Money

Grocery affordability hits crisis point for households

Published

2 years ago

February 8, 2024

The burden of grocery expenses on Australian households has surged, with findings from Finder revealing a distressing trend.

According to the latest data from Finder’s Consumer Sentiment Tracker, a staggering 42% of Australians, equivalent to 3.9 million households, cite their grocery bill as a significant financial stressor. This marks a substantial increase from 26% or 2.4 million households, reported just two years ago.

Amid this concerning rise in financial strain, a new survey conducted by Finder unveils that 92% of Australians have adopted various shopping tactics to alleviate the pressure on their wallets. The survey, comprising 1,002 respondents, indicates a widespread effort to save money at the checkout counter.

Kitchen essentials

The research highlights that over half of the shoppers (53%) resort to bulk buying kitchen essentials to cut costs, while 61% of respondents, equivalent to 5.6 million households, opt for visiting multiple grocery stores to seek better deals. Additionally, more than one-third (38%) of shoppers utilise coupons to secure discounts.

Graham Cooke, head of consumer research at Finder, underscored the dire situation faced by millions of Australians, stating, “Many are struggling to afford the bare necessities and don’t want to pay more than they need to for food.” Cooke emphasised that the current cost of living crisis is exacerbating financial pressures on households, leading to heightened stress levels.

Year to year

The average weekly expenditure on groceries per Australian household in January reached $188, marking a $10 increase from figures reported two years prior.

This translates to a substantial $520 hike in annual grocery spending per household, totaling a staggering $4.8 billion nationwide across Australia’s 9.275 million households.

Cooke advised consumers to exercise caution and explore options to mitigate expenses.

He suggested strategies such as reducing the frequency of grocery trips to minimise impulse purchases, opting for generic brands where feasible, and leveraging online shopping apps offered by major supermarkets to compare prices effectively.

As Australians grapple with the escalating costs of living, the findings underscore the urgent need for households to adopt savvy shopping practices to navigate the grocery affordability crisis effectively.

Money

AI fears rattle global markets and investors

AI developments cause market volatility, with European software and US tech firms facing significant declines amid rising uncertainty.

Published

19 hours ago

February 16, 2026

Harvey Vargas

AI developments cause market volatility, with European software and US tech firms facing significant declines amid rising uncertainty.

Global stock markets are experiencing heightened volatility as concerns about AI disruption sweep across industries. Investors are closely monitoring which sectors could be most affected as the technology continues to evolve.

Recent announcements from major US AI companies sent waves through international markets, highlighting the interconnected nature of global finance and technology. European software giants such as Dassault Systèmes and RELX saw significant declines, underscoring the global reach of AI developments.

UBS analysts warn that the impact of AI disruption could intensify in 2026 and 2027, with potential ramifications for a wide range of sectors.

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Money

U.S. stocks falling amid AI worries and weak earnings

U.S. stocks decline amid AI concerns, defensive sectors rising; traders eye commodities, jobs data, and currency trends for insights.

Published

4 days ago

February 13, 2026

Harvey Vargas

U.S. stocks decline amid AI concerns, defensive sectors rising; traders eye commodities, jobs data, and currency trends for insights.

U.S. stocks are tumbling as investors grow concerned over AI profitability and disappointing earnings. Defensive sectors are attracting attention ahead of the upcoming CPI report, while market participants are carefully watching how tech-heavy AI stocks are influencing broader indices. Steve Gopalan from SkandaFX notes that these factors are shaping market sentiment.

For traders, commodities like gold and oil are also playing a role in sentiment, providing hedges amid market uncertainty. The January jobs report and unemployment data are adding further context, with potential implications for Federal Reserve policy.

Market expectations for rate cuts are shifting as investors weigh economic indicators against global market dynamics. Traders are also eyeing currency movements, including the Australian Dollar and Japanese yen, for signs of broader economic trends.

Money

Wall Street tumbles as tech stocks face AI disruption fears

Wall Street falters as tech stocks dive amid AI anxieties; 2026 seen as critical for proving AI investment returns.

Published

4 days ago

February 13, 2026

Harvey Vargas

Wall Street falters as tech stocks dive amid AI anxieties; 2026 seen as critical for proving AI investment returns.

Wall Street took a sharp hit as tech stocks plummeted amid growing investor anxiety over artificial intelligence. Markets reacted strongly to uncertainty about how AI could disrupt major sectors, leaving investors on edge. Kyle Rodda from Capital.com explains why investors are nervous about what’s ahead.

Cisco Systems’ quarterly results added to the market jitters, while defensive sectors gained attention as investors sought safer bets. Analysts describe 2026 as a ‘prove it’ year for AI, with companies needing to demonstrate real returns on their ambitious investments.

The January Consumer Price Index report and rising concerns over AI’s impact on transportation companies further weighed on sentiment. Investors are now closely watching major tech firms for signals on how AI spending will shape future market performance.

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