Moody’s Talks – The Big Picture

Faced with slowing domestic growth and rising geopolitical tensions, China is changing its export strategy and selling different things, to different customers, in different places.  Electric vehicles, solar panels and AI-enabled services are replacing low-cost manufactured goods. And the destination? Increasingly, emerging markets in Southeast Asia, Latin America and beyond. China's evolving over...

Emerging markets have weathered a string of global shocks since 2019 with more resilience than in past cycles, supported by stronger policy frameworks, deeper local markets and larger buffers.   We discuss why credit outcomes are increasingly uneven across EMs, how a more fragmented global economy is reshaping trade and financing, and why investors are focusing on country-by-country differentiatio...

The private credit market has morphed into a powerhouse, deriving its allure from low volatility, stable and high predictable returns.   But less than a year after the so-called “golden age” of private credit, the asset class is now grappling with a period of uncertainty following its astronomical growth.    That volatility includes a wave of redemptions – when investors go to credit funds and ask...

Streaming giant Netflix withdrew its bid for Warner Brothers Discovery on the eve of this year’s Oscars, but it doesn’t mean Paramount has won the battle for dominance over the media landscape. Regulators still must approve the deal, and Paramount’s offer comes with huge debt.    In this first episode of Credit Currents , a new video podcast series from Moody’s Ratings, we reveal the stakes at pla...

Streaming giant Netflix withdrew its bid for Warner Brothers Discovery on the eve of this year’s Oscars, but it doesn’t mean Paramount has won the battle for dominance over the media landscape. Regulators still must approve the deal, and Paramount’s offer comes with huge debt.     In the first episode of Credit Currents, a new video podcast series from Moody’s Ratings launching on April 2, 2026, w...

The US Supreme Court's rejection of the raft of US tariffs imposed in 2025 under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA) offers near-term relief for some exporters, but some sectors may still be in the crosshairs.   We discuss the prospect of refunds, the durability of restrictive trade frameworks, and how the US administration will likely tap other legal means to achieve its trade...

What happens when technology starts automating and augmenting the cognitive tasks that form the backbone of many professions?    The stakes are high: companies are reorganizing, workers are anxious, and major investors are pouring billions into models, chips and data centers. Meanwhile, governments face important decisions on how to minimize social disruption from AI, while maximizing economic gai...

Climate-driven shocks are rippling across sectors, from rising insurance premiums to lower property prices and tax revenue.   With the costs of severe weather rising, Moody’s experts share their insights into key themes and possible solutions.   Learn more at https://www.moodys.com/outlooks   Explore our outlook: https://www.moodys.com/web/en/us/insights/credit-risk/outlooks/global-sustainable-fin...

New and emerging digital technologies are connecting previously siloed areas of finance.   The convergence of traditional finance with digital assets, the rapid evolution of blockchain and AI, and the growing influence of cyber risks across sectors will create both challenges and opportunities.    In this episode, we speak with Moody’s experts to understand the risks, innovations, and financing ne...

AI is fueling a boom in data centers, and the world’s biggest hyperscalers are pouring billions into building up their capacity.    But risks of an AI bubble and circular deals involving companies like OpenAI and Microsoft are worrying investors.   Learn more about data center growth in 2026 and other sector outlooks: moodys.com/outlooks   Host: Paloma San Valentin, Managing Director, North Americ...

Differing views on politics and the economy are making it harder for lawmakers to agree on issues like trade, immigration, regulation and fiscal policy. In this episode, Moody’s Ratings experts unpack the risk to credit in 2026 and repercussions for businesses and consumers.    Learn more and watch the full episode at moodys.com/outlooks    Host: Paloma San Valentin, Managing Director, North Ameri...

Extreme weather is intensifying, and funding for adaptation measures remains a challenge. Emerging markets face growing economic and credit risks given limited resilience and insurance protection.    In this new video podcast ahead of the COP30 meeting in Belém, Brazil, our Moody’s experts discuss whether innovative private and multilateral finance are the answers to bridging the gap. Watch the fu...

As artificial intelligence reshapes workplaces and business strategies, firms increasingly depend on AI providers, making AI a tool of geopolitical influence. We'll discuss the impact across industries, as digital currencies affect monetary control and cyber threats challenge operational resilience.   Host: William Foster, Senior Vice President, Sovereign Risk Group, Moody's Ratings   Guests: Vinc...

Sub-Saharan Africa needs a lot of investment to support its development, but high funding costs are a constraint. We’ll explore the drivers of these costs and steps three of the region’s largest economies – South Africa, Nigeria and Kenya – are taking to reduce their cost of capital.     Host: Colin Ellis, Head of Centre for Credit Research, Moody’s Ratings    Guests: Christian Fang, Vice Presiden...

Fueled by AI, cloud migration, streaming and gaming, Asia-Pacific's data center capacity will more than double by 2030. Moody’s analysts unpack regional trends, financing strategies, and how utilities are adapting to this power-hungry transformation.   Host: Sarah Carlson - Senior Vice President, Moody’s Ratings   Guests:  Nidhi Dhruv - Vice President, Senior Credit Officer, Moody’s Ratings; Abhis...

What started as a niche alternative could become a nearly $3 trillion juggernaut by 2028. In this conversation, we explore where the money is coming from, how borrowers and lenders are coping with tough conditions, and what lies ahead for the asset class—including possible new regulations.  Host: Colin Ellis, Head of Centre for Credit Research, Moody’s Ratings Guest : Christina Padgett, Associate...

In this episode, our analysts explain exposure to trade uncertainty for debt issuers across emerging markets -- and why many in India are more insulated than their peers.   Host: William Foster, Senior Vice President, Sovereign Risk Group, Moody's Ratings   Guests: Nicky Dang, Senior Vice President, Credit Strategy & Guidance, Moody’s Ratings; Kaustubh Chaubal (KC), Senior Vice President, Corporat...

Economists and investors are speculating about potential changes to US financial and exchange rate policies from a ‘Mar-a-Lago accord’, a set of ideas which include weakening the dollar to boost US manufacturing. We'll dive into what it is and the potential impact on the global financial system.   Host: William Foster, Senior Vice President, Sovereign Risk Group, Moody's Ratings   Guests: Mark Sob...

Five years ago, the World Health Organization declared COVID-19 a pandemic. In this episode, we delve into the performance of corporate credit quality since then, including the sectors that thrived or struggled, the hidden credit stories and strategies that improved resilience.   Guests: Merxe Tudela, Associate Managing Director, Credit Strategy & Research, Moody’s Ratings; Jessica Gladstone, Mana...

A barrage of executive orders and tariff actions are keeping markets on edge. We’ll dive into implications for a US economy that has outperformed expectations, the independence of government institutions and the Federal Reserve, and the outlook for already large fiscal deficits and debt.    Guests: Nathan Sheets, Global Chief Economist, Citi; Robert Sockin, Senior Global Economist, Citi   Host: Wi...

In this follow-up episode on the wildfires in southern California, we explore the consequences for the utilities sector of the City of Los Angeles. We'll dive into the immediate financial effects of disaster relief and lost revenue, as well as the risks from potential legal liabilities which could cost the city billions.   Guests : John Medina, Senior Vice President, Moody’s Ratings; Lori Treviño,...

The devastating ongoing wildfires in Los Angeles County are set to become the worst in California's history. In this episode, we discuss the effects on property owners, insurers and the state government, and what the damage could mean for the future of the insurance market in the state. Guests : Jasper Cooper, Vice President, Senior Credit Officer, Moody’s Ratings; Matt Butler, Vice President, Sen...

In this episode, we unpack the new Moody’s Ratings forecasts for the global economy and explain why there could be bright spots amid a myriad of risks. Join our analysts as they delve into topics like potential changes in US policy, the effects of stimulus on the Chinese economy, and whether Europe is headed for stagnation. Guests : Marie Diron, Global Head of Sovereign and Sub-Sovereign Risk at M...

Policymakers and key stakeholders will soon converge on Baku, Azerbaijan for the 29th United Nations Climate Change Conference to find ways of boosting spending on climate initiatives. Rahul Ghosh, Global Head of Sustainable Finance, and Marie Diron, Global Head of Sovereign and Sub-Sovereign Risk at Moody’s Ratings, discuss the challenges, potential solutions, and expectations. Speakers : Rahul G...

In this joint Big Picture-Emerging Markets Decoded episode, our regional analysts highlight the key US policy areas to watch in Europe, Asia-Pacific and Latin America -- and discuss which economies and sectors could be at risk if policies were to dramatically change. Guests : Sarah Carlson, Senior Vice President, Sovereign Risk Group, Moody's Ratings; Gong Cheng, Managing Director, Credit Strategy...