The Decisive Podcast: Insights and analysis to empower confident decision-making.

As we approach 2025, we are reflecting on our key themes for 2024. In this episode, we're revisiting some key moments and insights from our previous episodes on the themes of supply chain resilience, resource security, and logistics rewired. This wraps up our 2024 in review series. Next week's episode will focus on our big themes for 2025. More S&P Global Market Intelligence Content: Supply chain...

As we approach 2025, we are reflecting on our key themes for 2024. In this episode, we're revisiting some key moments and insights from our previous episodes on the theme of economic fault lines. We reflect on how regional divergence in inflation rates and monetary policy is exposing economic fault lines around the globe.  More S&P Global Market Intelligence Content: Global economic outlook: Novem...

As we approach 2025, we are reflecting on our key themes for 2024. In this episode, we revisit key moments and insights from our previous episodes on geopolitical reordering. We focus on the significant elections that took place in 2024 and their implications for global dynamics. More S&P Global Market Intelligence Content: US presidential election impact: Region by region Country Risk Month Ahead...

In this episode, Peter Tirschwell, founder and chair of TPM, the world's largest container shipping conference, discusses the industry dynamics informing the agenda for the meeting.  Tirschwell, who is responsible for all content appearing in Journal of Commerce publications and events, highlights the evolving landscape of transportation logistics, key challenges facing the sector, and the anticip...

Join economists Paul Smith, Andrew Harker, and Maryam Baluch in this episode of The Decisive podcast as they delve into the latest trends in the global economy. They discuss the upcoming Flash PMI data releases for key countries, including the U.S., Eurozone, and India, and analyze the current performance of various sectors, particularly manufacturing and services. The panel also explores consumer...

In this episode, our global economist, Ken Wattret, leads a discussion with economists from S&P Global Market Intelligence about the economic landscape. They cover key themes, including moderating inflation, easing monetary policy, and the likelihood of a soft landing in the US.  They delve into the performance of major economies, with insights on the U.S. labor market, manufacturing sector weakne...

Explore the critical intersection of energy transition and supply chains. Our experts discuss how supply chains are essential for transporting vital resources like critical minerals while also managing their own emissions. Delve into the challenges of achieving supply chain resilience amid geopolitical tensions and evolving regulatory landscapes. Understand the importance of enhanced visibility in...

In this spirited episode of The Decisive podcast, host Kristen Hallam dives into the fascinating world of Halloween sales and their implications for supply chains and the US economy.  Experts from S&P Global Market Intelligence explore the current landscape of U.S. candy sales amid rising input costs and shifting consumer preferences. Gain insights into supply chain dynamics and the impact of rece...

In this episode of The Decisive podcast, host Kristen Hallam is joined by analysts Dijedon Imeri and Louise Alestam to explore the European Union's Corporate Sustainability Due Diligence Directive. Dijedon and Louise discuss the regulation's implications for businesses operating in Europe, including compliance requirements and potential penalties for noncompliance. The conversation delves into the...

As commodity prices undergo rapid corrections, the labor market is experiencing a slower recovery. While conditions are improving for employers, wage growth remains sluggish due to high interest rates and reduced hiring optimism. Regions like Europe and North America face persistent challenges, including an aging workforce and structural skill shortages. Despite some areas of stability, such as in...

In this episode of the Decisive podcast, host Kristen Hallam is joined by David Vagenknecht and Shuchita Shukla from S&P Global Market Intelligence to explore the constraints facing the European Union's industrial sector and the potential for an industrial upcycle. They discuss the aftermath of the pandemic and the Russia-Ukraine war, highlighting persistent supply-side bottlenecks, including labo...

In this episode of The Decisive Podcast, we dive into the upcoming G20 Summit, set to take place in November during a year filled with significant geopolitical shifts and key elections among member nations. Our experts discuss the G20's evolving role as a platform for mobilizing alliances and tackling critical global issues in our increasingly fragmented world. Brazil, as the summit's host, may le...

In this episode of The Decisive Podcast, host Kristen Hallam delves into the upcoming Inland Distribution Conference, featuring insights from industry experts Eric Johnson and Bill Cassidy. They discuss the conference's theme, "Striking a Balance," highlighting the current challenges faced by shippers, logistics providers, and carriers amid ongoing market volatility. The conversation covers key to...

In this episode of The Decisive Podcast, host Paul Smith is joined by senior economists Andrew Harker and Tim Moore to explore the latest trends in global trade and the impact of recent geopolitical events. They discuss the fragility of export order volumes and the significance of Purchasing Managers Indices (PMIs) as early indicators of economic health. The conversation also delves into the effec...

As the world's most populous country, India faces unique opportunities and challenges in maximizing its labor potential for economic growth. This episode covers key topics such as employment prospects post-elections, government initiatives for upskilling, and the critical role of female labor participation. Tune in for insightful analysis on how India can harness its workforce to become a global m...

Brush up on how U.S. monetary policy works as the September meeting of the Federal Open Market Committee approaches. Host Kristen Hallam explores the intricacies of U.S. monetary policy with senior economist Lawrence Nelson. They discuss the Federal Reserve's dual mandate of price stability and maximum employment, examining how policymakers adapt their strategies in response to evolving economic c...

Dive into the critical back-to-school shopping season, a key retail period for U.S. consumers and businesses. Our experts explore projected growth in back-to-school retail trends and sales, the implications for supply chains, and what it tells us about the broader economy.  With insights into consumer behavior and supply chain dynamics, this episode sheds light on how retailers are navigating infl...

In this episode of the Decisive Podcast, host Kristen Hallam sits down with Scott Hazelton , Consulting Director at S&P Global Market Intelligence, to explore the dynamic landscape of the home improvement market. As they gear up for the Home Improvement Insights Summit in Chicago, Scott shares valuable insights into the factors driving consumer behavior and spending in this sector. Listeners will...

Tea or coffee? Our experts tell the fascinating story of the trade in two beloved beverages: tea and coffee. Featuring insights from Anna Rybicka and Agnieszka Maciejewska , this episode explores the global trade, market trends, and the impact of weather on these commodities. Discover where people consume the most coffee per capita, which tea exporter barely drinks a drop of the crop, and the fore...

Recent economic data releases have sparked turmoil in financial markets around the globe. S&P Global Market Intelligence's interpretation of this recent data suggests that fears of an imminent US recession and related expectations of aggressive policy rate cuts are overdone. To be clear, our economists are not ruling out a US recession – that will remain a risk with financial conditions still rest...

What are the top ranked ports in the world? Turloch Mooney , head of the port intelligence and analytics business at S&P Global Market Intelligence, discusses the latest Container Port Performance Index (CPPI) and what the results mean for businesses.  Turloch defines port performance and how it is measured through various metrics such as offshore waiting time, berth productivity, throughput, and...

Jan Gerhard , Raj Badiani , and Chris Rogers from S&P Global Market Intelligence join host Kristen Hallam to discuss the new UK government and its implications on the economy, trade, industry, and EU relations. The experts explore the outcome of the election, the reasons behind it, and the potential impacts on various sectors. They delve into topics such as economic growth, budget responsibilities...

Bibianna Norek and Diego Iscaro discuss the French election and its potential impacts on policymaking and the economy. In the absence of an absolute majority for any political group and the resulting hung parliament, the experts explore scenarios for government formation. They also touch upon the potential influence on monetary policy and the impact on France's political stability.  The experts al...

Economists Paul Smith and Andrew Harker use data from our Purchasing Managers Index surveys to provide insights and analysis on the performance of the global economy at the midpoint of 2024 and the outlook for the coming months. They discuss the impact of factors such as investment in new technologies and inflation trends on economic growth. The economists also delve into reshoring and how supply...

"Chaos." That's how steel expert John Anton describes the market for the rest of this year in this episode of The Decisive Podcast. John is joined by Amanda Eglinton , lead analyst covering base metals and stainless/specialty steel markets at S&P Global Market Intelligence. Together they analyze the current trends and challenges in the metal market, discussing factors such as regional divergence,...