Unhedged
Katie Martin, Robert Armstrong and other markets nerds at the Financial Times explain the big ideas behind what’s happening in finance right now. Every Tuesday and Thursday. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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Are AI stocks the new railroad bonds?
<p>Transformative technologies create speculative frenzies. Robin Wigglesworth, host of the new FT podcast The Story of Money, joins Katie Martin and Rob Armstrong to talk about what financial history can teach us about today’s AI-driven stock market. Also, we go short GameStop’s attempt to acquire eBay, and long tiny ice cream treats.</p><br><p>Subscribe to The Story of Money wherever you get your podcasts, and on the show's dedicated YouTube channel here. Learn more at ft.com/tsom. </p><br><p>For a free 30-day trial to the Unhedged newsletter go to: https://www.ft.com/un...
Introducing: The Story of Money
<p>The economist John Kenneth Galbraith once quipped that “there can be few fields of human endeavour in which history counts for so little as in the world of finance.” This show sets out to prove the opposite. Each week, FT columnist Gillian Tett and FT Alphaville editor Robin Wigglesworth dig into the ideas, personalities and institutions that have shaped global finance. </p><br><p>From unregulated banking in 19th-century frontier America to institutionalised debt jubilees in ancient Mesopotamia, and from the birth of credit derivatives to the great market meltdowns of the past, Robin and Gillian uncover the story of mo...
The Fed holds steady
<p>Yesterday, JayPowell made his final remarks as chair of the Federal Reserve. And then he announced his intention to remain on the board. Today on the show, Katie Martin and Rob Armstrong think about the future of the Fed under likely successor Kevin Warsh, who will govern with a former chair on the board. Also they go long a new acronym and long Katie’s 103-year-old grandmother. </p><br><p>For a free 30-day trial to the Unhedged newsletter go to: https://www.ft.com/unhedgedoffer.</p><br><p>You can email Robert Armstrong and Katie Martin at unhedged@ft...
Gloom and boom
<p>The news is bad, but stocks seem happy. Today on the show, Katie Martin and Rob Armstrong unpack the market’s rally and look forward to Fed chair Jay Powell’s final comments. Also, they go short health monitors and long snooker in Iran.</p><br><p>For a free 30-day trial to the Unhedged newsletter go to: https://www.ft.com/unhedgedoffer.</p><br><p>You can email Robert Armstrong and Katie Martin at unhedged@ft.com.</p><br><p>Read a transcript of this episode on FT.com</p><p > Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for...
China Shock 2.0
<p>In the past decade China has transformed itself into a high-value producer of sophisticated goods, threatening jobs in Europe and the rest of Asia. Today on the show, the FT’s Beijing bureau chief Joe Leahy joins Katie Martin and Rob Armstrong to discuss his three-part series on China’s new economy. Also, they go short prediction markets, long exit rows and long Xi Jinping’s chances of re-election.</p><br><p>For a free 30-day trial to the Unhedged newsletter go to: https://www.ft.com/unhedgedoffer.</p><br><p>You can email Robert Armstrong and Katie Martin at unh...
Trading disruption
<p>Today on the show, Rob Armstrong reports from the FT Commodities Global Summit 2026, where hundreds of traders gathered to share war stories about one of the wildest markets in decades. Also, they go long volatility and long honesty about plans to control the world. </p><br><p>For a free 30-day trial to the Unhedged newsletter go to: https://www.ft.com/unhedgedoffer.</p><br><p>You can email Robert Armstrong and Katie Martin at unhedged@ft.com.</p><br><p>Read a transcript of this episode on FT.com</p><p > Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy f...
Boing! Springtime for the markets
<p>After a nervous couple of months, markets suddenly roared to life this week, with the S&P 500 reaching a new high. Struggling shoe company Allbirds led the charge with a pivot to AI and saw its stock leap 774 per cent. Today on the show, Katie Martin and Rob Armstrong try to figure out why investors are so excited. Also they go long kebabs and the Strait of Vermouth.</p><br><p>For a free 30-day trial to the Unhedged newsletter go to: https://www.ft.com/unhedgedoffer.</p><br><p>You can email Robert Armstrong and Katie Martin at...
Space ecstasy
<p>Elon Musk’s SpaceX plans to go public this year in what may be the largest IPO of all time. But what is SpaceX, exactly? Today on the show, Katie Martin and Rob Armstrong speak with the FT’s west coast editor Richard Waters about the SpaceX listing and why it isn’t like any other IPO. Also, they go long papal news, southern California and magnolia trees. </p><br><p>For a free 30-day trial to the Unhedged newsletter go to: https://www.ft.com/unhedgedoffer.</p><br><p>You can email Robert Armstrong and Katie Martin at unhedge...
What has changed?
<p>As President Donald Trump’s confusing messages on the Iran war seem to coalesce around a retreat, markets have risen. But are we really going back to anything like what we had before February 28? Today on the show, Katie Martin and Rob Armstrong try to understand the meaningful changes that will persist. Also, they go long bank earnings and short "maxing" anything. </p><br><p>For a free 30-day trial to the Unhedged newsletter go to: https://www.ft.com/unhedgedoffer.</p><br><p>You can email Robert Armstrong and Katie Martin at unhedged@ft.com.</p><br><p>Rea...
Guns and butter and credit
<p>Economists often compare today’s era to the 1970s, when oil prices were high and inflation was looming. But there is something to learn from the 1960s, too. Today on the show, Rob Armstrong and Hakyung Kim discuss “guns and butter”, and the state of consumer credit. Also they go short flights to Europe and short AI glasses. </p><br><p>For a free 30-day trial to the Unhedged newsletter go to: https://www.ft.com/unhedgedoffer.</p><br><p>You can email Robert Armstrong and Katie Martin at unhedged@ft.com.</p><br><p>Read a transcript of this ep...
