Robert Armstrong

Robert Armstrong, a U.S. financial commentator for the Financial Times, joins to dissect the implications of the recently passed GOP tax bill. He argues that the economy is playing a risky game with national debt, emphasizing a 'greed mode' in the markets. The conversation delves into the complexities of job growth, highlighting discrepancies in employment data. Armstrong also addresses the rising 'inheritocracy' and advocates for targeted wealth taxes to ensure a more equitable economic future. The discussion is both insightful and provocative!

In this engaging discussion, Robert Armstrong, a savvy financial commentator for the Financial Times, sheds light on the intriguing 'TACO trade' concept he coined. He explains how investor strategies shift in response to political tariff announcements and evaluates the cultural moment of this quirky term. The conversation also dives into the potential ripple effects of recent tariffs on consumer goods and critiques impulsive economic decisions made by leaders. Armstrong juxtaposes market psychology with pressing economic policies, ensuring listeners walk away with fresh insights.

Researchers at the University of Chicago took a fairly standard large language model of AI and fed it a bunch of balance sheets and income statements and asked it to make predictions about earnings. In backtests, AI beat human calls by a small margin, and outperformed the market generally. Have fund managers been dealt yet another kill shot? Katie Martin and Robert Armstrong discuss, and go long shareholder commitments, and the musical genius of Yuja Wang.For a free 30-day trial to the Unhedged newsletter go to: https://www.ft.com/unhedgedofferYou can email Robert Armstrong at robert.armstrong@ft.com and Katie Martin at katie.martin@ft.com. Read a transcript of this episode on FT.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Men's fashion experts Robert Armstrong and Eric Platt discuss the rise of skimpier and more queer styles in menswear, exploring the influence of social media, changing gender norms, and increasing comfort in self-expression through fashion. They also touch on the societal pressure for men to enhance their appearance, the impact of body ideals, and the evolving standards men face in society.

Jay Powell, the Chair of the Federal Reserve, discusses his efforts to manage inflation without derailing the economy, joined by Robert Armstrong, a US financial commentator from the Financial Times. They delve into whether Powell's strategies are the result of skill or serendipity. The conversation also touches on comparisons with past central banking legends like Paul Volcker, and the challenges of navigating today's economic uncertainty while balancing inflation and employment. Ultimately, they ponder how history will evaluate Powell's leadership.