The hidden reality of male confidence
Australian men are sitting at 63 out of 100 when it comes to overall confidence. If your phone battery was at 63%, you’d be looking for a charger. That’s where…
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Creating success for tomorrow
The pessimism paradox: Why Australia’s wealthiest generation doesn’t feel secure
Generation X is now Australia’s wealthiest generation, holding more wealth in property and shares than any other generation in Australia. According to the latest KPMG analysis, Gen X households have…
Continue readingSME January 2026: SME confidence falls sharply as rates and uncertainty rise
Updates to this research are published monthly. SME January 2026: Short-term business confidence weakened materially in January, slipping well below consumer confidence and reaching its lowest level in nearly two…
Continue readingEntry level hiring falls amid AI rise
Entry level hiring in Australia is contracting sharply, mirroring a global pattern that has seen junior job postings fall 29 percentage points since January 2024. According to Randstad’s 2025 Global…
Continue readingSupply chain volatility is permanent
The World Economic Forum’s January 2026 Global Value Chains Outlook delivered a blunt message: Supply Chain Volatility is now permanent. Supply chain resilience in Australia and globally is no longer…
Continue readingSME December 2025: Tighter margins and softer hiring to Kick Off 2026
Updates to this research are published monthly. SME December 2025: SME confidence softened further in December as weaker trading conditions, ongoing cost pressures and heightened political and global uncertainty weighed…
Continue readingHow generative AI is redefining search behaviour in Australia
Generative AI is increasingly being used as a first-choice channel for information-intensive tasks. Findings from the latest Fifth Quadrant Consumer Sentiment Tracker indicate a measurable shift in search behaviour. Australians…
Continue readingChristmas caution for SMEs amid inflation pressures
Updates to this research are published monthly. SME November 2025: SME sentiment weakened in November as rising inflation and softening global economic indicators contributed to a more cautious outlook. Local…
Continue readingChristmas Sentiment Pulse 2025: How Aussies are feeling and spending this year
The Fifth Quadrant Christmas Sentiment Pulse 2025 paints a picture of stability in overall mood, ongoing financial pressure in many households, and a clear divide in spending intentions as Australians…
Continue readingRaising prices or holding market share: The pricing dilemma facing every business
Should we raise prices to cover costs, or hold steady to protect market share? This pricing dilemma is keeping every Australian business leaders awake right now. With household budgets tightening…
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