7 Minutes on Markets

Sam Hannon and Ben Kumar delve into the latest financial and geopolitical developments, noting the FTSE 100's landmark achievement and Venezuela's continuing saga. Despite a calm weekend politically, the podcast outlines how Venezuela's President's arrest has left oil markets steady amid the upheaval. The FTSE 100 offers investors stable opportunities, thanks to its diverse companies in key growth...

In this episode, Ben Kumar and Sam Hannon delve into the unexpected developments impacting the markets at the start of 2026. The focus shifts to Donald Trump's recent moves in Venezuela, which could revitalise U.S. oil companies with stakes in the region. Despite the oil price remaining stable, American firms with Venezuelan infrastructure are poised for potential gains.

Ben and Ahmer reflect on the current market conditions, emphasising the Bank of England's recent rate cut and its minimal market impact. They anticipate further cuts in a controlled monetary environment, suggesting a similar trend as observed in 2025.

Ben and Ahmer delve into the recent monetary policy updates, highlighting Jerome Powell's final meeting with the Federal Reserve and the subsequent transition to Scott Bessent as the new Chair. This change is anticipated to keep the economic tides steady despite noise surrounding potential interest rate cuts and tech stock volatility seen with Oracle's performance. In a year marked by strategic ce...

This episode of '7 Minutes on Markets' discussed the recent quiet period in financial markets, attributing the lull to factors such as post-Thanksgiving slowdowns and a lack of significant data releases. Hosts Sam and Ben noted the market's broad sideways movement amid holiday shutdowns and explored the anticipation surrounding upcoming central bank meetings. The episode concluded with a look ahea...

In this podcast episode, Ben and Ahmer analyse the recent UK Budget and its surprisingly muted impact on bond markets. Despite a history of volatility, the bond market remained stable, reflecting effective risk management. Equity markets mirrored this calm, remaining flat, with the tech sector experiencing mixed results. Looking ahead to December, key central bank meetings could bring interest rat...

In this episode of 'Seven Minutes on Markets,' hosts Ben Kumar and Sam Hannon discuss the financial results of Nvidia, a key player in the AI industry. Despite strong earnings, market uncertainty persists about the sustainability of the AI boom. Meanwhile, Black Friday approaches, serving as a critical indicator of consumer health, particularly in the US, where delayed government data due to past ...

In this episode, Ben and Shanti discuss the recent end of the US government shutdown and its implications on the markets. They explore how data uncertainties have led to market jitters, with the Federal Reserve signalling possible hesitation on policy changes. The uncertainty around upcoming economic data has paused investor activity, causing a dip in tech stocks. The upcoming Nvidia earnings repo...

In this podcast episode, Ben Kumar and Sam Hannon discuss the potential AI bubble, focusing on the substantial investments made by tech giants like Google, Amazon, and Meta. The conversation highlights the depreciating nature of investments in data centers compared to the quicker returns expected from software services. The hosts also touch on the implications of the ongoing US government shutdown...

The podcast episode unpacks recent announcements from the Federal Reserve, focusing on their cautious approach to reducing interest rates amidst tariffs and inflation concerns. The conversation further explores how these economic conditions affect consumer spending and corporate strategies, with particular attention to the tech sector's strong performance in AI and digital transformation.

Hosts Ben Kumar and Sam Hannon delve into the recent trends affecting global markets as regional banks recover and earnings reports from major corporations like Apple provide reassurance. Sanctions on Russia have caused a slight jump in oil prices, yet market conditions remain stable due to adequate supply levels. Additionally, a notable increase in gold purchases is observed as central banks and ...

In this week's episode, Sam Hannon and Ben Kumar discuss the recent turbulence in the credit market, where defaults by companies like Tricolor and First Brands have caused concern. Despite some financial upheaval, they emphasize that market cycles naturally involve failures and the emergence of new competitors, ensuring a dynamic market environment. The episode also touches on the US government sh...

In the podcast, Ben Kumar and Sam Hannon analyse recent market developments, focusing on the implications of geopolitical shifts and economic policies.

In this week's episode, Ben Kumar and Sam Hannon discuss the surprisingly positive market performance in September across the globe, hitting all-time highs despite historical trends indicating otherwise. They dive into the regular occurrence of US government shutdowns and how these events, while dramatic-sounding, tend to have minimal long-term impact on economic growth and market conditions.

Sam and Ben delve into the convergence of politics and markets, noting how various global political events overshadow economic data. With potential U.S. government shutdowns typical during budget disputes, markets seem resilient despite uncertainties.

In this episode, Ben and Sam explore recent global central bank decisions, focusing on rate cuts by the US Federal Reserve, the Bank of England's hold, and Japan's ongoing deflation battle.

The podcast episode discusses major economic and political developments affecting global markets. In the US, a Federal Reserve meeting is expected to result in rate cuts, with a 99% probability according to betting markets. Meanwhile, the UK's recent GDP figures align with expectations, suggesting stability despite economic and political turbulence. Political changes in France and Japan are also n...

Ben and Sam examine the multifaceted dynamics affecting global markets, from the unexpected twists in European bond yields to uncertainties spurred by geopolitical stances, particularly Trump's controversial tariffs. Despite elevated bond yields, European countries like Italy demonstrate fiscal improvements. The UK market braces for November's budget, hinting at potential fiscal policy shifts.

In this week's roundup, the hosts discuss Nvidia's financial results, noting the company's impressive 50% annual sales growth and its shift from gaming to data center dominance. However, the market reacted negatively as earnings were deemed 'good' rather than 'legendary'. In the political arena, Donald Trump is challenging the Federal Reserve's policies, particularly aiming for a weaker dollar thr...

In this edition of 7 Minutes on Markets, Head of Equity Strategy Ben Kumar and Investment Manager Sam Hannon look at the latest market events and movements across the globe.