Making Sense

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.

Amid elevated volatility and rapid advances in technology, systematic trading is gaining steam in commodities markets. Join Leland Price from the FICC Market Structure & Liquidity Strategy team alongside commodity traders Max Lee and Biko Agozino as they discuss what’s driving the growth of quantitative strategies across commodities and what it means for market participants today.

Explore how automation is unlocking access to OTC liquidity, alpha opportunities emerging from inefficiency as well as how API connectivity and AI are shaping the modern trader’s toolkit.

 

This episode was recorded on June 25, 2025.

 

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 them. For additional disclaimers and regulatory disclosures, please visit www.jpmorgan.com/disclosures

Copyright 2026 JPMorgan Chase & Co. All rights reserved.