 29min
Tech Zero: Formula 1 and the future of fuel
This week, we are bringing you the first episode of season 3 of Tech Zero, a podcast from resources reporter and regular on The Fin Peter Ker. Ker and producer Lap Phan talk to Formula 1’s Chief Technical Officer Pat Symonds about the championship’s existential threat, what they are doing about it and whether there is a future in zero-carbon fuel. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Mar 13, 2024 • 27min
Why Sam Kerr's legal troubles won’t derail the Matildas movement
This week on The Fin podcast, Zoe Samios on the Matildas' Olympic campaign, the bankability of women’s sport and Captain Sam Kerr’s legal case. Further reading: Australia’s favourite sports team is no longer male. Will the dollars follow? Matildas merchandise already outsells the Socceroos’ by a factor of two to one. But in the big-money world of major sport, scoring goals doesn’t always move the dial. Australia in the box seat to host the 2026 women’s Asian Cup With money flowing into women’s soccer, registrations up and the Matildas on a roll, it would be the icing on the cake. Socceroos, Matildas success boosts cash for Football Australia Almost $20 million in prizemoney from the Socceroos, a boost in sponsorship and an uptick in merchandise sales nearly doubled Football Australia’s revenue. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Mar 6, 2024 • 28min
Why the gender pay gap will get worse before it gets better
This week on The Fin podcast, Boss editor Sally Patten and reporter Hannah Wootton on why the gender pay gap exists, who are the worst offenders and what can be done to fix it. Further reading: Bonuses, overtime drive 19pc gender pay gap The median pay gap at businesses with 100-plus employees has been revealed for the first time and professional services and banks recorded some of the worst disparities. These companies nailed the gender pay challenge. It wasn’t easy Companies such as Super Retail Group, Wesfarmers, PwC and Cotton On have the most balanced pay rates between men and women employees. Family choices explain part of gender pay gap, say bosses Corporate leaders say women taking more family responsibilities makes the dominance of men in the highest-paid roles difficult to shift. But some female directors said women “deciding” to take on lower-paid work was a “false choice”. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.