Making Sense

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300

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Aug 2026

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About the show

“Making Sense,” the podcast channel from J.P. Morgan’s Commercial & Investment Bank, brings you views and analysis from the Investment Banking, Markets and Research businesses. In each episode, experts discuss the latest market outlooks, trends and developments impacting our complex global economy. Subscribe now for insights that will help you navigate the world we live in.

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60 recent

September 1, 2026Episode 40922 min

Innovate to simplify: Structuring for modern markets

In this episode of J.P. Morgan’s Making Sense, Gurps Kharaud, head of Equities, Structuring and Financing Digital Markets, sits down with Rui Fernandes, head of Global Structuring, to unpack how structuring is evolving in today’s markets. They discuss what clients are asking for (more leverage, financing, protection and tailored exposures), as well as the need to keep solutions as implementable as possible — in other words, innovate to simplify. The conversation also explores how AI is starting to accelerate speed-to-market, improve customization and enhance long-dated post-trade servicing across complex structured transactions. This episode was recorded on August 13, 2026. This communication is provided for information purposes only. Please visit www.jpmorgan.com/disclosures for important disclosures. © 2026, JPMorganChase & Co. All rights reserved.

August 28, 2026Episode 40811 min

The capital required for critical supply chains

In this episode of J.P. Morgan’s Making Sense, Michael Johnson, Security and Resiliency Initiative lead for Energy and the U.S. Government, sits down with Ben Wilson, Co-head of North American Mergers & Acquisitions, and Andrew Castaldo, Co-head of Mid-Cap Mergers & Acquisitions, to weigh in on the future of global supply chains. Over the course of the conversation, they cover critical mineral supply chains, manufacturing bottlenecks, and the shift from just-in-time to just-in-case inventory. If you'd like to learn more, you can visit jpmorgan.com/sri. This episode was recorded on March 4, 2026. This material was prepared by certain personnel at the Investment Banking Group of JPMorgan Chase & Co. and its affiliates and subsidiaries worldwide, and not the firm's research department. It is for informational purposes only. It is not intended as an offer or solicitation for the purchase, sale, or tender of any financial instrument and does not constitute a commitment, undertaking offer, or solicitation by any JP Morgan Chase entity to extend or arrange credit or provide any other products or services to any person or entity. Copyright 2026, JPMorgan Chase & Co., all rights reserved.

August 25, 2026Episode 40715 min

Power surge: The US electricity derivatives boom, with ElectronX

In this episode of J.P. Morgan’s Making Sense, Bryan Long, Power Trading and Origination at J.P. Morgan, is joined by Sam Tegel, CEO of ElectronX, to explore why US power has become an increasingly attractive and tradable product for a growing wave of global market participants. Against a backdrop of surging data center demand, renewable penetration, and grid complexity, they discuss how short-term electricity derivatives are unlocking new risk management tools and drawing in liquidity from proprietary trading firms, crypto miners, and institutional investors worldwide. The conversation also covers the convergence of power and compute costs, and what deeper market liquidity means for private capital deployment in US energy infrastructure. This episode was recorded on May 19, 2026. The views expressed in this podcast may not necessarily reflect the views of JPMorgan Chase & Co, and its affiliates, together J.P. Morgan, and do not constitute research or recommendation advice or an offer or a solicitation to buy or sell any security or financial instrument. They are not issued by Research but are a solicitation under CFTC Rule 1.71. Referenced products and services in this podcast may not be suitable for you, and may not be available in all jurisdictions. J.P. Morgan may make markets and trade as principal in securities and other asset classes and financial products that may have been discussed. The FICC market structure publications, or to one, newsletters, mentioned in this podcast are available for J.P. Morgan clients. Please contact your J.P. Morgan sales representative should you wish to receive these. For additional disclaimers and regulatory disclosures, please visit www.jpmorgan.com/disclosures © 2026 JPMorgan Chase & Company. All rights reserved.

August 21, 2026Episode 4069 min

The new defense playbook: Partnerships, capital, capability

In this episode of J.P. Morgan’s Making Sense, Mark Marengo, head of Diversified Industries Investment Banking, sits down with Derek Chollet, head of the JPMorganChase Center for Geopolitics, to unpack what’s changing across defense and aerospace. They discuss where investment is flowing, how emerging technologies are reshaping capability and military readiness and why deeper public-private partnerships are becoming essential to move the sector forward in the U.S., Europe and beyond. This episode was recorded on March 4, 2026. This material was prepared by certain personnel at the Investment Banking Group of JPMorgan Chase & Co. and its affiliates and subsidiaries worldwide, and not the firm's research department. It is for informational purposes only. It is not intended as an offer or solicitation for the purchase, sale, or tender of any financial instrument and does not constitute a commitment, undertaking offer, or solicitation by any JP Morgan Chase entity to extend or arrange credit or provide any other products or services to any person or entity. Copyright 2026, JPMorgan Chase & Co., all rights reserved.

August 18, 2026Episode 40513 min

Global equities check-in: Europe strong, Asia rebuilding

Can international equities keep leading as the rally broadens? In this episode of Making Sense, Edwina Lowe from J.P. Morgan's Data Assets and Alpha Group sits down with Federico Manicardi, head of International Market Intelligence, and Jigar Vakharia from the Positioning Intelligence team to unpack the landscape. They look at what’s driving Europe’s strength, why APAC is moving from stabilization to accumulation and how investor positioning is evolving across regions. They also discuss the key themes in play — from AI and semiconductors to miners and banks — as well as what risks could disrupt the path ahead, including rates, geopolitics and the fragility of investor conviction. This episode was recorded on August 13, 2026. The podcast's views do not necessarily reflect those of J.P. Morgan Chase & Co or its affiliates (together “J.P. Morgan) and are not from J.P. Morgan’s Research Department. They do not constitute recommendations or offers to buy or sell securities. Intended for institutional and professional investors, not retail use, it is for informational purposes only. Products and services mentioned may not suit all investors or be available in all jurisdictions. J.P. Morgan may make markets and trade in discussed securities and asset classes. Visit www.jpmorgan.com/disclosures/salesandtradingdisclaimer for more disclaimers and regulatory disclosures. External speakers' opinions are personal and not J.P. Morgan's views. © 2026 JPMorgan Chase & Company. All rights reserved.

August 14, 2026Episode 40421 min

CPI, inflation & IMAX: Why “fun” still feels expensive

Inflation is cooling — at least on paper — so why does a night out still feel shockingly expensive? In this episode of J.P. Morgan’s Making Sense, U.S. rates strategist Harry Downie is joined by senior economist Mike Hanson and David Karnovsky, head of the U.S. Media, Entertainment and Advertising research team, to unpack the latest CPI report through the lens of “funflation” — rising costs tied to leisure and entertainment. They discuss what the CPI print says about the broader inflation trend, why prices can remain high even as inflation slows and why services inflation is still sticky. The conversation then shifts to premium entertainment, using IMAX and the current blockbuster hit The Odyssey to explore what’s driving leisure pricing trends today. This episode was recorded on August 12, 2026. This communication has been prepared based upon information from sources believed to be reliable, but J.P. Morgan does not warrant its completeness or accuracy except with respect to any disclosures relative to J.P. Morgan and/or its affiliates and an analyst's involvement with any company (or security, other financial product or other asset class) that may be the subject of this communication. Any opinions and estimates constitute our judgment as of the date of this material and are subject to change without notice. Past performance is not indicative of future results. This communication is not intended as an offer or solicitation for the purchase or sale of any financial instrument. J.P. Morgan Research does not provide individually tailored investment advice. Any opinions and recommendations herein do not take into account individual circumstances, objectives, or needs and are not intended as recommendations of particular securities, financial instruments or strategies. You must make your own independent decisions regarding any securities, financial instruments or strategies mentioned or related to the information herein. Periodic updates may be provided on companies, issuers or industries based on specific developments or announcements, market conditions or any other publicly available information. However, J.P. Morgan may be restricted from updating information contained in this communication for regulatory or other reasons. This communication may not be redistributed or retransmitted, in whole or in part, or in any form or manner, without the express written consent of J.P. Morgan. Any unauthorized use or disclosure is prohibited. Receipt and review of this information constitutes your agreement not to redistribute or retransmit the contents and information contained in this communication without first obtaining express permission from an authorized officer of J.P. Morgan. © 2026, JPMorganChase & Co. All rights reserved.

August 11, 2026Episode 40331 min

Inside Blackstone’s hedge fund investing platform

Hedge funds are back in focus as elevated stock-bond correlations challenge traditional portfolio construction. In this episode, Kumar Panja, EMEA head of Capital Advisory Group at J.P. Morgan, sits down with Joe Dowling, global head of Blackstone’s Multi-Asset Investing business (BXMA), and Riad Abrahams, head of Strategy, Risk and Quant Analytics in BXMA. Together, they discuss how Blackstone evaluates and partners with hedge fund managers, how they think about diversification versus “di-worsification” and why drawdown correlation matters as much as headline performance. They also explore the rise of managed accounts and seeding, the role of leverage and crowded positioning and how data and AI could reshape the next era of hedge fund edge. This episode was recorded on June 26, 2026. The podcast’s views do not necessarily reflect those of J.P. Morgan Chase & Co. or its affiliates (together “J.P. Morgan’) and are not from J.P. Morgan’s Research Department. They do not constitute recommendations or offers to buy or sell securities. Intended for institutional and professional investors, not retail use, it is for informational purposes only. Products and services mentioned may not suit all investors or be available in all jurisdictions. The information contained in this podcast shall not form the primary basis of any investment decision. It is the user’s responsibility to independently confirm the information and to obtain any other information deemed relevant to any investment decision. J.P. Morgan makes no representation or warranty (express or implied) regarding the fairness, accuracy, fitness for purpose, correctness or completeness of the statements, opinions, estimates, conclusions and other information contained in this podcast and J.P. Morgan accepts no responsibility whatsoever for any loss, direct or indirect, arising in connection therewith. J.P. Morgan may make markets and trade in discussed securities and asset classes. Visit www.jpmorgan.com/disclosures/salesandtradingdisclaimer for more disclaimers and regulatory disclosures. External speakers’ opinions are personal and not J.P. Morgan’s views. @2026 JPMorgan Chase & Company. All rights reserved.

August 7, 2026Episode 40210 min

July jobs report: How a big headline miss may be overstating weakness

What should we make of a weak payroll print alongside a lower unemployment rate? In this episode of Making Sense, Lauren Brice from the North America Rates Sales team sits down with Mike Feroli, Chief U.S. Economist at J.P. Morgan, to unpack the July jobs report and what it implies for U.S. growth momentum in 2026. They discuss why the headline miss may overstate weakness, what steady-but-low private hiring says about layoffs and labor market “dynamism” and how participation and wage growth are shifting the inflation outlook. The conversation also covers sector signals like leisure and hospitality, the latest read-through from JOLTS, where (if anywhere) AI is showing up in the hard data and what upcoming CPI reports could mean for the next Fed move. This episode was recorded on August 7, 2026. This communication has been prepared based upon information from sources believed to be reliable, but J.P. Morgan does not warrant its completeness or accuracy except with respect to any disclosures relative to J.P. Morgan and/or its affiliates and an analyst's involvement with any company (or security, other financial product or other asset class) that may be the subject of this communication. Any opinions and estimates constitute our judgment as of the date of this material and are subject to change without notice. Past performance is not indicative of future results. This communication is not intended as an offer or solicitation for the purchase or sale of any financial instrument. J.P. Morgan Research does not provide individually tailored investment advice. Any opinions and recommendations herein do not take into account individual circumstances, objectives, or needs and are not intended as recommendations of particular securities, financial instruments or strategies. You must make your own independent decisions regarding any securities, financial instruments or strategies mentioned or related to the information herein. Periodic updates may be provided on companies, issuers or industries based on specific developments or announcements, market conditions or any other publicly available information. However, J.P. Morgan may be restricted from updating information contained in this communication for regulatory or other reasons. This communication may not be redistributed or retransmitted, in whole or in part, or in any form or manner, without the express written consent of J.P. Morgan. Any unauthorized use or disclosure is prohibited. Receipt and review of this information constitutes your agreement not to redistribute or retransmit the contents and information contained in this communication without first obtaining express permission from an authorized officer of J.P. Morgan. © 2026, JPMorganChase & Co. All rights reserved.

August 4, 2026Episode 40119 min

Geopolitics vs. markets: How might the US, China and Iran reshape global risk?

Markets have remained notably risk-on in 2026, even as geopolitical fragmentation, energy chokepoints and intensifying U.S.-China competition continue to raise the stakes for investors and businesses. In this episode of J.P. Morgan’s Making Sense, Joyce Chang, chair of Global Research at J.P. Morgan, is joined by Paul Haenle, head of APAC Policy and Strategic Competitiveness at J.P. Morgan, and Karim Sadjadpour, senior fellow at the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace, to unpack how the Middle East conflict could continue to unfold — and what elevated geopolitical risk means for global markets. They discuss the strategic objectives and end states of the conflict, how ongoing disruptions in the Strait of Hormuz and Bab el-Mandeb could impact global oil and LNG flows, as well as how China weighs the risks of instability against the opportunities of U.S. distraction. The conversation also looks ahead to the September U.S.-China summit and explores how AI competition is reshaping the relationship between the world’s two largest economies. This episode was recorded on July 22, 2026. This communication is provided for information purposes only. Please visit www.jpmm.com/research/disclosures for important disclosures. JPMorgan Chase & Co. or its affiliates and/or subsidiaries (collectively, J.P. Morgan) normally make a market and trade as principal in securities, other financial products and other asset classes that may be discussed in this communication. This communication has been prepared based upon information from sources believed to be reliable, but J.P. Morgan does not warrant its completeness or accuracy except with respect to any disclosures relative to J.P. Morgan and/or its affiliates and an analyst's involvement with any company (or security, other financial product or other asset class) that may be the subject of this communication. Any opinions and estimates constitute our judgment as of the date of this material and are subject to change without notice. Past performance is not indicative of future results. This communication is not intended as an offer or solicitation for the purchase or sale of any financial instrument. J.P. Morgan Research does not provide individually tailored investment advice. Any opinions and recommendations herein do not take into account individual circumstances, objectives, or needs and are not intended as recommendations of particular securities, financial instruments or strategies. You must make your own independent decisions regarding any securities, financial instruments or strategies mentioned or related to the information herein. Periodic updates may be provided on companies, issuers or industries based on specific developments or announcements, market conditions or any other publicly available information. However, J.P. Morgan may be restricted from updating information contained in this communication for regulatory or other reasons. This communication may not be redistributed or retransmitted, in whole or in part, or in any form or manner, without the express written consent of J.P. Morgan. Any unauthorized use or disclosure is prohibited. Receipt and review of this information constitutes your agreement not to redistribute or retransmit the contents and information contained in this communication without first obtaining express permission from an authorized officer of J.P. Morgan. © 2026, JPMorganChase & Co. All rights reserved.

July 30, 2026Episode 40022 min

Deals and discipline: What’s driving markets at mid-year?

Markets have powered through a volatile first half of 2026, despite geopolitical shocks, commodity swings, a more complex rates backdrop and increased scrutiny on the returns to AI and other growth investments. In this episode of J.P. Morgan’s Making Sense, Evan Junek, global head of Corporate Finance Advisory, and Charlie Bouckaert, global head of Advisory and M&A, discuss the factors underpinning this resilience. They explore why M&A volumes have hit record highs, why corporates are leaning in with speed and scale, as well as how boards are thinking about strategic readiness in a still-receptive capital markets environment. They also dive into the shift from sponsor-led to strategic-led deal dynamics, what cross-border activity signals about geographic growth divergence and how policy uncertainty and antitrust perceptions are shaping timelines. This episode was recorded on July 21, 2026. This material was prepared by certain personnel of the investment banking group of JPMorgan Chase & Co. and its affiliates and subsidiaries worldwide and not the firm’s research department. It is for informational purposes only, is not intended as an offer or solicitation for the purchase, sale or tender of any financial instrument and does not constitute a commitment, undertaking, offer or solicitation by any JPMorgan Chase entity to extend or arrange credit or provide any other products or services to any person or entity. © 2026 JPMorgan Chase & Company. All rights reserved.