European stock indices have outperformed the S&P 500 so far this year. The FT’s Aiden Reiter joins Katie Martin to discuss why investors are finally looking beyond US stocks and why Donald Trump’s policies could accidentally benefit global exporters. Also, we go short posthumous publishing and 24-hour stock trading. For a free 30-day trial to the Unhedged newsletter go to: https://www.ft.com/unhedgedoffer . You can email Robert Armstrong and Katie Martin at unhedged@ft.com . Hosted on ...
Feb 06, 2025•20 min•Transcript available on Metacast The tariffs have arrived. Canada and Mexico have negotiated delays, China is retaliating, and investors are trying to figure out what comes next. The FT’s Aiden Reiter joins Katie Martin to discuss what Donald Trump gains from following through on his campaign promises and whether there are limits to how much America can boss other countries around. Also, we go short London’s tea culture and long HBO’s ‘The Penguin’. For a free 30-day trial to the Unhedged newsletter go to: https://www.ft....
Feb 04, 2025•22 min•Transcript available on Metacast It’s time for the FT’s annual stockpicking contest, where the money is fake but the glory is real. The FT’s Alan Livsey joins Rob Armstrong and Aiden Reiter to discuss what bets they think will pay off in a potentially volatile year. Now more than ever, this is not investing advice. Enter the contest at ft.com/stockpick2025 . For a free 30-day trial to the Unhedged newsletter go to: https://www.ft.com/unhedgedoffer . You can email Robert Armstrong and Katie Martin at unhedged@ft.com . Read a tra...
Jan 30, 2025•24 min•Transcript available on Metacast DeepSeek’s announcement that it has built competitive AI using many fewer resources than big US rivals stunned the markets this week. Chipmakers and power companies plunged in value, and Sam Altman, boss of OpenAI, pronounced himself ‘legit’ invigorated. Today on the show, Katie Martin and Rob Armstrong try to figure out what China’s advances mean for US markets. Also, they organize a fight between their children. For a free 30-day trial to the Unhedged newsletter go to: https://www.ft.com...
Jan 28, 2025•23 min•Transcript available on Metacast Donald Trump’s first week in office has produced a barrage of policies and power moves. But which of them will happen? Today on the show, Katie Martin, Rob Armstrong, and Aiden Reiter try to figure out which announcements are real, and which of those will move markets. Also they short the peso and go long the enjoyment of watching the president and Elon Musk in the weirdest buddy movie of all time. For a free 30-day trial to the Unhedged newsletter go to: https://www.ft.com/unhedgedoffer ....
Jan 23, 2025•25 min•Transcript available on Metacast Each year the Financial Times hosts a stock-picking contest for its journalists and readers. Today on the show, Katie Martin and Rob Armstrong explain the logic behind their absolute bombs. And then to find out how it’s done, they speak with their colleague Kadhim Shubber, who won the contest last year. Also they go long Gail’s Bakery and short strategic ambiguity. For a free 30-day trial to the Unhedged newsletter go to: https://www.ft.com/unhedgedoffer . You can email Robert Armstr...
Jan 21, 2025•21 min•Transcript available on Metacast Reports of the demise of US inflation have been greatly exaggerated. Today on the show, Rob Armstrong and Aiden Reiter discuss the continuing high numbers and what the Fed might do about it this year. Also they go long Ohio State and short New Year’s resolutions. For a free 30-day trial to the Unhedged newsletter go to: https://www.ft.com/unhedgedoffer . You can email Robert Armstrong and Katie Martin at unhedged@ft.com . Read a transcript of this episode on FT.com Hosted on Acast. See aca...
Jan 16, 2025•16 min•Transcript available on Metacast US bonds and UK gilts are tracking each other, and heading down. Today on the show, Rob Armstrong and Katie Martin try to figure out whether to blame chancellor Rachel Reeves, or the whole world. Also, Rob goes short pretentious editorials and Katie coins a new term, “Brovid”, to describe the mind virus causing a notable increase in edgelords. For a free 30-day trial to the Unhedged newsletter go to: https://www.ft.com/unhedgedoffer . You can email Robert Armstrong and Katie Martin at...
Jan 14, 2025•20 min•Transcript available on Metacast Corporate bankruptcies are on the rise. In recent months, Party City, Big Lots, Spirit Airlines, and other discount providers have declared bankruptcy. Today on the show, Rob Armstrong and Aiden Reiter try to figure out why, and what it means for the overall economy. Also they go long ceramics and long the Arctic. For a free 30-day trial to the Unhedged newsletter go to: https://www.ft.com/unhedgedoffer . You can email Robert Armstrong and Katie Martin at unhedged@ft.com . Read a transcrip...
Jan 09, 2025•18 min•Transcript available on Metacast Tariffs. Tax cuts. Geopolitics. Artificial intelligence. Inflation. Mass deportations. Rate cuts or rises. The year ahead is filled with question marks. Meanwhile, markets are historically high. Today on the show, Katie Martin and Rob Armstrong try to figure out what could go right, wrong and straight down the middle. Also, they short air fryers and go long jewellery for men. For a free 30-day trial to the Unhedged newsletter go to: https://www.ft.com/unhedgedoffer . You can email Robert A...
Jan 07, 2025•21 min•Transcript available on Metacast Happy new year, Unhedged listeners! Today on the show, Rob Armstrong, Katie Martin and Aiden Reiter answer questions from the listeners on everything from the takeover of passive investing to favorite metrics. Also, we forgo long and short and announce our new year’s resolutions. For a free 30-day trial to the Unhedged newsletter go to: https://www.ft.com/unhedgedoffer . You can email Robert Armstrong and Katie Martin at unhedged@ft.com . Read a transcript of this episode on FT.com Hosted ...
Jan 02, 2025•24 min•Transcript available on Metacast The US government owns many billions of dollars worth of bitcoin, confiscated from bad actors such as the Silk Road marketplace. Donald Trump said on the campaign trail that he would not be selling it. Senator Cynthia Lummis has introduced a bill suggesting the government buy more and create a national strategic reserve of crypto currency. Today on the show, Katie Martin asks FT contributor Toby Nangle if any of this makes any sense at all. Also, we go long Christmas stuffing and long dinosaurs....
Dec 26, 2024•19 min•Transcript available on Metacast The Federal Reserve announced a small cut yesterday. Normally, that heartens markets. But we are not in normal times, and somewhat measured comments about the coming year seemed to have spooked traders. Today on the show, Rob Armstrong and Aiden Reiter try to figure out what happened, and why. Also we go long holiday wish lists and short gift cards. For a free 30-day trial to the Unhedged newsletter go to: https://www.ft.com/unhedgedoffer . You can email Robert Armstrong and Katie Martin a...
Dec 19, 2024•20 min•Transcript available on Metacast The road to riches used to be paved with juicy IPOs. But that does not seem to be the case anymore. Today on the show, Katie Martin is joined by Craig Coben, a former global head of equity capital markets at Bank of America, and now a contributing writer for FT Alphaville. They discuss regulation and demand, and the growing role of private equity in corporate ownership. Also, they go short France and long melodic house music. For a free 30-day trial to the Unhedged newsletter go to: https:...
Dec 17, 2024•22 min•Transcript available on Metacast There have been very few mergers and acquisitions in the past four years, but many dealmakers say that’s about to change. At least that’s according to reporting by James Fontanella-Khan, our guest on the show today. Fontanella-Khan is the FT’s US deals reporter, and he speaks with Rob Armstrong about the shape of deals to come, and how anti-trust policy might look over the next four years. Also, they go long vintage clothing and long the prospects of a merger between Giorgia Meloni and Elon Musk...
Dec 12, 2024•22 min•Transcript available on Metacast Ukraine, Syria, Moldova, France, Israel, South Korea, the US…. Power is being challenged and redistributed around the world. But how are markets reacting, which changes truly matter to the global multinational corporations that power the markets, and why are markets so bad at predicting these upheavals? Today on the show, Katie Martin and Aiden Reiter take stock of the rearrangements. Also they go long scarves and crappy Santas. For a free 30-day trial to the Unhedged newsletter go to: htt...
Dec 10, 2024•21 min•Transcript available on Metacast Among his many promises, president-elect Donald Trump is promising to drive down the price of energy in the US. But how realistic a plan is that? What levers does he have to pull? Today on the show, Rob Armstrong and Aiden Reiter talk about how oil is priced and what moves that price. Also they go long parliamentary democracy and short brunch. For a free 30-day trial to the Unhedged newsletter go to: https://www.ft.com/unhedgedoffer . You can email Robert Armstrong and Katie Martin at unhe...
Dec 05, 2024•21 min•Transcript available on Metacast Ruchir Sharma, an investor and frequent contributor to the FT, came out and said it the other day: The US stock market is in a bubble. But is it a bubble or just the rational behavior of investors who believe the US really is exceptional? Today on the show, Katie Martin and Rob Armstrong discuss the outlandishly good performance of the US market, and ask how long it can last. Also they go long Elon Musk’s pay package and short the transatlantic bug. For a free 30-day trial to the Unhedged newsle...
Dec 03, 2024•20 min•Transcript available on Metacast How would you like a 265,528,900 per cent return on your investment? Would you be interested in that? If so, join us as Rob Armstrong and FT Alphaville’s Robin Wigglesworth discuss the results of Professor Hendrik Bessembinder’s massive number-crunching project, which ranks the best stocks of the past century. The number one performer is pretty incendiary. Also we short break dancing and go triple reverse long on single-stock ETFs. For a free 30-day trial to the Unhedged newsletter go to: ...
Nov 28, 2024•23 min•Transcript available on Metacast President-elect Donald Trump has just announced “Day 1” tariffs on Mexico and Canada, in addition to previously promised tariffs on China. Tariffs will definitely affect domestic prices, but how much, and will they truly cause catastrophic inflation? Today on the show, guest host Josh Oliver discusses the tariffs with the FT’s economics commentator Chris Giles. Also, they short the new Treasury secretary and the 900-year-old Smithfield meat market in the City of London. For a free 30-day t...
Nov 26, 2024•15 min•Transcript available on Metacast It is the season for giving and banks are giving us a lot of year-ahead reports. Katie, Robert and Aiden actually read these things, and today on the show they discuss what they’ve learned. It all raises questions about very narrow corporate spreads, an AI bubble and what happens if things go right in the jobs market, or wrong in the Middle East. Also we go long hair products, short turkey and limit long Josh Kushner’s big bet against diversification. For a free 30-day trial to the Unhedge...
Nov 21, 2024•25 min•Transcript available on Metacast Opinions are cheap so we’re making it up in volume, with three takes on the future of the economy. Today on the show, the entire staff of the Unhedged newsletter – Rob Armstrong and Aiden Reiter – gather to discuss looming inflation, the next 25 years of returns from the stock market and the challenges facing the so-called ‘department of government efficiency’. Also we go long Disney and long Turkey, the country. For a free 30-day trial to the Unhedged newsletter go to: https://www.ft.com/unhedg...
Nov 19, 2024•20 min•Transcript available on Metacast Angry eruptions in elections around the world are changing leaders. And many of those leaders are coming in with radical offers to the voters. But can anger change an economic outcome for the better? And will it? Today on the show, Katie Martin hosts a live forum at the Kilkenomics Festival in Kilkenny, Ireland and discusses the topic with Leah Downey, a political theorist, and Eric Lonergan, a money manager. Also, we go long turkeys and short orange politicians. For a free 30-day trial to...
Nov 14, 2024•29 min•Transcript available on Metacast Each year economists gather in Kilkenny, Ireland for the annual Kilkenomics festival. The guests share stories in pubs and make dark jokes about economics. This year, we joined them, taping two episodes of our podcast in Cleere's Bar & Theatre. In our first instalment, we speak with financial historian Russell Napier and Martín Lousteau, a senator representing the city of Buenos Aires. The topic is financial mistakes. Also we go long anger in politics and short France. For a free 30-da...
Nov 12, 2024•26 min•Transcript available on Metacast If Donald Trump’s campaign promises about things such as immigration, the dollar, trade and tax policy are realised, the US will start an economic experiment without recent precedent. Today on the show, Katie Martin, Rob Armstrong and Aiden Reiter make their best guesses about a very confusing and unfamiliar future. Also, we short incumbents and tweed and go long the American project. For a free 30-day trial to the Unhedged newsletter go to: https://www.ft.com/unhedgedoffer You can email R...
Nov 07, 2024•29 min•Transcript available on Metacast It’s election day. Everyone is freaking out. But the prices of some major commodities and indices remain stoically calm. We investigate. Also, we go long nuclear power, long bees and limit long a squirrel named Peanut. For a free 30-day trial to the Unhedged newsletter go to: https://www.ft.com/unhedgedoffer You can email Robert Armstrong at robert.armstrong@ft.com and Katie Martin at katie.martin@ft.com . Read a transcript of this episode on FT.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy f...
Nov 05, 2024•20 min•Transcript available on Metacast The Magnificent 7 make up seven of the eight largest stocks on the S&P 500 and they are reporting earnings this week and last. Today on the show, Rob Armstrong and guest John Foley, who covers technology for the Lex column, take a look at all seven – with a nod to Berkshire Hathaway – and ask where they’re headed. Also we go long Reddit and long consumer sentiment. For a free 30-day trial to the Unhedged newsletter go to: https://www.ft.com/unhedgedoffer You can email Robert Armstrong ...
Oct 31, 2024•21 min•Transcript available on Metacast It’s been a tough year for Boeing. It started with a door panel falling off of a plane in mid-flight. Then machinists at the company went on strike. This week, Boeing announced it would raise $19bn in an effort to keep its credit rating from being cut to junk. Today on the show, the FT’s Chicago correspondent Claire Bushey joins Rob Armstrong to discuss whether Boeing is too big to fail – and if it’s worth the wait for investors. Also, we go long Superstore and Halloween. For a free 30-day trial...
Oct 29, 2024•19 min•Transcript available on Metacast As betting markets and polls begin tentatively to suggest a Donald Trump election win, yields in 10-year Treasuries have risen. Some on Wall Street think that is because traders believe Trump will win, bringing with him inflationary spending and policies. Today on the show, Rob Armstrong discusses what the bond market knows with Derek Brower, the FT’s US political news editor. Also we go long Coca-Cola, and short a decisive election result. For a free 30-day trial to the Unhedged new...
Oct 24, 2024•22 min•Transcript available on Metacast Citadel, XTX and Jane Street have come to dominate trading on Wall Street, and not just in equities. They now run a huge proportion of trading in currency and bonds, something the banks used to own. But where did they come from, why have so few people heard of them, and how did they get so big? Today on the show, Katie Martin and Robin Wigglesworth discuss the massive growth in the algorithmic trading firms. Also, they go long honesty, and long the upcoming FT Alphaville pub quiz in New York.&nb...
Oct 22, 2024•22 min•Transcript available on Metacast 
