FICC Focus - podcast cover

FICC Focus

Bloomberg Intelligence
FICC Focus offers the latest market views on interest rates, corporate bonds, emerging market debt, commodities, and currencies by Bloomberg Intelligence analysts.
Last refreshed:
Follow this podcast in the Metacast mobile app to refresh it and see new episodes.
Download Metacast podcast app
Podcasts are better in Metacast mobile app
Don't just listen to podcasts. Learn from them with transcripts, summaries, and chapters for every episode. Skim, search, and bookmark insights. Learn more

Episodes

Inflation and Policy Pivots with Seth Carpenter: Macro Matters

Seth Carpenter, chief global economist at Morgan Stanley, expects the Federal Reserve to taper its balance-sheet policy in May and to begin easing interest rates in June. Carpenter joins hosts Ira Jersey and Will Hoffman of the Bloomberg Intelligence interest rate strategy team to give his views on economies and markets in this Macro Matters edition of the BI FICC Focus podcast. The trio discuss ongoing economic and inflationary dynamics, including the disinflationary process, potential catalyst...

Feb 15, 202432 min

High Yield 1Q24 Investor Survey and Outlook: Credit Crunch

High yield had a great 2023 in both US and Europe, due to a strong 4Q rally in rates and spreads. In Europe, the index default rate stands at 0.8% and the proportion of stressed and distressed bonds is under control, while it's higher in the US. Will 1Q sustain the 4Q gains, and will we see defaults pick up? Listen to Mahesh Bhimalingam, Bloomberg Intelligence's Chief European Credit Strategist, discuss the results of the 1Q24 High Yield Survey and comment on the market outlook and trends in a Q...

Feb 13, 202452 min

Akin’s Abid Qureshi; BI on WeWork, Gol: State Of Distressed Debt

Sticky high rates have put an elevated floor under distressed supply. That’s the first topic Noel Hebert, Bloomberg Intelligence’s head of global credit strategy, and Philip Brendel, BI distressed credit analyst, discuss in this month’s State of Distressed Debt edition of the FICC Focus podcast. Then, BI bankruptcy litigation analyst Negisa Balluku and Phil interview Abid Qureshi, a partner in Akin Gump’s financial restructuring practice, on his insights into liability management exercises and t...

Feb 12, 20241 hr 13 min

Man Group’s Moniot on Rise of Credit Risk Sharing: Credit Crunch

Credit-risk sharing structures have undergone a significant evolution since the financial crisis, leading us to explore its emergence in markets and transformative impact on modern risk-management strategies. Man Group’s co-head of credit risk sharing, Matthew Moniot, joined Bloomberg Intelligence’s Noel Hebert and Sam Geier on this episode of Credit Crunch, part of the FICC Focus podcast. The conversation delves into the birth of the asset class, US vs. European markets and the structuring proc...

Feb 09, 20241 hr 10 min

Here We Go Again -- Dollar Bulls Back in Charge: FX Moment

In our latest FX Moment podcast, host Audrey Childe-Freeman, Bloomberg Intelligence (BI) chief G-10 FX strategist, discusses the dollar's prospects in the wake of recent US macro news flow with Brad Bechtel, global head of FX sales and trading at Jefferies LLC. Brad and Audrey look at how the unexpectedly strong turn in US data has revived broad dollar strength, consistent with Brad's base case. Yet, given ever-changing G10-FX drivers and narratives, both favor taking a quarter-by-quarter approa...

Feb 07, 202424 min

Unpacking January’s FOMC Meeting With BE’s Wong: Macro Matters

The risk of inflation re-accelerating is really in the last three months of 2024, says Anna Wong, chief US economist at Bloomberg Economics. In this episode of the Macro Matters podcast, Wong joins host and Chief US Interest Rate Strategist Ira Jersey to discuss details of the January FOMC meeting, including implications for the path of monetary policy and any potential easing this year. The pair also address some of the risks to the economy, both to the upside and downside, that may influence f...

Feb 01, 202421 min

Game-Planning 2024 Election Impacts: Masters of the Muniverse

With the election year well on its way, peak partisanship and geopolitical volatility may mean increased risk for municipal bond markets. Though past election years have returned more wins than losses for munis, macro issues will continue to be a hurdle. To discuss these possible threats and the latest federal income-tax developments, we have Bloomberg Intelligence’s tax policy expert, Andrew Silverman, joining co-hosts Eric Kazatsky and Karen Altamirano of BI.

Jan 30, 202442 min

Blue Owl’s Packer on Direct Lending’s Long Runway: Credit Crunch

Blue Owl has grown from a few ideas to an alternatives manager with over $150 billion in assets under management, including almost $80 billion in credit. Craig Packer, co-president and head of credit for Blue Owl, joined Bloomberg Intelligence’s Noel Hebert and Sam Geier on the latest episode of Credit Crunch to talk about the evolution of the company, the direct lending market, why the asset class can continue to grow, and where Blue Owl sees opportunity. Credit Crunch is part of the FICC Focus...

Jan 26, 20241 hr 3 min

State of Fixed Income, With UBS’ Bobby Martin: Macro Matters

“In the 12 months following a rate hiking cycle, typically, going out duration has a really strong potential return,” says Bobby Martin, Co-Head of Fixed Income Investment Specialists at UBS Asset Management. Martin joins Macro Matters host and BI chief US rates strategist Ira Jerseyto review the state of domestic and global fixed-income markets. The pair discuss the stronger-than-expected macroeconomic backdrop and what it means for markets, as well as the risks facing the US economy in the med...

Jan 22, 202420 min

Easing Cycle and Cross-Asset Volatility: All Options Considered

In this edition of the All Options Considered podcast, BI's chief global derivatives strategist Tanvir Sandhu is joined by Nancy Davis, founder of Quadratic Capital Management. They discuss the key themes in the options market amid the focus on the easing cycle this year.

Jan 22, 202418 min

G3+ Deep Dive Summary — Asynchronous Rate Cycle: Macro Matters

Global rate cuts seem certain, but the timing is less so. In this episode of the Macro Matters edition of the FICC Focus podcast, host Ira Jersey, Bloomberg Intelligence’s chief US interest rate strategist is joined by colleague Huw Worthington, chief European rate strategist, to preview the themes and research found within their recently published deep dive on the G3+ rates markets. The report features a comprehensive review of the global sovereign debt markets that underpin the world’s financi...

Jan 17, 20249 min

Keep Calm, Carry On with Leveraged Loans and CLOs: Credit Crunch

CLOs are driving loan supply and in this Credit Crunch podcast, host Mahesh Bhimalingam, Bloomberg Intelligence Chief European Credit Strategist and Paul Mehta, Head of Leveraged Loans at Aberdeen, reflect on how the leveraged loan market fared last year and the outlook for loans in 2024. They discuss BI's leveraged loan outlook publication covering loan pricing, returns, supply and relative value vs. high yield bonds as well as loan growth relative to the bond market and private credit in detai...

Jan 16, 202452 min

Canyon’s Sheffield; Latest on Rite Aid, Audacy & More: State of Distressed Debt

Noel Hebert, Bloomberg Intelligence’s chief US credit strategiest and Philip Brendel, BI distressed credit analyst, talk about the seasonal credit trends that helped push the US distressed ratio to 19-month lows, and how the supply of distressed debt isn’t likely to see much of a rise until at least the beginning of March. Chaney Sheffield, a partner at Canyon Partners, joins them to discuss his outlook for distressed opportunities in the new year, and talks about his firm’s investment platform ...

Jan 13, 20241 hr 22 min

Looking at G-10 FX Prospects in a Weak-Dollar World: FX Moment

In our latest FX Moment podcast, host Audrey Childe-Freeman, Bloomberg Intelligence (BI) chief G-10 FX strategist, discusses 2024's currency prospects with Mark Andersen, global head of asset allocation at UBS Wealth Management. In particular, Mark and Audrey look at how the 4Q 5% US dollar BBDXY selloff affects their 2024 outlook. The broadly weaker US dollar narrative remains in place, and Mark highlights a particularly strong case for the Aussie and the yen this year, while sterling's improve...

Jan 12, 202418 min

Identifying Alpha Opportunities in EM Rates, Credit and Foreign Exchange: EM Lens

Emerging markets enter the new year on a high note as fixed-income investors continue to embrace the soft landing narrative. In this month’s EM Lens & Look-Through Podcast, Emso Asset Management Co-CIO Jens Nystedt and Global Head of Research Patrick Esteruelas, join Damian Sassower, Bloomberg Intelligence’s chief EM credit strategist, to deliver their year-ahead outlook on EM rates, credit and foreign exchange. From US exceptionalism and extreme China pessimism to central bank policy easing...

Jan 10, 202427 min

Fed’s Lips Are Getting Looser, Says Mike McKee: Macro Matters

The Federal Reserve’s communications have gotten more open — perhaps too open — during the time Michael McKeehas covered the central bank for Bloomberg News. McKee, international economic and policy correspondent, joinsIra Jersey, Bloomberg Intelligence chief US interest rate strategist, on this Macro Matters edition of theFICC Focus podcast. McKee talks about the shifts in the Fed’s communications policy, how it’s influenced his reporting and policy makers’ interactions with markets. The two di...

Jan 04, 202424 min

KKR’s Pietrzak on Private Credit Filling the Void: Credit Crunch

Returns, diversification and the derisking of bank balance sheets are among contributors to the growth in private credit in recent years. KKR Partner and Global Head of Private Credit Daniel Pietrzak joined Bloomberg Intelligence’s Noel Hebert and Sam Geier on the latest episode of Credit Crunch to talk about the market’s growth, asset-based vs. direct lending, the benefits of scale and more. Credit Crunch is part of the FICC Focus podcast series.

Dec 19, 20231 hr 11 min

2023 in Rearview, How Banks See 2024: Masters of the Muniverse

JP Morgan’s Head of Municipal Research and Strategy Peter Degroot, Wells Fargo’s Head of Municipal Markets Strategy Vikram Rai and Barclays’ Head of Municipal Research Mikhail Foux join Bloomberg Intelligence’s Eric Kazatsky and co-host Karen Altamirano on this month’s Masters of the Muniverse podcast. The three strategists reflect on the municipal landscape for 2023 and in some cases hope that their calls for the year ahead are not dashed by unforeseen forces, once again.

Dec 15, 20231 hr 3 min

Fed’s Dovish Surprise With BE’s Stuart Paul: Macro Matters

“The last mile on inflation will be difficult, but the Fed is more optimistic that they can thread the needle,” says Stuart Paul, US and Canadian Economist for Bloomberg Economics. Paul joins FICC Focus host and Chief US Rates Strategist Ira Jersey, and Associate US Rates Strategist Will Hoffman to review the results from the December FOMC Meeting. Paul and the US Economics team anticipated the dovish tone from Chairman Powell, yet highlight several areas of surprise, such as the Fed’s confidenc...

Dec 14, 202323 min

Carronade Capital’s Andy Taylor; Purdue at SCOTUS Takeaways: State of Distressed Debt

Noel Hebert, head of Bloomberg Intelligence’s global credit strategy, and Philip Brendel, BI distressed-credit analyst, review the credit markets’ November “melt-up.” Then, they have a wide-ranging discussion with Andy Taylor, head of research at Carronade Capital, on the opportunistic investing process, the power industry’s AI tailwind and financial technologies to “kick the can” (3:45). Finally, Negisa Balluku, BI bankruptcy-litigation analyst, joins Noel and Phil to share her take on Purdue P...

Dec 12, 20231 hr 42 min

2024 Credit Outlook and Private Credit Focus: Credit Crunch

The inflation vs. recession debate is crucial to the 2024 outlook and the path of central bank rate cuts critical for all markets, including credit. The key question is whether a huge rates rally will be boosting credit or if it needs saving from alternative sources like private credit, which has been booming. In this episode of the Credit Crunch podcast, host Mahesh Bhimalingam, chief European credit strategist at Bloomberg Intelligence and Fabian Chrobog, Founding Partner and Chief Investment ...

Dec 11, 202351 min

Navigating Dollar, Asia FX in Changing Economic World: FX Moment

The latest FX Moment podcast focuses on how evolving macroeconomic narratives could shape the US dollar outlook into 2024, with persistent uncertainties warranting pragmatism even if you still believe, as we do, in an underwhelming US economy in a disinflationary context, with associated dollar weakness. Host Audrey Childe-Freeman, Bloomberg Intelligence chief G-10 FX strategist, and Stephen Chiu, BI's chief Asia FX and rate strategist, also discuss China's macroeconomic predicament, acknowledgi...

Dec 07, 202317 min

Don’t Be Naive After a November to Remember in EM Debt: EM Lens

Emerging-market creditors are riding high after another strong November, with returns ranging from 5-6%. In this month’s EM Lens & Look-Through podcast, Cathy Hepworth, managing director and head of EM debt at PGIM Fixed Income, joins host Damian Sassower, BI’s chief EM fixed-income strategist, to deliver her year-ahead outlook on EM interest rates, credit and currencies. With policy-easing under way across a growing number of developing economies, she discusses the opportunities and challen...

Dec 06, 202320 min

Arcmont’s Cavalier, Brooks on All-Weather Credit: Credit Crunch

Rising volatility, maturity walls and the withdrawal of traditional lenders are driving issuers and investors to capital solutions experts in the private credit world. Alice Cavalier and David Brooks, co-heads of the Capital Solutions Strategy group at Arcmont Capital Management, join Bloomberg Intelligence’s Noel Hebert and Sam Geier on this episode of Credit Crunch, part of the FICC Focus podcast. A deep dive into refinancing solutions, private lending and secondary debt, all part of Arcmont’s...

Nov 30, 20231 hr 3 min

Tax-Loss Harvesting Comes to Muniland: Masters of the Muniverse

There’s been heightened volatility in rates and tax-loss harvesting may or may not be the best course of action. On this episode of Masters of the Muniverse, part of the FICC Focus podcast series, Andy Kalotay, a leading authority on quantitative analysis of municipal bonds, joins Bloomberg Intelligence’s Eric Kazatsky and Karen Altamirano for an in-depth discussion about the muni market this year, tax-loss harvesting and what’s on the horizon for 2024.

Nov 28, 202345 min

Rate Markets Mispricing Early Interest Rate Cuts: Macro Matters

Rate markets are mispricing early interest rate cuts by the Federal Reserve and the European Central Bank, Bloomberg Intelligence interest rate strategists Huw Worthington and Ira Jersey say on this Macro Matters edition of the FICC Focus podcast. They discuss their general views for government debt issuance, which part of the investor base may buy the new debt and central bank policy outlooks. Worthington also goes into detail about recent plans for fiscal stimulus going into the UK elections, ...

Nov 23, 202327 min

Brandywine Global's McClain on Risk, Value in High Yield: Credit Crunch

Economic and monetary policy uncertainty have been among the few constants confronting credit markets throughout 2023, generating divergent views around return prospects even as high yield markets look set to exit the year largely unscathed. “I haven’t seen more dislocations than I see today,” John McClain, Portfolio Manager High Yield & Corp Credit Strategies at Brandywine Global talks about the array of options in today’s credit market. McClain joins Bloomberg Intelligence’s Noel Hebert an...

Nov 21, 202358 min

Fed More Macro-Relevant Than China, Russia & Israel: EM Lens

Emerging market investors have found the Fed more macro-relevant than China, Russia or Israel in recent weeks, as equities are up, oil is down, spreads have tightened and the US dollar has declined since the war erupted in Gaza. In this month’s EM Lens & Look-Through podcast, Win Thin, senior vice president and global head of foreign-exchange strategy at Brown Brothers Harriman, joins Bloomberg Intelligence’s chief EM fixed-income strategist Damian Sassower to discuss his outlook on EM inter...

Nov 16, 202318 min
For the best experience, listen in Metacast app for iOS or Android