1. Bad day expected on the markets
The local stock market is expected to have a bad day with the futures market predicting a 102 point drop at the open. And there’s nothing likely to help the share market recover! Late last week, the Americans got a bad inflation number and while there was a surprising surge in stocks on the news on Thursday, by Friday, rationality tool over and the fear of possibly two more 0.75% interest rate rises before Christmas spooked optimists. When inflation falls significantly in the US stock prices will soar for more than one day.

2. APRA gets tough with super funds
Your super fund is set to be tested like never before but what might it mean for you? The Australian Prudential Regulation Authority (APRA) will be putting our super funds through a new testing regime and they’ll have to lift their game. Their performance will be examined and how they value investments that are not valued daily by financial markets will be assessed. Many big industry super funds invest in buildings, airports and other big assets and rely on valuations from valuers. If these valuations are lowered because of APRA, your returns will fall and you might want to look for a new super fund.

3. New law aims to protect small businesses
The Albanese Government will introduce a law that aims to protect small businesses from unfair big businesses. The Australian reports that Labor’s Andrew Leigh will ask Parliament to pass a law stopping big companies forcing small businesses to sign unfair contracts where there is no negotiation, prices can be lowered and orders reduced or even cancelled without compensation. This will give small businesses fairness when exploited by bigger businesses.

4. Will US data ever fall?
With US inflation seemingly stuck in the high zone, what key economic data could help the stock market believe lower inflation rates will show up? The Yanks get the September economic growth number on Tuesday, which could be a stock price game-changer but forecasts have a high 3.5% number out there waiting to happen. The lower the better to fight inflation and reduce the number of future interest rate rises. US industrial production, housing starts and home sales will also be important, along with leading indicators. Locally, the RBA minutes from the last rate rise of 0.25% will be released and unemployment stats come out on Thursday. A too healthy labour market will not be great for mortgage rate worriers!

5. Star to be slugged with $100 million fine.
The Sydney Morning Herald and The Age have confirmed with multiple sources that the Independent Casino Commission will hand down the decision on Monday, which is also the first day on the job for The Star’s new chief executive Robbie Cooke.
Last month the commission published the report by Adam Bell, SC that found The Star was unfit to hold a casino licence, with chief commissioner Philip Crawford accusing the company of “breathtaking institutional arrogance”. This fine is big but losing their licence would have been a tougher penalty for the shareholders, staff and business.