We’re told that markets stop panicking when policymakers start panicking. China has supported a ceasefire in the Middle East and JD Vance made his first pilgrimage to meet with senior Iranian leaders.

There’s been a conga line of prognosticators who have forecast falling house prices. All of them have faded into history as house prices have grown since the 1970s, first at the rate of inflation, then at the rate of wage growth, then at the rate of Artemis II launch. Recently, Money. com.

On ABC Newcastle Mornings earlier today, I discussed rising recession risks and why, for many Australians, it already feels like one as cost-of-living pressures, high debt and shrinking disposable income take hold. I also shared practical steps households can take now to prepare, from cutting non-essential spending to building a financial buffer.

With public markets more volatile there’s a growing focus on investments that can deliver regular income with less reliance on market movements.

Should persistent inflation drive a portfolio shift? Helped by a 12 per cent rally since the war-inspired low recorded on March 30, the U. S. S&P 500 index is now at new all-time highs and more than two per cent above its previous all-time high recorded in February.   It’s reasonable to conclude the global and U. S.

I joined Jess Maguire on ABC Statewide Drive to discuss how markets have responded to the recent Middle East conflict, noting that history shows geopolitical shocks often lead to short, sharp sell-offs followed by relatively quick recoveries as investors refocus on earnings and opportunities.

  I joined Juliette Saly on Ausbiz to discuss why Australian consumer confidence has fallen to its lowest level in more than five decades, despite relatively low unemployment (around 4. 3 per cent compared to over 11 per cent in the 1990s) and interest rates (around 4. 1 per cent compared to 17.

Yikes! Did the U. S. Federal Reserve (Fed) just propose a material reduction in its balance sheet? After the war is over, investors will revert to concentrating on earnings and other thematics again, and a recent Fed research paper may give investors something to worry about. The U. S.

In late March 2026, the ANZ Roy Morgan Australian Consumer Confidence Index hit the lowest level since the survey began in the early 1970s.   Last week (5 April 2026), it rallied to the second worst week on record, as motorists received a $0. 26 per litre reduction in the fuel excise.

The market has surged, jumping 2. 6 per cent in a single day on news of a ceasefire in the Middle East. After weeks of volatility, the key question now is whether this marks the beginning of a sustained recovery – or just another short-lived rally. I joined Sean Aylmer to discuss what’s really driving the rebound.

While the Middle East commands headlines, investors have largely forgotten the factors determining their returns prior to the outbreak of hostilities. But when the conflict ends, investors will return to considering those factors, including artificial intelligence (AI), U. S. debt, and the possibility of stagflation. Prior to the conflict, investors were debating AI’s immediate and long-term impact.