Barclays Brief

In just the first two weeks of 2026, investors have had a lot to take in amidst fast-moving headlines and shifting policy signals.​ In this episode of Barclays Brief, Global Head of Macro Distribution Kristen Macleod joins host Patrick Coffey to unpack how investors are navigating a market defined by both optimism and caution. They break down key positioning themes from curve steepeners and real y...

While traditional macroeconomic factors such as labour markets, central bank policy and inflation are all important considerations for 2026, the economy is “going to live or die” by what happens with AI, according to Global Chairman of Research Ajay Rajadhyaksha.​ ​ In the first Barclays Brief episode of 2026, Global Head of the Product Management Group Patrick Coffey welcomes Ajay back to discuss...

2026 is expected to be a breakthrough year for the US robotaxi market, as autonomous vehicles shift gears from pilot projects to large-scale deployment across major cities. Some players are expanding their fleets and coverage, while others are working to remove safety drivers and enter new metro areas. Meanwhile, several ride-hailing companies face strategic challenges as they invest in fleets but...

If you spent 2025 watching credit and thinking “this feels suspiciously quiet,” you are not alone. Barclays’ Global Head of Research, Brad Rogoff, and Global Head of Equities Distribution, Ronnie Wexler, walk through the late‑cycle credit playbook for 2026: why spreads might finally move, how trillion‑dollar ambitions for AI are colliding with debt markets, and why private credit’s rapid...

Conversations about AI often revolve around the outlooks for the Mag7, capex or the resources required to power the technology. This episode of the Barclays Brief explores agentic AI’s potential for tangible results if applied to the energy industry. Lydia Rainforth, Head of European Energy Equity Research, joins Patrick Coffey to explain how agentic AI, defined as systems that plan, decide and ac...

The rise of real-time trading platforms, combined with steady 401(k) inflows, has amplified wealth effects – making retail investors acutely aware that fluctuations in equity markets directly influence their perceived financial well-being, with over 30% of household net worth tied directly to equities*. As Alex Altmann puts it, “the stock market now is the economy”, as market moves have the p...

As technological advancement continues at pace across AI, defence and everything in between, demand for critical minerals such as rare earth elements (REEs) and copper, lithium, aluminium, nickel and cobalt (collectively known as CLANCs) has skyrocketed.  Yet their supply is incredibly concentrated, making access a high stakes priority for many economies. China has invested hea...

AI is reshaping corporate investment priorities at breakneck speed, with the US private sector pledging trillions in capital expenditures to power the next wave of innovation. Investment waves have affected currencies before, yet, for now, FX markets remain focused on near-term narratives and tactical considerations. Could this structural shift in AI spending redefine dollar dynamics, while d...

AI, hyperscaler capex, credit markets, and debt issuance: the landscape for big tech funding is shifting fast. In the latest episode of Barclays Brief, Ronnie Wexler is joined by Andrew Keches, Co-Head of US High Grade Credit Research, to unpack how the world’s largest technology companies have recently turned to the credit markets. They discuss how evolving from cash-funded expansion was strategi...

Recent high-profile bankruptcies have put private credit in the headlines. In this episode, Peter Troisi explains how private credit is weaving itself into the financial system – linking banks, insurers, non-bank financial institutions and business development companies. These connections create new funding channels and opportunities but also introduce potential hidden systemic risks. We break dow...

Trump-Xi trade talks are expected this week, amidst the recent publication of China’s 15th Five-Year Plan. To get the insights on these headlines and narratives, Kaan Singh from Barclays Equity Tactical Strategies joins Patrick Coffey to discuss China’s evolving economic and tech landscape. Kaan explains how China is building a self-sustaining tech ecosystem, driven by its AI+ industrial policy an...

With the UK’s Autumn Budget fast approaching, UK Chief Economist Jack Meaning joins Ronnie Wexler on the Barclays Brief to discuss what’s really driving the UK economic outlook. They discuss Jack's latest report published in partnership with The Institute of Fiscal Studies. They explore the short- and medium-term prospects for growth, examine why inflation remains persistent, consider where A...

Gold’s historic role as a hedge asset is in focus as prices soar past $4,000 an ounce. In this episode of the Barclays Brief podcast, Ajay Rajadhyaksha, Global Chairman of Research, joins Patrick Coffey to unpack the forces driving gold’s rally: from its legacy as a safe haven to the signals it may be sending about how investors regard current fiscal and monetary policy. Is gold’s rally a warning...

In the debut episode of this new podcast series, Patrick Coffey interviews Ronnie Wexler, Global Head of Equities Distribution in the Markets division. Ronnie lays out a bullish case for markets, driven by a rare alignment of forces: AI innovation, strong nominal GDP, and pro-growth policy working in tandem. From tax incentives and deregulation to real-world AI adoption boosting productivity and e...

In a world of constant change, Barclays Brief is your weekly source for differentiated perspectives that cut through the noise. Each bite-sized episode delivers clear insights into the structural trends transforming sectors – from technology and healthcare to energy, industrials and beyond. Through sharp dialogue and scenario-based analysis, we help you navigate complexity, make meaningful connect...