CEO INSIGHTS – Week Ending 21 February 2025

Global Trade

"There’s just a massive amount of steel that gets dumped out of that country [China].” Mark Vassella, CEO, BlueScope Steel Ltd

Net Zero

The net zero transition is a structural tailwind for ASX because as an exchange, we're uniquely positioned to offer the markets, the connectivity and the price transparency to support efficient capital allocation and risk management." Helen Lofthouse, CEO, ASX Ltd

Lithium Prices

“Following a year of robust demand growth in 2024 with global investment in low-carbon energy transition worldwide exceeding US$2T12, we remain highly optimistic about the long‐term outlook for the lithium market." Dale Henderson, CEO, Pilbara Minerals Ltd

"Lithium outlook, challenging market conditions. We all know that. Lithium is in the toilet." Chris Ellison, CEO, Mineral Resources Ltd

Interest Rates

"We anticipate official interest rates will be reduced to a more neutral level of around 3.5% this calendar year." Richard Fennell, CEO, Bendigo and Adelaide Bank Ltd

“Today’s decision does not imply that further rate cuts along the lines suggested by the market are coming. If we don’t get inflation down, interest rates won’t come down, and you’ll be stuck with inflation and high interest rates.” Michele Bullock, Governor, Reserve Bank of Australia

Younger Demographic

“The youth fashion apparel customer continues to be discerning and willing to spend on on-trend, quality clothing.” Alice Barbery, CEO, Universal Store Holdings Ltd

Iron Ore

"Demand for sustaining capital works and maintenance services continues to be driven by ongoing high levels of production across most commodities. In Australia’s iron ore sector, investment is projected to continue to sustain current production levels, with a focus on operational discipline and efficiency to maintain a position of global competitiveness." Market Statement, Monadelphous Group Ltd

“In China, we see early signs of recovery.” Mike Henry, CEO, BHP Group

Office Property

"We are seeing a positive shift in tenant confidence for high quality product." Market Statement, Dexus Ltd

Commercial Property

"Adding to this [increased occupancy rates], retailers continue to consolidate the number of stores and seek larger format, flagship stores in Vicinity’s premium assets. Since June 2019, the average size of specialty and mini-major stores in our premium assets has increased by c.17%." Peter Huddle, CEO, Vicinity Centres‍

Financial Advice

“There is significant demand for financial advice in Australia... While creating a significant opportunity for financial professionals, there is undersupply, underinvestment in technology and a high cost of advice, which is leaving many Australians with unmet advice needs." Market Statement Hub24 Ltd

Asia

“We believe that there is plenty of headroom to drive organic growth in Southeast Asia specifically in mobility, in food, in groceries. The addressable market is still significantly untapped.” Anthony Tan, CEO, Grab Holdings Ltd [‘the Uber’ of Southeast Asia]

"We have seen a strong return to patent filing growth in our Asian business in the first half which is creating positive momentum for improved performance in the second half and beyond." Andrew Blattman, CEO, IPH Ltd

Airports

“The global market to attract tourists is currently highly competitive, and that's making it more challenging for New Zealand to secure additional airline routes and services than it has been historically.” Carrie Hurihangenui, CEO, Auckland International Airport Ltd

“[Bridgestone experienced YoY growth] amid the new threats of the acceleration of tyre industry structural changes caused by an increase in low-end imports, especially in Latin America and Europe.” Shuichi Ishibashi, CEO, Bridgestone Corp

Lotteries

"The lotteries market continues to be attractive, delivering uninterrupted, long-term growth, generally ahead of combined population growth and inflation." Sue van der Merwe, CEO, The Lotteries Corp. Ltd

Mining Services

“We are also encouraged by recent fleet rationalization announcements made by competitors. In our view, both of these are strong indications of healthy industry dynamics. From a macro perspective, our customers are increasingly focused on the traditional oil.” Jeremy Thigpen, CEO, Transocean Inc [world’s largest offshore drilling contractor]

Beverages

“The beverage industry is actually yet to be created. If you look at the world, the developed markets… about 20% of the world's population and there, when people consume beverages, about 70% of them are commercial beverages of one shape or form, whether it's alcohol, hot drinks or non-alcoholic ready-to-drink…But the most interesting long-term feature of the beverage industry is where 80% of the world's population sits…So if you take the classic way we've looked at it, which is to talk about the creation of the industry around the world, there's still a massive opportunity yet ahead of us.” James Quincey, CEO, The Coca-Cola Company.