Episodes

  • The Fed’s juggling act
    Mar 19 2026

    The war has caused a spike in oil prices, which will pass costs through the economy. But if the economy is slowing, will there be enough inflation to send interest rates back up again? Today on the show, Katie Martin and Rob Armstrong dissect Federal Reserve chair Jay Powell’s Wednesday comments about the conflicting signals in the economy. Also they go long clean air and long March Madness.


    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 Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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    19 mins
  • Are the markets right or wrong about Iran?
    Mar 17 2026

    Oil is up, bombs are falling and investors are increasing their piles of cash. But the market isn’t far off its highs. Today on the show, Katie Martin and Rob Armstrong try to square the dismal news with the sanguine market. Also they go short quarterly reporting and long introspection.


    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 acast.com/privacy for more information.

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    22 mins
  • Uncomfortable moments in private credit
    Mar 12 2026

    There has been a steady trickle of bad news in private credit, and investors have been having a hard time getting their money out of funds. Today on the show, Katie Martin and Rob Armstrong are joined by the FT’s US private equity and deals editor Antoine Gara. The three of them try to figure out if a small financial crisis is brewing. Also they go long 10-year Treasuries, long Ukraine ETFs and long the New York Jets.


    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 Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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    22 mins
  • Wildest day for oil ever
    Mar 10 2026

    Over the weekend, the price of oil had its biggest intraday swing on record, bouncing between $84 and $119 per barrel in just 23 hours. Today on the show, Rob Armstrong and Katie Martin survey the wreckage, and try to figure out if the price of oil is driving policy in Washington. Also they go long neckties and Korean food crazes.


    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 acast.com/privacy for more information.

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    22 mins
  • The case against stablecoins
    Mar 5 2026

    The Genius Act allowed stablecoins to trade in the US as a legal form of currency. But can that really work? Today on the show, financial historian Brendan Greeley joins Katie Martin and Rob Armstrong to discuss if it makes sense to introduce a digital competitor to the dollar. Also they go long the Maidstone football team, short March and short tax trips to Dubai.


    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 acast.com/privacy for more information.

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    27 mins
  • Energy prices up, markets down
    Mar 3 2026

    The US attack on Iran has muddled expectations for the year, especially in energy markets. Today on the show, US energy editor Jamie Smyth joins Katie Martin and Rob Armstrong to talk about Tehran’s counterattacks on US allies including Kuwait, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates. Also, they go short private assets and long UK pastry chain Greggs.


    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 acast.com/privacy for more information.

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    26 mins
  • What the actual tariff?
    Feb 26 2026

    The Supreme Court just overturned President Donald Trump’s use of the emergency powers provision to impose tariffs. Now importers are suing for refunds, and the president has scrambled to leverage another old law to find a legal way to slow imports. Today on the show, Katie Martin and Rob Armstrong are joined by Alan Beattie, of the FT’s Trade Secrets newsletter, to sort the mess out. Also, they go short the “Halo” trade and long irony.


    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 acast.com/privacy for more information.

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    22 mins
  • The report that rattled Wall Street
    Feb 24 2026

    On Monday, a report by Citrini Research appeared to rattle traders on Wall Street. Its thesis was that massive efficiency increases would lead to widespread job losses and a disastrous fall in consumption. Today on the show, Katie Martin and Rob Armstrong discuss the doomsday scenario. Also, they go short New York in the snow and short shrinkflation.


    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 acast.com/privacy for more information.

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    20 mins