Unhedged

Microcaps of every sort have been rushing to list on US exchanges. Many are from China and represent shares in tiny companies, such as a chain of hot pot stores. Today on the show, Katie Martin and Aiden Reiter talk to correspondent George Steer about the boom and try to figure out what’s going on. Also, they go long the SEC’s Caroline Crenshaw and short DJs. 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

Recent announcements about trade deals with the UK and China have cheered markets. But what exactly did the UK agree, and why? Today on the show, the FT’s trade guru Alan Beattie joins Katie Martin to unpack the negotiations. Also they go short droughts and long globalisation. 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

Lower-than-expected inflation and the start of negotiations with China seemed to help stocks on Monday. But the dollar remained uncharacteristically weak. Today on the show, Rob Armstrong and Aiden Reiter ask if America is feeling good, or just relieved to be alive. Also they short gold and go long pope memes.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

At the annual meeting of Berkshire Hathaway, Warren Buffett announced his retirement from day-to-day management. Today on the show, Katie Martin and Rob Armstrong look at his incredible career, and try to figure out what becomes of a somewhat random collection of businesses. Also they go short Google and long complacency. 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

There is fast money and there is real money. Fast money means day traders and hedge funds, who jump in and out on the day's news. But the real money — that of governments and insurance and pension funds — moves much more slowly, and with greater effect. Today on the show, Katie Martin speaks with Ian Smith on what may be a slow turn of allocation out of the US and into Europe. Also they go short consumer confidence and long lepidoptery. 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

The GDP contracted this past quarter – a turnaround from two years of surprisingly steady growth. Baked into that negative number are imports, as sellers rush to bring in goods ahead of tariffs. Today on the show, Rob Armstrong and Aiden Reiter dissect the GDP and what it tells us about the rapidly changing economy. Also they go long soyabeans and long blackouts. 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

Air and sea freight bookings for international cargo are plunging. As the reality of empty shelves starts to hit consumers, will Donald Trump blink? Today on the show, Katie Martin and Rob Armstrong try to figure out how long the US president can hold out, and wonder, if he does blink, how long it might take to get trade going again. Also they go long Greggs bakery chain and short the AAII Investor Sentiment Survey.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

The current administration rode in on a wave of support from America’s traders, lenders and money managers. But that might be changing. Today on the show, Rob Armstrong talks to the FT’s US finance editor, James Fontanella-Khan, about what the titans of Wall Street really think about President Donald Trump. Also they go long AC Milan and short the market. 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