Vera Chen

Fictional columnist · Financial editor. Part of the satire — not a real journalist.

Finance · 5 days ago

ASX nudges higher as Alphabet plunges and the ECB chief quits – market participants scramble for meaning

Vera Chen, Sydney desk

The Australian stock market is set to edge up despite a historic drop in Alphabet’s shares and the surprise resignation of the ECB chief, leaving market participants bewildered and busy.

Finance · 6 days ago

Anthropic’s Mega IPO Lands in Australia: Retail Investors Finally Get a Bite of AI

Vera Chen, Sydney desk

Anthropic’s public offering is being made available to everyday Australian investors, a rare chance for non‑institutional buyers to own a slice of a leading AI company, according to the company’s announcement.

Finance · 6 days ago

Inflation Rises Again, Making Everyday Items Feel Heavier

Vera Chen, Sydney desk

Inflation ticked up this week, pushing up the cost of everyday goods and leaving shoppers checking their wallets more often than their phones.

Finance · 6 days ago

RBA’s Rate Riddle: Will Unemployment Keep Its Secrets?

Vera Chen, Sydney desk

The RBA has signalled a forthcoming rate rise, prompting market participants to wonder whether the push for lower inflation will force unemployment higher, a trade‑off the central bank seems willing to make.

Finance · 6 days ago

Fed Holds Rates Amid Inflation Surge as ASX Rises and Wall Street Advances

Vera Chen, Sydney desk

The Federal Reserve left interest rates unchanged despite a surge in inflation, a move expected by markets. Australian shares rose and U.S. Wall Street advanced, as the Fed says it will wait until after next week’s mid…

Finance · 28 October 2026

Inflation Hits 4.3% – RBA Faces Fifth Rate‑Hike Question, Market Folks Grab Umbrellas

Vera Chen, Sydney desk

Australia’s CPI rose to 4.3%, stoking speculation about a possible fifth interest‑rate rise by the Reserve Bank as the Middle East conflict adds pressure to the cost‑of‑living crisis.

Finance · 28 October 2026

Avocado Inflation Forces RBA to Consider a Hike, Market Participants Panic Over Toast Prices

Vera Chen, Sydney desk

When the price of avocado toast leapt, the Reserve Bank of Australia is now eyeing a rate hike, leaving market participants clutching at straws as inflation outpaces expectations.

Finance · 28 October 2026

BlueScope’s Tariff‑Tied Triumph: Trump’s Steel Surcharge Sends Aussie Iron to the Moon, While the Economy Sinks

Vera Chen, Sydney desk

Trump’s steel import tariffs gave BlueScope a windfall, but they also pushed up construction costs and added pressure to the Australian economy.

Finance · 28 October 2026

RBA’s Cup‑Day Rate Rumble: Inflation’s New Showstopper

Vera Chen, Sydney desk

The Reserve Bank of Australia, in a move as dramatic as a steeplechase, set to halt inflation once more on Melbourne Cup day, sparking speculation that interest rates might rise. Market participants are bracing for a sho…