In this episode, Ben and Sam discuss the tumultuous impact of Donald Trump's unpredictable policy decisions on the market. From capping credit card interest rates to imposing new tariffs on European countries, Trump's actions have sparked uncertainty.

Sam Hannon and Ben Kumar delve into the latest financial and geopolitical developments, noting the FTSE 100's landmark achievement and Venezuela's continuing saga. Despite a calm weekend politically, the podcast outlines how Venezuela's President's arrest has left oil markets steady amid the upheaval. The FTSE 100 offers investors stable opportunities, thanks to its diverse companies in key growth sectors like defense and energy.

In this episode, Ben Kumar and Sam Hannon delve into the unexpected developments impacting the markets at the start of 2026. The focus shifts to Donald Trump's recent moves in Venezuela, which could revitalise U.S. oil companies with stakes in the region. Despite the oil price remaining stable, American firms with Venezuelan infrastructure are poised for potential gains.

Ben and Ahmer reflect on the current market conditions, emphasising the Bank of England's recent rate cut and its minimal market impact. They anticipate further cuts in a controlled monetary environment, suggesting a similar trend as observed in 2025.

Ben and Ahmer delve into the recent monetary policy updates, highlighting Jerome Powell's final meeting with the Federal Reserve and the subsequent transition to Scott Bessent as the new Chair. This change is anticipated to keep the economic tides steady despite noise surrounding potential interest rate cuts and tech stock volatility seen with Oracle's performance. In a year marked by strategic central bank actions and market resilience, investors can look forward to a potentially rewarding closure of 2025 if trends hold steady.

This episode of '7 Minutes on Markets' discussed the recent quiet period in financial markets, attributing the lull to factors such as post-Thanksgiving slowdowns and a lack of significant data releases. Hosts Sam and Ben noted the market's broad sideways movement amid holiday shutdowns and explored the anticipation surrounding upcoming central bank meetings. The episode concluded with a look ahead, highlighting interest in companies like Oracle and Lululemon.

In this podcast episode, Ben and Ahmer analyse the recent UK Budget and its surprisingly muted impact on bond markets. Despite a history of volatility, the bond market remained stable, reflecting effective risk management. Equity markets mirrored this calm, remaining flat, with the tech sector experiencing mixed results. Looking ahead to December, key central bank meetings could bring interest rate cuts, particularly from the Bank of England. As 2026 approaches, experts predict economic steadiness, potentially resulting in a favourable year, barring any unforeseen negative events.

In this episode of 'Seven Minutes on Markets,' hosts Ben Kumar and Sam Hannon discuss the financial results of Nvidia, a key player in the AI industry. Despite strong earnings, market uncertainty persists about the sustainability of the AI boom. Meanwhile, Black Friday approaches, serving as a critical indicator of consumer health, particularly in the US, where delayed government data due to past shutdowns is only now feeding into news. The conversation shifts to the potential effects of the UK Budget and the significance of Black Friday as a quick source of retail insights, in light of broader economic challenges.

In this episode, Ben and Shanti discuss the recent end of the US government shutdown and its implications on the markets. They explore how data uncertainties have led to market jitters, with the Federal Reserve signaling possible hesitation on policy changes. The uncertainty around upcoming economic data has paused investor activity, causing a dip in tech stocks. The upcoming Nvidia earnings report is a key focus, anticipated to confirm high demand. In the UK, retail sales trends and speculative budget changes are being watched closely, with concerns over the impact of potential small taxes affecting economic behavior.

In this podcast episode, Ben Kumar and Sam Hannon delve into the current market dynamics amidst AI investments and a prolonged US government shutdown. They discuss investors' concerns over the viability of hefty AI spending by tech giants like Google and Meta, which have started to borrow through corporate bonds.