Recessions aren’t like they used to be, says Kokou Agbo-Bloua,

The Societe Generale global head of economics, cross-asset and quant research contends fixed rate-debt and hefty cash piles have help companies develop short-term immunity to rising interest rates. So has the “kinetic velocity” of the vast fiscal stimulus of the last few years, he says. 

Agbo-Bloua argues on this week’s Merryn Talks Money that while all of that’s nice for now, it can’t last.

Recessions aren’t like they used to be, says Kokou Agbo-Bloua,
The Societe Generale global head of economics, cross-asset and quant research contends fixed rate-debt and hefty cash piles have help companies develop short-term immunity to rising interest rates. So has the “kinetic velocity” of the vast fiscal stimulus of the last few years, he says. 
Agbo-Bloua argues on this week’s Merryn Talks Money that while all of that’s nice for now, it can’t last.

Merryn Talks Money with Bloomberg senior columnist Merryn Somerset Webb is your key to understanding how markets work – and how you can make them work for you. Every episode features a relaxed but in-depth conversation with a fund manager, a strategist, a Bloomberg expert or just someone Merryn finds particularly interesting in any given week. Listen in for the kind of insights and explanations everyone can use to help them make better saving and investing choices.

Merryn Talks Money with Bloomberg senior columnist Merryn Somerset Webb is your key to understanding how markets work – and how you can make them work for you. Every episode features a relaxed but in-depth conversation with a fund manager, a strategist, a Bloomberg expert or just someone Merryn finds particularly interesting in any given week. Listen in for the kind of insights and explanations everyone can use to help them make better saving and investing choices.

Merryn Talks Money

SocGen’s Global Head of Economics Argues a US Downturn Is Inevitable

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/e73c998e-6e60-432f-8610-ae210140c5b1/clips/657b94a6-b9a9-4ecd-befa-b0d10156624a/transcript

Host Merryn Somerset Webb is joined by Interactive Investor CEO Richard Wilson,  Anna MacDonald, investment strategy director at Hargreaves Lansdown, and Russell Napier, financial historian and Keeper of the the Library of Mistakes for the second installment of panel discussions at Panmure House during the 2026 Edinburgh Festival Fringe.

The panel discussed the state of global bond markets, how policymakers seem incapable of thinking about second-order consequences and the fiscal constraints facing the UK government.

Original Music Composed by Mint Sherbets

Host Merryn Somerset Webb is joined by Interactive Investor CEO Richard Wilson,&nbsp; Anna MacDonald, investment strategy director at Hargreaves Lansdown, and Russell Napier, financial historian and Keeper of the the Library of Mistakes for the second installment of panel discussions at Panmure House during the 2026 Edinburgh Festival Fringe. The panel discussed the state of global bond markets, how policymakers seem incapable of thinking about second-order consequences and the fiscal constraints facing the UK government. Original Music Composed by Mint Sherbets

Live From Fringe: What Adam Smith Would Say of Bond Market Turmoil

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/e73c998e-6e60-432f-8610-ae210140c5b1/clips/e64d789d-e254-4802-866c-b4bb0098cbf8/transcript

In this episode of Merryn Talks Money, host Merryn Somerset Webb is joined by Bloomberg senior reporter John Stepek, Schroders Head of Strategic Research Duncan Lamont and Nelsons Chairman and Creative Scotland Chair Robert Wilson for a special roundtable recorded at Panmure House during the Edinburgh Festival Fringe. Marking 250 years since the publication of The Wealth of Nations, they ask what Adam Smith can teach the world about artificial intelligence, government intervention and investing.

The panel discusses whether policymakers interfere too much in markets, why holding too much cash can be a risk in itself and whether investors should worry about buying stocks at record highs. They also explore what the rise of AI could mean for jobs, trust and the relationships that hold societies together.

Original Music Composed by Mint Sherbets

In this episode of Merryn Talks Money, host Merryn Somerset Webb is joined by Bloomberg senior reporter John Stepek, Schroders Head of Strategic Research Duncan Lamont and Nelsons Chairman and Creative Scotland Chair Robert Wilson for a special roundtable recorded at Panmure House during the Edinburgh Festival Fringe. Marking 250 years since the publication of The Wealth of Nations, they ask what Adam Smith can teach the world about artificial intelligence, government intervention and investing. The panel discusses whether policymakers interfere too much in markets, why holding too much cash can be a risk in itself and whether investors should worry about buying stocks at record highs. They also explore what the rise of AI could mean for jobs, trust and the relationships that hold societies together. Original Music Composed by Mint Sherbets

Live from Fringe: What Adam Smith Can Teach Investors About AI and Investing

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/e73c998e-6e60-432f-8610-ae210140c5b1/clips/67973e0d-3bdd-4aaf-91e7-b4b900a4e0cb/transcript

Hosts Merryn Somerset Webb and John Stepek discuss the latest Nvidia news in which the company predicted its sales could rise by around 70% in the next fiscal year, beating analysts' expectations. Despite the positive outlook, Nvidia's share-price bump was relatively muted, suggesting investors are becoming more skeptical about artificial intelligence valuations and the financing of the technology boom.

Hosts Merryn Somerset Webb and John Stepek discuss the latest Nvidia news in which the company predicted its sales could rise by around 70% in the next fiscal year, beating analysts' expectations. Despite the positive outlook, Nvidia's share-price bump was relatively muted, suggesting investors are becoming more skeptical about artificial intelligence valuations and the financing of the technology boom.

Markets Wrap:  Predictions Meet AI Skepticism

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/e73c998e-6e60-432f-8610-ae210140c5b1/clips/23c4ea19-f2ba-40e1-85ac-b4b30174839f/transcript

SocGen’s Global Head of Economics Argues a US Downturn Is Inevitable

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