Macrocast by FTP & Markets Policy Partners

This week on Macrocast, the team discusses the fallout from the Department of Justice’s investigation into Fed Chair Powell and how the news is reverberating through markets and Washington. They cover President Trump’s push to lower prices by rolling out new policies on credit card interest rates and mortgages as Republicans look to boost their 2026 election prospects. The discussion also touches...

Macrocast is kicking off 2026 with a roundup of major economic, policy, and geopolitical developments from recent weeks. The team covers the latest jobs data, dive into Fed updates—including questions around Fed independence ahead of a Supreme Court case—and examine the implications of a possible reversal of President Trump’s IEEPA tariffs for U.S. companies. The episode closes with analysis of U....

Special guest John Dick of CivicScience returns to The Macrocast in the thick of the holiday season. The episode takes a deep dive into seasonal retail trends and the surprising resilience of consumers. Inflation has cooled to 2.7% year-over-year, beating forecasts, but concerns remain about job security, economic pressures, and overall consumer confidence. The conversation explores the resilient...

This week on Macrocast, the team welcomes Shanita Penny, executive director of the Coalition for Cannabis Policy, Education, and Regulation , for an in-depth look at the evolving cannabis industry. Their wide-ranging discussion explores the current regulatory and business landscape, challenges facing small business owners, and the latest hemp policy developments.  The conversation also touches on...

Tune in to today’s Macrocast episode for a breakdown of the latest ADP jobs report, which shows U.S. private employment falling by more than 30,000. With the Fed widely expected to cut interest rates this December, the discussion also examines how workplace AI could influence the central bank’s policy decisions. The episode wraps up with insights on President Trump’s potential Fed Chair pick, Japa...

In this week’s Macrocast episode, the team breaks down the delayed jobs report and the mixed signals it is sending to markets, along with what it could mean for the Fed’s December interest rate decision. They also dig into the recent market volatility driven by concerns about a potential AI bubble, even as NVIDIA posts strong earnings. Finally, the conversation turns to global financial developmen...

This week on the Macrocast , the team unpacks the end of the 43-day government shutdown—the longest in U.S. history—and what the government’s reopening could mean for markets and economic confidence.  The conversation then turns to the fast-evolving world of AI, where policymakers, investors, and analysts are debating whether the sector’s rapid growth reflects genuine innovation or valuations that...

This week on Macrocast , the team welcomes Tori Smith, Senior Vice President at FTP and a trade policy expert, for an in-depth discussion on the latest tariff developments. They unpack the Supreme Court case challenging President Trump’s use of IEEPA tariffs, exploring how trade laws and policies could allow tariffs to continue even if the Court rules against the administration. The conversation a...

In today’s Macrocast episode, the team discusses the Federal Reserve’s rate cut and its increasingly hawkish tone. They also cover the meeting between President Trump and President Xi in South Korea, including the agreement they reached on tariffs, export controls, and trade. The episode concludes with a look at the Supreme Court’s consideration of President Trump’s tariffs under IEEPA and the gov...

On today’s Macrocast episode, CivicScience CEO John Dick joins to unpack the growing economic impact of the ongoing government shutdown, exploring how uncertainty in Washington is shaping consumer sentiment and holiday retail forecasts. The discussion also dives into debates over cryptocurrency regulation, the latest inflation trends and Federal Reserve analysis, and concludes with timely updates...

This week on Macrocast , the team examines escalating tensions between the U.S. and China ahead of their upcoming meeting at the APEC summit in South Korea, including the global impact of China’s rare earth controls. They also discuss the recent fraud incidents involving Zions Bancorp and Western Alliance Bancorp, exploring what these cases reveal about the broader health of regional banks. The ep...

On today’s Macrocast episode, the team unpacks the nuances of the government shutdown, examining partisan dynamics and the impact on the federal workforce. They also take a critical look at the Federal Reserve’s interest rate policy and speculate on the Fed’s target interest rate, discuss market investments, AI, and U.S. – China trade policy.  For more about the hosts, please see below:  Forbes Ta...

Tune in to Macrocast this week for the latest on the government shutdown, including the political calculus within the Republican and Democratic parties and President Trump’s threat to fire furloughed federal employees. The team also shares predictions for the Fed and explores the growing tension it faces between inflation and rising unemployment, with ADP data highlighting the strain while officia...

This week, the Macrocast  team welcomes frequent guest contributor John Dick, CEO of CivicScience , to unpack the state of the American consumer. They discuss the decline in long-term economic optimism, growing unease in the job market, and how the political divide is reflected in consumer sentiment. The conversation also touches on housing demand and the Fed’s recalibration of interest rates.  Fo...

On today’s episode of Macrocast, the team breaks down the Fed’s interest rate cut and Jerome Powell’s role as his term nears its end. They also preview upcoming Supreme Court hearings on President Trump’s tariffs, examine Congress’s next steps on government funding, and explore U.S.–China relations what other central banks are doing around the world. For more about the hosts, please see below:  Fo...

On today’s edition of Macrocast , Dr. Vasudeva Ramaswamy of American University discusses how federal investments in basic scientific research at our colleges and universities drive economic growth and help America maintain healthy wages for workers and a robust GDP. American University belongs to The Science Coalition (TSC), a nonprofit and nonpartisan organization composed of leading American re...

On today’s Macrocast episode, the team breaks down new jobs report data signaling a slowing labor market, alongside turmoil at the Fed surrounding hearings for Trump nominee Stephen Miran and the investigation into Governor Lisa Cook. They discuss how the Fed may respond—potentially leaning more heavily on the full-employment side of its mandate—before turning to the looming congressional funding...

This week on Macrocast , the team discusses potential rate cuts from the Fed and growing political pressure on the central bank—highlighting the potential removal of Fed Governor Lisa Cook and Chair Powell’s upcoming 2026 term expiration.  They also explore NVIDIA’s relationship with China, tensions over rare earth metals, and the impact of tariffs on market sensitivity. With Congress returning to...

This week on Macrocast , Ed Hill and Brendan Walsh break down Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell’s Jackson Hole address, where he noted the hiring slowdown and the visible effects of tariffs on consumer prices. The speech carried a dovish tilt, with Powell emphasizing the Fed’s data-dependent approach while opening the door to possible interest rate cuts.  Looking ahead to next week, the team pre...

John Dick of Civic Science returns to the Macrocast to share fresh insights on the pulse of the American consumer. From restaurant attendance to summer travel trends, the team explores how the economy is shaping spending habits, travel patterns, and the impact of tariffs.  This episode dives into the latest inflation data alongside CivicScience’s survey results and takes a closer look at how AI is...

This week on Macrocast, the team delves into the latest economic data, including softer July jobs numbers, the Bureau of Labor Statistics’ revisions process, and rising jobless claims. They also break down changes in Fed leadership and growing inflation concerns both in the U.S. and abroad, before examining the impact of a weaker dollar amid President Trump’s complex trade environment.

This week on Macrocast, the team unpacks a weaker-than-expected July jobs report, GDP growth, and growing doubts about the economy’s momentum. They also discussed the Fed’s wait-and-see approach after their latest meeting, Trump’s latest tariff moves, and the status of trade.

This week on Macrocast , the team breaks down President Trump’s newly announced trade deal with Japan, including the unusual creation of a direct foreign investment fund under presidential discretion. Meanwhile, Europe is pushing for its own trade deal but is also signaling that it’s prepared to impose tariffs if necessary. In Washington, the uneasy dynamic between President Trump and Fed Chair Po...

In today's episode, frequent guest contributor John Dick from Civic Science joins to discuss consumer sentiment, examining how tariffs are affecting travel and spending. With the administration's August tariff deadline looming, they also explore the latest trade developments and unpack rising tension between President Trump and Fed Chair Powell. They conclude the episode by discussing th...

This week on Macrocast, the team breaks down the big news: the passage of the “One Big Beautiful Bill.” They dig into what it means for the next steps, the timing involved, and the important guidance that will soon follow. Despite a relatively quiet week in Washington, they highlight some key updates on government funding and regulations. Looking ahead, all eyes are on a busy week of economic data...