Moody’s Talks – The Big Picture – Details, episodes & analysis

China has rapidly become the largest producer of electric vehicles (EV) globally, with a nearly 40% increase in sales volume last year. In this episode, Colin Ellis talks with our analyst Gerwin Ho about the drivers behind this growth, how a drive to boost scale amid intense domestic competition has prompted them to look elsewhere and the difficulties they will encounter in boosting exports and setting up overseas production.

Speaker: Gerwin Ho, VP-Senior Credit Officer, Corporate Finance Group at Moody's Ratings

Host: Colin Ellis, MD-Global Credit Strategist at Moody's Ratings

Related Research:

• Auto and Auto Parts Manufacturers – China: Chinese EV makers will broaden expansion into emerging markets amid US, EU tariffs

With macroeconomic matters moderating, geopolitics has taken center stage with conflicts in the Middle East and elsewhere threatening the world order. In this episode, host Colin Ellis calls on NATO advisor and geopolitics expert Klaus Dodds to assess today’s political and environmental flash points. Dodds sees a “world full of wicked problems” and considers some pragmatic outcomes, including potential Ukrainian concessions to Russia.

Speaker: Klaus Dodds, Executive Dean and Professor of Geopolitics of the School of Life Sciences at Royal Holloway, University of London

Host:  Colin Ellis, MD-Global Credit Strategist at Moody's Ratings

It’s a long way to global net zero emissions but some industrial efforts are getting traction. Proof-of-concept has been established in steelmaking, where hydrogen can help replace coal, and in aviation, where some planes are taking to the skies on biofuel. In this episode, we discuss the early stages of this transformation and what it will take to keep it going.

Speaker: Rebecca Karnovitz, Vice President, Senior Credit Officer – ESG Group, Moody’s Ratings

Host: Sarah Carlson, Senior Vice President – Sovereign Risk Group, Moody’s Ratings 

Computers are not just on your desk. They're in your phones, your cars, your microwave. Even washing machines are now computers. And the demand for the computer chips that these products use is an increasing focus not just for investors but also for governments globally. In this episode, we discuss how this intervention is impacting the big players and where the market is headed with our lead analyst for Nvidia and Intel, Raj Joshi.

Speaker: Raj Joshi, Senior Vice President at Moody's Ratings

Host: Colin Ellis, MD-Global Credit Strategist at Moody's Ratings

The rate will likely decline to 3.6% by the end of 2024, from a 5% peak in January, as central banks begin lowering policy rates.

Speakers: Sharon Ou, VP-Sr Credit Officer/Mgr/CSR

Host: Colin Ellis, MD-Global Credit Strategist

Female labour participation rates have more than recovered losses sustained during the pandemic. The associated boost in economic activity and support to households is positive for a range of issuers.

Speakers: Dawn Holland, Director-Economic Research at Moody's Analytics; Ana Rayes, VP-Senior Analyst at Moody's Investors Service

Host: William Foster, Senior Vice President at Moody’s Investors Service

Around €300 billion of European spec-grade corporate debt needs refinancing by 2026, but uncertain market access, slower growth and higher interest rates increase risks for some lower rated entities. 

Speaker: Martin Hallmark, Senior Vice President-CFG at Moody's Investors Service

Host: Colin Ellis, MD-Global Credit Strategist at Moody’s Investors Service

Since 2020, there have been 20 sovereign defaults, surpassing the total in the entire previous decade. What factors led to this point, where are they concentrated and will they continue?

Speakers: William Foster, Senior Vice President at Moody’s Investors Service; David Rogovic, VP-Sr Credit Officer at Moody's Investors Service

Host: Sarah Carlson, Senior Vice President at Moody’s Investors Service

Strong policies, innovation and falling costs are set to propel green capital spending this year. However, a busy election calendar and slowing economic growth could temper that momentum.

Speaker: Rahul Ghosh, MD-Sustainable Finance at Moody's Investors Service

Host: Colin Ellis, MD-Global Credit Strategist at Moody’s Investors Service

A $4 billion fine for the cryptocurrency exchange Binance indicates greater regulatory focus that could bring more security and confidence to the crypto sector.

Speaker: Cristiano Ventricelli, VP-Senior Analyst/DFDA at Moody's Investors Service

Host: Colin Ellis, MD-Global Credit Strategist at Moody’s Investors Service