Afternoon Report | Banks end on a high

Friday 23 October 2026 AI discovers one of the biggest failings in internet security ever, triggering the shut-down of websites globally. The Aussie superannuation system rates as one of the best in the world Higher interest rates hit home builders and retailers, sending share prices south Fortescue Metals takes the battle to Chinese iron ore buyers, with implications for the national budget One of basketball’s best-known teams is set to join Wall Street

The rise of artificial intelligence is creating new cybersecurity risks for businesses. AI agents can access information, interact with systems and carry out tasks on our behalf. But what happens when they access something they shouldn't? And how can businesses protect themselves when threats are moving at machine speed?

This is the Fear & Greed Afternoon Report - everything you need to know about what happened in the markets, economy and world of business today, in just a few minutes. ASX falls as retailers tumble

Thursday 22 October 2026 The Reserve Bank hints at another rate hike on Melbourne Cup Day. Shares in Australia’s biggest pure data centre play, NextDC, crash after community opposition halts a new development in Victoria Prime Minister Anthony Albanese urges federal MPs to take greater care over their safety Another private credit player freezes redemptions Elon Musk floats the idea of merging SpaceX and Tesla into a $4 trillion company

Australia's superannuation system has become very good at helping people save for retirement. But turning those savings into an income that lasts for decades is a different challenge. Now a new generation of retirement products is promising greater certainty, flexibility and potentially more income.