Fixed income investors have reasons to be fearful 23 Jan 2024 Uncertainty over the direction of inflation and monetary policy is buffeting markets. In this Exchange podcast Jim Grant, founder of ‘Grant’s Interest Rate Observer’, discusses his gloomy outlook for US bonds and sounds a warning about the risks of shadow banking.
Bain is keeping the private in private equity 16 Jan 2024 Rivals like Apollo and KKR went public more than a decade ago, over time de-emphasizing their buyout roots, especially amid a recent deal drought. In this Exchange podcast John Connaughton of Bain Capital explains why his firm isn’t following them, and how the market is healing.
AI startups’ key challenge is creativity, not cost 9 Jan 2024 Developing humanlike models is notoriously expensive. In this Exchange podcast, venture capital investor Konstantine Buhler of Sequoia Capital discusses how new breakthroughs are starting to lower costs and how that presents opportunities for challengers like OpenAI.
Global energy fissures are a risk for the West 12 Dec 2023 Falling oil prices despite recent cuts imply a weak OPEC+. Yet the producer group may increasingly align with other emerging market states on areas like Russia and climate change. In this Exchange podcast commodities expert Helima Croft says that’s an issue for Europe and the US.
How the West can win the green metals race 21 Nov 2023 China dominates the processing of stuff essential to the energy transition. Rich countries can shift the balance if they accept more mining at home. Most of all, Europe needs to be better at recycling, critical materials expert Gavin Harper explains in the Exchange podcast.
Labour is weak link in Israeli economic defences 14 Nov 2023 The Middle Eastern country has withstood the financial pain of a war with Hamas, William Wechsler at the US think tank the Atlantic Council says in this Exchange podcast. But as the conflict continues, an increasing labour shortage will pile pressure on the economy.
Drug shortages demand quick and costly action 7 Nov 2023 Chemotherapy and penicillin ran short over the past year amid supply-chain disruptions and regulatory pressure. In this Exchange podcast, Dr. Steffen Denzinger, president of the European Fine Chemicals Group, argues that safeguarding medicines may require patients to pay more.
Israel’s war is a risk and opportunity for Saudi 31 Oct 2023 Hamas’s attacks complicate Mohammed bin Salman’s aim to build relations with the Israeli state, Gulf expert Kristian Coates Ulrichsen says in this Exchange podcast. But if the Saudi crown prince can use his leverage to help Palestinians, it may help his image at home and abroad.
How to spur investments in greener power grids 24 Oct 2023 Electricity networks need to be upgraded and adapted to a carbon-free world. That means doubling investments to $750 bln a year. With returns uncertain, attracting cash is not easy, Secure Meters CEO Suket Singhal argues in this Exchange podcast. New pricing models would help.
The financial ramifications of US-China tensions 17 Oct 2023 The rivalry between the world’s two largest powers is having an impact on almost every aspect of global business and finance. In this episode of The Exchange podcast, Jared Cohen from Goldman Sachs discusses how investors should approach geopolitics, and the limits of decoupling.
How the Federal Reserve got inflation wrong 10 Oct 2023 US policymakers underplayed the spike in consumer prices in 2021. In this Exchange podcast, Don Kohn, senior fellow at the Brookings Institution and former Fed vice chair, argues that a rule change a year earlier was a key reason why the central bank failed to lift rates faster.
EU regulators have tech giants in their sights 26 Sep 2023 Brussels is taking on the likes of Amazon and Apple with a slew of new rules aimed at curbing market dominance and taking back control over data. Former EU Commission economist Bertin Martens explains to The Exchange podcast how the industry giants could be forced to open up.
Grocers learn lessons of ‘greedflation’ drama 12 Sep 2023 Food-price rises are easing, which is good news for supermarkets that stand accused of profiting from consumer pain. In this Exchange podcast, Ahold Delhaize CEO Frans Muller explains why demand for own-brand goods gives the Dutch group an upper hand in supplier negotiations.
The obesity drug boom is just getting started 5 Sep 2023 Over 1 bln people are obese, the WHO reckons. Denmark’s Novo Nordisk is ahead of the pharma pack with its Wegovy weight-loss drug. In this Exchange podcast, recorded in August as a Reuters Newsmaker, CEO Lars Jorgensen says the market will be big enough for other players too.
How Europe can square the circle on green economy 1 Aug 2023 Shifting away from fossil fuels is an opportunity for the bloc, argues economy tsar Paolo Gentiloni in this Exchange podcast. But it will have to overcome challenges, such as US competition for investment and the EU’s own narrow set of financial tools.
How to breathe life into zombie office property 18 Jul 2023 Lenders are steering clear of buildings that face reckonings from remote working, pushing prices down. In this Exchange podcast, real estate investor Scott Rechler argues that it will take financial and civic engagement to make empty space desirable for living – and investing.
Venture capital has female entrepreneur black spot 11 Jul 2023 Companies founded by women get at best 3% of venture money each year. That’s a sign investors are not allocating capital wisely and missing lucrative deals, Loyal VC founding partner Kamal Hassan tells The Exchange podcast. It’s time to change the venture playbook.
Why central banks cannot relax in inflation fight 4 Jul 2023 Western policymakers have frantically hiked interest rates to dampen consumer prices. In this Exchange podcast, Claudio Borio, a top official at the Bank for International Settlements, argues that rate-setters need to keep going to ensure costs of living won’t stay elevated.
Why backing prevention can yield better health 27 Jun 2023 Treating illnesses like cancer consumes 11% of global GDP, according to the World Health Organization. In this Exchange podcast, Dr. Katie Tryon, director of healthcare strategy at Vitality, explains that overburdened care systems need to spend their way back into shape.
US and China are decoupling, and it is permanent 19 Jun 2023 Forget de-risking or containment. In this Exchange podcast, Gavekal research director Chris Beddor explains the political framing of the slogans, unpicks changing trade and financial flows between the world’s two biggest economies and explains why China hasn’t retaliated more.