Unhedged

The US dollar is having its worst year since 1973. And 1973 was a really bad year. As the US takes a break to celebrate independence from the UK, Katie Martin and Ian Smith discuss the glow-down of the greenback. Also they go long forensic accountants and long aged hedge funders playing tennis. 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 [email protected] a transcript of this episode on FT.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The weakening dollar suggests international investors are looking for other places to put their money. This could be an opportunity for Europe to finally compete with the US as a safe haven and reserve currency. But Europe is still financially fragmented. Today on the show, Katie Martin and Rob Armstrong discuss a new idea for creating a common regulatory and lending framework. Also they go short the “big, beautiful bill” and short lies from Big Tea. 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 [email protected] a transcript of this episode on FT.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

A lot of people are worried about the Middle East, but markets are doing just fine. Today on the show, Rob Armstrong and Aiden Reiter talk about why investors are buying US again — and whether that will end badly. Also, they go long exotic fruits and the perennial Citigroup buy note. 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 [email protected] a transcript of this episode on FT.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

President Donald Trump has called US Federal Reserve chair Jay Powell “very dumb, hardheaded” and a “numbskull” for not lowering interest rates. But for some reason, people still want Powell’s job. Today on the show, Katie Martin and Rob Armstrong look at the contenders. Also, they go long restaurant inflation and community gardening.  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 [email protected] a transcript of this episode on FT.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Unhedged is off today so instead we're bringing you an episode from our fellow FT podcast, Behind the Money. In this episode, we look at how LVMH’s wine and spirits division, Moët Hennessy, has long been a source of success – and cash – for the luxury goods behemoth. But more recently, that’s changed. The FT’s Paris correspondent Adrienne Klasa, found that certain strategic decisions made under the company’s former CEO have contributed to a change in its fortunes. She examines the missteps and whether the division can make a comeback. Listen to more episodes from Behind the Money here.Clips from Olympics- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - For further reading:Moët Hennessy’s crisis: dubious deals, soaring prices and hubris Alcohol groups face a sobering cultural shiftMoët Hennessy to cut 10% of workforce as luxury slowdown bites- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Follow Adrienne Klasa on X (@AdrienneKlasa). Michela Tindera is on X (@mtindera07) and Bluesky (@mtindera.ft.com), or follow her on LinkedIn for updates about the show and more.Read a transcript of this episode on FT.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Israel and Iran are at war, but markets have yet to freak out. Today on the show, Rob Armstrong and Katie Martin dig into what’s happening with oil, the dollar and gold — and what Federal Reserve chair Jay Powell will say following this week’s FOMC meeting. Also, they go long New York pizza and golden telephones.  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 [email protected] a transcript of this episode on FT.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Tesla stock feels like it runs on uncut animal spirits. But the company’s fortunes have been bound up with the US government since long before the Trump administration.Today on the show, Rob Armstrong and Aiden Reiter sort through the factors that drive the company’s stock. Also, they go long the price of copper and long short shorts.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 [email protected] a transcript of this episode on FT.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Strategy (formerly MicroStrategy) continues its meteoric rise as new investors purchase a company whose basic business is to own bitcoin. Naturally, the firm has inspired copycats, such as the Japanese hotel developer that just started buying crypto and now trades for more than the value of all its assets. Today on the show, Rob Armstrong and Katie Martin try to figure out if there’s any way it doesn’t all end in tears. Also, they go short tariffs on solar panels and short fecal transplants.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 [email protected] a transcript of this episode on FT.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The last 12 months have been great for Walmart, with its stock price rising on growing sales. And it’s all happening despite impending tariffs, and without adding more employees. Today on the show, US consumer editor Gregory Meyer joins Rob Armstrong to discuss what Walmart’s success can tell us about the future of American retail. Also, they go short online sports gambling and short New Jersey transit. 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 [email protected] a transcript of this episode on FT.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Equities are on a tear, led by the usual tech giants that make up the Magnificent Seven. But why? Rob Armstrong and Katie Martin go over the odd landscape of the current American economy, including scepticism about tariffs, inventory stockpiles, strong earnings and a budget that includes a tax on foreign investment in the US. Also they execute a complicated private equity pair trade and go long Nigerian weddings. 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 [email protected] a transcript of this episode on FT.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.