It’s time for the FT’s annual stockpicking contest, where the money is fake but the glory is real. The FT’s Alan Livsey joins Rob Armstrong and Aiden Reiter to discuss what bets they think will pay off in a potentially volatile year. Now more than ever, this is not investing advice.

Enter the contest at ft.com/stockpick2025.

For a free 30-day trial to the Unhedged newsletter go to: https://www.ft.com/unhedgedoffer.

You can email Robert Armstrong and Katie Martin at [email protected].

Read a transcript of this episode on FT.com

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DeepSeek’s announcement that it has built competitive AI using many fewer resources than big US rivals stunned the markets this week. Chipmakers and power companies plunged in value, and Sam Altman, boss of OpenAI, pronounced himself ‘legit’ invigorated. Today on the show, Katie Martin and Rob Armstrong try to figure out what China’s advances mean for US markets. Also, they organize a fight between their children. 

For a free 30-day trial to the Unhedged newsletter go to: https://www.ft.com/unhedgedoffer.

You can email Robert Armstrong and Katie Martin at [email protected].

Read a transcript of this episode on FT.com

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Donald Trump’s first week in office has produced a barrage of policies and power moves. But which of them will happen? Today on the show, Katie Martin, Rob Armstrong, and Aiden Reiter try to figure out which announcements are real, and which of those will move markets. Also they short the peso and go long the enjoyment of watching the president and Elon Musk in the weirdest buddy movie of all time. 

For a free 30-day trial to the Unhedged newsletter go to: https://www.ft.com/unhedgedoffer.

You can email Robert Armstrong and Katie Martin at [email protected].

Read a transcript of this episode on FT.com

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Each year the Financial Times hosts a stock-picking contest for its journalists and readers. Today on the show, Katie Martin and Rob Armstrong explain the logic behind their absolute bombs. And then to find out how it’s done, they speak with their colleague Kadhim Shubber, who won the contest last year. Also they go long Gail’s Bakery and short strategic ambiguity.  

For a free 30-day trial to the Unhedged newsletter go to: https://www.ft.com/unhedgedoffer.

You can email Robert Armstrong and Katie Martin at [email protected].

Read a transcript of this episode on FT.com

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Reports of the demise of US inflation have been greatly exaggerated. Today on the show, Rob Armstrong and Aiden Reiter discuss the continuing high numbers and what the Fed might do about it this year. Also they go long Ohio State and short New Year’s resolutions. 

For a free 30-day trial to the Unhedged newsletter go to: https://www.ft.com/unhedgedoffer.

You can email Robert Armstrong and Katie Martin at [email protected].

Read a transcript of this episode on FT.com

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

US bonds and UK gilts are tracking each other, and heading down. Today on the show, Rob Armstrong and Katie Martin try to figure out whether to blame chancellor Rachel Reeves, or the whole world. Also, Rob goes short pretentious editorials and Katie coins a new term, “Brovid”, to describe the mind virus causing a notable increase in edgelords. 

For a free 30-day trial to the Unhedged newsletter go to: https://www.ft.com/unhedgedoffer.

You can email Robert Armstrong and Katie Martin at [email protected].

Read a transcript of this episode on FT.com

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Corporate bankruptcies are on the rise. In recent months, Party City, Big Lots, Spirit Airlines, and other discount providers have declared bankruptcy. Today on the show, Rob Armstrong and Aiden Reiter try to figure out why, and what it means for the overall economy. Also they go long ceramics and long the Arctic. 

For a free 30-day trial to the Unhedged newsletter go to: https://www.ft.com/unhedgedoffer.

You can email Robert Armstrong and Katie Martin at [email protected].

Read a transcript of this episode on FT.com

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Tariffs. Tax cuts. Geopolitics. Artificial intelligence. Inflation. Mass deportations. Rate cuts or rises. The year ahead is filled with question marks. Meanwhile, markets are historically high. Today on the show, Katie Martin and Rob Armstrong try to figure out what could go right, wrong and straight down the middle. Also, they short air fryers and go long jewellery for men. 

For a free 30-day trial to the Unhedged newsletter go to: https://www.ft.com/unhedgedoffer.

You can email Robert Armstrong and Katie Martin at [email protected].

Read a transcript of this episode on FT.com

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Happy new year, Unhedged listeners! Today on the show, Rob Armstrong, Katie Martin and Aiden Reiter answer questions from the listeners on everything from the takeover of passive investing to favorite metrics. Also, we forgo long and short and announce our new year’s resolutions. 

For a free 30-day trial to the Unhedged newsletter go to: https://www.ft.com/unhedgedoffer.

You can email Robert Armstrong and Katie Martin at [email protected].

Read a transcript of this episode on FT.com

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The US government owns many billions of dollars worth of bitcoin, confiscated from bad actors such as the Silk Road marketplace. Donald Trump said on the campaign trail that he would not be selling it. Senator Cynthia Lummis has introduced a bill suggesting the government buy more and create a national strategic reserve of crypto currency. Today on the show, Katie Martin asks FT contributor Toby Nangle if any of this makes any sense at all. Also, we go long Christmas stuffing and long dinosaurs. 

For a free 30-day trial to the Unhedged newsletter go to: https://www.ft.com/unhedgedoffer.

You can email Robert Armstrong and Katie Martin at [email protected].

Read a transcript of this episode on FT.com

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.