CEO INSIGHTS – Week Ending 11 July 2025

Defence Spending

I think most excitingly, we have some [NATO Summit] decisions on the macro level, which were favourable for the overall Defence industry… confirming that [as a % of GDP] we're talking about 3.5% core Defence spending and 1.5% infrastructure...we are now seeing that as more and more countries are coming up, that discussions with customers are accelerating." Market Statement, Rheinmetall AG [major global supplier of military vehicles]

Satellite Imagery & Governments

“The changing global geopolitical landscape has accelerated the demand for sovereign access to unique solutions like ours. Governments worldwide are recognising that timely, comprehensive earth data are also critical to peace and security." William Marshall, CEO, Planet Labs [operator of the world’s largest fleet of Earth-imaging satellites]

Fast Food Chains

In today's market, there is a very mixed sort of bag of results taking place in the business. Yes, I think the Collins [Foods Ltd same store sales] numbers they just released were flat… McDonald's is negative, GYG [Guzman Y Gomez] is positive, Hungry Jacks is positive.” Jack Cowin, Executive Chair, Domino’s Pizza Ltd

Olive Oil & Supermarket Spending

"Sales in both Australia and the USA continued to remain strong in the second half of FY2025, driven by the demand for high quality, locally produced extra virgin olive oil [EVOO]. We continue to see strong sales results from our premium brand, Cobram Estate." Market Statement, Cobram Estate Olives Ltd

Data Centre Construction

“Supply is getting more constrained, and that comes down to capital. When we look at data centres globally now, their cost is averaging out at $1bn per data centre.” Greg Goodman, CEO, Goodman Group Ltd

Podcasts

"Podcasting has become one of the most trusted and engaging media formats with over 4 million podcasts registered worldwide as of 2025. The industry continues to grow with advertisers projected to invest over $2.4 billion in podcast advertising this year." Kit Gray, President, PodcastOne Inc [one of the world’s leading podcast platforms]

Chemicals & Petroleum Shipping

"We are not seeing signs of the current volatility and uncertainty abating, but equally, neither are we seeing evidence of swing tonnage [when other tankers are temporarily diverted to carry chemical cargos] impacting our market." Udo Lange, CEO, Stolt-Nielsen Ltd [world’s largest operator of bulk liquid tankers]

Domestic & International Travel

"So, speaking especially indeed on the traffic with the United States, we are not seeing any major impact also at the moment, the reservation and the schedule are quite in line for the summer." Christelle Robillard, CFO, Aeroports de Paris SA [owner and operator of the major airports in the Paris region]

"Forward rental revenue in both New Zealand and Australia is currently approximately 25% higher than it was at the same time last year. In the USA, while forward rental bookings initially declined by 40 to 50%...recent booking intakes have recovered closer to typical levels." Market Statement, Tourism Holdings Ltd

Tech Sector Workers

“In 2024, we had approximately 4500 US candidates apply to our positions or reach out directly to us. Since January, our active applications from the US have risen more than 350 per cent.” Ellis Taylor, Founder, Real Time Australia [IT recruitment firm]

Taxation

“If you run a national business in Australia at the moment, you have about 100 different taxes you have to pay. How stupid is that? So why don’t we fix that? Paul Schroder, CEO, AustralianSuper

SMEs & Sole Traders

“If we look at the take-up of technology, most big companies are pretty good at that. But small and medium-sized companies struggle with it big time. How could we help small and medium-sized enterprises, which employ so many people, to make the most of technology and become much more productive?” Paul Schroder, CEO, AustralianSuper

“There’s a lot of talk at the moment around productivity. Unlocking insights real-time to sole traders is a hugely powerful tool for…the Australian economy.” Paul Robson, CEO, MYOB

Jewellery

“Based on the data, consumers are purchasing less frequently and focusing on meaningful purchases rather than volume…Consumer confidence is returning, with shoppers showing a more deliberate, quality-first mindset." Leon van Megen, General Manager, Retail Edge Consultants [jewellery industry-specific data company]

Trucks

“We see a momentum increase for diesel and we see a momentum decrease for zero emission.” John O’Leary, CEO, Daimler Trucks North America

Retirement Living

"The fundamental drivers of demand by homeowners seeking to downsize for lifestyle and financial reasons remains strong; underpinning our belief in the long-term outlook for the business.” Henry Ruiz, CEO, Lifestyle Communities