newsletter
Wall St. Down Under
Issue #2 | Sunday, 17 May 2026
Latest
market-moves
After Beijing: What the Trump-Xi Summit Disappointment, Warsh’s Fed, and the Oil Shift Mean for Your Aussie Portfolio | Week Ending 16 May 2026
Three macro stories collided this week: a Beijing summit that delivered theatre over substance, a new Fed Chair who might not be Trump's rubber stamp, and a US energy shift reshaping global oil. Here's what it means for your Aussie portfolio.
stock-spotlight
Stock Spotlight: AMZN — The Tariff Truce’s Quiet Beneficiary
This time last year AMZN didn't make the tariff truce headlines. Apple and Nvidia did. That's the opportunity. Here's why Amazon may be the biggest structural winner from US–China de-escalation — across three business lines at once.
investing-101
How to Read a Fed Decision (Without Falling Asleep)
The Fed just held rates — again. But do you actually know what that means for your money? Here's how to decode a Fed decision in plain English, and what Aussie investors should (and shouldn't) do about it.
newsletter
Wall St. Down Under
Issue #1 | Sunday, 10 May 2026
market-moves
Trump’s China Visit and the New Trade Landscape: What Aussie Investors Need to Know | Week Ending 9 May 2026
The US–China trade war has had more twists than a Netflix thriller. With Trump landing in Beijing on 14–15 May, here's where things actually stand — and what it means for your portfolio.
stock-spotlight
PLTR Deep Dive: Is Palantir the Most Misunderstood AI Stock on the ASX Investor’s Radar?
Everyone's heard of Palantir. Few can explain what it actually does. We cut through the noise — two business segments, the AIP platform, the bull and bear case, and what buying Palantir looks like in AUD from Australia via Stake.
market-moves
US Markets Week in Review: S&P 500 Holds Ground as Nasdaq Pushes Higher | Week Ending 2 May 2026
The S&P 500 barely budged (+0.29%) but the Nasdaq told a different story, climbing 0.89% to close at 25,114. Tech held the line while defensives struggled. Here’s what drove the week and what Aussie investors need to watch next.
tax-corner
Do I Have to Declare US Dividends Earned in Cents — Even If I Never Withdrew Them?
Even cents in US dividends are technically assessable income. And leaving them in your Stake wallet doesn't delay the obligation. Here's the ATO's position — and what to actually do.
investing-101
ETFs vs Individual Stocks on the US Market: What Every Australian Investor Needs to Know
US ETFs or individual stocks — which is right for Australians? The answer isn't simple. There's a tax trap most Aussie investors don't know about. Here's what you need to know.
currency-watch
The Hidden Tax on Your US Portfolio: How the AUD/USD Rate Is Eating Your Returns
Your US stocks might be up 20% — but if the AUD strengthened, your actual returns could be far less. Here's how the AUD/USD rate silently eats into your portfolio gains.
tax-corner
Why Your US Dividends Are Being Taxed Twice — And What You Can Do About It
US dividends are taxed before they hit your account. For Australians, the W-8BEN form halves that rate from 30% to 15% — but only if you've filled it out. Here's what's happening to your money.