Here's Why – Details, episodes & analysis

Two and a half years after Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine began, Europe's energy woes still aren't resolved. Current prices are much lower than the all-time high of €300 per megawatt-hour in 2022 but are still double what they were before Putin's invasion. Our senior energy reporter Stephen Stapczynski joins to explain why there are concerns about supplies of gas in the coming months, even though the continent has filled stockpiles to 90 per cent capacity.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Central bankers are like celebrities in the finance world: every word they say gets closely scrutinised. Did their comments always elicit such interest, and do they ever tell us anything they shouldn't? Bloomberg Opinion columnist and avid central bank watcher, Daniel Moss, joins Stephen Carroll to discuss. 

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

 Donald Trump picked Jerome Powell to lead the Federal Reserve, but their relationship soured soon afterwards, with the former President frequently criticising the Fed Chair. Ahead of November's election, some informal Trump advisers have floated ideas about possible changes to the Fed that would give him more power over the central bank. Our Federal Reserve reporter Amara Omeokwe tells Stephen Carroll what a re-elected Trump could and couldn't do to influence monetary policy.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

French bonds have continued to tumble as Marine Le Pen’s far right National Rally party leads polls ahead legislative elections later this month. The moves come after Finance Minister Bruno Le Maire warned that France would be plunged into a debt crisis similar to one sparked in the UK two years ago if far-right leader Marine Le Pen were to win and implement her economic program. But is he right? Our Managing Editor for FX and Rates, Rachel Evans joins Caroline Hepker to discuss if the warning is more than just political positioning.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Three sets of recent elections have made waves on the markets. In South Africa, India and Mexico - we saw stocks sell off and currencies weaken as the results rolled in - even if they weren't a total surprise. Is there a common theme behind the market moves? Bloomberg's Markets Live Executive Editor Mark Cudmore joins Stephen Carroll to explain.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The European Central Bank is set to cut interest rates for the first time since 2016, but Federal Reserve policymakers are still saying rates may need to stay higher for longer. Central bank divergence has caused market volatility in the past, but how big a deal is it this time? Bloomberg Opinion columnist Daniel Moss joins Stephen Carroll to explain.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The US has dodged a recession and inflation is on track to normalise, so why don't people feel happier? Judging only by economic data, Joe Biden should be a shoo-in at November's election. But the polls don't seem to reflect that. Bloomberg's senior editor Wendy Benjaminson joins us from Washington to help explain. 

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

There was a time in the not-too-distant past where more free trade was widely considered to be a good thing. Donald Trump, as US President, had a major hand in reviving the use of tools like trade tariffs, but they've continued to be used under Joe Biden too. Bloomberg's Trade Tsar Brendan Murray joins Stephen Carroll to discuss the past, present and future of this key instrument of international trade. 

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

China's President Xi Jinping came to Europe with promises of investment and greater cooperation, but also an eye on rising trade tensions with the EU. What was Xi's goal on this trip? In this episode of Here's Why, we examine why China needs Europe right now with our Asia Government and Politics Correspondent Rebecca Choong Wilkins. Hosted by Stephen Carroll, produced by Christopher Pitt and James Woolcock. 

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On the first ever episode of Here's Why, host Stephen Carroll speaks to Bloomberg Opinion Columnist Daniel Moss about the recent dramatic moves in the Yen and why there could be more to come.

You can read Daniel Moss's full opinion piece on the Bloomberg website here: https://www.bloomberg.com/opinion/articles/2024-04-30/japan-should-leave-the-yen-bazooka-at-home?srnd=undefined

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.