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Cliona O’Dowd joined The Australian in 2016 and writes on financial services. She was previously the editor of business news and commentary website Business Spectator. Before moving into journalism she spent a number of years working in the financial services industry in Dublin and London. She holds a master’s degree in European public affairs and law.

@ClionaODowd

Cliona O'Dowd

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MarketsMarkets

Rise in gasoline prices concept with double exposure of digital screen with financial chart graphs and oil pumps on a field. Photo: iStock

Risk-on back with a bang in ASX trade as oil prices plunge

Iran’s rhetoric rather than action over US air strikes on its nuclear facilities and a slumping oil price have given investors all they needed to jump back into buying mode.

Cliona O'Dowd

MarketsMarkets

(FILES) In this file photo Traders work during the opening bell at the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) on March 19, 2020, at Wall Street in New York City. - Wall Street opened lower on April 20, 2020 as traders grappled with a drop in oil prices to 22-year lows as the coronavirus pandemic sapped demand for energy. The Dow Jones Industrial Average was down 1.8 percent to 23,798.01 about 10 minutes into the trading session.The broad-based S&P 500 had declined 1.3 percent to 2,835.08, while the tech-rich Nasdaq had fallen 0.7 percent to 8,588.66. (Photo by Johannes EISELE / AFP)

Markets call Iran’s bluff as gold, oil and shares trade in cynical range

The Australian sharemarket has pared its opening losses as markets bet an impotent Iran won’t close the world’s key shipping route. Gold slides, and Wall Street futures are telegraphing a small decline, for now.

Cliona O'Dowd and Perry Williams

MarketsBusiness

markets in the red with trump and trader

Investors flee ASX as the world awaits Iran’s response

The local sharemarket is down amid escalating global tensions with gold and oil prices climbing, as the 2025 financial year looks set to end on a dark note.

Cliona O'Dowd, Robyn Ironside and Perry Williams

Banking lobbyFinancial Services

CANBERRA, AUSTRALIA - NewsWire Photos - November 13, 2024: Opposition foreign affairs spokesman Simon Birmingham addresses the National Press Club of Australia in Canberra. Picture: NewsWire / Martin Ollman

New ABA boss Simon Birmingham vows to take up productivity challenge

The former Morrison government minister is taking over from Anna Bligh running the banking lobby and says he is encouraged by the emerging national discussion on productivity.

Cliona O'Dowd

Unlock savingsWealth

Senior Hispanic couple outside house with sold sign

The 9 lowest home loan rates you can get right now

The RBA has been cutting rates, and so have the banks. But which ones are offering the best deals? If yours isn’t on this list, it might be time to shop around.

Cliona O'Dowd

Bank movesBusiness

Shake-up at ANZ as retail boss exits

New chief executive Nuno Matos unveils a string of executive changes as he accelerates the banking major’s push to roll out the bank’s digital platform and get the Suncorp migration over the line.

Cliona O'Dowd

ExclusiveBusiness

MONEY ADVICE: Learn more about the new rule around superannuation contributions.

‘Considerable consumer harm’: super advice changes ring alarm bells

Advice reforms will see super funds recommend only their own products, regardless of whether these serve members’ best interests, consumer advocates warn.

Cliona O'Dowd

Funds managementFinancial Services

L1 Capital founders and co-chief investment officers Mark Landau (left) and Rafi Lamm

Money managers set to tie the knot after revising prenup

Platinum Asset Management and L1 Capital are working towards completing their merger within weeks, as one of them continues to bleed funds.

Cliona O'Dowd

CommoditiesBusiness

This image grab taken from footage broadcast by Iran's IRINN news on June 13, 2025 shows what the television described as smoke billowing from explosions in Natanz after Israel announced it had carried out strikes on Iranian nuclear and military sites in the Islamic republic. Israel pounded Iran in a series of air raids on June 13, striking 100 targets including Tehran's nuclear and military sites, and killing the armed forces' chief of staff, the head of Iran's Revolutionary Guards and top nuclear scientists. (Photo by IRINN / AFP) / XGTY / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE - MANDATORY CREDIT

World markets on war footing as eyes turn to energy tinderbox

With the price of oil soaring following Israel’s attack on Iran, markets are braced for further turmoil if the situation escalates and the US is dragged into direct conflict.

Perry Williams and Cliona O'Dowd

MarketsMarkets

TOPSHOT - People walk past traffic in front of a building targeted by an Israeli strike in the Iranian capital Tehran on June 13, 2025. Israel carried out strikes against Iran early on June 13, targeting its nuclear and military sites as well as residential buildings in Tehran, after US President Donald Trump warned of a possible

Complacent markets need to wake up and smell the propellant

Israel and Iran are on the precipice of all-out war, yet markets aren’t factoring in the likely shockwaves on oil supply and renewed inflation risks, fund managers say.

Cliona O'Dowd

Original URL: https://www.theaustralian.com.au/author/cliona-odowd/page/3