The Volatility Gap

As the Are You Ready for 2027? report goes live, George Vessey sits down with Antonio to explore one of the report's most important themes: the rise of the Chokepoint Economy. From critical shipping routes and energy corridors to semiconductor supply chains and AI infrastructure, they discuss why a handful of strategic bottlenecks are becoming increasingly influential in shaping global trade, inflation, financial markets and currency movements. The conversation unpacks what recent disruptions have taught us about economic resilience and why understanding geopolitical risk is becoming essential for businesses operating in an increasingly interconnected world.Converge is Convera’s podcast that discusses a range of financial services topics. We want to remind our listeners that the information shared on this podcast is for informational purposes only and should not be considered financial advice. Please note that the opinions expressed on Converge are solely the opinions of the host and the guests, not Convera’s.

Steven Dooley speaks to Kevin Ford for an early preview of Are You Ready for 2027? They explore why the global economy is becoming more resilient yet more fragile, and what that means for businesses. From the battle for capital and the AI investment boom to global trade chokepoints and “escalate to de-escalate”, they highlight the forces set to shape 2027.

French sovereign stress has returned to the centre of the FX conversation. As bond spreads widen and political uncertainty complicates the path toward fiscal consolidation, Kevin Ford and George Vessey consider whether comparisons with the original euro crisis are justified and what the fallout means for the euro, sterling and the ECB. The conversation then turns to the dollar’s resilience, the retreat from crowded EM carry trades and a tougher Q4 in which policy credibility and economic fundamentals may matter more than yield alone.Converge is Convera’s podcast that discusses a range of financial services topics. We want to remind our listeners that the information shared on this podcast is for informational purposes only and should not be considered financial advice. Please note that the opinions expressed on Converge are solely the opinions of the host and the guests, not Convera’s.

Moving money internationally has become faster, cheaper, and easier but none of this solves the business challenges caused by currency volatility. Head of Market Insights, Steven Dooley and Content Lead, Ingmar Apinis, talk about the impact FX volatility can have on margins, cash flow, and forecasting, how businesses can rethink the relationship between payments and risk management and what global currency management looks like in practice.

Rising bond yields, hawkish Fed signals and higher oil prices drove markets, while a sharp USD/JPY sell-off added volatility. The US dollar found support from stronger US jobs data, while the Japanese yen outperformed on BOJ tightening expectations and intervention speculation. Friday US inflation report is the key event to watch. Converge is Convera’s podcast that discusses a range of financial services topics. We want to remind our listeners that the information shared on this podcast is for informational purposes only and should not be considered financial advice. Please note that the opinions expressed on Converge are solely the opinions of the host and the guests, not Convera’s.

A relatively small Treasury intervention has sent a much larger signal across global markets. After the US announced plans to double its long-end buybacks, yields briefly retreated and the dollar came under pressure, bringing debt sustainability and policy credibility back into focus. In this Converge Market Update, Kevin Ford, Steve Dooley and Antonio Ruggiero discuss whether this is 2025 déjà vu and assess the outlook for the dollar, euro, sterling and APAC currencies heading into September.Converge is Convera’s podcast that discusses a range of financial services topics. We want to remind our listeners that the information shared on this podcast is for informational purposes only and should not be considered financial advice. Please note that the opinions expressed on Converge are solely the opinions of the host and the guests, not Convera’s.

Markets continue to look through a growing list of risks. Despite ongoing uncertainty in the Middle East, elevated oil prices, sticky inflation and the prospect of further central bank tightening, equities remain near record highs and volatility sits close to yearly lows. In this week's episode, George Vessey is joined by Steven Dooley and Kevin Ford to discuss whether investors have become comfortably complacent. The team explores the global macro backdrop, the implications of a surprisingly weak US payrolls report, what next week's US CPI means for the Federal Reserve, and the outlook for the USD, EUR, JPY, AUD and CAD.Converge is Convera’s podcast that discusses a range of financial services topics. We want to remind our listeners that the information shared on this podcast is for informational purposes only and should not be considered financial advice. Please note that the opinions expressed on Converge are solely the opinions of the host and the guests, not Convera’s.

How should businesses manage currency risk when volatility strikes? Convera's Rob Goldberg shares practical insights on hedging, USD exposure, geopolitical uncertainty and market sell-offs, explaining how CFOs and business leaders can manage margins, improve certainty and make better decisions in unpredictable markets.Converge is Convera’s podcast that discusses a range of financial services topics. We want to remind our listeners that the information shared on this podcast is for informational purposes only and should not be considered financial advice. Please note that the opinions expressed on Converge are solely the opinions of the host and the guests, not Convera’s.

Markets have spent much of 2026 shrugging off geopolitical flare-ups and refocusing on fundamentals: inflation, labour markets, growth and interest rates. But with tensions between the US and Iran escalating again, energy prices jumping higher, and bond yields marching higher, investors are beginning to pay closer attention to geopolitical risks. In this week's podcast, George Vessey is joined by Steven Dooley to discuss whether recent developments in the Middle East are changing the market narrative, or simply adding another layer of complexity to an environment still dominated by monetary policy.Converge is Convera’s podcast that discusses a range of financial services topics. We want to remind our listeners that the information shared on this podcast is for informational purposes only and should not be considered financial advice. Please note that the opinions expressed on Converge are solely the opinions of the host and the guests, not Convera’s.

Ten years on from the Brexit referendum, the shock might be over but its effects on sterling remain. Steven Dooley speaks to George Vessey and Antonio Ruggiero about how Brexit redefined the pound’s trading level and risk dynamics, and what that means for businesses managing FX exposure today.Converge is Convera’s podcast that discusses a range of financial services topics. We want to remind our listeners that the information shared on this podcast is for informational purposes only and should not be considered financial advice. Please note that the opinions expressed on Converge are solely the opinions of the host and the guests, not Convera’s.