Macro Bytes

With sanctions imposed by the West on Russia, we discuss what this means for central bank reserves as well as look at the economic consequences for the rest of the world

In this episode (recorded on 22 February 2022)  we discuss the rapidly changing situation between Russia and Ukraine, look at how the crisis developed, and explore the potential longer term geopolitical consequences 

How will central banks behave in response to Omicron, shifting labour markets and inflation? In the second of a two-part series looking at Omicron, we are joined by James McCann and Luke Bartholomew to explain

How is Omicron impacting China’s globally important economy? What impact will China’s strategy to confront Covid have on global supply chains? And what do these supply chain issues mean for inflation?   In this episode, the first of a two-part series, Luke Bartholomew is joined by abrdn Research Institute colleagues Robert Gilhooly, Senior Emerging Markets Research Economist and Sree Kochugovindan...

In this podcast episode we discuss the latest installment in our award-winning series, “A Woman’s Place” , identifying three areas in which governments and companies can do more to boost female participation in the workforce. Authors Stephanie Kelly and Abigail Watt discuss how tax rates can discourage women from paid  work and suggest how governments can lower this barrier. The research also exam...

In this episode we're joined by James McCann, Deputy Chief Economist, to look forward to 2022 thinking about the important economic and political issues that we think will be shaping the investment landscape and market returns. 

In this episode we discuss China’s shifting regulatory sands, particularly in the real estate, technology and education sectors where sweeping changes in these areas stunned investors through 2021.  The first note in our series on China regulation can be found here: https://www.abrdn.com/en/uk/institutional/insights-thinking-aloud/article-page/china-policy-xi 

COP26 created a lot of headlines but will it lead to meaningful policy change on the ground? The team discuss the significance of promises made and missed, and explain what it could mean for investors and our commitments going forwards.  

 | Nick Robins, Professor in Practice of Sustainable Finance at the London School of Economics, joins to discuss the Just Transition, what it is, why it matters and what it means for financial institutions. 

In this episode we consider the role of government policy in the transformation, the UK’s strategy to achieve decarbonisation and how the outcomes of COP26 could influence the future of energy on a global scale. 

In this episode,  Anna Moss, Climate Change Scenario Analyst at abrdn, and Luke Bartholomew, co-host and our Senior Monetary Economist, join Paul Diggle to discuss the role of the judicial system and the courts and central banks in climate policy, and the profound impact that climate litigation and central bank action has on investment markets. 

In this episode, Stephanie Kelly interviews Paul Diggle and Luke Bartholomew on their research into the long-term effects of COVID-19 on the economy. 

Duncan Weldon, UK Economics Correspondent for the The Economist, joins us to discuss his new book looking at the political economy of Britain from the industrial revolution to the pandemic. Don't forget to like and subscribe to our podcast on Apple, Spotify, Google Podcasts or wherever you listen to your favorite podcasts.

In this episode of the Macro Bytes podcast we take a look at the initial rebound in global economic growth and consider the factors that could slow down the pace of recovery .   Don't forget to like and subscribe to our podcast on Apple, Spotify, Google Podcasts or wherever you listen to your favorite podcasts.

In this week's episode the team discuss the IPCC’s 6th Assessment Report on climate change which has gained considerable media coverage since its publication. They explore their initial reactions, how it impacts concepts like Net Zero 2050 and what it  means for investors, policymaker,and companies.  Don't forget to like and subscribe to our podcast on Apple, Spotify, Google Podcasts or...

Welcome to another week of our Macro Bytes podcast – in which co-hosts  Paul Diggle and Luke Bartholomew are joined by special guest David Beckworth, Senior Research Fellow at the Mercatus Center at George Mason University, former Treasury Department economist, academic and host of the Macro Musings podcast to explore the new frontiers of central banking.  This week the team discuss three key topi...

Welcome to another week of our Macro Bytes podcast. Our host Paul Diggle is joined by colleagues James McCann and Edward Glossop from the abrdn Research Institute to discuss how the Delta variant is impacting the economic recovery around the world.  In this episode we discuss the spread of the Delta variant through the major economies and highlight how vaccine rollouts and Covid handling will driv...

Welcome to another week of Macro Bytes in which our host Stephanie Kelly is joined by Abigail Watt, to discuss their latest output in the A Woman’s Place research series : an index for investors and policymakers to track progress and changes in female workforce dynamics.   This new Gender Equality Index (GEI) scores and ranks 29 developed countries on gender equality, in terms of macroeconomic fun...

In this episode of Macro Bytes we take a look at the US labour market and its implications for the Federal Reserve. What’s been holding back labour supply and how temporary or permanent is this? What’s behind the change in the dot plot and to what extent do markets need to fret about a more hawkish Fed? Welcome to another week of Macro Bytes. In this episode our host Paul Diggle is joined by James...

In this episode of Macro Bytes we consider the potential implications of US-China tensions for global political risk and inflation risk. We discuss what has changed under President Biden, what has not, and answer the big investor question: what does this mean for inflation. Welcome to another week of Macro Bytes. In this episode our host Stephanie Kelly is joined by Jeremy Lawson, Chief Economist...

The causes of the pandemic recession were different to anything from the post-war era, so should we expect the economic recovery to be different too? How should market price this recovery and what should investors look out for? Welcome to another week of Macro Matters. In this episode our host Paul Diggle is joined by Jeremy Lawson, Luke Bartholomew and Robert Gilhooly from the abrdn Research Inst...

The recent news of a significant jump in US consumer prices surprised many. As post-pandemic demand for goods has risen, the US is experiencing supply bottlenecks putting upward pressure on prices. Combined with Biden’s economic stimulus, this has caused growing concerns about the risk of inflation. Will the economy overheat? And how will the Federal Reserve respond? Welcome to another week of Mac...

Semiconductor chips are in short supply and high demand at the moment. These chips are technologically hard to make and production is highly concentrated in Taiwan and Korea. With semiconductors present in an ever-increasing share of the goods that global consumers buy, a global shortage can be seen as akin to a modern-day oil shock - with widespread consequences for economic activity, inflation,...

The Scottish National Party (SNP) won a fourth term in power in the recent Scottish election. Despite falling one seat short of absolute majority, with the backing of the Greens, they will be able to form a pro-independence coalition. What does this mean for the Scottish independence referendum and how will it impact investors and the economy? Our host Stephanie Kelly is joined by Luke Bartholomew...

After the Great War and Spanish Flu, the 1920s saw a rejuvenation of the economy with a golden age of booming consumerism, innovation and culture. Now economists are questioning whether history is set to repeat itself. Will we see the 2020s roar? Or is secular stagnation here to stay? In this episode our host Paul Diggle is joined by special guest Dominic White , Head of Economics at Absolute Stra...