

Moody’s Talks – The Big Picture
Sarah Carlson, William Foster, Colin Ellis
On Moody’s Talks – The Big Picture, hosts Sarah Carlson, William Foster and Colin Ellis bring you insights from Moody’s analysts around the world on hot topics across fixed-income markets. Each episode will illuminate Moody’s thinking on the latest credit and economic developments, ranging from the continued impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, to technological disruption, political shifts and climate change. Please join us as we explore what’s on the horizon for the global credit landscape.
Episodes
Mentioned books

Oct 2, 2025 • 15min
How AI, New Tech Will Change Geopolitics
As artificial intelligence reshapes workplaces and business strategies, firms increasingly depend on AI providers, making AI a tool of geopolitical influence. We'll discuss the impact across industries, as digital currencies affect monetary control and cyber threats challenge operational resilience. Host: William Foster, Senior Vice President, Sovereign Risk Group, Moody's Ratings Guests: Vincent Gusdorf, Associate Managing Director, Digital Finance and AI Analytics, Moody’s Ratings; Leroy Terrelonge, Vice President-Analyst, Cyber Credit Risk, Moody’s Ratings Related research:Artificial Intelligence – Global – Nations push for AI sovereignty to capture economic, geopolitical gains 30 September 2025 Sovereigns - Global – Digital currency growth, inconsistent regulation amplify countries' financial risks 25 September 2025Artificial Intelligence – Corporates – Pace of AI advances, regional disparities will steer credit trends across industries 23 September 2025 Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Sep 18, 2025 • 16min
How Africa Is Financing Its Future
Sub-Saharan Africa needs a lot of investment to support its development, but high funding costs are a constraint. We’ll explore the drivers of these costs and steps three of the region’s largest economies – South Africa, Nigeria and Kenya – are taking to reduce their cost of capital. Host: Colin Ellis, Head of Centre for Credit Research, Moody’s Ratings Guests: Christian Fang, Vice President - Senior Analyst, Moody’s Ratings; Mik Kabeya, Vice President - Senior Credit Officer, Moody’s Ratings Related research: Credit Conditions – South Africa, Kenya and Nigeria – Policy, market constraints keep borrowing costs high 15 Sept 2025 Sovereigns – Sub-Saharan Africa – Outlook stable as solid growth, fiscal consolidation mitigate financing constraints 16 Sept 2025Banks – Africa – Evolving fundraising sources and high yields will help banks navigate cost of foreign currency 17 Sept 2025Sovereigns – Sub-Saharan Africa – Low revenue and domestic savings underlie high debt cost in Sub-Saharan Africa 02 May 2025 Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Aug 6, 2025 • 14min
APAC Data Center Boom Faces Risks
Fueled by AI, cloud migration, streaming and gaming, Asia-Pacific's data center capacity will more than double by 2030. Moody’s analysts unpack regional trends, financing strategies, and how utilities are adapting to this power-hungry transformation. Host: Sarah Carlson - Senior Vice President, Moody’s Ratings Guests: Nidhi Dhruv - Vice President, Senior Credit Officer, Moody’s Ratings; Abhishek Tyagi - Vice President, Senior Credit Officer, Moody’s Ratings Related research:Infographic - Asia-Pacific data center capacity will more than double by 2030 on AI surge 30 July 2025Data Centers – Asia-Pacific — APAC data center growth to spark power demand, with divergent impact on utilities 31 July 2025Data Centers – China — AI and geopolitics deepen China's domestic data center buildout 04 Aug 2025 Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Jun 11, 2025 • 14min
The Private Credit Surge: What’s Next?
What started as a niche alternative could become a nearly $3 trillion juggernaut by 2028. In this conversation, we explore where the money is coming from, how borrowers and lenders are coping with tough conditions, and what lies ahead for the asset class—including possible new regulations. Host: Colin Ellis, Head of Centre for Credit Research, Moody’s RatingsGuest: Christina Padgett, Associate Managing Director, Corporate Finance Group, Moody’s RatingsRelated Research:• Private Credit – Cross Region – Private market retail to fuel opportunity but intensify liquidity, asset quality risks 10 June 2025• Private Credit Insights – Global – Private credit, a refuge in turbulent times, set to take share again 17 April 2025• Private Credit – Global – 2025 Outlook – Primed for growth as LBOs revive, ABF opportunities accelerate 21 Jan 2025 Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Jun 4, 2025 • 14min
What’s Driving India’s Growth and Resilience
In this episode, our analysts explain exposure to trade uncertainty for debt issuers across emerging markets -- and why many in India are more insulated than their peers. Host: William Foster, Senior Vice President, Sovereign Risk Group, Moody's Ratings Guests: Nicky Dang, Senior Vice President, Credit Strategy & Guidance, Moody’s Ratings; Kaustubh Chaubal (KC), Senior Vice President, Corporate Finance Group, Moody’s Ratings Related research:Emerging Markets - India: Internal growth drivers anchor the economy amid US policy shifts and global uncertainty, 21 May 2025 Tariffs -- Emerging Markets: Exporters are most directly exposed, but most debt issuers face indirect effects, 20 May 2025 Tariffs – Global: Tariffs and trade turmoil: how we gauge the credit consequences, 14 April 2025 Tariffs -- Global: US-China trade negotiations ease risks for global growth, 15 May 2025 Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Apr 2, 2025 • 14min
Possible ‘Mar-a-Lago accord’ and Shifting US Trade Policies
Economists and investors are speculating about potential changes to US financial and exchange rate policies from a ‘Mar-a-Lago accord’, a set of ideas which include weakening the dollar to boost US manufacturing. We'll dive into what it is and the potential impact on the global financial system. Host: William Foster, Senior Vice President, Sovereign Risk Group, Moody's Ratings Guests: Mark Sobel, US chairman, Official Monetary and Financial Institutions Forum (OMFIF); Steven Kamin, Senior Fellow, American Enterprise Institute (AEI) Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Mar 12, 2025 • 16min
How COVID-19 Changed the Outlook for Corporate Credit
Five years ago, the World Health Organization declared COVID-19 a pandemic. In this episode, we delve into the performance of corporate credit quality since then, including the sectors that thrived or struggled, the hidden credit stories and strategies that improved resilience. Guests: Merxe Tudela, Associate Managing Director, Credit Strategy & Research, Moody’s Ratings; Jessica Gladstone, Managing Director, Credit Strategy and Guidance, Moody’s Ratings Host: Sarah Carlson, Senior Vice President, Sovereign Risk Group, Moody's Ratings Related Research:Diverging fortunes: Credit recovery and lasting scars post-COVID Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Mar 6, 2025 • 22min
Tariff Uncertainty and the Risks Ahead for the US Economy
A barrage of executive orders and tariff actions are keeping markets on edge. We’ll dive into implications for a US economy that has outperformed expectations, the independence of government institutions and the Federal Reserve, and the outlook for already large fiscal deficits and debt. Guests: Nathan Sheets, Global Chief Economist, Citi; Robert Sockin, Senior Global Economist, Citi Host: William Foster, Senior Vice President, Sovereign Risk Group, Moody's Ratings Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Jan 29, 2025 • 17min
California Wildfires: The Challenges Facing LA’s Utilities
In this follow-up episode on the wildfires in southern California, we explore the consequences for the utilities sector of the City of Los Angeles. We'll dive into the immediate financial effects of disaster relief and lost revenue, as well as the risks from potential legal liabilities which could cost the city billions. Guests: John Medina, Senior Vice President, Moody’s Ratings; Lori Treviño, Assistant Vice President, Moody’s Ratings Host: Colin Ellis, Head of Centre for Credit Research, Moody’s Ratings Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Jan 22, 2025 • 15min
How California’s Wildfires Will Reshape Insurance
The devastating ongoing wildfires in Los Angeles County are set to become the worst in California's history. In this episode, we discuss the effects on property owners, insurers and the state government, and what the damage could mean for the future of the insurance market in the state.Guests: Jasper Cooper, Vice President, Senior Credit Officer, Moody’s Ratings; Matt Butler, Vice President, Senior Credit Officer, Moody’s Ratings Host: Colin Ellis, Head of Centre for Credit Research, Moody’s Ratings Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.