Tuesday 14 April 2026

The federal government works to calm nerves about the US blockading the Strait of Hormuz.

• Department store David Jones feels the pressure of slower consumer spending
• Two ASX mergers get a kick along
• 80 per cent of Australians report having long term health conditions
• The cost of the “annoyance economy”

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Long before it hits the petrol pump, disruption in global energy markets starts with a handful of critical choke points. Right now, the Strait of Hormuz — one of the most important shipping lanes in the world — is at the centre of it. So what happens when supply is suddenly constrained? And what does it mean for Australia?

Sean Aylmer talks to Vivek Dhar, Head of Commodities and Sustainability Research at Commonwealth Bank, about the flow of oil and gas around the world, Australia's exposure to the Middle East crisis, and why our LNG and coal give us a lot of leverage.

Find out more: https://fearandgreed.com.au/

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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.

1. ASX slips

2. Trump order Hormuz blockade

3. Companies announce downgrades

4. IKEA cuts returns policy

5. Hungary election shock

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Find out more: https://fearandgreed.com.au/

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.