Pacific Perspectives
Big banks and miners increase dominance in risk to equities investors
The Australian sharemarket is becoming increasingly concentrated, with seven of the 10 largest stocks now miners or banks, a narrowing that has left investors more exposed than at any time over the past two decades.…
Why ‘whatever it takes’ on fuel will break the RBA’s back
Bowsers may be full, but the premium being paid for energy security is creating a ticking time bomb for inflation and interest rates. Now that we have established that our ability to pay more for…
Markets’ bulls roar past Iran war, fuel woes
Anyone waiting for the bottom has already missed it; the first half of the rebound is done. Can Australia keep pace with the global bull run? There is still plenty of talk of a V-shaped…
Stock futures rise after Trump extends ceasefire with Iran: Live updates
U.S. stock futures rose on Tuesday night after President Donald Trump extended the U.S. ceasefire in Iran. S&P 500 futures and Nasdaq 100 futures both added 0.4%. Futures tied to the Dow Jones Industrial Average rose by 190 points, or 0.4%.…
Amazon to invest up to another $25 billion in Anthropic as part of AI infrastructure deal
Source: https://www.cnbc.com/2026/04/20/amazon-invest-up-to-25-billion-in-anthropic-part-of-ai-infrastructure.html
Traders bet on strait reopening as FOMO grips markets
Terrified of missing out on a sudden surge in asset prices, traders are diving back into the market betting that the crucial Strait of Hormuz in the Middle East will reopen within a month despite…
War and inflation point to $125m profit boost for Woolworths, Coles
Higher food prices and a fall in the number of people dining out will help deliver a $125 million boost to profits at Woolworths and Coles in the next financial year, and their move towards…
ASX to edge higher, oil rises
Australian shares are set to open slightly higher. Shares opened the trading week in New York modestly lower, with a focus on the US war against Iran and an accelerated pace of corporate results. ASX…
Investors are misreading news about the Iran war, analysts say as markets whipsaw
“Complacent” investors risk getting wrong-footed as they continue to misread developments in the Iran war, analysts said after markets reacted to the brief reopening of the Strait of Hormuz on Friday, only for their hopes…
We spoke to over 30 central bankers, policymakers and politicians. Here are their top concerns
Source: https://www.cnbc.com/2026/04/18/iran-war-inflation-prices-energy-trump-economy-end.html