Pacific Perspectives
Oil tankers face ‘worst case scenario’ in Hormuz as Iran steps up attacks on ships, maritime risk CEO says
The security situation in the Strait of Hormuz has returned to a “worse-case scenario” for oil tankers as Iran has repeatedly attacked ships over the past week, the CEO of a maritime risk services firm…
Macquarie investors call for more transparency on culture concerns
Concerns about how Macquarie handled an investigation into cultural issues and alleged wrongdoing within its investment banking division have prompted some shareholders to demand more information from the financial services giant. Last week, The Australian Financial…
This surprising inflation gauge says RBA may still need to hike twice
Another week of strikes between Iran and the United States, and the price of just oil keeps rising. Brent crude surged on Friday, up 4.6 per cent to about $US88 ($126), following a report that the Trump…
ASX on edge as US strikes on Iran and tech wobbles roil markets
Waves of strikes unleashed by the United States and Iran over the Australian weekend are expected to drive up energy prices and cause more uncertainty in the local sharemarket, disrupting the usual calm before the…
How are prediction markets taxed? The IRS hasn’t provided guidance yet
As prediction markets grow in popularity, traders are facing a key question: The Internal Revenue Service hasn’t shared any details on how their winnings are to be taxed. Source: https://www.cnbc.com/2026/07/18/how-are-prediction-markets-taxed-the-irs-hasnt-provided-guidance-yet.html
TSMC to invest additional $100 billion in Arizona after second-quarter profit soars 77%
Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co on Thursday reported a 77.4% jump in second-quarter profit year on year, soaring past estimates as the world’s largest contract-chipmaker continues to set consecutive record-breaking milestones. Source: https://www.cnbc.com/2026/07/16/tsmc-second-quarter-profit-.html
Melbourne Storm’s owners tap Jefferies to sell partial stake
The owners of rugby league club Melbourne Storm have drafted investment bank Jefferies to run a capital-raising effort as they seek to upgrade the team’s headquarters and training base and finalise a new centre of…
SpaceX IPO now looks like a cynical joke. It’s more serious than that
Iconic Wall Street investor Peter Lynch was not a fan of buying into sharemarket floats, and liked to say that IPO actually stood for “it’s probably overpriced”. There would be plenty of investors wishing they’d…
ASX to drop, tech rally fades
Australian shares are set to drop as a rally in chipmakers faded, causing the S&P 500 and the Nasdaq to slip. The slide in tech shadowed an upbeat start to second-quarter earnings, while investors parsed…
As prediction markets boom, questions arise over who will be the watchdog
Source: https://www.cnbc.com/2026/07/16/the-sec-may-get-involved-as-prediction-market-bring-new-contracts.html