Money
Major Australian telco launches attack on China
Telstra has confirmed that it’s talking to the Australian government about a joint bid which would block China from buying Digicel
Reports suggest that Telstra is in talks with the Australian government to snatch Digicel from China.
Digicel operates relatively old 3G and 4G LTE mobile networks in the South Pacific. National security officials in Canberra are concerned China could buy its networks to spy on Australia’s surrounding neighbours.
If China was to access the sensitive data, it could potentially disrupt activity in Papua New Guinea, Fiji, Tonga, Vanuatu, Samoa, Nauru and Samoa.
The telco also confirmed media reports of the joint offer in a statement to the ASX:
“Telstra has confirmed it has been in discussions regarding a potential transaction to acquire telecommunications company, Digicel Pacific in the South Pacific region in partnership with the Australian Government”.
The company said that should they proceed, the acquisition would come with risk management support from the Australian Government.
“Telstra was initially approached by the Australian Government… In addition to a significant Government funding and support package, any investment would also have to be within certain financial parameters with Telstra’s equity investment being the minor portion of the overall transaction”.
The Morrison government wants to block any Chinese acquisition of Digicel Pacific. This is because it fears Beijing could use Digicel’s mobile tower network to conduct espionage on Australia’s neighbours.
Telstra has asked Digicel’s billionaire Irish owner Denis O’Brien to sit on the board of the company. O’Brien will assist underwriting Digicel’s revenue forecasts for three years.
These reports claim Telstra would pay between $200 and $300 million for the assets. The Morrison government would pay the remaining costs of the $2 billion bid.
Money
Markets in 2026: Fed rates, gold surge, oil tensions & AUD strength
As 2026 begins, markets face economic shifts; gold and silver soar, while energy and currencies impact global investors.
As 2026 begins, markets face economic shifts; gold and silver soar, while energy and currencies impact global investors.
As 2026 begins, global markets face a mix of economic shifts and geopolitical tensions shaping currencies, commodities, and interest rates. The Federal Reserve’s next moves are under the microscope, and Zoran Kresovic from Blueberry Markets says understanding these changes is key for investors navigating the year ahead.
Gold and silver are hitting all-time highs, driven by market volatility and economic uncertainty. Kresovic notes that both metals are likely to continue climbing, remaining essential safe-haven assets amid inflation concerns.
Energy markets are also volatile, with crude oil prices rising amid geopolitical tensions. Meanwhile, the Australian dollar is showing strength against the U.S. dollar. Kresovic highlights that these trends in energy and currency markets can ripple across the global economy, making them critical for investors to watch.
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#MarketUpdate #FedRates2026 #GoldPrices #SilverSurge #CrudeOil #AUDUSD #InvestingInsights #TickerNews
Money
Stocks hit record high as Powell faces investigation and Trump proposes credit cap
S&P 500 hits all-time high amid Fed scrutiny; Trump’s credit card cap proposal raises investor concerns over bank profits.
S&P 500 hits all-time high amid Fed scrutiny; Trump’s credit card cap proposal raises investor concerns over bank profits.
The S&P 500 reached a new all-time high, with the Nasdaq climbing 0.5% while the Dow Jones held steady. This comes amid news of a criminal investigation into Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell. Despite the scrutiny, analysts believe short-term interest rates and inflation are unlikely to be impacted.
Meanwhile, Trump’s proposal to cap credit card rates at 10% for a year sparked concern among investors about potential effects on lending and bank profitability. Major bank stocks reacted sharply, with Citigroup down 3% and Capital One falling 6%.
In commodities, gold futures rose 2%, reflecting fears that political pressure on the Fed could challenge its ability to manage inflation effectively.
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#StockMarket #SP500 #Nasdaq #FederalReserve #JeromePowell #TrumpNews #BankStocks #GoldFutures
Money
Big banks, inflation, and earnings: What to watch this week
Major banks and corporations report earnings this week, influencing market outlook and economic indicators ahead of 2026.
Major banks and corporations report earnings this week, influencing market outlook and economic indicators ahead of 2026.
This week is packed with financial news as major banks and corporations release their earnings. JPMorgan, Wells Fargo, and Goldman Sachs will reveal their year-end results, offering insight into the health of the banking sector. CEO Jamie Dimon of JPMorgan has already highlighted uncertainty in the U.S. economy, making investors watch closely.
In addition to banking, Delta Air Lines and Taiwan Semiconductor will report, shedding light on consumer spending and tech industry trends. These corporate updates will help investors gauge the broader market performance heading into 2026.
All eyes are also on December’s inflation figures, alongside retail sales and new home sales data. These reports will be key indicators for the U.S. economy, impacting stocks, interest rates, and market sentiment.
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#EarningsSeason
#InflationWatch
#StockMarket
#BigBanks
#TechStocks
#CorporateEarnings
#InvestingNews
#EconomicData
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