Prince William has confirmed his presence at the World Cup final is assured if England advances to that stage.
Prince William is passionate about soccer
As the Football Association’s patron and a dedicated supporter of the sport, the Prince of Wales has been following England’s early matches from home. Nonetheless, he has committed to traveling to the United States to support the team at the MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey, on 19 July—should they win their upcoming knockout rounds.
During his appearance on the New Heights podcast, which was recorded a few days after England’s first game against Croatia but only released on Friday (03.07.26), William was asked by co-host Jason Kelce: “What in your mind is a successful World Cup for England?”
He replied: “I think winning it.”
Fox News’ Kayleigh McEnany Captivates Audience with On-Air Gender Reveal Announcement
Fox News personality Kayleigh McEnany joyfully announced on live television that she’s expecting a baby girl.
At 37 years old, the expectant host was accompanied by her husband, Sean Gilmartin, and their two children, Blake, aged five, and Nash, who is two, for the heartwarming gender reveal that aired on Wednesday.
As they appeared on the show, viewers were treated to an endearing video of Blake and Nash helping to disclose the gender of their forthcoming sibling.
The adorable siblings were captured on film eagerly breaking open a cupcake, which was filled with either pink or blue icing.
Before diving into the cupcake, Blake confidently announced her guess that a baby sister was on the way – and she was indeed proven correct.
‘It’s a girl!’ she cried out after seeing that the cupcake was pink inside.
‘Is it?’ Sean was heard asking. ‘You’ve got pink in there?’
‘Yeah!’ Blake confirmed.
Fox News star Kayleigh McEnany shared that she’s having a baby girl
The presenter was joined by her husband Sean Gilmartin and their two children Blake and Nash in the adorable moment which aired on Wednesday
‘We’re so excited,’ Kayleigh said of the news in the studio. ‘We as a family are ready to be outnumbered.
‘We are moving from man-to-man coverage to zone defense, so we will be outnumbered in our family and it’s been a special time.’
Kayleigh concluded the segment by reading aloud a Bible verse from Psalm 139.
Fox News fans delighted over Kayleigh’s sweet gender reveal and sent messages of congratulations.
Taking to the comments, one said: ‘Congratulations Kayleigh! You have a beautiful family.’
‘Thanks for sharing your beautiful news with us,’ another said.
‘Congratulations to you and your husband and children,’ a third added.
A fourth added: ‘I love this so much!!! I love seeing the difference between your son and daughter with the reveal, so adorable!!’
A sweet clip played of Blake and Nash helping to reveal their new sibling’s gender
‘It’s a girl!’ she cried out after seeing that the cupcake was pink inside
‘We are moving from man-to-man coverage to zone defense, so we will be outnumbered in our family,’ Kayleigh enthused
The exciting development comes two months after Kayleigh previously shared news of her pregnancy live on Fox News in March.
‘Sean and I are expecting our third child which we’re so excited about,’ she said at the times, to whoops and cheers from her co-hosts.
Kayleigh, who served as White House Press Secretary between April 2020 and the end of President Donald Trump’s first term in January 2021, even shared a photo of her ultrasound scan and said she’d been enjoying a ‘very special time’ with her family.
She finished her announcement with two Bible quotes and joked: ‘With all that said, can I unbutton my jacket now?
‘It’s very tight. I’m busting outta here.’
Co-host Harris Faulkner, who was sitting on the couch next to Kayleigh, offered congratulations on behalf of the Outnumbered team.
Kayleigh excitedly announced news of her third pregnancy live on air in March
Kayleigh then produced a frame of the ultrasound she brought from home and said she has similar frames for her two older children on display there too.
In 2023, Kayleigh told DailyMail.com that she’d struggled to conceive Nash.
In 2020, she had an elective double mastectomy after discovering she carried the BRCA2 gene mutation.
It increases the risk of breast cancer by 84 percent and ovarian cancer by 27 percent.
She said she and her husband knew they wanted to have a second child shortly after Blake was born in the summer of 2021.
Writing in her book Serenity in the Storm, she explained how her first pregnancy had ‘happened rather quickly’ and ‘with relative ease.’
But Kayleigh says she began to grow concerned in early 2022 when she still wasn’t pregnant.
She credits intensive prayer with helping her to conceive Nash.
Lakeland Commemorates America 250 with Spectacular Red, White & Kaboom Celebration
LAKELAND, Fla. (WFLA) — In a spirited display of national pride, Lakeland’s Red, White, and Kaboom celebration made its grand return. Stringent symbols of American patriotism—flags, lively music, enticing food aromas, and a grand fireworks display—defined this cherished event.
Marking its 22nd anniversary, the July 3rd tradition drew scores of revelers adorned in red, white, and blue. The scene saw everything from shirtless young men energetically waving American flags to dapper individuals flaunting patriotic overalls, all adding to the jubilant atmosphere.
Expressions of national pride filled the air as attendees like Cohen Bloodworth and Evan Kaniss echoed a unified sentiment: “We love America. Go USA!”
In the midst of the festivities, News Channel 8 took the opportunity to pose a reflective question to the attendees: What does America mean to them?
One individual encapsulated the sentiment of many, stating, “Being whoever you want to be and having the freedom to do so.” This raw expression of liberty resonated deeply among the crowd, highlighting the essence of what the event and, indeed, the nation stands for.
“Community. All the love, all the laughter, it’s great,” said Adrian Escalera-Hernandez.
Despite the patriotic spirit, the weather early on was a little chaotic at times.
“We want to make sure that we can put on the best show possible, under the conditions of course,” said Jamin Smith with the City of Lakeland, as a tent was blown over.
But overall, the conditions held up for everyone to celebrate Red, White, and Kaboom, some for the very first time.
“It’s been fun. Food is really good, people are really nice,” said Escalera-Hernandez.
Even better than the food and fireworks show is the great cause the event is benefiting.
“A big part of this event is working very closely with VISTE, Volunteers In Service to the Elderly. And so we’re encouraging all attendees to come out and donate canned goods to seniors in our community,” Smith said.
Mother Faces Murder Charges After Blaming Vaccines for Twin Babies’ Deaths
In a dramatic development in a heartbreaking case, Andrea Shaw, a mother from Idaho, now faces grim legal charges. She has been indicted on two counts of first-degree murder following the tragic deaths of her 18-month-old twins.
The charges against Shaw were revealed in a press release issued on June 30 by the Payette Police Department. Her arrest took place exactly at 4 p.m. that day, and she is currently detained in Ada County Jail pending extradition to Payette County, where she will face arraignment for these charges. As of now, it remains uncertain whether Shaw has entered a plea.
This turn of events surfaces over a year after the twins were discovered lifeless, a discovery that drew widespread attention when Shaw publicly attributed their deaths to vaccinations.
The saga began when, on May 1, 2025, police officers responded to an emergency call and tragically found the young children deceased in their shared bed. The Payette Police Department has opted not to release the cause of death, leaving many questions unanswered.
According to the Payette Police Department, officers responded to a 911 call on May 1, 2025, and discovered the 18-month-old twins deceased in a shared bed. Officials have not publicly released the children’s cause of death.
Weeks later, the 23-year-old mother appeared alongside her husband, Nathaniel Shaw, on a May 23, 2025 episode of a podcast produced by Children’s Health Defense, an anti-vaccination organization previously led by Robert F. Kennedy Jr.
During the interview, the couple claimed their children died after receiving vaccinations.
Shaw’s attorney, Joseph Filicetti, told KTVB he also believes the children’s deaths were related to vaccines.
“They were looking at it as a vaccine death, and that’s still what I believe it to be,” Filicetti said. He also acknowledged, “I’m not a medical expert.”
Oxygen has reached out to Filicetti for additional comment.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention states there is no evidence that vaccines cause autism or are linked to Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS). The agency also says extensive research has shown that receiving multiple vaccines during the same visit is safe and does not increase the risk of adverse health outcomes
Unpacking the Democrats’ Big Tent Strategy: Insights and Opinions
Dems’ ‘big tent’
It’s curious to witness the members of the Democratic Party openly embracing individuals like Graham Platner in Maine, alongside activists in New York City, as they rise to positions of influence (“A hateful horde has run amok,” David Harsanyi, July 2).
Figures such as Senator Cory Booker often wear broad smiles while extolling the virtues of the party’s “big tent” philosophy. It raises an intriguing question: If historical despots like Hitler, Stalin, and Mao were somehow revived and expressed interest in joining their ranks, would this expansive tent still have room for them?
Myron Hecker
Pearl River
Stop bragging, Don
I would prefer if President Trump refrained from continually boasting about the opulence of the airplane gifted to him by Qatar (“New Air Force One 1st flight,” July 1).
I want him to have the same stuff everybody else who works in government has. Most Americans are struggling to make ends meet. They don’t care if he flies in luxury.
Mindy Rader
New City
Lay off the goss
Allie Yang contends that “gossiping may give you an evolutionary advantage” when it comes to relationships, letting off steam or getting ahead, according to groundbreaking research (“Survival of the cattiest,” July 2)?
I agree that sometimes gossip brings people closer together. However, it becomes harmful when the gossip is believed to be true and viciously spread, which is so often the case, thanks to social media and common sense being a thing of the past. This article is just another way of normalizing and pushing acceptance of bad behavior.
Michelle Tranchina
Brooklyn, Conn.
Sneaky Mamdani
Mayor Mamdani is showing his socialist chops and City Council Speaker Julie Menin was made to look like the fool she is (“Hizz late $neak attack on NYPD,” July 2).
After he previously promised to hire an additional 580 police officers, he got her to agree to a ridiculous $125.8 billion budget.
Now will people realize just what is happening to our once-vibrant city? Every elected official that has an NYPD security detail should be stripped of it. They should decline the security so that those officers can patrol our streets to keep citizens safe.
Kim F. Cody
Whitestone
We need balance
The Supreme Court’s ruling allowing President Trump to fire federal officials allows him to sink or swim on his mandate with no excuses (“Ruling is a rebalancing act for US,” Jonathan Turley, June 30).
You want elected leaders to be able to select their teams. They need the unfettered right to hire and fire people who will deliver on stated policies. Otherwise, how can you truly hold them accountable?
I understand there must be independent agencies in government, but that’s why checks and balances are in place to hold officials accountable if they overstep authority.
Larry Sylvester
Ontario, Canada
Empire State stunt
First and foremost, where was security when these two lovebirds ascended to the very peak of the Empire State Building (“He’s ‘Ring’ Kong,” July 2)?
These kissing daredevils could have had other ideas other than a marriage proposal; fortunately they meant no harm. It reminds me Philippe Petit’s tightrope walk between the Twin Towers in 1974. For that he received a lifetime pass to the observation deck. I wonder what reward, if any, will go to these two.
Ron Zajicek
Cortlandt
Want to weigh in on today’s stories? Send your thoughts (along with your full name and city of residence) to letters@nypost.com. Letters are subject to editing for clarity, length, accuracy, and style.
Analyzing the Most Disappointing CinemaScores in Comic Book Movie History
Warner Bros.
The debut of “Supergirl” did not quite electrify audiences. The film garnered an average B- from CinemaScore, a research company that surveys viewers on opening night to gauge potential word-of-mouth momentum. CinemaScore can sometimes reveal which original films resonate with audiences, as evidenced by the success of “Sinners,” which scored an A and blossomed into a box office hit. Conversely, the data can also highlight films that struggle to capture widespread appeal, as seen with “Supergirl.”
Regrettably, “Supergirl’s” fate at the box office was dismal. Directed by Craig Gillespie, it nonetheless eclipsed the abysmal scores attributed to some of the worst-reviewed comic book films in CinemaScore’s history. These five films, arranged from highest to lowest score, failed to connect with audiences due to significant artistic missteps. The feedback from their initial screenings foreshadowed the reputations they would battle over time.
Comic book movies typically receive favorable CinemaScore ratings, making the five films in question intriguing outliers within the genre. Analyzing these flops sheds light on why “Supergirl’s” debut is seen in a relatively more positive light.
5. Kraven the Hunter
Sony Pictures Releasing
Just days before “Kraven the Hunter” premiered in North America, whispers circulated online suggesting that Sony’s Spider-Man Universe was nearing its conclusion. Despite “Venom’s” trilogy, the series, including “Morbius” and “Madame Web,” could not sustain itself. Always living in the shadow of Spider-Man, these films struggled mainly because they couldn’t thrive without the famed superhero’s presence. The absence of quality storytelling further complicated their standing. “Kraven” failed to convincingly argue for the longevity of Sony’s Spider-Man Universe.
Ultimately, “Kraven the Hunter” failed commercially, earning a C from CinemaScore. The film’s inability to captivate audiences isn’t unexpected, as it served primarily as an extended introduction. Its focus was on grooming characters such as Kraven (Aaron Taylor-Johnson) and The Chameleon (Fred Hechinger) for future villain roles, resulting in scant memorable action or engaging characters for the present. Given these shortcomings, it’s hardly surprising that viewers exiting the opening night screenings were less than impressed.
The dismal reputation of “Kraven the Hunter” made the demise of Sony’s Spider-Man Universe inevitable. That dreadful CinemaScore grade was just one of countless problems this saga could never overcome.
4. Superman IV: The Quest for Peace
Warner Bros. Pictures
Back in 1981, “Superman II” dazzled audiences so much that they gave it an A+ CinemaScore grade, a fantastic result that spoke highly of how much Christopher Reeve’s interpretation resonated with people. This also marked the first time a superhero film secured this score, paving the way for subsequent A+ CinemaScore titles like “Black Panther” and “Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse.” Alas, the good times could not go on forever for the “Superman” movies. The next two sequels starring Reeve got significantly worse responses from audiences.
One of those sequels was “Superman IV: The Quest for Peace,” widely considered the worst “Superman” film of all time. Its abysmal reputation was clear even from its opening night screenings where “Quest for Peace” was given a C CinemaScore mark. One might normally say that the first two “Superman” movies had set such a high bar that most efforts couldn’t have met audience expectations. However, “The Quest for Peace” was just a straight-up bad movie regardless of context. Its visual effects were terrible, its storyline was emotionally inert, and the fight scenes were unintentionally comical. The whole thing was a disaster that left audiences seeking some uplifting spectacle understandably cold.
Some bad movies take a while to amass their infamous reputations. The CinemaScore grades for “Superman IV: The Quest for Peace,” though, suggest this dud’s awful reputation was sealed.
3. The Spirit
Lionsgate
One of the more baffling comic book movies out there has to be the 2008 Frank Miller directorial effort “The Spirit.” For one thing, its noir-inspired visuals hewed closer to “Sin City” (a movie adaptation of a Miller comic that he also co-directed) than the vintage Will Eisner comics. Even more bizarrely, “The Spirit” clearly emulated the grimy and hard-R mayhem of “Sin City,” but within the confines of a PG-13 rating. This meant the film couldn’t even deliver surface-level titillation or graphic violence that “City” fans expected. Whether you wanted something dark or faithful to classic “Spirit” comics, this star-studded boondoggle was going to disappoint.
To the surprise of no one, “The Spirit” scored atrocious responses. After being forced to listen to lines of dialogue like “I’m gonna kill you all kinds of dead” and “The cat! She is all the reason I need. I will kill you” for 103 minutes, moviegoers inevitably plastered “The Spirit” with a C- CinemaScore. This incredibly messy enterprise was always going to leave audiences cold, but coming out just a few months after massive crowdpleasers like “Iron Man” and “The Dark Knight” didn’t help.
Viewers had just seen the pinnacle of comic book cinema, which just amplified the glaring shortcomings of this bizarre yet tedious adaptation. It’s no surprise “The Spirit” fell flat on its face when it came time for its CinemaScore.
2. Fantastic Four (2015)
20th Century Fox
In many all-time bad movies, there comes a single moment where it becomes clear to viewers that they’re watching something historically awful. For 2015’s “Fantastic Four,” that comes when the four of the lead characters are trapped in an alternate dimension that’s pelting them with dangerous weather. As they all return to the pods that brought them to this realm, director Josh Trank suddenly cuts to Ben Grimm (Jamie Bell) screaming as a bunch of rocks rain down on him. The shot’s cramped framing just makes it look like Jamie Bell is being bombarded by a bunch of plastic squares, with his ADR’d wails amplifying the moment’s unintentional comedy.
If “Fantastic Four” was trying to be a horrifying David Cronenberg take on this superhero material, that intent went staggeringly awry in execution. That level of tomfoolery made it unsurprising “Fantastic Four” had one of the biggest comic book movie second weekend drops of all time and became a box office bomb. Word of mouth was nothing short of dreadful, with opening night audiences giving “Fantastic Four” a C- CinemaScore grade, a shockingly bad rating for a superhero movie. For comparison’s sake, “Catwoman” got a B grade.
Failing to deliver either compelling escapist action or an exciting new vision of these familiar Marvel characters cemented “Fantastic Four” as one of the worst superhero movies of all time. That one scene with the plastic rocks hitting Ben Grimm alone guaranteed “Fantastic Four” terrible audience responses.
1. Joker: Folie à Deux
Warner Bros. Pictures
There were once hopes that “Joker: Folie à Deux” could reach a domestic opening weekend exceeding $100 million. As history has infamously shown, “Joker: Folie à Deux” didn’t come close to those expectations. Instead, it became one of the biggest box office flops in history with a domestic cume of $58.3 million. It was also incredibly frontloaded, making $37.67 million of that lifetime North American haul in its first three days. How was that possible? Simple: “Joker: Folie à Deux” had some of the worst word of mouth imaginable for a major studio release.
“Joker: Folie à Deux” secured a D CinemaScore grade from opening night audiences, the same score as infamous boondoggles like “Movie 43,” “The Snowman,” and 1998’s “The Avengers,” the latter of which at least featured a scene where Sean Connery gives an intimidating speech to people in colorful teddy bear costumes. It’s no mystery why “Joker: Folie à Deux” was such a disaster. It wasn’t just the bewilderment of it being a musical. Sitting down in a theater and getting surprised with a musical as good as Steven Spielberg’s “West Side Story” would be one thing.
Suddenly getting bombarded with Joaquin Phoenix screaming “For Once in My Life” lyrics was nobody’s idea of a good time. No wonder “Joker: Folie à Deux” had some of the worst audience responses ever for a comic book movie.
Tech Giant’s CEO Dies in Tragic Fire, Triggering Legal Battle Over Multimillion-Dollar Estate
The unfolding saga over the late Zappos founder Tony Hsieh’s estate has shifted to a forensic battle following his tragic death in a Connecticut fire.
After succumbing to injuries from the fire in 2020 at the age of 46, Hsieh was initially believed to have passed away without leaving a will.
However, a mysterious document, a supposed seven-page will dated March 2015, surprisingly surfaced at a Las Vegas courthouse through the mail last year. This unexpected revelation has become the focal point of the ongoing legal dispute over his estate, according to a report by The Wall Street Journal.
In this image dated September 30, 2013, Tony Hsieh is seen addressing attendees at an Economic Club luncheon in Grand Rapids, Michigan. The retired Zappos CEO tragically died due to injuries from a Connecticut house fire. (Cory Morse/The Grand Rapids Press via AP, File)
The contentious will includes a no-contest clause specifically directed at Hsieh’s parents and two younger siblings, stipulating that if any family member contests its terms, they risk being entirely excluded from the inheritance.
Hsieh’s father, Richard Hsieh, has demanded a jury trial.
Tony Hsieh, chief executive officer of Zappos.com Inc., speaks at the Skybridge Alternatives (SALT) conference in Las Vegas, Nevada, U.S., on Thursday, May 18, 2017. (David Paul Morris/Bloomberg via Getty Images)
The document also landed at the office of Las Vegas trust attorney Robert Armstrong, who said he never met Hsieh despite being named as a co-executor in the alleged will, according to the Journal.
A man who identified himself as Kashif Singh reportedly called Armstrong’s office and claimed he found the document among the belongings of his late grandfather. The office later received what appeared to be the grandfather’s death certificate from Balochistan, Pakistan, the Journal reported.
More than a year later, the origin of the document remains murky. The man who allegedly sent it has not appeared in court, the witnesses listed on the document have not come forward, and Hsieh’s family has called the alleged will a scam.
Now, forensic experts are taking over.
A photo shows the home where Zappos founder Tony Hsieh was staying at the time of the fatal fire. (New London Fire Department)
A Las Vegas judge in May appointed forensic specialist Gerry LaPorte as a special master to oversee testing of the document. LaPorte’s team began examining the purported will in early June at the courthouse, after shipping about 150 pounds of forensic gear from his Virginia lab to Nevada, according to court filings cited by the Journal.
The testing is focused largely on ink analysis, including the ink used on the signatures. The process could help determine whether the document is consistent with its stated 2015 date or whether the signatures were added much later.
Additional tests could include handwriting analysis, fingerprint scans and DNA examination, the Journal reported.
The New London Fire Department sketch shows the approximate location of Tony Hsieh’s body at the time of the fire. (New London Fire Department)
Hsieh’s family has hired its own forensic expert, Larry Stewart, a former U.S. Secret Service lab director and chief forensic scientist. Stewart has worked on major cases including the Unabomber investigation and reinvestigations of the assassinations of Martin Luther King Jr. and President John F. Kennedy.
LaPorte is expected to submit a written report by July 24, after which the family’s experts can respond. News Media has reached out to Armstrong, Singh and the Hsieh family’s attorney, Dara Goldsmith, for comment.
How an Unexpected Sharemarket Surge Boosted Your Superannuation
As the financial year ended, plenty of considerations emerged for Australians, ranging from the performance of their superannuation funds to clear indications of a gradual cooling within the housing sector.
Many drivers experienced brief relief with lower fuel prices, though the trend might not last long. Meanwhile, investors analyzed a year of moderate returns from local Australian shares, which were overshadowed by the more robust gains seen in international markets.
Interestingly, these higher returns abroad are likely to have positively influenced the performance of your superannuation.
Your super may have performed better than you think
This past financial year, the Australian sharemarket achieved a modest increase of just 2.77 percent. This figure pales in comparison to the remarkable approx 20 percent surge witnessed by the S&P 500 in the United States.
Yet, for superannuation fund members, these numbers only tell part of the story.
Research from Chant West suggests the median growth super fund is likely to have returned around 9.2 per cent over the past 12 months.
That’s because most super funds invest across a broad range of assets, including international shares, infrastructure, property and fixed interest, rather than relying solely on Australian equities.
Global markets were major contributors to returns. Investment managers also pointed to emerging markets, including South Korea, where technology companies have benefited from growing investment in artificial intelligence.
In fact, South Korea’s sharemarket surged by an incredible 150 per cent in the year to the end of June. Its market is dominated by Samsung and SK Hynix.
The week also highlighted the increasing importance of Australia’s superannuation sector to the broader financial system.
Regulators continue to monitor the industry’s rapid growth, while ASIC warned that some super platforms must do more to protect members from excessive fees and higher-risk investments.
Property market is cooling
Australia’s housing market showed further signs of losing momentum this week.
New figures from Cotality revealed national home values fell 0.4 per cent during June, the largest monthly decline since December 2022. Annual price growth also eased to 7.3 per cent.
Sydney recorded the biggest monthly decline, with home values falling 1.2 per cent, while Melbourne dropped 1 per cent. Canberra also slipped, although several smaller capital cities continued to record gains.
Perth continues to lead the nation, with home values almost 24 per cent higher than a year ago, while Melbourne remains the weakest-performing capital over the same period.
The data suggests higher interest rates and affordability pressures are continuing to weigh more heavily on Australia’s largest housing markets as investors also navigate new negative gearing and capital tax gains changes.
For buyers, slower price growth may create more opportunities after several years of rapid increases. Sellers, meanwhile, may need to adjust expectations as the balance between supply and demand becomes more even.
Fuel prices fall, but relief may not last
Motorists received some welcome news this week as petrol prices dropped to levels not seen since early 2022.
National average unleaded prices fell below $1.60 a litre according to the Australian Institute of Petroleum, with some service stations in Sydney and Perth briefly selling fuel for less than $1.42 a litre according to the ACCC.
The fall reflects lower global oil prices following the easing of tensions in the Middle East and has provided some relief for household budgets during the school holiday period.
However, drivers are being warned that cheaper prices may be temporary.
From Wednesday, the government’s temporary reduction in fuel excise was halved, with the discount falling from 32 cents to 16 cents a litre. While global oil prices and exchange rates will continue influencing pump prices, the reduced tax relief is expected to place upward pressure on fuel costs.
Car buyers flock to EVs
It does, however, come as a growing number of new car buyers are drawn to battery-electric vehicles, with those cars accounting for nearly a quarter of all new car sales in June.
Combined data from the Federal Chamber of Automotive Industries and the Electric Vehicle Council show that the Tesla Model Y was the most popular new car sold last month, with two of the top four being battery-electric vehicles.
Despite rising cost of living pressures, the overall new car market is holding up better than expected with a record 140,058 new vehicles sold. That’s the highest monthly sales figure ever recorded in Australia.
The FCAI’s Tony Weber says greater competition is helping to pull down prices, as China becomes Australia’s leading source of cars.
Exchange traded funds continue their rapid rise
Exchange traded funds, better known as ETFs, continued their remarkable growth this financial year.
A record 72 new ETFs were listed on the Australian Securities Exchange, taking the total number available to investors to around 460. Together, they’re now worth more than $350 billion.
ETF trading activity also increased by 26 per cent year on year, outpacing the 22 per cent growth in overall equity market trading activity over the same period.
ETFs have become increasingly popular because they allow investors to buy exposure to a broad range of companies, industries or markets through a single investment.
The rapid expansion reflects growing demand from investors seeking lower-cost and more diversified investment options although like managed funds, they do attract management fees and because they’re listed on the sharemarket, their value can rise and fall.
That’s this week’s On the Money wrap. Prefer to listen? The On the Money podcast breaks down the latest every weekday. You can tune in here or wherever you get your podcasts.