Here’s what you need to know today

• The conflict in the Middle-East has escalated after Israel launched a pre-emptive strike on Hezbollah sites in southern Lebanon and declared a nationwide state of emergency.
  
  

• America’s September interest rate cut is now all but guaranteed after Federal Reserve chair Jerome Powell said, “the time has come for policy to adjust”. This comes as recent data shows America’s economy is slowing, inflation is back towards the 2% target and unemployment has ticked up. The perfect recipe for a rate cut.
  
  

• Australia’s ‘Right to Disconnect’ takes effect today, applying to all businesses with 15 or more employees. Contrary to popular belief, it doesn’t mean that employers cannot contact their staff after hours, it just means that staff can ignore those attempts at contact. The AFR have put together a full explainer here.
  
  

• Disney is preparing for life after Bob Iger. The company has appointed a former Morgan Stanley executive to lead the search for his replacement. However, Iger isn’t expected to leave until 2026, and last time he retired as CEO (in 2021) he was back in less than a year.
  
  

• The competition for entertainment giant Paramount Global, owner of Australia’s Channel 10, is heating up. Heir to liquor fortune Edgar Bronfman Jr. has raised his bid to $6 billion. This put the pressure back on Oracle heir David Ellison and his $4.75 billion bid.
  
  

• The price of silver continues to attract attention. Up more than 20% in the past 12 months to $30 USD an ounce, there is a view that it could reach as high as $100 USD an ounce in the next few years.

What the…?

There’s not a lot the world can agree on these days, but one universal truth is that we don’t need another streaming service. Enter American fast food giant Chick-fil-A, who announced they are launching a family-friendly streaming service with a lineup of original shows.

Given very few of the entertainment giants have reached profitability with their own streaming services, we’re not sure about this move for Chick-fil-A.

Investing is a lifelong journey

Here’s what you can learn today.

This is an excerpt from our interview with Chris Bates, mortgage broker and co-founder of Flint. Listen to the full episode on Apple, Spotify, YouTube or wherever you listen to podcasts.

Question: What are some typical mistakes people make when buying property, and could you help clarify the difference between a great, bad, and ugly asset?

Chris: One frequent mistake, especially among first-time buyers, is the decision to jump into the property market without careful long-term planning.

Many are susceptible to societal and familial pressures to own property and might opt for purchasing something—anything—rather than investing time in securing the right asset. These rushed decisions can lead to acquiring properties that don’t align with future life plans, leading to later financial strains when transitioning or upgrading.

It’s often more advantageous to delay a purchase than settle for something subpar.

To assess asset quality, think in terms of demand and supply. A great asset is one with limited supply and broad demand, like a standalone house in an inner city with amenities, which typically features scarcity factors that bode well under various market conditions.

Conversely, poorer investments might include high-density apartments or newly built houses in sprawling suburbs where future supply isn’t restricted. Suppose a property only appeals to a narrow buyer demographic. In that case, its liquidity and price stability can suffer, especially during downturn periods, making it essential to differentiate between these when seeking property investments to optimise future security and appreciation.

Want to speak to Chris? Fill out the form on our website and we’ll put you in touch.

Today’s sponsor is J.P. Morgan Asset Management

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