Australia Breaking News

• Australian Bureau of Statistics data showed Australian household spending increased 0.8% in June 2026, driven by a 3.0% surge in transport spending led by new vehicle sales and air travel recovery.
• Listed consumer and transport peers reported resilient underlying revenue, with auto dealer Eagers Automotive generating $13 billion in annual revenue and refiner Ampol recording $1.6 billion in first-half EBITDA.
• Rising living costs and changing interest rate expectations remain primary headwinds for sustained consumer discretionary momentum across transport and retail equities.

• Media conglomerate News Corp reported an 11% increase in fourth-quarter fiscal 2026 revenue to US$2.34 billion, lifted by digital real estate, publishing, and premium information divisions.
• High-margin digital real estate and recurring subscription streams generated expanding free cash flow across publishers, supporting multi-million-dollar share buybacks and dividend payouts.
• Softening legacy print advertising, fluctuating real estate listing volumes, and ongoing content licensing negotiations present operational friction across media channels.

• The Australian government confirmed the end of the temporary fuel excise discount, triggering a wholesale price increase of 16 cents per litre.
• Major downstream energy operators manage capital allocation across integrated refining and retail supply chains while absorbing shifting tax obligations.
• The sector faces ongoing working capital pressures tied to wholesale tax adjustments and broader international supply chain volatility.

Spelman College President, Dr. Ayanna Howard, sits down with Romaine Bostick to discuss the impact of federal funding rollbacks for HBCUs, and the impact of AI on college graduates.

John Foraker, Co-Founder and CEO of Once Upon a Farm, discussed the company's strong 42% sales growth in the recent quarter and expressed confidence in sustaining this momentum due to resilient consumer demand across baby and kid food categories. The company has raised its guidance for the full year and anticipates continued growth. He speaks with Romaine Bostick on "The Close."

Akamai's shares declined following the release of its second-quarter earnings report, despite the company beating earnings estimates. Tom Leighton, Co-Founder and CEO of Akamai, joined the program to discuss the company's performance and recent developments. He speaks with Romaine Bostick on "The Close."

Comprehensive cross-platform coverage of the U.S. market close on Bloomberg Television, Bloomberg Radio, and YouTube with Romaine Bostick, Carol Massar and Tim Stenovec.

Sony Pictures Entertainment Motion Picture Group Chairman and CEO Tom Rothman says this latest Spider-Man movie was deeper and more emotional than others in the franchise. He says "Spider-Man: Brand New Day" could be one of the studio's most profitable movies ever. Rothman also talks about ticket prices and making movies in California on "Bloomberg The Close."

Gen Digital's shares are reaching their highest levels in nearly a year following an upward revision of its earnings forecast. Vincent Pilette, President and CEO of Gen Digital, expressed strong confidence in sustaining double-digit growth over the coming quarters, driven by increased demand for cybersecurity solutions amid growing concerns related to AI and agentic technologies. He speaks with Romaine Bostick on "The Close."

Meredith Whitney, CEO of Meredith Whitney Advisory Group, joins Scarlet Fu and Tom Keene on "Bloomberg Money." They discuss Meredith's approach to personal investing and finance.

Brian Rolapp, CEO of PGA Tour, joins Scarlet Fu and Tom Keene on "Bloomberg Money." They discuss the changing landscape of sports media coverage, the rising costs of streaming bills for consumers, and the evolution of the PGA Tour after the rise and fall of LIV Golf.

David Kelly, Chief Global Strategist at JPMorgan Asset Management, joins Scarlet Fu and Tom Keene on "Bloomberg Money." They discuss how biased information influences investor behavior.