Global Research Unlocked

U.S. consumers showed remarkable resilience in June, with spending growth reaching its strongest pace in four years. But what's driving the surge, and can it last? In this episode of Global Research Unlocked, T.J. Thornton speaks with David Tinsley, Senior Economist at the Bank of America Institute, about the latest Consumer Checkpoint data. They unpack the factors behind June's spending acceleration, including the impact of the 2026 FIFA World Cup, a rebound in discretionary purchases, and improving momentum among lower-income households. The conversation explores a notable shift in the consumer landscape: the long-running K-shaped spending trend appears to...

Convergence of brokers, betting and prediction markets

Prediction markets (PMs) have exploded in popularity over the past year, with volumes doubling since the start of May. By some measures, prediction markets are already approaching the scale of online sports betting. Julie Hoover from the Gaming, Lodging & Leisure team joins the podcast to discuss what's driving this growth and categories other than sports which could be the next major opportunities for PMs, Julie also explores key differences between prediction markets and traditional sports betting, including taxation, and market-making dynamics.. She discusses online brokers, which share a significant customer...

EM resilience tested by Fed, fueled by long-term flows

Emerging market equities have more than doubled the S&P 500's return year-to-date, and have held up well despite rising Fed hike expectations and a stronger US dollar. In this episode, David Hauner explains why he remains structurally bullish on EM despite our Economic team’s expectations for three Fed hikes later this year. David discusses how flows over the last decade, interest rate differentials and dollar diversification play into his calculus. He also addresses the impact and risks that come with U.S. Midterm Elections and AI. Da...

In this episode of Must Read Research on Global Research Unlocked, Candace Browning explores a broadening opportunity set across markets and industries. We examine the rapid expansion of the space economy and how advances in launch and satellite infrastructure are reshaping connectivity and computing. We also look beyond the U.S. and China for the next wave of AI beneficiaries, highlighting the countries best positioned to capitalize on both AI buildout and long-term productivity gains. The discussion then turns to Europe, where earnings momentum is improving for the first time in years, and to the Research Investment Committee's latest...

Please join our US economist and rates strategists for their weekly rates call to cover (1) commodity risks for global rates & curves and (2) US CPI preview & US inflation pricing implications. The call will took place on Friday, July 10, 2026 at 9 AM ET, 2 PM BST,
3 PM CEST.

"Bank of America" and “BofA Securities” are the marketing names for the global banking businesses and global markets businesses (which includes BofA Global Research) of Bank of America Corporation. Lending, derivatives, and other commercial banking activities are performed globally by banking affiliates of Bank of America Corporation, including Bank of Americ...

Please join Ralf Preusser in conversation with Aditya Bhave, Mark Cabana and Alex Cohen post-payrolls. Since Fed Chair Warsh is trying to move away from forward guidance, the importance of US data will only increase. We will discuss the outlook for the Fed, US rates and the USD in light of the US labor market data.

"Bank of America" and “BofA Securities” are the marketing names for the global banking businesses and global markets businesses (which includes BofA Global Research) of Bank of America Corporation. Lending, derivatives, and other commercial banking activities are performed globally by ba...

In this episode of Signal vs. Noise, Savita Subramanian, Head of U.S. Equity & Quantitative Strategy, reviews a surprising first half of 2026 and explains why she believes investors should look beyond the Magnificent Seven. With earnings growth exceeding expectations, inflation reaccelerating, and Fed rate hikes back on the table, Savita argues that the next winners could be large-cap value and manufacturing beneficiaries, including energy, materials, industrials, financials, and real estate.

She breaks down why AI-driven megacaps may be facing higher hurdles, how a manufacturing and capex boom is reshaping earnings leadership, and why stock selection c...

In this episode of Must Read Research, we explore what happens when “too much of a good thing” begins to reshape markets. From a more hawkish Fed outlook to rotation beneath the surface of equities, shifting AI demand dynamics, and an intensifying battle in prediction markets. We break down the trends investors need to watch next.

"Bank of America" and “BofA Securities” are the marketing names for the global banking businesses and global markets businesses (which includes BofA Global Research) of Bank of America Corporation. Lending, derivatives, and other commercial banking activities are performed globally by bankin...

In this episode of Signals & Noise, we unpack the latest midyear updates to global economic forecasts, including a modest upgrade to global growth and a downward revision to inflation.

Despite easing headline inflation, policy remains tight, with our economists now expecting a more hawkish Federal Reserve than consensus. We explore the drivers behind this shift, including resilient labor market dynamics and persistent core inflation.

We also discuss the impact of the Iran deal on energy markets, the role of AI-driven exports in supporting global growth, particularly in Asia, and why the U.S. economy continues...

Please join Ralf Preusser in conversation with Mark Cabana and Adarsh Sinha to discuss the outlook for G10 rates and FX. We will discuss implications of the new Fed call, updated rates and FX forecasts and the main themes we see drive markets away from the Fed.

You may also enjoy listening to the Merrill Perspectives podcast, featuring conversations on the big stories, news and trends affecting your everyday financial life.

"Bank of America" and “BofA Securities” are the marketing names for the global banking businesses and global markets businesses (which includes BofA Globa...

As the United States approaches its 250th Independence Day, Derek Harris, Head of Global Wealth Management Portfolio and Investment Strategy speaks with Jared Woodard, Head of the Research Investment Committee to examine the long-run forces behind America’s market leadership. Using data that spans much of the nation’s financial history, they explore why U.S. equities have delivered nearly 10 percent annual returns and how that outperformance compares globally. The conversation also revisits the role of bonds, challenges traditional portfolio frameworks like 60/40, and highlights the structural drivers of U.S. success, including innovation, strong corporate earnings, and a business-friendly envi...

We recap the June FOMC meeting with our US economists and rates / FX strategists. We offer our views on the hawkish messaging and how to position across rates & FX.  

You may also enjoy listening to the Merrill Perspectives podcast, featuring conversations on the big stories, news and trends affecting your everyday financial life.

"Bank of America" and “BofA Securities” are the marketing names for the global banking businesses and global markets businesses (which includes BofA Global Research) of Bank of America Corporation. Lending, derivatives, and other commercial banking activities are performed globall...

Please join Mark Cabana in a discussion with Jill Carey Hall, Aditya Bhave, and Oliver Levingston as they break down key market dynamics, equity risks, and central bank outlooks. Gain expert insights and actionable perspectives on equities, rates, and macroeconomic trends

You may also enjoy listening to the Merrill Perspectives podcast, featuring conversations on the big stories, news and trends affecting your everyday financial life.

"Bank of America" and “BofA Securities” are the marketing names for the global banking businesses and global markets businesses (which includes BofA Global Research) of Bank of Ame...

Welcome to Signals and Noise, where BofA Global Research strategists from around the globe offer a shorter take on market matters as part of Global Research Unlocked. Today, we focus on the best performing size segment of the US equity market this year, US small and mid-caps, and how we're thinking about them today.

You may also enjoy listening to the Merrill Perspectives podcast, featuring conversations on the big stories, news and trends affecting your everyday financial life.

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This week we pause to check a scoreboard flashing stretched positioning, analyze how AI infrastructure is quietly creating unlikely winners, highlight an Underdog taking on the big guys, and get field updates on a housing market still playing defense against affordability constraints

You may also enjoy listening to the Merrill Perspectives podcast, featuring conversations on the big stories, news and trends affecting your everyday financial life.

"Bank of America" and “BofA Securities” are the marketing names for the global banking businesses and global markets businesses (which includes BofA Global Research) of Bank o...

Please join Sphia Salim in discussion with our US economists, rates and FX strategists to review the US payroll report. The US labor market remains central to the outlook for US monetary policy, especially ahead of the first FOMC meeting under the new Chair, and therefore also a key driver for US rates and the dollar.

You may also enjoy listening to the Merrill Perspectives podcast, featuring conversations on the big stories, news and trends affecting your everyday financial life.

"Bank of America" and “BofA Securities” are the marketing names for the gl...

Mostly friendly skies for airlines and premium consumers

Summer is starting just as higher income consumers remain flush and global soccer fans are descending on North America. But this also comes at a time when the airline ticket situation is becoming a bit more difficult, at least for consumers. Prices are elevated thanks to higher fuel and recently, a low-cost airline stopped flying. We talk to Andrew Didora about what all of this means for the airlines and the latest on consumer travel behavior. And while airlines are notoriously cyclical, we also discuss other parts of Andrew's...

Lower prices are unlocking the next leg of GLP-1 growth

Several years ago, the bullish case for GLP-1 penetration hinged on lower pricing and the availability of oral options-both of these have materialized over the past 18 months. Yet we remain early in the oral GLP-1 ramp, and pricing continues to adjust downward, suggesting ample runway for unit growth in these weight-loss therapies. Peter Galbo discusses the impact on food and beverage we've observed at today's ~10% penetration levels and what may lie ahead, especially as Jason Gerberry outlines where penetration could ultimately land and the improvements expected in...

This week, we discuss why the size of the market continues to expand, how the World Cup is fueling global beverage demand, contingency plans amidst shifting energy segments, the paths that lie ahead for LatAm countries facing elections and an overhead view of global markets where scale and earnings continue to expand.

Disclosure:

You may also enjoy listening to the Merrill Perspectives podcast, featuring conversations on the big stories, news and trends affecting your everyday financial life.

"Bank of America" and “BofA Securities” are the marketing names for the global ban...

Please join Mark Capleton in discussion with Stephen Juneau, Alessandro Infelise-Zhou and Meghan Swiber on inflation and the inflation markets, covering: the outlook for inflation, where we diverge from the market, and implications for central bank policy and the rates curves.

You may also enjoy listening to the Merrill Perspectives podcast, featuring conversations on the big stories, news and trends affecting your everyday financial life.

"Bank of America" and “BofA Securities” are the marketing names for the global banking businesses and global markets businesses (which includes BofA Global Research) of Bank of Ame...

Please join Sphia Salim in conversation with global rates strategists to discuss the broad bond market selloff of the past week. We will explore its drivers across regions and the risks of a further extension of the moves, as well as the policy elements that can cap the rise in yields. We will also present key bond convexity and swaptions ideas in the context of elevated rates volatility.

You may also enjoy listening to the Merrill Perspectives podcast, featuring conversations on the big stories, news and trends affecting your everyday financial life.

Youth labor in the age of AI adjustment

Though about one-quarter of global jobs are exposed to AI, the Economics team doesn't share the view that AI will usher in mass unemployment. Benson Wu and Nick Stenner discuss their recent report on the topic, part of the Economics team's larger series on AI impact. They discuss several examples of past tech disruptions, many of which wound up favorable for job prospects when initial predictions were for a much less constructive outcome. Benson and Nick discuss youth unemployment, which is often cited as evidence of AI job destruction but they...

This week, we track how weather disruptions from El Niño may ripple through commodity markets that are already on edge, how sticky inflation and strong labor data could prompt unexpected Fed rate hikes, and how consumers are turning to Chinese autos, secondhand and off-price retail as they contend with these higher prices.

You may also enjoy listening to the Merrill Perspectives podcast, featuring conversations on the big stories, news and trends affecting your everyday financial life.

"Bank of America" and “BofA Securities” are the marketing names for the global banking busines...

Please join Mark Cabana in discussion with Adarsh Sinha & Meghan Swiber to discuss the US-China summit, yen intervention, & US rates. We will cover FX views in context of US-China summit & recent yen interventions / USD flows + US rate views after recent inflation data & new Fed Chair Warsh.

You may also enjoy listening to the Merrill Perspectives podcast, featuring conversations on the big stories, news and trends affecting your everyday financial life.

"Bank of America" and “BofA Securities” are the marketing names for the global banking businesses and global markets businesses (which includes BofA G...

Don't shut the door yet; housing supply discipline turning

Consistent with the U.S. economy as a whole, the housing and building products markets are stronger in the high end, and weaker in the entry-level. Regionally, there are shades of this as well. Our new housing heatmap shows that the New York and San Francisco metro areas are among the strongest. Rafe discusses the drivers behind the regional disparities, the importance of supply and how certain markets that have been dealing with excess supply may get a bit of relief as builders are demonstrating discipline. Rafe also...

Welcome to Must Read Research on BofA Global Research Unlocked. In this podcast, we offer quick summaries from the prior week’s most interesting and impactful research. This week, we focus on the human and technological engine behind the World Cup, the rising cash flow bolstering big oil, and an IPO supply wave that's preparing its debut.

You may also enjoy listening to the Merrill Perspectives podcast, featuring conversations on the big stories, news and trends affecting your everyday financial life.

"Bank of America" and “BofA Securities” are the marketing names for the...

Please join Ralf Preusser in discussion with Aditya Bhave, Mark Cabana, Alex Cohen and Shruti Mishra to review the US payroll report. The US labor market remains central to the outlook for US monetary policy and therefore also a key driver for US rates and the dollar.

You may also enjoy listening to the Merrill Perspectives podcast, featuring conversations on the big stories, news and trends affecting your everyday financial life.

"Bank of America" and “BofA Securities” are the marketing names for the global banking businesses and global markets businesses (which includes BofA Globa...

Energy buyers to rethink supply lines

With energy stocks off recent highs, Jean Ann joins the podcast to discuss what may be ahead and why she believes that cash flow generation at Integrated oil companies, boosted by the higher trading range for crude, make several of them attractive investments. We also discuss longer term impacts from the war, including how we're likely to see more interest in US LNG contracts from more countries, greater interest in building strategic reserves and increased interest in renewables and storage. We detail the compelling outlook for US pipelines, where capex growth...

You may also enjoy listening to the Merrill Perspectives podcast, featuring conversations on the big stories, news and trends affecting your everyday financial life.

"Bank...

Please join Sphia Salim in discussion with Aditya Bhave, head of US economics research, Mark Cabana, head of US rates strategy, and Alex Cohen, senior G10 FX strategist. We will review Kevin Warsh's Fed Chair nomination hearing, with a particular focus on his Inflation views, his comments on the Fed's balance sheet, and the potential for a new Treasury-Fed accord. We will also look ahead to the April FOMC meeting and discuss implications for the rates and FX markets.

You may also enjoy listening to the Merrill Perspectives podcast, featuring conversations on the big stories, news and...

Please join Ralf Preusser in discussion with Mark Capleton and Meghan Swiber to discuss opportunities in inflation markets. Commodity price swings have been very pronounced since the start of hostilities in the Middle East. We will discuss market dynamics as they have translated into real yields, breakevens, and inflation swaps in sometimes surprising fashion and flag what we consider to be interesting opportunities and market developments.

You may also enjoy listening to the Merrill Perspectives podcast, featuring conversations on the big stories, news and trends affecting your everyday financial life.

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South Korea emerging as a breakout defense producer

Asia's defense transformation is emerging as a compelling and investable growth theme, as the region shifts from import dependence to scaled manufacturing and exports. The region is expanding its role in Western defense supply chains as spending rises as a percentage of GDP. South Korea stands out as a key beneficiary, gaining market share across Europe and the Middle East as expanding, diversified order books improve earnings visibility, supporting a valuation re-rating. With cost advantages, deep industrial capacity, and multi‑year backlogs driven by global rearmament and inventory replenishment, As...

Ralf Preusser was joined in conversation by Bruno Braizinha, Sophia Salim, and David Tinsley on Friday, 10 April 2026, at 9:00 a.m. ET / 2:00 p.m. BST / 3:00 p.m. CEST. The discussion covered the impact of the ceasefire announcement on rates and volatility markets and included a deep dive into the U.S. consumer.

You may also enjoy listening to the Merrill Perspectives podcast, featuring conversations on the big stories, news and trends affecting your everyday financial life.

"Bank of America" and “BofA Securities” are the marketing names for the global banking businesses and global markets busine...

Commodity exposure? There's a region for that

Prior to the Middle East conflict, investor sentiment toward Emerging Markets had turned increasingly bullish, driven by momentum and demand for assets positioned for US dollar weakness; while the war in Iran and the effective closure of the Hormuz Strait disrupted that optimism, David Hauner and David Beker argue the structural EM case remains intact. Latin America-particularly Brazil and Argentina-appears well positioned in a world of higher commodity and energy price floors, despite continued energy‑shock risks. Attractive valuations, improving fundamentals, and persistent global underallocation continue to support EM, with Latin America stan...

Equities drop but S&P earnings resilient for now

Global markets are recalibrating as higher energy prices shift the macro outlook and force a reassessment of growth and inflation. Our commodity strategy team raised forecasts for oil prices and other commodities due to Middle East supply challenges, leading the Global Economics team to lower their global growth estimates. While higher oil prices offer a modest tailwind to energy production and fiscal revenues for some countries, they also mean higher costs and tighter financial conditions, with the net effect being that 2026 GDP estimates were cut in the 0.3-0.5...

Please join Ralf Preusser in conversation with G10 rates and FX trading to discuss positioning and market liquidity. In this podcast Ralf and team will discuss how liquidity and positioning unwinds have contributed to considerable gyrations in FX and rates markets. 

You may also enjoy listening to the Merrill Perspectives podcast, featuring conversations on the big stories, news and trends affecting your everyday financial life.

"Bank of America" and “BofA Securities” are the marketing names for the global banking businesses and global markets businesses (which includes BofA Global Research) of Bank of Amer...

Structural drivers of card networks charge ahead

The card networks have historically been considered among the best and highest quality business models in public markets. But more recently, the card network stocks have de-rated as investors have grown concerned about perceived threats, from legislation to AI. Matt O'Neill recently reinstated coverage of the payments group and he joins the podcast to discuss these risks and why he believes fears are generally overstated. Relatedly, he discusses what transactions may look like in the future if consumers employ AI agents to do more of their purchasing and how AI may help with prod...

Please join Ralf Preusser in conversation with Ralph Axel, Katie Craig and Ebrahim Poonawala on US banks. The call will take place on Fri 20 March at 10 am ET, 2 pm GMT, 3 pm CET. We will discuss US bank liquidity regulations and the impact on bank behaviour, reserve and UST demand, Fed balance sheet and rates.

You may also enjoy listening to the Merrill Perspectives podcast, featuring conversations on the big stories, news and trends affecting your everyday financial life.

"Bank of America" and “BofA Securities” are the marketing names for the global bankin...

Please join Ralf Preusser in conversation with Bruno Braizinha, Mark Cabana, and Sphia Salim. The conflict in Iran is a negative supply shock for much of the global economy via higher oil prices. Central banks face a deteriorated trade-off between growth and inflation. That trade off differs meaningfully across major markets, as does the repricing we have seen in rate markets. We discuss where we see value, how we expect curves to trade and what hedges look attractive.

You may also enjoy listening to the Merrill Perspectives podcast, featuring conversations on the big stories, news a...