Podcast · 318 episodes
Thoughts on the Market, page 2
by Morgan Stanley · English
Short, thoughtful and regular takes on recent events in the markets from a variety of perspectives and voices within Morgan Stanley.
All episodes, page 2
When Does Higher U.S. Debt Start to Matter?When higher U.S. debt and higher Treasury yields start to matter for the economy and markets.26 Aug 2026 · 4 min · 2 chapters
Measuring the Market’s MegatrendsThe episode argues thematic investing is entering a “third phase,” shifting from narrative identification of megatrends to systematically measuring theme exposure in real time.25 Aug 2026 · 9 min · 4 chapters
Markets Faces Hotter, Shorter CyclesHow a post-COVID “run-it-hot” regime (return of inflation, fiscal dominance) is changing macro markets and equity leadership, implying hotter, shorter cycles and more tactical investing.24 Aug 2026 · 5 min · 2 chapters
Shifts in Credit Markets for the AI BuildoutHow AI-driven compute demand is reshaping credit markets and financing for the 2026–2027 AI buildout, including widening spreads, a financing gap, and a shift from data-center shells to…21 Aug 2026 · 5 min · 4 chapters
The New Map of AI PowerAI sovereignty and “two-worlds” fragmentation—how U.S.-China competition and multipolar geopolitics drive countries to secure computing power, data, energy, and tech, potentially increasing AI capex…20 Aug 2026 · 8 min · 4 chapters
El Niño’s Ripple Effects on MarketsHow a very strong El Niño (95% chance in Q4 2026) could spread from Pacific weather into commodity prices, grocery/food inflation, electricity costs, transport disruptions, and investor…19 Aug 2026 · 5 min · 4 chapters
Korean Stocks: From Correction to a Healthy RecoveryKorea’s equity market shifting from a sharp correction toward a more sustainable recovery, driven by valuation, easing forced selling, and improving macro conditions, with a transition from tech-led…19 Aug 2026 · 5 min · 3 chapters
When AI Takes Over Shopping CartsAgentic e-commerce—AI “shopping carts” that reduce friction by helping search, discovery, and potentially complete checkout—its market impact, adoption differences, who controls the customer journey,…17 Aug 2026 · 9 min · 6 chapters
The UK Has a Better Story to TellThe UK needs a better “story” for investors, arguing it’s not as stagnant or tech-lagging as commonly claimed, despite Brexit, COVID, energy shocks, political volatility, weak growth, high inflation,…14 Aug 2026 · 5 min · 2 chapters
Robotaxis’ $1 Trillion OpportunityRobotaxis approaching a commercial inflection point and a potential $1 trillion TAM by 2040, driven by faster AI progress, falling hardware/training costs, clearer regulation, and operators moving…13 Aug 2026 · 13 min · 6 chapters
The Potential Way Forward for the U.S.-Iran StandoffU.S.-Iran standoff diplomacy and energy-market implications, focusing on the mid-June MOU (60-day window) and why negotiations are stuck.12 Aug 2026 · 4 min · 4 chapters
‘Show Me the Money,’ Market Tells CompaniesThe market’s “broadening” thesis is shifting from early-cycle beta to mid-cycle quality, with investors demanding “growth with durable earnings” plus free-cash-flow evidence (“show me the money”).11 Aug 2026 · 5 min · 5 chapters
How AI Could Simplify the Mortgage MarketHow AI agents on borrowers’ phones could streamline shopping, paperwork, and refinancing in the $14T+ U.S.10 Aug 2026 · 8 min · 6 chapters
AI’s New Rules of EngagementHow U.S. government rules are shaping AI’s development and use—especially technology restrictions tied to U.S.-China competition and a fragmented domestic regulatory landscape.7 Aug 2026 · 5 min · 2 chapters
Why Brick and Mortar Banking Still MattersMorgan Stanley research argues that bank branches still matter because large U.S. banks are accelerating physical expansion to win deposits.6 Aug 2026 · 4 min · 4 chapters
How Long Can the Fed Hold On?Whether the Fed can “hold the line” on inflation and employment, given high inflation, limited policy options, and market expectations.5 Aug 2026 · 4 min · 3 chapters
When a Data Center Comes to TownAmerica’s AI data center build-out—how local moratoria, community opposition, and “power/people/politics” bottlenecks affect where and how quickly hyperscalers expand, plus investor implications.4 Aug 2026 · 14 min · 6 chapters
Quality Matters AgainMike Wilson (Morgan Stanley CIO and Chief U.S. Equity Strategist) argues the economy/market are transitioning from early-cycle to mid-cycle, so investors should refocus on “quality” (stable earnings,…3 Aug 2026 · 6 min · 4 chapters
The Structural Forces Moving CapitalHow AI buildout, energy infrastructure, geopolitics, and industrial investment compete for scarce power, labor, equipment, and capital—creating constraints that can delay projects, raise costs, and…31 Jul 2026 · 9 min · 5 chapters
Blind Spots in the AI Infrastructure SelloffWhether investors are misreading the AI infrastructure sell-off; argues the pullback reflects profit-taking, crowded positioning, and forced selling rather than weaker fundamentals.30 Jul 2026 · 4 min · 4 chapters
The Oil Market’s Billion-Barrel ProblemOil market volatility driven by Middle East shipping disruptions (Strait of Hormuz), plus Red Sea/Bab al-Mandeb constraints, CPC terminal outages, and severe global refining tightness from Russian…29 Jul 2026 · 13 min · 5 chapters
Fed in July: A Weaker Case for HikingJuly FOMC decision—whether the Fed should hold or hike; debate over a “weaker case for hiking” due to moderating labor growth and evidence of disinflation, plus how communication/press conferences…28 Jul 2026 · 11 min · 4 chapters
A More Selective Stock MarketTransition from early-to-mid cycle “rolling recovery” to a more selective, quality-focused stock market; leadership rotates from mega-cap/low-quality beta toward companies with durable free cash…27 Jul 2026 · 5 min · 3 chapters
An Odyssey Through Market HistoryUsing the Odyssey as a metaphor, Andrew Sheets argues that today’s markets resemble two historical “templates”: 1997–1998 and 2005–2006, implying a cycle that may still be running.24 Jul 2026 · 4 min · 4 chapters