Making Sense

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300

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Oct 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

November 1, 2026Episode 4229 min

Closing the defense production gap

Modern warfare has exposed a costly gap between what militaries need and what the industrial base can deliver. General Chris Cavoli (Ret.), former Supreme Allied Commander Europe, and Mark Marengo, head of diversified industries investment banking at J.P. Morgan, discuss why closing that gap will take new ways of solving problems and closer partnership between capital, industry and government. This episode was recorded on October 2, 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.

October 29, 2026Episode 42114 min

Sponsors, spreads and stress testing: Navigating 2026’s rate reset

In volatile markets, trade-offs sharpen: pay for certainty now, or preserve flexibility for later. In this episode of Making Sense, Ben Berkey from the corporate derivatives franchise talks with Brian Tramontozzi, head of North American Leveraged Finance Capital Markets, and Kim Hernas, global head of Sponsor Private Side Sales, to discuss how leveraged finance and private markets are weighing these trade-offs in a higher-for-longer rate environment. They discuss how higher base yields are affecting leveraged loan and high-yield markets, and what spread behavior across rating tiers may be signaling. They also explore the evolving sponsor toolkit — back leverage and beyond — and how sponsors are reassessing holding periods, liquidity needs and risk management. This episode was recorded on October 13, 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.

October 26, 2026Episode 41919 min

The evolution of hedge fund performance: From enhancer to diversifier

How is the role of hedge funds evolving? In this episode of Making Sense, John Schlegel, head of the Global Data Assets and Alpha Group for Prime Financial Services, sits down with Kumar Panja, head of the Capital Advisory Group for EMEA, to unpack what they’re seeing across hedge funds in 2026. From regional outperformance to the strategies attracting fresh capital, they explore how institutional allocators increasingly frame hedge funds as portfolio diversifiers, not simply return enhancers. They look at the debate around leverage and crowding, as well as the growing trend toward “investor innovation” using portfolio leverage and custom baskets to manage exposures. They also touch on how current macro dynamics relate to hedge fund positioning. This episode was recorded on October 1, 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.

October 20, 2026Episode 41812 min

One Year In: Advancing Economic Security and Resiliency

One year of advancing economic security and resiliency. And we're just getting started. As the Security and Resiliency Initiative marks its first anniversary, Doug Petno, co-president of JPMorganChase and CEO of the Commercial & Investment Bank, and Jay Horine, global head of the Security and Resiliency Initiative, reflect on the progress made and priorities ahead. This conversation kicks off a new video series featuring business and industry leaders from across the initiative, sharing their perspectives on the challenges, opportunities and investments shaping a more resilient future. Learn More: https://www.jpmorgan.com/insights/security-and-resiliency-initiative/investments-into-us-economic-security This episode was recorded on October 6, 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.

October 13, 2026Episode 41721 min

Blackstone on hedge funds: Why multi-strats are back

Multi-strategy hedge funds are drawing fresh attention as investors reassess traditional 60/40 portfolios amid higher stock–bond correlations. In this second conversation with Blackstone, Kumar Panja, EMEA head of Capital Advisory Group at J.P. Morgan, sits down with Joe Dowling, global head of Blackstone Multi‑Asset Investing business (BXMA), and Riad Abrahams head of Strategy, Risk and Quant Analytics in BXMA, to unpack what’s driving multi‑strat growth—and how allocators are using these strategies as a potential fixed income substitute. They discuss how leading multi‑strat platforms are built (talent, technology and risk management), the trade‑offs investors debate most, and where innovation is heading, from external SMAs to expanding opportunity sets and the increasing role of data and AI. 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.

October 2, 2026Episode 4169 min

September jobs report: "When the risks are two-sided, you're in good position"

Payrolls came in lower than expected in the September jobs report, but topline numbers may not tell the whole story. In this episode of Making Sense, Alexa Hanelin of the Rates team sits down with Michael Feroli, J.P. Morgan's chief U.S. economist, to give a read on the print, unearth what's behind the softness and find where the data may be more encouraging than expected. They also discuss how this report might affect the path of Fed rate cuts, digest recent commentary from FOMC officials and offer a view to what might affect the forecast for one more rate hike with inflation seeming to cool and midterms on the horizon. This episode was recorded on October 2, 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.

September 22, 2026Episode 41519 min

Why tokenization is gaining momentum

Tokenization and digital assets are moving from experimentation to real-world implementation, from hype to measurable outcomes. In this episode of Making Sense, Hannah Elson, global head of Custody and EMEA head of Securities Services, sits down with Oli Harris, global head of Kinexys by J.P. Morgan, to discuss what’s changed over the last 18 months: clearer regulation, growing institutional adoption and the rise of credible “on-chain money” that enables true delivery-versus-payment settlement. They explore where clients are investing first, including 24/7 cross-border payments, liquidity and collateral efficiency and tokenized money market funds, as well as the hurdles still to solve, such as interoperability, privacy and governance and user experience. If you’d like to learn more about Kinexys by J.P. Morgan, visit Kinexys: Enterprise Bank-Led Blockchain Solutions . This episode was recorded on September 1, 2026. This podcast is intended for institutional clients only. The views expressed in this podcast may not necessarily reflect the views of J.P. Morgan 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. 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. For additional disclaimers and regulatory disclosures, please visit www.jpmorgan.com/disclosures . © 2026 JPMorgan Chase & Company. All rights reserved.

September 17, 2026Episode 4148 min

The Fed hikes rates. What happens now?

For the first time in three years, the overnight federal funds rate is going up, as the Federal Open Market Committee (FOMC) voted to raise rates at its September meeting. In this episode of Making Sense, Samantha Azzarello, head of Content Strategy for Global Research, sits down with Michael Feroli, chief U.S. economist at J.P. Morgan, to discuss what went into the FOMC's decision, what to make of chair Kevin Warsh's press conference and how the unanimous Committee vote affects concerns over Fed independence. They also discuss whether rates might be considered restrictive, whether we're at the start of a hiking cycle and what to watch from here. This episode was recorded on September 17, 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.

September 16, 2026Episode 41319 min

Navigating credit markets in 2026: “Don’t let the macro narrative overwhelm the micro”

As Treasury yields stay elevated and spreads remain historically tight, rates appear to be bleeding directly into credit — and investors are increasingly viewing credit through a rates lens. In this episode of Making Sense, Brian LaRocca, head of Vida Portfolio Solutions, Americas, joins Benjamin Kinney, global head of Credit and Public Finance Sales, to discuss what a "ratesified" market structure means for price discovery, electronification and portfolio trading. They also explore how policy uncertainty may be better expressed in FX than duration, why AI/data-center financing is still in the early innings (and what that means for clearing prices and volatility) and how private credit is evolving after “SaaSPocalypse.” To learn more about J.P. Morgan's Vida Portfolio Solutions: https://jpmm.com/portfolio-solutions This episode was recorded on September 4, 2026. This communication is provided for information purposes only. Please visit www.jpmorgan.com/disclosures for important disclosures. © 2026, JPMorganChase & Co. All rights reserved.

September 11, 2026Episode 41224 min

The future of treasury: From back office to strategic forefront

Treasury is no longer a back-office function. As businesses navigate increasing complexity, it has become a strategic driver of resilience, decision-making and growth. In this episode, Roxana Montazerian, EMEA Head of Broker Dealer and Specialty Finance Sales and Sara Castelhano, Head of UK, Europe & Canada Treasury Services discuss how treasury is evolving in response to changing business demands. They explore the growing role of technology, real-time data and AI, the skills treasury leaders need for the future and how organizations can transform treasury from an operational function into a source of strategic insight and competitive advantage. Learn more at: https://www.jpmorgan.com/payments/payments-emea This episode was recorded on July 17, 2026. ©2026 JPMorgan Chase & Co. All rights reserved. JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A. Member FDIC. Deposits held in non-U.S. branches are not FDIC insured. Non-deposit products are not FDIC insured. All rights reserved. The statements herein are confidential and proprietary and not intended to be legally binding. Not all products and services are available in all geographical areas. Visit jpmorgan.com/paymentsdisclosure for further disclosures and disclaimers related to this content. This video-podcast/guide is confidential and proprietary to J.P. Morgan and is provided for your general information only. It is subject to change without notice and is not intended to be legally binding. Any services described in this video-podcast/guide are subject to applicable laws and regulations and service terms. Not all products and services are available in all locations. Eligibility for particular products and services will be determined by JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A. or its affiliates. J.P. Morgan makes no representations as to the legal, regulatory, tax or accounting implications of the matters referred to herein. Any mentions of third-party trademarks, brand names, products and services are for referential purposes only and any mention thereof is not meant to imply any sponsorship, endorsement, or affiliation. J.P. Morgan and J.P. Morgan Payments are marketing names for certain businesses of JPMorgan Chase & Co. and its affiliates and subsidiaries worldwide JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., organized under the laws of U.S.A. with limited liability. The views and opinions expressed herein are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of J.P. Morgan, its affiliates, or its employees. The information set forth herein has been obtained or derived from sources believed to be reliable. Neither the author nor J.P. Morgan makes any representations or warranties as to the information’s accuracy or completeness. The information contained herein has been provided solely for informational purposes and does not constitute an offer, solicitation, advice or recommendation, to make any investment decisions or purchase any financial instruments and may not be construed as such.