Afternoon Report | Actor Sam Neill dies, aged 78
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Welcome to the Fear and Greed Business News Afternoon Report for Monday the 13th of July 2026. I'm Michael Thompson. Every afternoon we've got the five stories that happened today that you need to know about. Let's get straight into it. Story number one, the S&P ASX 200 closed up just two points today to 8,809 points with gains in energy and banking stocks offsetting weakness elsewhere as investors really weighed up the impact. Thank you very much. Locally, energy companies were the ones to benefit. Ampol rose more than 4% today after securing new funding, while Woodside and Viva Energy also gained. The major banks were stronger today, led by ANZ and NAB. Tech stocks weighed on the market, with Xero falling more than 4% after its chief executive sold shares to meet personal tax obligations.
The gold miners also declined as the price of the precious metal slipped. On to story number two now, and actor Sam Neill has died, aged 78. His death was announced this afternoon on social media, with a statement saying he died peacefully in St Vincent's Hospital in Sydney, surrounded by family. They described his passing as sudden and unexpected, adding that he had remained cancer-free following a battle with stage 3 lymphoma. Born in Northern Ireland, Neil moved to New Zealand as a child before going on to a pretty remarkable career, most well known for his starring role in the Jurassic Park films, but with more than 150 film and TV productions to his name.
How did the ASX 200 perform today and which sectors drove the moves?
He also established the award-winning Two Paddocks Winery in New Zealand, published a best-selling memoir as well. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese is among those paying tribute, describing Neil as thoughtful, witty and much loved, saying he would be long remembered. Story number three to politics now and support for Pauline Hanson and One Nation has slipped with new polling showing voters shifting back towards the coalition. The latest Resolve political monitor in nine newspapers has One Nation down three points to 26%, while coalition support has risen three points to 23%, Labor remains in front on 28%, Anthony Albanese has also strengthened his position as preferred prime minister with support rising to 33%.
Pauline Hanson has fallen eight points to 25% while opposition leader Angus Taylor has improved to 21%. Put it all together and pollster Jim Reid from Resolve.com. says that One Nation has lost support among women, younger voters and migrants, suggesting that Hansen's recent comments on multiculturalism and abortion have hurt the party's broader appeal. Story number four, a bit of corporate news around today. Plus-sized women's clothing chain owner City Chic has reported a healthy trading update of stronger sales and an almost doubling of its full year underlying earnings, Centus shares up almost 28% today. AGL Energy, well, its shares fell nearly 4% after Macquarie cut its rating. And Billboard's advertising group, Omedia, is negotiating takeover offers from three suitors, Pacific Equity Partners, I Squared Capital and Oak Tree Capital Management.
Its share price climbed 4% today. And finally, story number five, at least 27 people have been killed after a fire tore through a crowded pub in Bangkok with blocked emergency exits blamed for trapping patrons inside. Authorities say that the blaze broke out just after midnight and spread rapidly after what is believed to have been an electrical fault in an air conditioning unit. 63 people were injured, including more than 20 who remain in a critical condition and Investigators say one fire exit was blocked by beer crates while furniture obstructed another, making it difficult for people to escape as thick smoke filled the venue. Australian officials are working with Thai authorities to determine whether any Australians were caught up in the disaster.
And that is it for the afternoon report for Monday the 13th of July. Make sure you're following the podcast and head along to fearandgreed.com.au to sign up for our free daily newsletter. I'm Michael Thompson. Enjoy your evening.
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