This week’s big story
The money news that mattered most this week, like the ASX, the RBA and rates, housing or the Aussie dollar. Two topics at most, explained in plain English, each with “what this means for you”.
Free · Every Sunday · About 5 minutes
State of the Market
The week in money, in plain English.
State of the Market is a free email, every Sunday, on Aussie shares, interest rates, housing, commodities and crypto, plus the big stuff overseas. Explained so it actually makes sense. No tips. No hype. Just the news and what it means for you.
Sundays 6:00pm (Sydney time) Only your email is required Unsubscribe anytime General info, not advice
State of the Market
Oil jumps, miners slide, and a rate rise is back on the table.
ASX 2008,795.2▼ 0.13%
RBA cash rate4.60%
Aussie dollar70.12 US¢▲ ~1%
OilUS$116.72/bbl▲ 6.2%
What this means for you: If you have a home loan with a changing (variable) rate, a rate rise would push your repayments up.
Real figures from the sample issue, as at 24 Oct 2026. Not live prices.
Figures from the sample issue · week of 19–23 Oct 2026
- ASX 200
- 8,795.2 ▼ 0.13%
- RBA cash rate
- 4.60%
- Aussie dollar
- 70.12 US¢ ▲ ~1%
- Inflation
- 4.0% (yr to Aug)
- Iron ore
- US$90.75/t ▼ 7th weekly fall
- Gold
- US$3,999/oz ▼ 4%
- Oil
- US$116.72/bbl ▲ 6.2%
- Petrol
- 240.6c/L
- Bitcoin
- ~US$81,200 ▼ 0.4%
As at 24 Oct 2026. See sources. Not live prices.
“Most money news is written for bankers, or by people trying to sell you something. This isn't.”
About 5 minutesRead it on your smoko, at the bus stop or with your morning coffee.
Every term explainedIf there's jargon, there's a plain-English box right next to it.
A source for every numberEach issue ships with its source notes, so you can check anything.
No tips, no hypeNo buy or sell calls, no price targets. Just what happened and why.
What you get
One short email. One clear picture.
Australia first, then how the world flows through to us. Every story ends with a “What this means for you” line.
What’s on next week
The dates worth knowing for the coming week, like RBA decisions, inflation and jobs numbers, and big news from overseas that could flow through to Australia.
The market snapshot
Bitcoin, the S&P 500, the Nasdaq, the ASX 100 and the ASX 200 in one table, with a source for every figure. About five minutes of reading in total.
Sundays
Who it's for
For people who work for their money, and want to understand where it goes.
You don't need to know what an index is. You just want to understand what's going on with your money, without feeling dumb or being sold to.
It's for you if…
- You hear “the RBA held rates” or “the ASX fell” and want to know what it actually means for you.
- You've got super, a mortgage, savings or a first investment, and want to follow along without the jargon.
- You're new to investing, or not there yet, and want a calm, reliable read once a week.
- You'd rather understand things yourself than be told what to buy.
Peek inside
Here's a real one. Have a read.
These excerpts are taken word for word from the sample issue, the week of 19–23 October 2026.
Interest rates, prices and jobs
- The RBA's interest rate is 4.60%. It's gone up four times this year.
- Prices rose 4.0% in the year to August. The RBA wants 2–3%.
- Unemployment is 4.7%, the highest in about five years. More people out of work is a reason not to raise rates, so it's a close call.
- The Aussie dollar buys 70.12 US cents, up about 1% this week.
Jargon
The RBA (Reserve Bank of Australia) sets the main interest rate. Banks base home loan and savings rates on it.
The RBA (Reserve Bank of Australia) sets the main interest rate. Banks base home loan and savings rates on it.
What this means for you: If you have a home loan with a changing (variable) rate, a rate rise would push your repayments up. Savings accounts would likely pay a bit more interest too.
Housing
- Home prices fell 1.1% in September. That's six months of falls in a row.
- Prices are now 5.2% below their March peak. Brisbane (down 1.5%) and Sydney (down 1.4%) fell the most last month.
- Rents are still rising, up 5.5% over the year.
Jargon
The clearance rate is the share of auctioned homes that actually sell. In the week to 18 October it was 51.2%, which is fairly weak.
The clearance rate is the share of auctioned homes that actually sell. In the week to 18 October it was 51.2%, which is fairly weak.
What this means for you: Fewer buyers at auctions means a bit less competition, while higher rates generally mean banks lend people less.
Jargon buster: “Inflation”
Inflation is how fast prices are rising. If inflation is 4%, something that cost $100 last year costs about $104 now. A little is normal. Too much makes life dearer, so the RBA raises interest rates to slow spending down. That's why Wednesday's number matters so much.
Every issue picks one word like this and explains it properly. No question is too basic.
Figures as at 24 Oct 2026 (Sydney time), from public sources listed in the sample issue source notes. General information only, not financial advice.
Who's writing this
G'day, I'm Billy.
I work with my hands, and I've been investing for about six years. I'm not a finance pro and I'm definitely not a guru. I'm an everyday worker who's spent a fair few years reading the market news, and I know how much of it is written for people who already speak the lingo.
So I write the version I'd want to read. Every week I go through the market wraps, check the numbers against their sources, and explain what happened in plain English. Any jargon gets a box. If I get something wrong, I'll say so and fix it.
I'm not a licensed financial adviser, so I'll never tell you what to buy or sell, or share what I'm buying. This is about understanding what's going on with your money, so you can make your own calls.
Cheers, Billy
FAQ
Fair questions.
Is it free?
Yes. State of the Market is free to read. All you need is an email address, and a first name is optional. No card or payment details are ever asked for.
How often will I hear from you?
Once a week, every Sunday at 6:00pm Sydney time. It covers the week’s biggest money story, what’s on next week and a market snapshot, and takes about five minutes to read. Now and then there may be a short update, e.g. a change to the newsletter.
Is this financial advice?
No. It's general information only. It explains what happened in the markets and what it can mean in general, and it doesn't take into account your objectives, financial situation or needs. It never tells you to buy, sell or hold anything. For decisions about your own money, consider whether something is right for you, and speak to a licensed financial adviser if needed.
Will you tell me which shares or crypto to buy?
Never. No tips, no price targets, no “this could 10x”.
I know nothing about investing. Will I understand it?
That's exactly who it's written for. Every term is explained the first time it shows up. If something still doesn't click, just reply and ask.
Where do the numbers come from?
Public sources like the RBA, ABS, ASX and major news outlets. Every figure is listed with its source and the date it was correct. Prices move, so they may have changed since. Here are the sources for the sample issue.
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