Fixed Interests

Rachel Willis Gutierrez and Duncan Innes-Ker discuss how El Niño acts as a risk amplifier for weaker sovereigns, intensifying pressures on growth, inflation, public finances, and trade. Listen now to this episode.

Sabin Saveluc and Redmond Ramsdale explore the resilience of GCC banks amid the US-Iran conflict and ceasefire, discussing sector outlook, rating actions, asset quality, funding, liquidity, and sovereign support packages shaping the Middle East banking sector.

Fitch's Cynthia Chan & Christian Scarafia reveal why bank forecasts refuse to crack, from higher-for-longer rates to leaner operations. And the surprise standouts? Italy and Switzerland are pulling ahead. Listen now.

In the second part of their conversation, host Aymeric Poizot and Fitch Chief Economist Brian Coulton turn to the market fallout from the latest FOMC meeting and what the Fed's reset means over the longer term.

They unpack the bear-flattening of the Treasury curve, the role of falling oil prices and stretched equity valuations, and how a smaller Fed balance sheet, rising supply, and a higher term premium could keep yields elevated. The discussion closes with the credit implications of a "higher for longer” environment from leveraged borrowers and government debt to the pressures facing the housing market.

Aymeric Poizot, Global Head of Investor Development at Fitch Ratings, is joined by Chief Economist Brian Coulton to examine what Kevin Warsh's arrival as Fed Chair means for monetary policy and markets.

They explore Warsh's more hawkish tone, his focus on Fed communications and balance sheet reduction, and his push to restore credibility on inflation. The conversation also breaks down the latest rate decision and what falling oil prices and persistent inflation could mean for the odds of a hike later this year and the impact on Treasury yields and credit markets.

Ed Parker and Charles Seville outline Fitch’s updated Global Economic Outlook, covering how the impact of the US‑Iran war and resulting oil shock are driving growth and inflation forecast revisions, along with the impact of ongoing AI investment.

The ongoing US-Iran conflict has created a complex and mixed picture for Canada, a major oil exporter navigating both the benefits and costs of elevated energy prices. In this episode of Fixed Interests, Joshua Grundleger and Mark Sadeghian discuss Fitch's updated oil price forecasts and what the shock means for Canada's sovereign credit profile, energy sector, and provincial finances. The conversation examines diverging outcomes across the country, from Alberta's fiscal windfall to the headwinds facing Ontario and Quebec, and considers whether the Carney government's infrastructure and regulatory reforms could meaningfully shift Canada's long-term energy growth trajectory.

Hungary’s April elections delivered a decisive victory for the opposition Tisza party, reshaping the country’s political landscape and outlook for policy reform. In this episode of Fixed Interests, Erich Arispe Morales, Head of Eastern Europe Sovereigns, speaks with Malgorzata Krzywicka, Hungary’s primary analyst, about the election outcome and its implications for the country’s sovereign credit profile. The discussion places Hungary within the context of broader Central and Eastern Europe election cycles, examining how political change has influenced fiscal policy, EU relations, growth prospects, and rating trajectories across the region.

Related resources:

Caucasus Sovereigns Face Policy Challenges due to Effects of Iran War
Hungary’s New Government Faces Macroeconomic, Fiscal Challenges

AI‑driven investment in data centers, compute capacity, and supporting infrastructure continues apace, raising important questions about future monetization and credit sustainability. In this episode of Fixed Interests, Justin Patrie, Head of Credit Commentary and Research, is joined by Alen Lin, Senior Director in Corporate Ratings, and Alex Bumazhny, Group Credit Officer, to examine recent developments around AI’s credit implications. The episode looks at whether current data center and compute capex is supported by future revenue potential, how value and cash flows may evolve across the AI value chain, and where overinvestment and disruption risks may emerge

Related resources: AI-Related Risks Rising for Software, Media, and Services Corporates

AI Revenue Potential Could Support Current Investment Scale

US Public Power Planning Key to Absorbing Data Center Load Growth

Richard Hunter and Duncan Innes-Ker discuss how the Middle East crisis is affecting sovereign ratings and the macro-outlook. Impacts are contained so far, and much geopolitical risk is already built into ratings and headroom.

Related Resources:

• Fitch Insights: Credit Implications of the Iran War
• World Growth to Continue at Steady Pace if Oil Price Shock Short-Lived
• Egyptian Banks Are Well Positioned to Withstand Iran Conflict Effects
• High Oil Prices Support PDP ABS Collateral Value; Hedges Limit Upside