Money

Taylor Swift’s concert deals spark international trade dispute

Published

2 years ago

March 5, 2024

Pop superstar Taylor Swift has found herself at the center of an international trade dispute following exclusive concert arrangements in Singapore.

The controversy has ignited discussions among politicians and trade experts, raising concerns about anti-competitive practices and the economic impact of Swift’s tour.

The dispute stems from negotiations between Swift’s team and Singaporean authorities, resulting in an agreement for the singer to perform exclusively in Singapore, bypassing other Southeast Asian countries.

Thailand’s Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin alleged that Swift received substantial sums, nearly $US3 million per show, for these exclusive performances, leading to criticism from neighboring nations.

Critics argue that Swift’s exclusive deal with Singapore could be perceived as anti-competitive, potentially violating World Trade Organization (WTO) rules.

Filipino politicians have condemned the arrangement as a “hurtful betrayal” and have called for diplomatic protests against Singapore.

Defending the deal

Despite the controversy, Singaporean officials, including Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong, defended the deal, highlighting the economic benefits of hosting Swift’s concerts.

Estimates suggest that Swift’s tour has generated significant revenue, with the economic impact in Australia could reach up to $1 billion.

Prime Minister Lee says the decision to host Swift exclusively in Singapore was made through negotiations and did not involve coercive measures.

He asserted that it was ultimately Swift’s prerogative to determine her tour destinations.

Money

Australian Dollar surges: What $0.70 means for markets

Australian dollar surges 5% to $0.70, impacting importers, exporters, and big miners amid rising interest rates.

Published

20 hours ago

February 18, 2026

Harvey Vargas

Australian dollar surges 5% to $0.70, impacting importers, exporters, and big miners amid rising interest rates.

The Australian dollar has jumped more than 5 percent against the U.S. dollar this year, now trading around $0.70. This rapid rise has sparked mixed reactions for importers and exporters as Australia’s materials sector shows signs of bouncing back, despite concerns over rising interest rates.

Dale Gilham from Wealth Within breaks down the factors behind the AUD surge, the implications for commodities, and what it means for big miners like BHP. From profits to strategy, we explore how the market is reacting to this currency shift.

Subscribe to never miss an episode of Ticker – https://www.youtube.com/@weareticker

#AustralianDollar #AUD #Forex #Investing #Commodities #BHP #Mining #Markets

Money

S&P 500 rises as financial stocks lead and tech slips

S&P 500 rises 0.4% thanks to financial stocks; software struggles amidst AI concerns. Subscribe for updates!

Published

21 hours ago

February 18, 2026

Harvey Vargas

S&P 500 rises 0.4% thanks to financial stocks; software struggles amidst AI concerns. Subscribe for updates!

The S&P 500 climbed 0.4% on Tuesday, boosted by strong gains in financial stocks. Citigroup and JPMorgan led the rally, showing investors are rotating money into the sector as tech stocks faltered.

Meanwhile, software shares struggled, with ServiceNow, Autodesk, and Palo Alto Networks all seeing notable declines. Concerns around AI disruption continue to affect the software and financial sectors alike.

Market watchers are now turning their attention to upcoming inflation reports later this week, looking for signals that could shape the next moves in the market.

Subscribe to never miss an episode of Ticker – https://www.youtube.com/@weareticker

Money

Australia’s GST debate heats up amid tax reform push

Australia debates GST expansion amid aging population pressures and personal income tax concerns; expert insights from Dr. Steven Enticott.

Published

2 days ago

February 17, 2026

Harvey Vargas

Australia debates GST expansion amid aging population pressures and personal income tax concerns; expert insights from Dr. Steven Enticott.

Australia is facing a fierce debate over tax reform, with fresh calls to broaden the Goods and Services Tax as the government searches for more stable revenue streams. With an ageing population putting pressure on health, pensions and long-term spending, economists argue the current reliance on personal income tax may not be sustainable.

Dr Steven Enticott from CIA Tax joins Ticker to break down the real impact of expanding the GST, including how it could affect lower-income households, whether taxing unrealised gains would change investor behaviour, and what compensation mechanisms could soften the blow on essential goods. The political risks are high, but so are the fiscal stakes.

Subscribe to never miss an episode of Ticker – https://www.youtube.com/@weareticker