The MUFG Global Markets Podcast

Join the MUFG Global Markets Research Team for expert analysis of the week’s most pressing topics impacting economies and the markets
Join the MUFG Global Markets Research Team for expert analysis of the week’s most pressing topics impacting economies and the markets
Episodes
Episodes



Jul 31, 2026
Jul 31, 2026
14 min
Lee Hardman, Senior Currency Analyst, and Abdul-Ahad Lockhart, Currency Analyst, discuss the fallout for the FX market from this week’s Fed, BoJ and BoE policy meetings. How have the latest developments impacted the outlook for USD/JPY?



Jul 24, 2026
UK fiscal risks and BoE outlook in focus
Jul 24, 2026
Jul 24, 2026
9 min
Elizabeth Wren, European Political Analyst, sits down to speak with Henry Cook, Senior Economist, to talk about recent developments in the UK economy. They discuss new PM Andy Burnham’s policy platform and how much fiscal flexibility there may be for his proposals, as well the outlook for the upcoming Bank of England meeting amid renewed energy price pressures.



Jul 17, 2026
Jul 17, 2026
11 min
Lee Hardman, Senior Currency Analyst, and Abdul-Ahad Lockhart, Currency Analyst, discuss what has been driving a weaker USD over the past week. In addition, they discuss if recent GBP outperformance will continue now that Andy Burnham has been confirmed as the new Labour leader.



Jul 10, 2026
Jul 10, 2026
19 min
Derek Halpenny, Head of Research Global Markets EMEA & International Securities sits down to speak with James Roulston in FX Institutional Sales to discuss the latest FX/Rates themes. Derek discusses the implications of Japan Finance Minister Katayama ‘s comment on encouraging households and pension funds, including GPIF to invest in domestic markets. This marks a potentially significant shift in policy direction. The re-escalation of the Middle East conflict and next week’s CPI and semi-annual testimony of Fed Chair Kevin Warsh are discussed as well.



Jun 26, 2026
How much further can the USD strengthen?
Jun 26, 2026
Jun 26, 2026
9 min
Lee Hardman, Senior Currency Analyst, and Henry Cook, Senior Economist, discuss what has been driving FX markets recently including UK political risk and diverging monetary policy expectations between Europe and the US. Will the USD continue to strengthen?



Jun 19, 2026
Jun 19, 2026
17 min
After a busy week of central bank meetings, Derek Halpenny, Head of Research Global Markets EMEA & International Securities sits down with Nico Jan Thiesen, Global Client Sales to discuss the implications for the FX markets. The Fed meeting impact on the dollar, the BoJ impact on the yen and the BoE impact on the pound are discussed as are the implications for EUR cross currency risks given the potential for moves in the US dollar.



Jun 12, 2026
A pivotal week for the USD?
Jun 12, 2026
Jun 12, 2026
9 min
Lee Hardman, Senior Currency Analyst, and Abdul-Ahad Lockhart, Currency Analyst, discuss how building investor optimism over a US-Iran deal and Kevin Warsh’s first policy meeting as Fed Chair are likely to impact the USD. Will another BoJ rate hike be sufficient to trigger a reversal of JPY weakness?



Jun 5, 2026
Jun 5, 2026
23 min
The much stronger than expected US jobs report has had the obvious impact with front-end rates and the dollar stronger. Derek Halpenny, Head of Research Global Markets EMEA & International Securities sits down with Chris Jakubowski, FX Institutional Sales to discuss the impact of the data going forward. How does this impact EUR/USD with the ECB expected to hike on 11th June? Has ECB pricing become overdone given recent economic data and how will the BoJ respond given the increased upside risks in USD/JPY?



May 29, 2026
Ceasefire deal and divergent policies
May 29, 2026
May 29, 2026
20 min
Reaching a deal to extend the ceasefire for 60 days and reopen the Strait of Hormuz is now largely priced. Brent crude oil is down close to 20% from the high on 18th May reflecting the optimism that a deal would be done.
Derek Halpenny, Head of Research Global Markets EMEA & International Securities talks to James Roulston in FX Institutional Sales about what this means for rates and the US dollar. Derek also talks to James about the intervention data from Japan and the biggest AUD/NZD drop since 2016.



May 22, 2026
May 22, 2026
13 min
Lee Hardman, Senior Currency Analyst, and Henry Cook, Senior Economist, discuss the latest Uk economic and political developments. How has it impacted the outlook for UK rates and the pound?



May 15, 2026
May 15, 2026
12 min
The US dollar is heading for its biggest weekly gain since the first week of the US-Iran conflict in early March. This week, Derek Halpenny, Head of Research Global Markets EMEA & International Securities sits down with Julie Ellert, Head of FraBeLux FX Sales to discuss the factors behind the dollar move and what it might mean going forward. Yields certainly look to be increasing in importance again as US yields move higher just as Kevin Warsh comes in to take the reins from Jay Powell. Derek also discusses the big sell-offs in fixed income in Japan and the UK and what these moves might mean for the yen and pound.



May 8, 2026
May 8, 2026
7 min
Lee Hardman, Senior Currency Analyst, and Seiko Kataoka Fisher, Director in Japanese Customer Sales for EMEA in London, discuss what has been driving the USD lower over the past week . Is intervention from Japan likely to be successful in reversing JPY weakness?



May 1, 2026
May 1, 2026
17 min
At the end of a busy week in the markets, Derek Halpenny, Head of Research Global Markets EMEA & International Securities sits down with Simon Mayes, Head of UK, Ireland & Swiss FX Corporate Sales to discuss key developments and implications for the FX markets. Derek outlines the prospects for USD/JPY sustaining the move lower following probable intervention by the BoJ/MoF and delves into the implications following this week’s central bank meetings. What do the meetings mean for BoE and ECB policy rate views and what impact will a Kevin Warch Fed have on the dollar?



Apr 24, 2026
Apr 24, 2026
10 min
Lee Hardman, Senior Currency Analyst, and Henry Cook, Senior Economist, discuss how the FX majors have been performing ahead of the upcoming BoJ, Fed, BoE & ECB policy meetings. Wil the European central banks stick to more hawkish guidance than the BoJ and Fed?



Apr 17, 2026
Apr 17, 2026
13 min
News that the Strait of Hormuz has been reopened by Iran has helped push Brent crude oil back below the USD 90pbl level. Derek Halpenny, Head of Research Global Markets EMEA & International Securities speaks to Matthieu Gloux Head of Global Client FX Sales about the implications for the US dollar and monetary policy if this re-opening proves lasting.



Apr 10, 2026
Apr 10, 2026
6 min
Lee Hardman, Senior Currency Analyst, and Seiko Kataoka Fisher, Director in Japanese Customer Sales for EMEA in London, discuss the initial FX market reaction to the ceasefire agreement between the US and Iran. Will the USD continue to weaken if military tensions in the region continue to de‑escalate?



Mar 27, 2026
Mar 27, 2026
19 min
We are entering week 5 of the conflict in the Middle East and this week Derek Halpenny, Head of Research Global Markets EMEA & International Securities talks to Chris Jakubowski, from FX Institutional Sales, about the potential for de-escalation versus a scenario of deterioration and what that would mean for the US dollar and G10 FX. Derek and Chris also discuss the ECB and BoJ reaction functions and what lies ahead for the markets next week which culminates with the NFP release.



Mar 20, 2026
Mar 20, 2026
12 min
Lee Hardman, Senior Currency Analyst, and Henry Cook, Senior Economist, discuss how major central banks are responding to the escalating conflict in the Middle East and its impact on global energy prices. With the Fed showing less urgency to tighten policy in response to the latest energy price shock, could this help moderate USD strength?



Mar 13, 2026
Mar 13, 2026
16 min
With the conflict in the Middle East set to extend into a third week, Derek Halpenny Head of Research Global Markets EMEA & International Securities talks to Andrew Mitola, Director in FX Corporate Risk Solutions in New York about three scenarios for how the conflict unfolds from here and what the implications for the US dollar would be based on potential future moves in crude oil prices. Derek also discusses the central bank reaction function to possible inflation pick-ups and what to expect from the central bank meetings taking place next week. With USD/JPY close to the 160-level is the MoF in Tokyo ready to intervene?



Mar 6, 2026
Mar 6, 2026
9 min
Lee Hardman, Senior Currency Analyst, and Abdul-Ahad Lockhart, Currency Analyst, discuss why the USD has rebounded in response to the Middle East conflict.
How does it fit with historical FX performance during energy price shocks?



Feb 27, 2026
Feb 27, 2026
8 min
Lee Hardman, Senior Currency Analyst, and Seiko Kataoka‑Fisher, Director in Japanese Customer Sales for EMEA in London, explore why speculation over the Bank of Japan’s upcoming policy shifts has triggered a fresh wave of yen weakness.
They also examine how escalating tensions between Iran and the United States could shape the performance of the US dollar in the weeks ahead.



Feb 20, 2026
Feb 20, 2026
10 min
Derek Halpenny, Head of Research Global Markets EMEA & International Securities speaks to Simon Mayes, Head of FX Sales for the UK and Ireland about the moves of the dollar this week. Derek also outlines elements of PM Takaichi’s speech and the implications for the yen and JGBs.



Feb 13, 2026
Feb 13, 2026
6 min
Lee Hardman, Senior Currency Analyst, and Andrea Hayward, Vice President of the Japanese Client Sales Group for EMEA in London, discuss the fallout from the lower house election in Japan.
Will the USD extend its recent rebound on the back of the latest US employment and inflation data?



Feb 6, 2026
Feb 6, 2026
10 min
Lee Hardman, Senior Currency Analyst, and Abdul-Ahad Lockhart, Currency Analyst, discuss the outlook for the JPY ahead of this weekend’s Lower House election in Japan.
The GBP has also taken a hit in recent days, what have been the main drivers of the weaker GBP?

The MUFG Global Markets Podcast
Each week MUFG's expert economists, analysts, and strategists provide global market research content covering macro, FX, commodities rates and more.
Rate, review and subscribe for the most authoritative and insightful analysis of the latest financial market themes.
Catch the EMEA Team (Derek Halpenny, Lee Hardman, and Ehsan Khoman) every Friday, and the US Team (George Goncalves) every Wednesday.
Be sure not to miss out on quarterly insights from our Capital Markets Strategy Group and impromptu content from our Asia research team.











