Unhedged

Bridgewater Associates is one of the largest hedge funds in the world, and one of the most unusual. Its founder, Ray Dalio, has retired and moved on to other things, such as deep sea submarines. Can the new chief executive keep the group’s legendary returns going? Today on the show, reporter Ortenca Aliaj joins Rob Armstrong to discuss. Also we go long Walmart and short the troubled merger of Jennifer Lopez and Ben Affleck. For a free 30-day trial to the Unhedged newsletter go to: https://www.ft.com/unhedgedofferYou can email Katie Martin at katie.martin@ft.com. Read a transcript of this episode on FT.com

‘Roaring Kitty’, aka Keith Gill, aka the GameStop memelord, leaned in again this week, sparking a massive rally in the retailer and its sidekick, AMC. FT correspondents Katie Martin and Rob Armstrong take stock of the mayhem and ask if it's a sign that the animal spirits are back. Also we short gruelling exams and go long utilities.  For a free 30-day trial to the Unhedged newsletter go to: https://www.ft.com/unhedgedofferYou can email Katie Martin at katie.martin@ft.com. Read a transcript of this episode on FT.com

It's high noon for Paramount Studios, one of the most legendary names in Hollywood. In one corner, Wall Street and private equity. In the other corner, talented producer David Ellison, head of Skydance. OK, to be fair, he’s partnering with private equity, too. Today on the show, we break down the boss battle for Paramount with deals editor James Fontanella-Khan. Also we talk about sports.For a free 30-day trial to the Unhedged newsletter go to: https://www.ft.com/unhedgedofferYou can email Katie Martin at katie.martin@ft.com.Read a transcript of this episode on FT.com

The annual meeting of Berkshire Hathaway this past weekend was a celebration of Warren Buffett’s unparalleled record and his legendary charm. Today on the show, FT correspondents Katie Martin and Robert Armstrong talk about recent investments in energy stocks, Apple and the ultimate question: succession. Also, we invent a new festival – TrackerFest – and short climate credit shenanigans. For a free 30-day trial to the Unhedged newsletter go to: https://www.ft.com/unhedgedofferYou can email Katie Martin at katie.martin@ft.com. Listeners, a small correction: A Shell-operated plant in Canada was granted millions of carbon credits for CO₂ removal that never took place, for use by some of Canada’s largest oil sands companies, but Shell has clarified that Shell itself did not sell any of these particular credits.Read a transcript of this episode on FT.com

The Federal Reserve this week chose to hold interest rates unchanged. But inflation still continues to outpace its 2 per cent target. Today on the show, capital markets correspondent Kate Duguid joins us to ask if the US central bank is making the wrong decisions, and what options they have. Also, we short Starbucks and dissect Ray Dalio's bet on civil war. For a free 30-day trial to the Unhedged newsletter go to: https://www.ft.com/unhedgedofferYou can email Katie Martin at katie.martin@ft.com. Read a transcript of this episode on FT.com

The American economy is strong — and the dollar is extremely expensive. Today on the show, we talk about how the strong dollar affects the rest of the world, pressuring importers, benefitting manufacturers, and causing capital to flow into the United States. Also we go long McDonald’s and long the British pub. For a free 30-day trial to the Unhedged newsletter go to: https://www.ft.com/unhedgedofferYou can email Katie Martin at katie.martin@ft.com. Read a transcript of this episode on FT.com

The FT’s Rob Armstrong sits down with Tim Harford, host of the podcast Cautionary Tales, to discuss Ponzi schemes, how they spiral out of control and what differentiates them from bubbles — and from Amazon. Plus, we go long pyramid schemes and short, as usual, crypto. For a free 30-day trial to the Unhedged newsletter go to: https://www.ft.com/unhedgedofferCheck out Tim’s podcast, Cautionary Tales, and the full story on Sam Israel’s Ponzi scheme here.Read a transcript of this episode on FT.com

When the S&P 500 finally let Tesla join the index a few years ago, its stock soared. Similarly, the fortunes of countries have changed when their debt and equities have been included on one index or another. Today on the show, we talk to FT contributor and former fund manager Toby Nangle about who runs these indexes, and if they should be regulated. Also we go long the FTSE 100 and short El Salvador’s debt cycle.  For a free 30-day trial to the Unhedged newsletter go to: https://www.ft.com/unhedgedofferYou can email Katie Martin at katie.martin@ft.com.Read a transcript of this episode on FT.com