Making Sense

Markets have remained notably risk-on in 2026, even as geopolitical fragmentation, energy chokepoints and intensifying U.S.-China competition continue to raise the stakes for investors and businesses. In this episode of J.P. Morgan’s Making Sense, Joyce Chang, chair of Global Research at J.P. Morgan, is joined by Paul Haenle, head of APAC Policy and Strategic Competitiveness at J.P. Morgan, and Karim Sadjadpour, senior fellow at the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace, to unpack how the Middle East conflict could continue to unfold — and what elevated geopolitical risk means for global markets. They discuss the strategic objectives and end states of the conflict, how ongoing disruptions in the Strait of Hormuz and Bab el-Mandeb could impact global oil and LNG flows, as well as how China weighs the risks of instability against the opportunities of U.S. distraction. The conversation also looks ahead to the September U.S.-China summit and explores how AI competition is reshaping the relationship between the world’s two largest economies.

 

This episode was recorded on July 22, 2026.

 

This communication is provided for information purposes only. Please visit www.jpmm.com/research/disclosures for important disclosures. JPMorgan Chase & Co. or its affiliates and/or subsidiaries (collectively, J.P. Morgan) normally make a market and trade as principal in securities, other financial products and other asset classes that may be discussed in this communication.

This communication has been prepared based upon information from sources believed to be reliable, but J.P. Morgan does not warrant its completeness or accuracy except with respect to any disclosures relative to J.P. Morgan and/or its affiliates and an analyst's involvement with any company (or security, other financial product or other asset class) that may be the subject of this communication. Any opinions and estimates constitute our judgment as of the date of this material and are subject to change without notice. Past performance is not indicative of future results. This communication is not intended as an offer or solicitation for the purchase or sale of any financial instrument. J.P. Morgan Research does not provide individually tailored investment advice. Any opinions and recommendations herein do not take into account individual circumstances, objectives, or needs and are not intended as recommendations of particular securities, financial instruments or strategies. You must make your own independent decisions regarding any securities, financial instruments or strategies mentioned or related to the information herein. Periodic updates may be provided on companies, issuers or industries based on specific developments or announcements, market conditions or any other publicly available information. However, J.P. Morgan may be restricted from updating information contained in this communication for regulatory or other reasons. This communication may not be redistributed or retransmitted, in whole or in part, or in any form or manner, without the express written consent of J.P. Morgan. Any unauthorized use or disclosure is prohibited. Receipt and review of this information constitutes your agreement not to redistribute or retransmit the contents and information contained in this communication without first obtaining express permission from an authorized officer of J.P. Morgan.

© 2026, JPMorganChase & Co. All rights reserved.

Markets have powered through a volatile first half of 2026, despite geopolitical shocks, commodity swings, a more complex rates backdrop and increased scrutiny on the returns to AI and other growth investments. In this episode of J.P. Morgan’s Making Sense, Evan Junek, global head of Corporate Finance Advisory, and Charlie Bouckaert, global head of Advisory and M&A, discuss the factors underpinning this resilience. They explore why M&A volumes have hit record highs, why corporates are leaning in with speed and scale, as well as how boards are thinking about strategic readiness in a still-receptive capital markets environment. They also dive into the shift from sponsor-led to strategic-led deal dynamics, what cross-border activity signals about geographic growth divergence and how policy uncertainty and antitrust perceptions are shaping timelines. 

 

This episode was recorded on July 21, 2026. 

This material was prepared by certain personnel of the investment banking group of JPMorgan Chase & Co. and its affiliates and subsidiaries worldwide and not the firm’s research department. It is for informational purposes only, is not intended as an offer or solicitation for the purchase, sale or tender of any financial instrument and does not constitute a commitment, undertaking, offer or solicitation by any JPMorgan Chase entity to extend or arrange credit or provide any other products or services to any person or entity.  

© 2026 JPMorgan Chase & Company. All rights reserved.

What's the right price for AI stocks? In this episode of Making Sense, Eloise Goulder, head of the Data Assets and Alpha Group at J.P. Morgan, speaks with Helen Jewell, International CIO of Fundamental Equities at BlackRock, about differentiating within the AI trade, and identifying companies with durable earnings power and high return on capital growth, versus simply those trading with momentum. They discuss where the market is (and isn't) discriminating across semis, memory and software and what to watch as the AI capex cycle evolves.

 

This episode was recorded on April 6, 2026.

 

The podcast's views do not necessarily reflect those of J.P. Morgan Chase & Co or its affiliates (together “J.P. Morgan) and are not from J.P. Morgan’s Research Department. They do not constitute recommendations or offers to buy or sell securities. Intended for institutional and professional investors, not retail use, it is for informational purposes only. Products and services mentioned may not suit all investors or be available in all jurisdictions. J.P. Morgan may make markets and trade in discussed securities and asset classes. Visit www.jpmorgan.com/disclosures/salesandtradingdisclaimer for more disclaimers and regulatory disclosures. External speakers' opinions are personal and not J.P. Morgan's views.

© 2026 JPMorgan Chase & Company. All rights reserved.

Gold trading in APAC is evolving quickly, with record volumes, shifting participation and infrastructure upgrades reshaping liquidity and execution. In this episode of J.P. Morgan’s Making Sense, Khushil Nathoo from the FICC Market Structure & Liquidity Strategy team and Ravi Ramakrishnan, senior precious metals trader for Asia, discuss what’s driving heightened activity in gold, how clients are accessing liquidity and where trading could gravitate as new hubs and clearing initiatives take shape.

 

Nathoo and Ramakrishnan also explore the impact of electronic execution, the interplay between central bank and retail demand in Asia and what tokenization, gold-backed stablecoins and digital platforms may mean for market structure and available free float over time. 

 

This episode was recorded on July 16, 2026.

 

The views expressed in this podcast may not necessarily reflect the views of JPMorgan Chase & Co, and its affiliates, together J.P. Morgan, and do not constitute research or recommendation advice or an offer or a solicitation to buy or sell any security or financial instrument. They are not issued by Research but are a solicitation under CFTC Rule 1.71. Referenced products and services in this podcast may not be suitable for you, and may not be available in all jurisdictions. J.P. Morgan may make markets and trade as principal in securities and other asset classes and financial products that may have been discussed. The FICC market structure publications, or to one, newsletters, mentioned in this podcast are available for J.P. Morgan clients. Please contact your J.P. Morgan sales representative should you wish to receive these. For additional disclaimers and regulatory disclosures, please visit www.jpmorgan.com/disclosures

© 2026 JPMorgan Chase & Company. All rights reserved.

Retail participation in Asia is not just significant — in many markets, it’s dominant. In this episode of Making Sense, Eloise Goulder, head of the Data Assets and Alpha Group at J.P. Morgan, sits down with Clare Witts, head of APAC Equity Market Structure, to chart the rise of retail investing and its effect on liquidity and market performance. Witts offers her perspective on concentration in single stocks, retail appetite for ETFs and derivatives, and how Asian exchanges are responding to this powerful phenomenon.

 

This episode was recorded on June 26, 2026. 

The podcast's views do not necessarily reflect those of J.P. Morgan Chase & Co or its affiliates (together “J.P. Morgan) and are not from J.P. Morgan’s Research Department. They do not constitute recommendations or offers to buy or sell securities. Intended for institutional and professional investors, not retail use, it is for informational purposes only. Products and services mentioned may not suit all investors or be available in all jurisdictions. J.P. Morgan may make markets and trade in discussed securities and asset classes. Visit www.jpmorgan.com/disclosures/salesandtradingdisclaimer for more disclaimers and regulatory disclosures. External speakers' opinions are personal and not J.P. Morgan's views.

© 2026 JPMorgan Chase & Company. All rights reserved.