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Off the Charts!

by Blu Putnam

CME Group Chief Economist Blu Putnam's series Off The Charts! examines the pertinent economic issues of the day in the United States and across the globe. The podcast series provides a deeper dive into complex topics and frames the issues in a way that can lead to a better understanding of the financial and commodities markets.

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Episodes

  1. Copper's Supply-Side Story

    Copper output has been stagnating or declining since 2015, with the pandemic causing mine closures in top producer Chile.

  2. Treasury Options Skews

    Do options skews in Treasuries provide any guidance on market trend? We look into whether extreme downside skews signal a buying opportunity.

  3. Oil: Are Options Skews Reliable Price Indicators?

    Investors in the oil market seem to be more concerned over a market slump than a rally, as reflected in out-of-the-money options skews. Were they right?

  4. Oil: Are Options Signaling Long-Term Uncertainty?

    Oil prices have bounced off their recent lows but the implied volatility in options is indicating uncertainty in the market's direction over the long term.

  5. Brexit: Classic Case of an Approaching Major Event Risk

    Outcome of talks for UK's exit from the European Union under Brexit presents a classic case of event risk that could reach a climax in November.

  6. Trade War Fallout Reverberates Through Markets, Economy

    Large-cap U.S. stocks are much more vulnerable to the fallout from the trade war between the U.S. and China because of their complex global supply chains.

  7. Oil: As Price Tops $70, Will Shale Producers Ramp Up Output?

    As crude oil prices top $70 per barrel amid escalating Mideast geopolitical risk premium, will shale producers ramp up output as they lock in prices?

  8. Fed's Challenges as its Steers Away From Emergency Policies

    The Fed faces several key challenges as it charts a new monetary course in the aftermath of the emergency policies put in place during the Bernanke era.

  9. Li Keqiang Index: China's Alternative Growth Barometer

    An index named for China's prime minister seems to provide better insight into its growth than official GDP. What's in store for the world's No. 2 economy.

  10. Phase Transitions and the Rise in Market Volatility

    From growing U.S. budget deficits to potential trade wars and the end of quantitative easing, several "phase transitions" could fire up market volatility.

  11. global-trade-disputes-take-center-stage-in-2018

    From U.S. import tariffs on steel and aluminum to the uncertain future of NAFTA and tough Brexit negotiations, trade issues are taking center stage in 2018.

  12. Bitcoin: Supply Growth, Mining Difficulty and Prospects in 2018

    Bitcoin supply is likely to grow by less than 5% in 2018 as the cryptocurrency edges closer to its production cap and as mining difficulty rises sharply.

  13. Ag Hedging Costs Could Spike if La Niña Strikes

    Grain markets are not overly concerned of a La Niña, with options implied volatility near lows, but hedging costs could spike quickly if the weather bites.

  14. Quantitative Easing: The Way Out for Central Banks

    How will central banks' unwinding of quantitative easing, starting with the Federal Reserve, impact financial markets in the U.S., Europe and Japan.

  15. Impact of Low Inflation Expectations on Wages

    The lackluster growth in U.S. wages can be attributed, in part, to expectations of low inflation, which has remained subdued for more than two decades.

  16. Oil: U.S. Output and OPEC Production Cuts

    The trajectory of oil prices will depend on whether U.S. inventories continue to fall, OPEC members adhere to output cuts, and if U.S. production rises.

  17. China: Does Yield Curve Portend a Recession?

    Is China heading toward a recession? It's nascent yield curve is pointing to a possible major slowdown in the world's second-largest economy in mid-2018.

  18. The Differing Nature of Event Risk

    The Brexit vote in Britain and the presidential election in the United States offer a glimpse into the differing nature of event risk that drives markets.

  19. Volatility is Lethargic Even as Uncertainty Abounds

    Uncertainty and volatility are different risk management concepts. More uncertainty does not necessarily mean more volatile markets, as in the U.S.

  20. Could Fed Rate Hikes Trigger Flight to Quality?

    As interest rates in the United States go higher over the next two years, will it trigger a flight to quality into bonds on both sides of the Atlantic Ocean?

  21. The Conundrum of Slow Growth and Tight Labor Market

    The U.S. economy is a conundrum as it grows moderately at around 2% a year even as the unemployment rate has tumbled to the lowest in 16 years.

  22. Fed Sets Out To Shrink Balance Sheet by Half

    The Federal Reserve's approach to reducing its massive balance sheet is to proceed very slowly so it does not disrupt markets, especially home mortgages.

  23. French Election: Outcome Could Impact Euro, EU

    The French go to the polls on May 7 to elect a president, and the outcome could determine the future of the EU, impact the euro and affect Brexit talks.

  24. Managing Risks and Challenges in Picking Stocks

    Among asset managers, many are benchmarked to major equity indexes. Here are four reasons why it can be difficult to consistently outperform these indexes.

  25. Gold: About to Break Out of Lull in Volatility?

    The lack of volatility in gold has seen options prices slump, but is the market about to change course as Congress weighs in on major Trump initiatives?

  26. Can Yield Curve Foretell a Coming Recession

    The bond yield curve in relation to short-term rates is often a reliable indicator of a recession, and at the moment it is flashing the all-clear sign.

  27. What Will a Post-Yellen Fed Look Like in 2018?

    Janet Yellen's tenure as Fed Chair comes to a close next year, providing the Trump administration the opportunity to leave its imprint on the central bank.

  28. Copper: Will Fed Rate Hikes Temper Rally?

    Copper's blistering rally coincides with the Fed gearing up for multiple rate hikes in 2017. Will higher borrowing costs impact the red metal's performance?

  29. Agriculture: El Niño, La Niña and Trade Policies

    The weather outlook seems benign for crops like corn and soybeans in the Americas this year but shifts in U.S. trade policies could fuel market volatility.

  30. Will European Elections Strengthen Unity or Deepen Divide?

    Elections in the Netherlands, France and Germany on the heels of the surprise 'Brexit' vote could either strengthen European unity or deepen the divide.

  31. Efficient U.S. shale producers a challenge for OPEC

    Can OPEC's latest output cuts keep oil prices afloat? Cost-efficient shale producers in the United States will play a big role in the market's direction.

  32. Will Fed Change its Policy on Reinvestment?

    With about a year left on the job, will the Fed's Janet Yellen keep with the tradition of handing over a clean slate by shrinking its mighty balance sheet?

  33. U.S. Tax Cuts and Spurring Economic Growth

    Listen to CME Group Chief Economist Blu Putnam discuss the impact of U.S. tax cuts in stimulating growth in an economy well past the drag of a recess.

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ABOUT THIS SHOW

CME Group Chief Economist Blu Putnam's series Off The Charts! examines the pertinent economic issues of the day in the United States and across the globe. The podcast series provides a deeper dive into complex topics and frames the issues in a way that can lead to a better understanding of the financial and commodities markets.

HOSTED BY

Blu Putnam

Produced by CME Group

CATEGORIES

business

Frequently Asked Questions

How many episodes does Off the Charts! have?

Off the Charts! currently has 33 episodes available on PodParley. New episodes are automatically indexed when they're published to the podcast feed.

What is Off the Charts! about?

CME Group Chief Economist Blu Putnam's series Off The Charts! examines the pertinent economic issues of the day in the United States and across the globe. The podcast series provides a deeper dive into complex topics and frames the issues in a way that can lead to a better understanding of the...

How often does Off the Charts! release new episodes?

Off the Charts! has 33 episodes. Check the episode list to see recent publication dates and frequency.

Where can I listen to Off the Charts!?

You can listen to Off the Charts! on PodParley by clicking any episode. We provide an embedded audio player for direct listening, and you can also subscribe via your preferred podcast app using the RSS feed.

Who hosts Off the Charts!?

Off the Charts! is created and hosted by Blu Putnam.
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