Market rates surge on inflation fear; Rex boss admits misleading market; hay fever epidemic
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What is the main topic discussed in this episode?
Welcome to Fear and Greed, business news you can use today. Market interest rates surge as investors fear rising inflation could lead to a widespread recession. The former boss of Rex Airlines admits to misleading the market. And hay fever hits nearly one in two Japanese citizens, which is certainly nothing to sneeze at. Plus, the price of gold falls, taking... precious metal stocks with it. And Xi Jinping meets Vladimir Putin. I'm sorry, Sean. It's Thursday, the 21st of May, 2026.
What factors are causing market interest rates to surge?
I'm Michael Thompson. And good morning, Sean Aylmer. I thought I'd be able to get through it. Did you like that one? Not really. Move on.
What did the former Rex Airlines boss admit in court?
Good morning, Michael.
Good morning, Sean. The main story this morning is a very serious one, really. Market interest rates, otherwise known, of course, as bond yields. are hitting multi-decade highs in major economies as the likelihood of a global recession rises.
Why is hay fever becoming an epidemic in Japan?
With the war in the Middle East seemingly nowhere near conclusion, investors fear that higher energy prices will soon feed through more broadly to other prices, triggering inflation and higher interest rates than from central banks. Now, as you have explained on this podcast and to me personally countless times before, Bond yields reflect expectations of future interest rates. Did I get that part right?
You did.
Excellent.
How is the price of gold impacting precious metal stocks?
I would be worried if I didn't. Most major central banks around the world have not started lifting interest rates with the notable exception of the RBA here in Australia. But investors think it is only a matter of time and that could send some major economies towards recession.
So there are some incredible moves in global bond markets. Japan's 10-year bond yield is at its current level.
What is the significance of Xi Jinping's meeting with Vladimir Putin?
Its current level was last reached in 1996. In the UK, bond yields are called gilts, G-I-L-T-S. Don't ask me why, they just are. The 30-year gilt is at a multi-decade high. French and German yields... have also surged. The US 30-year yield touched 5.2%. Now, that's its highest level in nearly 20 years. Money markets have priced in an 80% chance of a rate rise by the US Federal Reserve this year. Now, that is quite the dilemma for incoming Fed Chair Kevin Walsh. He is due to be sworn in tomorrow night. His boss, US President Donald Trump will expect him to cut interest rates, though that isn't what economists and market investors think would be best for the world's largest economy. Here at home, the Australian government 10-year bond yield hit 5.29% yesterday.
That's its highest since 2011. There's more to it. I mean, the rise of popularism in politics in recent years, ballooning government debts, they've all pushed yields higher. But the focal point right now is what the war in the Middle East means for inflation.
Now, I'm asking this question knowing it is going to be a red rag to a bull now, Sean, but why do we care? Even as I say that, I know how important this is, but I want you to simplify it even further for me. What does it mean for me and what does it mean for my everyday life?
Okay, so bond yields set a benchmark for other asset classes. It's the cost of money. Bonds are absolute kings. So if yields on bonds are rising, that's your return you're getting from a bond. Returns from other asset classes like equities can look less attractive given their risk profile. Therefore, equities are probably being sold off. Bonnie, you'll set the benchmark for the cost of borrowing. So if you go out to get a fixed rate home loan, here's a good example, that's likely to be more expensive in a couple of weeks than it is now. And this is no advice here. Don't believe what we say. Well, believe what we say, but this is the theory of it. We're not here to give financial advice. Fixed rate deposits, they might be higher too going forward.
High US bond yields, which we're seeing that attracts investment into that economy, that can push down the value of non-US currency. So the Aussie dollar, for example, it's down to 71 US cents. It was about 72.5 US cents when you were traveling over there. Well done, Michael. Exporters and importers get hit by that as well.
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Chapters
6 chapters
1
What is the main topic discussed in this episode?
0:06–0:37
2
What factors are causing market interest rates to surge?
0:37–0:45
3
What did the former Rex Airlines boss admit in court?
0:45–1:03
4
Why is hay fever becoming an epidemic in Japan?
1:03–1:30
5
How is the price of gold impacting precious metal stocks?
1:30–1:55
6
What is the significance of Xi Jinping's meeting with Vladimir Putin?
1:55–16:25
Speakers
2 identifiedMore from FEAR & GREED | Business News
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