Strategic Opportunities: Flipping the Script on the Risk Story
The Decisive Podcast: Insights and analysis to empower confident decision-making.
Release Date: 07/05/2025
Stablecoin Adoption: The Next Wave
The Decisive Podcast: Insights and analysis to empower confident decision-making.
Stablecoins are designed to keep a steady value—by pegging to a reserve asset like the US dollar—while delivering the speed and lower cost of blockchain-based payments. In this episode of The Decisive, S&P Global Market Intelligence economist Robert Matthee unpacks how stablecoins work, why their market has surged to an estimated $300 billion, and what’s driving forecasts that the space could expand dramatically in the coming years. Robert and host Kristen hallam dig into what’s powering adoption: demand for cheaper cross-border transfers, growing use by major issuers, and the...
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Federal Reserve in Focus: Rates, Risks, and the Road Ahead
The Decisive Podcast: Insights and analysis to empower confident decision-making.
The US Federal Reserve is always in the spotlight, and that spotlight is brighter than ever in 2026. In this episode of The Decisive, economist , our resident Fed expert at S&P Global Market Intelligence, breaks down why the central bank is widely expected to keep interest rates steady at its January meeting, and what “sticky” inflation could mean for the first part of the year. We also examine the leadership uncertainty ahead of Jerome Powell’s term as Fed chair ending in May, including how a US Justice Department investigation could complicate the transition—without necessarily...
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Taking Costs Out, Putting Value In: Shipping Strategies in Focus at TPM26
The Decisive Podcast: Insights and analysis to empower confident decision-making.
As global trade faces unprecedented disruption, shippers must rethink everything from cost containment to risk management. In this episode of the Decisive Podcast, host sits down with , Vice President for Maritime & Trade at S&P Global Market Intelligence and TPM Conference founder, to break down the theme of TPM26: “Taking Costs Out, Putting Value In.” Together, they explore the far-reaching impacts of U.S. tariff policies, evolving supply chain strategies, and the role of technology in managing costs. Peter shares vital insights on balancing freight rates with service...
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Fiscal Fragilities in the Global Economy
The Decisive Podcast: Insights and analysis to empower confident decision-making.
In this episode of The Decisive Podcast, host Kristen Hallam engages in an insightful discussion with Ken Wattret, Vice President of Global Economics at S&P Global Market Intelligence, about the critical yet often overlooked topic of public debt. Kristen and Ken explore the significant rise in public sector debt-to-GDP ratios since the mid-2000s, driven by adverse economic shocks, including the 2008 financial crisis and the COVID-19 pandemic. Ken explains the persistent challenges of high government budget deficits, the political reluctance to implement fiscal changes, and the implications...
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Top 10 Insights Shaping the 2026 Economic Outlook
The Decisive Podcast: Insights and analysis to empower confident decision-making.
In our final episode of 2025, host Kristen Hallam is joined by S&P Global Market Intelligence economists Ken Wattret, Ben Herzon, Hanna Luchnikava-Schorsch, and Thea Fourie to unveil the top 10 economic insights shaping the outlook for 2026. Discover how moderating inflation, shifting fiscal policies, and global trade dynamics are creating a delicate balance of tailwinds and headwinds across major economies. From the US avoiding recession and Western Europe’s subdued growth, to China’s pivot to domestic demand and India’s resilience amid tariffs, this episode delivers actionable...
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It's Beginning to Look a Lot Like... the Economic Outlook for US Consumer Spending
The Decisive Podcast: Insights and analysis to empower confident decision-making.
In this episode of The Decisive Podcast, host Kristen Hallam dives into the intricacies of U.S. consumer spending as the holiday season approaches. Joined by Michael Zdinak, Ph.D., a director in S&P Global's U.S. economics team, Kristen explores the current economic landscape following a recent government shutdown and its impact on vital economic data. Kristen and Michael discuss the resilience of consumer spending—despite low consumer sentiment—highlighting the factors driving spending behaviors among different income groups. They analyze retail sales trends, the significance of Black...
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Optimism and Uncertainty: The 2026 US Economic Outlook
The Decisive Podcast: Insights and analysis to empower confident decision-making.
In this episode of the Decisive Podcast, host Kristen Hallam engages with economists from S&P Global Market Intelligence to unpack the U.S. economic outlook for 2026. The discussion explores key themes influencing growth, including the economic impact of artificial intelligence, evolving labor market dynamics, and the ongoing effects of tariffs on inflation and investment. Listeners will gain insights into the team's optimistic projections for 2026, driven by reduced policy uncertainty and consumer spending bolstered by recent tax cuts. The economists also address potential headwinds to...
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The Age of Agility: Key Themes for 2026
The Decisive Podcast: Insights and analysis to empower confident decision-making.
If 2025 was a year of seismic shifts, 2026 will be a year of recalibration to both the aftershocks and the new disruptions we expect to trade patterns, the economy and the geopolitical landscape. In this episode of the Decisive podcast, we set out our key strategic themes for 2026—adapting to trade realities, shaky economic foundations and shifting asymmetric power in geopolitics. Experts from our multidisciplinary research team unpack the ongoing economic uncertainties, evolving trade policies, and geopolitical dynamics we expect to characterize the year ahead. ...
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PMI in Focus: Global Business Outlook and AI Sentiment
The Decisive Podcast: Insights and analysis to empower confident decision-making.
Host Paul Smith is joined by senior economists Pollyanna de Lima and Andrew Harker to explore the latest trends in Purchasing Managers' Indices (PMI) and their implications for the global economy. They discuss the resilience of global economic growth in 2025 in the face of challenges such as low business confidence, tariffs, and trade uncertainties. The team analyzes the mixed performance across Latin America, with notable expansions in Colombia contrasted by contractions in Brazil and Mexico. As they shift focus to the future, they explore the findings of the recent Global Business Outlook...
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Frequently Asked Questions About the Global Economy
The Decisive Podcast: Insights and analysis to empower confident decision-making.
In this episode, our experts answer your most frequently asked questions about the global economy, analyzing key trends as we approach 2026. Host Ken Wattret, vice president of global economics at S&P Global Market Intelligence, leads a panel representing the US, Europe, Asia-Pacific and Latin America to provide a glimpse into our expectations for the rest of 2025 and beyond. From the optimistic outlook for U.S. GDP growth, driven by recent tax cuts and government spending, to the challenges posed by high inflation and tariffs, we unpack the factors shaping the economic landscape....
info_outlineHow do you identify which markets present the best opportunity for growth, and which are especially vulnerable to fluctuating trade and tariff policies?
In this episode of The Decisive podcast, host Kristen Hallam uncovers the origin stories behind two tools created to address these key questions: the Strategic Opportunity Index (SOI) and the Trade and Tariff Vulnerability Index (TTV). Joining Kristen for this discussion are expert guests Cassandra Pagan, Justin Valentino, and Natasha McSwiggan.
The discussion begins with an exploration of the SOI, designed to provide clarity in a complex geopolitical and trade landscape by evaluating market attractiveness through five key pillars: market potential, policy favorability, institutional quality, logistics efficiency, and resource availability. The guests share insights on how momentum scoring within the SOI helps identify expanding market opportunities, emphasizing the importance of understanding market trajectories rather than just current standings.
The conversation also highlights the origin stories behind both indices, showcasing the collaborative efforts of the team to create tools that can guide strategic decision-making for businesses navigating global trade dynamics. The experts discuss how the TTV assesses the vulnerability of economies to tariffs, providing valuable insights for businesses to adapt and strategize in the face of evolving U.S. trade policies.
Listeners will gain a deeper understanding of how these indices can inform economic decisions, identify potential risks, and uncover opportunities in the global marketplace. Join us for an engaging discussion that combines analytical rigor with practical applications, perfect for anyone interested in the intersection of economics and global trade.
More S&P Global Market Intelligence Content:
- The Strategic Opportunity Index
- Uncertain US Tariff Policy Raises Risks for Trading Partners
- Country Risk Month Ahead: July 2025
Credits:
- Host: Kristen Hallam
- Guests: Cassandra Pagan, Justin Valentino, Natasha McSwiggan
- Produced By: Kristen Hallam
- Edited By: Marz Marcello
- Published With Assistance From: Sophie Carr, Feranmi Adeoshun