Podcasts about bofa securities

Institutions are increasingly using derivative-based ETFs and FLEX Options as complementary tools to achieve precise risk-return outcomes. This panel will explore how products such as buffer and target outcome ETFs, hedged equity structures, and single-name/high-payout ETFs are reshaping institutional allocation models — and how FLEX Options provide the customization needed to support these strategies. Moderator: Sara Levin, Managing Director, ETF and Derivative Trading, WallachBeth Capital Panelists: Sean Truett, Senior Vice President of Strategy & Business Development, Box Options Market LLC Geoff Gaiss, Vice President Global Derivatives, TRAFiX Burke Ashenden, Head of Capital Markets & Institutional Strategy, Innovator James Maund, Head of Capital Markets, Krane Shares This panel is proudly sponsored by BofA Securities.  

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 environment. They further discuss the efficiency of American R&D and the enduring role of the U.S. dollar in global markets. This episode offers a data-driven perspective on 250 years of American capitalism and the key trends shaping the path ahead.   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 globally by banking affiliates of Bank of America Corporation, including Bank of America, N.A., Member FDIC. Securities, trading, research, strategic advisory, and other investment banking and markets activities are performed globally by affiliates of Bank of America Corporation, including, in the United States, BofA Securities, Inc. a registered broker-dealer and Member of FINRA and SIPC, and, in other jurisdictions, by locally registered entities. ©2026 Bank of America Corporation. All rights reserved.

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 globally by banking affiliates of Bank of America Corporation, including Bank of America, N.A., Member FDIC. Securities, trading, research, strategic advisory, and other investment banking and markets activities are performed globally by affiliates of Bank of America Corporation, including, in the United States, BofA Securities, Inc. a registered broker-dealer and Member of FINRA and SIPC, and, in other jurisdictions, by locally registered entities. ©2026 Bank of America Corporation. All rights reserved.

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 America Corporation. Lending, derivatives, and other commercial banking activities are performed globally by banking affiliates of Bank of America Corporation, including Bank of America, N.A., Member FDIC. Securities, trading, research, strategic advisory, and other investment banking and markets activities are performed globally by affiliates of Bank of America Corporation, including, in the United States, BofA Securities, Inc. a registered broker-dealer and Member of FINRA and SIPC, and, in other jurisdictions, by locally registered entities. ©2026 Bank of America Corporation. All rights reserved.  

The prospect of 24/7 trading for U.S. listed options is no longer a thought experiment—it's an industry conversation already underway. But turning the lights on around the clock is not as simple as flipping a switch. It requires rethinking clearing, collateral, and risk management frameworks; redefining the trading day itself; and ensuring that liquidity, market depth, and investor protections hold up during non-traditional hours. Moderator: Aniceto Solares, Principal, Regulatory Policy, OCC Panelists: Dave Barrett, Head of U.S. Options, Nasdaq Kevin Tyrrell, Vice President, Head of Markets, NYSE: ICE Alicia Crighton, Managing Director, Goldman Sachs Adam Leaman, Chief Commercial Officer, Zerohash This panel is proudly sponsored by BofA Securities.

Instead of siloed perspectives, this session pairs buyside and sellside leaders to tackle pressing industry questions collaboratively: •    Which trends will shape the next 12–24 months? •    How are vendors and exchanges prioritizing innovation? •    What role can buyside firms play in shaping product development and liquidity frameworks? Moderator: Ivan Brown, Head of Options, IEX Panelists: John Ruby, Trader, Jane Street Andy Hicks, Option Strategist, BlackRock Tommy Martin, Chief Strategy Officer, DASH Financial Technologies Anthony Denier, Group President and U.S. Chief Executive Officer, Webull This panel is proudly sponsored by BofA Securities.  

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.   "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 America, N.A., Member FDIC. Securities, trading, research, strategic advisory, and other investment banking and markets activities are performed globally by affiliates of Bank of America Corporation, including, in the United States, BofA Securities, Inc. a registered broker-dealer and Member of FINRA and SIPC, and, in other jurisdictions, by locally registered entities. ©2026 Bank of America Corporation. All rights reserved.  

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 of America Corporation. Lending, derivatives, and other commercial banking activities are performed globally by banking affiliates of Bank of America Corporation, including Bank of America, N.A., Member FDIC. Securities, trading, research, strategic advisory, and other investment banking and markets activities are performed globally by affiliates of Bank of America Corporation, including, in the United States, BofA Securities, Inc. a registered broker-dealer and Member of FINRA and SIPC, and, in other jurisdictions, by locally registered entities. ©2026 Bank of America Corporation. All rights reserved.  

Rassegna stampa economico-finanziaria del 9 Giugno 2026, strutturata per macro-temi e basata sulle principali testate giornalistiche nazionali.RISIKO BANCARIO — IL GRANDE RIASSETTOTestate: Corriere della Sera / Il Sole 24 Ore / La Stampa / La Repubblica / Il Messaggero / MF / Il Foglio    •    Intesa Sanpaolo lancia l'OPAS su MPS del valore di 30,6 miliardi di euro (contanti + azioni), in tandem con Unipol. Ratio di scambio: 1,6 azioni Intesa + 1 euro cash per ogni azione MPS.    •    Reazione di Borsa (seduta 9/6): MPS +12,96%, Bper +5,18%, Unipol +4,55%, Generali +2,8%, Mediobanca +11,9%; Intesa -1,37%, UniCredit -2%.    •    Perimetro dell'operazione: Intesa tratterrà le 625 filiali di Mediobanca (con la quota del 13,2% in Generali), wealth management e investment banking. Unipol rileverà la sede storica di Rocca Salimbeni e 635 sportelli, trasferiti a Bper. Il nuovo istituto si chiamerà Banca Monte dei Paschi.    •    Target post-aggregazione Intesa: ~126 miliardi di capitalizzazione (seconda in Eurozona per market cap), 20 milioni di clienti, attività per ~1.700 miliardi, utili consolidati sopra i 16 miliardi nel 2029, con 61 miliardi di cedole distribuite entro quella data.    •    Impegno Unipol: Cimbri stima una quota di circa il 40% della seconda banca del Paese; investimento fino a 3,5 miliardi. Unipol-Bper nel 2025 ha generato 450–460 milioni di utili, con target 2026 a 930 milioni.    •    Azionariato post-Opas (mappa): Compagnia San Paolo 5,16%, BlackRock 6,98%, Fondazione Cariplo 4,30%, Delfin 3,81%, Caltagirone 2,93%, MEF 1,06%.    •    MPS sotto passivity rule: Qualsiasi mossa difensiva richiede assemblea straordinaria a maggioranza qualificata. Il cda si avvale degli advisor Ubs Europe e BofA Securities. Banco Bpm è di fatto escluso dall'operazione.    •    UniCredit–Generali: Orcel ha consolidato una quota tra il 9% e il ~10% nel Leone (titoli fisici + derivati). La quota finale in Commerzbank si conoscerà il 16 giugno 2026; al 40% Commerz entra nel consolidato, al 66% UniCredit ottiene il controllo dell'assemblea.    •    BTP Italia Sì: In collocamento dal 15 al 19 giugno 2026, durata 5 anni.    •    Pirelli/Golden Power: CNRC ha presentato ricorso al TAR contro il Golden Power applicato alla società (Il Sole 24 Ore).ENERGIA — PIANO UE SULLE BOLLETTETestate: La Stampa / Il Giornale / Corriere della Sera    •    Bozza legislativa UE attesa il 22 luglio 2026: La Commissione punta a tassare l'elettricità in misura inferiore al gas per favorire la transizione energetica e ridurre le bollette di famiglie e imprese.    •    Target contatori smart: Il 50% dei clienti elettrici dotato di contatore intelligente entro il 2030, per consentire l'accesso a tariffe dinamiche nelle fasce orarie più economiche.    •    Target elettrificazione: Passare dall'attuale 23% al 32% entro il 2030. Gli oneri di rete oggi pesano per circa un quarto della bolletta elettrica media UE.    •    Piano italiano rinnovabili approvato: La Commissione ha dato il via libera al piano italiano da 23 miliardi di euro in aiuti di Stato per produzione da fonti rinnovabili (eolico, solare, idroelettrico, biogas). I costi rientrano nella flessibilità del Patto di Stabilità fino allo 0,6% del PIL, sostenuti fino al 2028.    •    Rottura FCAS Francia-Germania: Airbus e Dassault non hanno trovato un accordo sul caccia di sesta generazione. Si apre lo spazio per il programma GCAP (Italia–UK–Giappone), con Leonardo tra i partner fondatori, primo decollo previsto entro il 2035 (Il Messaggero / Il Giornale).MACRO E FISCOTestate: Il Sole 24 Ore / Italia Oggi / La Stampa    •    Spesa pubblica 2025: Secondo La Stampa, lo Stato ha speso circa 1.155 miliardi, quasi il +30% rispetto al decennio precedente. La spesa per interessi è salita da 60 miliardi nel 2019 a 87 miliardi nel 2025. La proiezione al 2029 è di 1.245 miliardi.    •    Garanzie statali nel sistema bancario: Tra Sace e Mediocredito Centrale il sistema gode di una garanzia statale per 400 miliardi a Basilea (Tremonti, Il Sole 24 Ore).    •    Patrimoniale: Il 64% dei cittadini si dichiara favorevole a una tassa patrimoniale, secondo un sondaggio citato da Italia Oggi.    •    Fisco e accessi brevi: Italia Oggi segnala l'intensificazione dei controlli fiscali mediante accessi di breve durata, modalità più agile rispetto agli accertamenti tradizionali.    •    Riforma Corte dei Conti: Il tetto al 30% del danno risarcibile non è un condono; prima della riforma il recupero era al 10%. I presidenti di sezione passeranno da 104 a 50 (Il Sole 24 Ore, int. Miele).GEOPOLITICA ECONOMICATestate: Corriere della Sera / La Stampa / Il Messaggero / Il Foglio    •    Israele–Iran, cessate il fuoco temporaneo: L'Iran ha lanciato 24 missili balistici su Israele (tutti intercettati); Israele ha risposto colpendo infrastrutture energetiche iraniane, con 15 feriti secondo fonti ufficiali di Teheran. Tregua annunciata ma dichiarata reversibile da Teheran in caso di nuove azioni nel Libano meridionale.    •    Xi in Corea del Nord: Prima visita dal 2019; obiettivo dichiarato: contenere il rafforzamento dell'asse Kim–Putin, alimentato dai proventi energetici e finanziari che la guerra in Ucraina ha portato nelle casse di Pyongyang.    •    Armenia: Pashinyan rieletto con ~50% dei voti contro il 33% delle opposizioni filo-russe, consolidando il percorso di avvicinamento all'UE.    •    Difesa italiana — DDL in arrivo al CdM: Appalti accelerati per il riarmo, centro anti-disinformazione, commissione interforze per le nomine. Il requisito di carriera interforze per i vertici militari scatterà dal 2033 (Il Messaggero).GIUSTIZIA E COMPLIANCETestate: Libero Quotidiano / La Verità / Il Riformista / Il Dubbio    •    Caso Minetti: Il Gruppo Cipriani ha presentato richieste di risarcimento tra 220 e 250 milioni di euro contro Il Fatto Quotidiano, con cause aperte a Roma e New York.    •    Obblighi vaccinali Covid: La Cassazione ha dichiarato illegittima la sospensione di un amministrativo che rifiutava il vaccino in una sede senza pazienti. L'AUSL Romagna dovrà corrispondergli 11 mesi di stipendio più tredicesima e scatti. Spese legali: 13.200 euro, di cui il 60% a carico dell'ente.    •    Archiviazione Berlusconi–Dell'Utri: Il costo complessivo per lo Stato stimato in “oltre 25 milioni di euro” (Il Riformista).

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 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 America, N.A., Member FDIC. Securities, trading, research, strategic advisory, and other investment banking and markets activities are performed globally by affiliates of Bank of America Corporation, including, in the United States, BofA Securities, Inc. a registered broker-dealer and Member of FINRA and SIPC, and, in other jurisdictions, by locally registered entities. ©2026 Bank of America Corporation. All rights reserved.

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 coverage where the tailwinds are more structural, including cruise, gyms and golf.   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 globally by banking affiliates of Bank of America Corporation, including Bank of America, N.A., Member FDIC. Securities, trading, research, strategic advisory, and other investment banking and markets activities are performed globally by affiliates of Bank of America Corporation, including, in the United States, BofA Securities, Inc. a registered broker-dealer and Member of FINRA and SIPC, and, in other jurisdictions, by locally registered entities. ©2026 Bank of America Corporation. All rights reserved.

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 side-effect profiles. We also examine intensifying competition within the GLP-1 landscape, as well as the packaged food and beverage segments most at risk-or best positioned to benefit-alongside areas where potential upside may be overstated   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 globally by banking affiliates of Bank of America Corporation, including Bank of America, N.A., Member FDIC. Securities, trading, research, strategic advisory, and other investment banking and markets activities are performed globally by affiliates of Bank of America Corporation, including, in the United States, BofA Securities, Inc. a registered broker-dealer and Member of FINRA and SIPC, and, in other jurisdictions, by locally registered entities. ©2026 Bank of America Corporation. All rights reserved.

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 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 America, N.A., Member FDIC. Securities, trading, research, strategic advisory, and other investment banking and markets activities are performed globally by affiliates of Bank of America Corporation, including, in the United States, BofA Securities, Inc. a registered broker-dealer and Member of FINRA and SIPC, and, in other jurisdictions, by locally registered entities. ©2026 Bank of America Corporation. All rights reserved.  

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 America Corporation. Lending, derivatives, and other commercial banking activities are performed globally by banking affiliates of Bank of America Corporation, including Bank of America, N.A., Member FDIC. Securities, trading, research, strategic advisory, and other investment banking and markets activities are performed globally by affiliates of Bank of America Corporation, including, in the United States, BofA Securities, Inc. a registered broker-dealer and Member of FINRA and SIPC, and, in other jurisdictions, by locally registered entities. ©2026 Bank of America Corporation. All rights reserved.

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.   "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 America, N.A., Member FDIC. Securities, trading, research, strategic advisory, and other investment banking and markets activities are performed globally by affiliates of Bank of America Corporation, including, in the United States, BofA Securities, Inc. a registered broker-dealer and Member of FINRA and SIPC, and, in other jurisdictions, by locally registered entities. ©2026 Bank of America Corporation. All rights reserved.

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 offer a different take and point out what's been improvement in that metric over the last several months. We share our views on the economies best positioned to benefit from the AI transition, and our take on whether benefits from AI may accrue more to capital than labor.   "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 America, N.A., Member FDIC. Securities, trading, research, strategic advisory, and other investment banking and markets activities are performed globally by affiliates of Bank of America Corporation, including, in the United States, BofA Securities, Inc. a registered broker-dealer and Member of FINRA and SIPC, and, in other jurisdictions, by locally registered entities. ©2026 Bank of America Corporation. All rights reserved.

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 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 America, N.A., Member FDIC. Securities, trading, research, strategic advisory, and other investment banking and markets activities are performed globally by affiliates of Bank of America Corporation, including, in the United States, BofA Securities, Inc. a registered broker-dealer and Member of FINRA and SIPC, and, in other jurisdictions, by locally registered entities. ©2026 Bank of America Corporation. All rights reserved.

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 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 America, N.A., Member FDIC. Securities, trading, research, strategic advisory, and other investment banking and markets activities are performed globally by affiliates of Bank of America Corporation, including, in the United States, BofA Securities, Inc. a registered broker-dealer and Member of FINRA and SIPC, and, in other jurisdictions, by locally registered entities. ©2026 Bank of America Corporation. All rights reserved.

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 compares fundamentals for homebuilders to those for building product companies and why exposure to less discretionary projects like roofing can make certain building product companies attractive investments. Finally, we touch on housing policy where many potential solutions have been floated but where challenges persist. We discuss why meaningful action so far has been limited, partly due to structural dynamics   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 globally by banking affiliates of Bank of America Corporation, including Bank of America, N.A., Member FDIC. Securities, trading, research, strategic advisory, and other investment banking and markets activities are performed globally by affiliates of Bank of America Corporation, including, in the United States, BofA Securities, Inc. a registered broker-dealer and Member of FINRA and SIPC, and, in other jurisdictions, by locally registered entities. ©2026 Bank of America Corporation. All rights reserved.

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 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 America, N.A., Member FDIC. Securities, trading, research, strategic advisory, and other investment banking and markets activities are performed globally by affiliates of Bank of America Corporation, including, in the United States, BofA Securities, Inc. a registered broker-dealer and Member of FINRA and SIPC, and, in other jurisdictions, by locally registered entities. ©2026 Bank of America Corporation. All rights reserved.  

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 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 America, N.A., Member FDIC. Securities, trading, research, strategic advisory, and other investment banking and markets activities are performed globally by affiliates of Bank of America Corporation, including, in the United States, BofA Securities, Inc. a registered broker-dealer and Member of FINRA and SIPC, and, in other jurisdictions, by locally registered entities. ©2026 Bank of America Corporation. All rights reserved.

This Day in Legal History: Salmon P. Chase DiesOn May 7, 1873, Chief Justice Salmon P. Chase died, ending one of the most unusual legal and political careers in American history. Chase had been an antislavery lawyer, a U.S. senator, governor of Ohio, Abraham Lincoln's secretary of the Treasury, and then Chief Justice of the United States. He was also one of the many talented and ambitious men around Lincoln who did not begin as an admirer of him. Before Lincoln became president, Chase had encountered him as a lawyer and reportedly did not think much of him, viewing him as a rough western attorney rather than a national figure. After Lincoln defeated him for the Republican nomination in 1860, Chase had reason to believe a summons to the White House might be an occasion for Lincoln to enjoy the victory. Instead, Lincoln offered him one of the most important jobs in the government: secretary of the Treasury.It was a revealing moment in Lincoln's political genius, because he was willing to place a rival who had underestimated him in a position of enormous responsibility during the Civil War. Chase helped finance the Union war effort and became closely associated with the creation of a national banking system and the issuance of paper currency. In 1864, Lincoln elevated him again by appointing him Chief Justice of the United States.As Chief Justice, Chase presided over the 1868 impeachment trial of President Andrew Johnson, a major constitutional test of presidential power and congressional authority. Near the end of his life, Chase dissented in the Slaughter-House Cases, one of the first major Supreme Court interpretations of the Fourteenth Amendment. The Court's majority read the Amendment's Privileges or Immunities Clause narrowly, limiting a provision that many had hoped would become a strong source of federal protection for civil rights. Chase's dissent placed him on the side of a broader understanding of Reconstruction's constitutional promise. His death mattered not only because of the offices he held, but because it came at a moment when the Supreme Court was deciding whether the Civil War amendments would transform American law or be read down almost as soon as they were adopted.Apple customers have asked a California federal judge to preliminarily approve a proposed $250 million settlement over claims that Apple overstated the artificial intelligence features available on the iPhone 16. The proposed class includes people who bought any iPhone 16 model or certain iPhone 15 models between June 10, 2024, and March 29, 2025. The customers allege Apple advertised enhanced Siri capabilities as part of its Apple Intelligence rollout even though those features were not yet available. Under the settlement, eligible class members who submit valid claims would receive $25 per device, with payments possibly rising to $95 per device depending on participation. Apple is also expected to provide additional Siri-related Apple Intelligence updates in the future at no extra cost.The plaintiffs said settlement made sense because AI-related consumer claims are still legally novel and would carry risk if the case continued. Apple had argued that its marketing was not deceptive because it had already released many Apple Intelligence features and had disclosed that other features would arrive over time. The case began in March 2025 and later became part of a consolidated set of related lawsuits in the Northern District of California. The parties conducted discovery, consulted experts, and participated in three full-day mediation sessions before reaching the proposed deal. Plaintiffs' lawyers plan to seek up to $70 million in fees, plus up to $600,000 in expenses. The settlement does not resolve separate securities or shareholder cases claiming Apple misled investors about the timing of the Siri rollout. Apple said it settled to remain focused on developing products and services, while maintaining that it has already introduced numerous Apple Intelligence tools.Apple Reaches $250M Deal Over Claims It Overhyped IPhone AI - Law360Bayer has agreed to acquire Perfuse Therapeutics, a San Francisco biopharma company, in a deal worth up to $2.45 billion. The transaction gives Bayer full rights to PER-001, a drug candidate in phase-two clinical development for glaucoma and diabetic retinopathy. Bayer will pay $300 million upfront, with the rest tied to development, regulatory, and sales milestones. Perfuse focuses on treatments that improve blood flow to the retina, with the goal of addressing conditions that can lead to blindness. Bayer said the acquisition strengthens its ophthalmology pipeline and supports its effort to develop new therapies for serious eye diseases.The deal is being handled legally by Baker McKenzie for Bayer, with partners Alan Zoccolillo, Oren Livne, and Jieun Tak leading the team. Goodwin Procter is advising Perfuse. The transaction still needs antitrust clearance and approval from Perfuse shareholders. Bayer is being advised financially by BofA Securities, while Centerview Partners is advising Perfuse. Bayer and Perfuse said glaucoma could affect about 112 million people by 2040, while diabetic retinopathy could affect 160 million people by 2045.Baker McKenzie-Led Bayer To Buy Perfuse For Up To $2.45B - Law360 UKThe California Supreme Court is considering whether drugmakers can be held legally responsible for stopping development of a potentially safer drug while continuing to sell an already-approved medication. The case involves Gilead Sciences and roughly 24,000 HIV patients who took drugs containing tenofovir disoproxil fumarate, or TDF. TDF-based drugs received FDA approval in 2001, but they were associated with possible kidney and bone side effects. Gilead later began developing a related drug, tenofovir alafenamide fumarate, or TAF, which patients say had fewer side effects. The company stopped developing TAF in 2004, arguing that it was not different enough from TDF to justify further investment.The patients claim Gilead delayed TAF for business reasons, including to protect TDF sales and time TAF's release around the expiration of TDF patents. Gilead argues that allowing the negligence claims to proceed would punish companies for researching possible improvements and could discourage innovation. The company says the lower court rulings effectively create a “duty to innovate,” even when the drug already on the market is not alleged to be defective. The patients respond that the case is not about forcing endless research, but about whether Gilead unreasonably delayed a safer alternative for profit. A ruling for the patients could expand product-liability exposure for pharmaceutical companies, while a ruling for Gilead could limit claims based on decisions not to commercialize drugs still in development.California's highest court to consider whether drugmakers have ‘duty to innovate' | Reuters This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.minimumcomp.com/subscribe

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 was heading higher well before the closure of the Strait of Hormuz. Lastly, we touch on whether we could see significant oil production increases in Venezuela and Iran over the longer term and whether US integrated oil companies are poised to benefit.   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 globally by banking affiliates of Bank of America Corporation, including Bank of America, N.A., Member FDIC. Securities, trading, research, strategic advisory, and other investment banking and markets activities are performed globally by affiliates of Bank of America Corporation, including, in the United States, BofA Securities, Inc. a registered broker-dealer and Member of FINRA and SIPC, and, in other jurisdictions, by locally registered entities. ©2026 Bank of America Corporation. All rights reserved.

In this episode, we discuss central bank meeting takeaways and market implications. We discuss the Fed's and Bank of Canada's shift in tone, plus the groundwork for hikes from the European Central Bank and Bank of England. We also cover the Bank of Japan's delayed hike and the implications for the June meeting. Finally, we recap some recent work across regions on global plumbing and funding 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 America Corporation. Lending, derivatives, and other commercial banking activities are performed globally by banking affiliates of Bank of America Corporation, including Bank of America, N.A., Member FDIC. Securities, trading, research, strategic advisory, and other investment banking and markets activities are performed globally by affiliates of Bank of America Corporation, including, in the United States, BofA Securities, Inc. a registered broker-dealer and Member of FINRA and SIPC, and, in other jurisdictions, by locally registered entities. ©2026 Bank of America Corporation. All rights reserved.  

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 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 globally by banking affiliates of Bank of America Corporation, including Bank of America, N.A., Member FDIC. Securities, trading, research, strategic advisory, and other investment banking and markets activities are performed globally by affiliates of Bank of America Corporation, including, in the United States, BofA Securities, Inc. a registered broker-dealer and Member of FINRA and SIPC, and, in other jurisdictions, by locally registered entities. ©2026 Bank of America Corporation. All rights reserved.

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.   "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 America, N.A., Member FDIC. Securities, trading, research, strategic advisory, and other investment banking and markets activities are performed globally by affiliates of Bank of America Corporation, including, in the United States, BofA Securities, Inc. a registered broker-dealer and Member of FINRA and SIPC, and, in other jurisdictions, by locally registered entities. ©2026 Bank of America Corporation. All rights reserved.

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, Asian defense companies are positioned for durable, multi‑year returns. Still, geopolitics works both ways and the desire for domestic supply chains will play a role too.   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 globally by banking affiliates of Bank of America Corporation, including Bank of America, N.A., Member FDIC. Securities, trading, research, strategic advisory, and other investment banking and markets activities are performed globally by affiliates of Bank of America Corporation, including, in the United States, BofA Securities, Inc. a registered broker-dealer and Member of FINRA and SIPC, and, in other jurisdictions, by locally registered entities. ©2026 Bank of America Corporation. All rights reserved.

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 standing out as a key supplier of energy and commodities-Brazil benefiting as an energy exporter amid an easing cycle, and Argentina offering reform‑driven, off‑index upside.   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 globally by banking affiliates of Bank of America Corporation, including Bank of America, N.A., Member FDIC. Securities, trading, research, strategic advisory, and other investment banking and markets activities are performed globally by affiliates of Bank of America Corporation, including, in the United States, BofA Securities, Inc. a registered broker-dealer and Member of FINRA and SIPC, and, in other jurisdictions, by locally registered entities. ©2026 Bank of America Corporation. All rights reserved.

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 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 America, N.A., Member FDIC. Securities, trading, research, strategic advisory, and other investment banking and markets activities are performed globally by affiliates of Bank of America Corporation, including, in the United States, BofA Securities, Inc. a registered broker-dealer and Member of FINRA and SIPC, and, in other jurisdictions, by locally registered entities. ©2026 Bank of America Corporation. All rights reserved.

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 ppt range. Savita Subramanian highlights that U.S. corporate earnings have remained resilient, supported by strength in energy and tech, and discusses how the recent selloff, combined with positive earnings revisions, informs her view on the S&P 500 and whether earnings are likely to remain relatively unfazed. She also outlines preferred sectors, while we cover the key risks to economic and earnings forecasts from here.   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 globally by banking affiliates of Bank of America Corporation, including Bank of America, N.A., Member FDIC. Securities, trading, research, strategic advisory, and other investment banking and markets activities are performed globally by affiliates of Bank of America Corporation, including, in the United States, BofA Securities, Inc. a registered broker-dealer and Member of FINRA and SIPC, and, in other jurisdictions, by locally registered entities. ©2026 Bank of America Corporation. All rights reserved.

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 America Corporation. Lending, derivatives, and other commercial banking activities are performed globally by banking affiliates of Bank of America Corporation, including Bank of America, N.A., Member FDIC. Securities, trading, research, strategic advisory, and other investment banking and markets activities are performed globally by affiliates of Bank of America Corporation, including, in the United States, BofA Securities, Inc. a registered broker-dealer and Member of FINRA and SIPC, and, in other jurisdictions, by locally registered entities. ©2026 Bank of America Corporation. All rights reserved.

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 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 America, N.A., Member FDIC. Securities, trading, research, strategic advisory, and other investment banking and markets activities are performed globally by affiliates of Bank of America Corporation, including, in the United States, BofA Securities, Inc. a registered broker-dealer and Member of FINRA and SIPC, and, in other jurisdictions, by locally registered entities. ©2026 Bank of America Corporation. All rights reserved.

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 product discovery more imminently. We also address Buy Now Pay Later, which may not be the upstart it once was, but it's a segment where we expect compelling growth ahead, as well as an evolving business model.   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 globally by banking affiliates of Bank of America Corporation, including Bank of America, N.A., Member FDIC. Securities, trading, research, strategic advisory, and other investment banking and markets activities are performed globally by affiliates of Bank of America Corporation, including, in the United States, BofA Securities, Inc. a registered broker-dealer and Member of FINRA and SIPC, and, in other jurisdictions, by locally registered entities. ©2026 Bank of America Corporation. All rights reserved.  

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 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 globally by banking affiliates of Bank of America Corporation, including Bank of America, N.A., Member FDIC. Securities, trading, research, strategic advisory, and other investment banking and markets activities are performed globally by affiliates of Bank of America Corporation, including, in the United States, BofA Securities, Inc. a registered broker-dealer and Member of FINRA and SIPC, and, in other jurisdictions, by locally registered entities. ©2026 Bank of America Corporation. All rights reserved.

Lower tax payments shift stimulus later into 1H26 We're in the midst of tax season, and BAC data helps us track changes in refunds, payments, and the impact on spending. Refund growth is in the high single digits y/y, but lower tax payments bring total stimulus closer to the ~25% increase we had been expecting. Aditya Bhave explains how lower payments shift the timing of benefits, potentially extending the spending lift through much of the first half of 2026. There's also evidence that higher refunds and lower payments are boosting spend, with a modest inflection since early this year. Middle- and higher‑income consumers appear to benefit most. With much of the lift tied to higher SALT deductions, we examine whether SALT states such as NY, NJ, and CA are seeing stronger spending and how weather and past wildfires may be clouding the data. We finish with whether any further measures could support lower‑income consumers and what to expect from the incoming Fed Chair.    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 globally by banking affiliates of Bank of America Corporation, including Bank of America, N.A., Member FDIC. Securities, trading, research, strategic advisory, and other investment banking and markets activities are performed globally by affiliates of Bank of America Corporation, including, in the United States, BofA Securities, Inc. a registered broker-dealer and Member of FINRA and SIPC, and, in other jurisdictions, by locally registered entities. ©2026 Bank of America Corporation. All rights reserved.  

Banks confront renewed private credit and AI-driven risks Private credit has remained a persistent concern for banks, and recent events have brought those worries back into focus. At the same time, new fears around AI-driven competition and potential credit deterioration have weighed on the group. Ebrahim Poonawala joins us to discuss how management teams addressed these issues at the recent BofA Financials Conference, the potential defenses that banks have against AI disruption, and the ways AI could enhance efficiency. We also explore how much of this is now reflected in bank valuations, with many large regionals trading back to pre COVID P/E levels despite regulatory and cyclical tailwinds. While our US Economics team does not view a deteriorating macro backdrop as the base case, such a scenario would pose risks for valuation multiples and earnings.  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 globally by banking affiliates of Bank of America Corporation, including Bank of America, N.A., Member FDIC. Securities, trading, research, strategic advisory, and other investment banking and markets activities are performed globally by affiliates of Bank of America Corporation, including, in the United States, BofA Securities, Inc. a registered broker-dealer and Member of FINRA and SIPC, and, in other jurisdictions, by locally registered entities. ©2026 Bank of America Corporation. All rights reserved.

Please join Ralf Preusser in conversation with Alex Cohen, Stephen Juneau and Meghan Swiber to discuss the US labor market. The US rate market continues to look for an anchor against the backdrop of the twin uncertainty shocks of AI and now Iran. Given developments in the Middle East it may seem backward looking to focus on payrolls, and retail sales. We disagree. Data remains of utmost importance in providing some signal about the underlying path that the US economy is taking after the shutdown. In driving risk asset performance, Friday's data may also matter more than usual for the FX market.   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 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 America, N.A., Member FDIC. Securities, trading, research, strategic advisory, and other investment banking and markets activities are performed globally by affiliates of Bank of America Corporation, including, in the United States, BofA Securities, Inc. a registered broker-dealer and Member of FINRA and SIPC, and, in other jurisdictions, by locally registered entities. ©2026 Bank of America Corporation. All rights reserved.

Please join Ralf Preusser for a discussion on global curve dynamics with Meghan Swiber, Sphia Salim and Paul Ciana. We will explore the recent shift from steepening to flattening pressures and the possible reasons behind it across regions. We will also talk about the technicals and trade implications across US, UK and EUR 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 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 America, N.A., Member FDIC. Securities, trading, research, strategic advisory, and other investment banking and markets activities are performed globally by affiliates of Bank of America Corporation, including, in the United States, BofA Securities, Inc. a registered broker-dealer and Member of FINRA and SIPC, and, in other jurisdictions, by locally registered entities. ©2026 Bank of America Corporation. All rights reserved.

Please join Ralf Preusser in conversation with Yuri Seliger and Meghan Swiber to discuss supple and demand in US bond markets. Strong supply in credit has been well absorbed, helped by a significant reduction in risk delivery to the private sector by US Treasury. Inflows are robust, supported by attractive yields and until recently lower rate vol. We can also observe growing appetite to extend along the UST curve, in particular among domestic investors.   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 globally by banking affiliates of Bank of America Corporation, including Bank of America, N.A., Member FDIC. Securities, trading, research, strategic advisory, and other investment banking and markets activities are performed globally by affiliates of Bank of America Corporation, including, in the United States, BofA Securities, Inc. a registered broker-dealer and Member of FINRA and SIPC, and, in other jurisdictions, by locally registered entities. ©2026 Bank of America Corporation. All rights reserved.

Please join Ralf Preusser for a discussion on the German outlook with Evelyn Herrmann, Sphia Salim and Michalis Rousakis. We will explore the view on the German fiscal implementation, its impact on the growth profile in 2026-27 and the challenges ahead. We will also present our EUR rate and German yield forecasts as well as our takeaways for the EURUSD outlook.   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 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 America, N.A., Member FDIC. Securities, trading, research, strategic advisory, and other investment banking and markets activities are performed globally by affiliates of Bank of America Corporation, including, in the United States, BofA Securities, Inc. a registered broker-dealer and Member of FINRA and SIPC, and, in other jurisdictions, by locally registered entities. ©2026 Bank of America Corporation. All rights reserved.  

Improving fundys, metals among reasons for EM optimism David Hauner argues that Emerging Markets (EM) remain a compelling opportunity, supported by favorable macro, valuation, and structural tailwinds. A weaker USD, low real US rates, and improving fundamentals across many EM economies echo past multi‑year periods of strong EM performance. After more than a decade of underallocation, global investors are beginning to return, though positioning remains well below historical norms. Metals‑producing countries are also benefiting from energy‑transition and AI‑driven demand. David also highlights risks around EM sentiment, the USD, and the Fed-currently supportive but vulnerable to higher inflation and tighter financial conditions. Even so, the improvements cited suggest selloffs are likely to attract dip buyers.   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 globally by banking affiliates of Bank of America Corporation, including Bank of America, N.A., Member FDIC. Securities, trading, research, strategic advisory, and other investment banking and markets activities are performed globally by affiliates of Bank of America Corporation, including, in the United States, BofA Securities, Inc. a registered broker-dealer and Member of FINRA and SIPC, and, in other jurisdictions, by locally registered entities. ©2026 Bank of America Corporation. All rights reserved.

Cyclicals vs. Tech: Positioning for broadening growth Mark Cabana and Savita Subramanian discuss whether there's evidence of a cyclical upswing in economic data, and the extent to which that's impacting companies and stocks. They also delve into whether such improvement is even as positive as it would seem given it could result in higher long rates and a Fed that's less able to cut. It's important to note that our economics team expects more cuts from the Fed this year so an environment of no cuts is not our base case but it's useful to discuss the possibility. Mark explains the important role that productivity plays and how it can alleviate much of this rate risk. A combination of better growth and productivity improvements could be quite positive for certain parts of the market too and Savita offers why she doesn't think improvement is fully priced into the sectors and stocks that would benefit. We also discuss another potential risk to rates-US dollar weakness and whether Mark sees any evidence of de-dollarization that could lead to a treasury selloff.   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 globally by banking affiliates of Bank of America Corporation, including Bank of America, N.A., Member FDIC. Securities, trading, research, strategic advisory, and other investment banking and markets activities are performed globally by affiliates of Bank of America Corporation, including, in the United States, BofA Securities, Inc. a registered broker-dealer and Member of FINRA and SIPC, and, in other jurisdictions, by locally registered entities. ©2026 Bank of America Corporation. All rights reserved.

Please join Ralf Preusser in discussion with Aditya Bhave and Mark Cabana to discuss the nomination of Kevin Warsh for Fed chair. We will analyse the implications for monetary policy, the outlook for the Fed's balance sheet and the market reaction in US Treasury markets to the announcement. We will also preview US data and review the quarterly refunding announcement.   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 globally by banking affiliates of Bank of America Corporation, including Bank of America, N.A., Member FDIC. Securities, trading, research, strategic advisory, and other investment banking and markets activities are performed globally by affiliates of Bank of America Corporation, including, in the United States, BofA Securities, Inc. a registered broker-dealer and Member of FINRA and SIPC, and, in other jurisdictions, by locally registered entities. ©2026 Bank of America Corporation. All rights reserved.

Please join Ralf Preusser in discussion with Paul Ciana, Alex Cohen and Adarsh Sinha. The team will address the rate checks in USDJPY and its impact on not just the yen but also the dollar. We will give thoughts on the effectiveness of FX interventions and lessons from the past. We will address the US government's FX policy and longer-term USD outlook, as well as the potential implications of the election in Japan. Finally, we do so against the background of key technical levels in FX crosses, rates and commodities   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 globally by banking affiliates of Bank of America Corporation, including Bank of America, N.A., Member FDIC. Securities, trading, research, strategic advisory, and other investment banking and markets activities are performed globally by affiliates of Bank of America Corporation, including, in the United States, BofA Securities, Inc. a registered broker-dealer and Member of FINRA and SIPC, and, in other jurisdictions, by locally registered entities. ©2026 Bank of America Corporation. All rights reserved.

AI Fuels Power Growth, Politics Shape the Path As utilities enter 2026, the investment narrative evolves from a pure growth story to one defined by smarter positioning and selective opportunity. While AI‑driven power demand and data center expansion remain powerful secular tailwinds, political scrutiny about electricity affordability-especially in states with tightly contested elections-introduces complexity. Some state governments are addressing these concerns by designing data‑center tariffs that shift costs away from residential customers, ideally lowering consumer bills while unlocking economic development. In the opinion of BofA Global Research utilities analyst Ross Fowler, recent weakness in power stocks likely reflects rotation and a somewhat unfair association with AI spending risks in corners of the market rather than fading fundamentals. This has created some particularly attractive entry points. Utilities that balance growth, regulation, and reliability are well positioned to perform in this current market regime. As for the source of generation growth, different costs and profiles will mean various utilities will see growth, from solar and storage to nuclear.   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 globally by banking affiliates of Bank of America Corporation, including Bank of America, N.A., Member FDIC. Securities, trading, research, strategic advisory, and other investment banking and markets activities are performed globally by affiliates of Bank of America Corporation, including, in the United States, BofA Securities, Inc. a registered broker-dealer and Member of FINRA and SIPC, and, in other jurisdictions, by locally registered entities. ©2026 Bank of America Corporation. All rights reserved.

Please join Sphia Salim for a discussion with Takayasu Kudo and Shusuke Yamada on Japanese developments this week, including the major long-end steepening. We will review the BoJ meeting, explore what the Feb 8th election, announced this week, could mean for Japanese fiscal policy and thereby the risks it presents for JGB yields, the curve and JPY.   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 globally by banking affiliates of Bank of America Corporation, including Bank of America, N.A., Member FDIC. Securities, trading, research, strategic advisory, and other investment banking and markets activities are performed globally by affiliates of Bank of America Corporation, including, in the United States, BofA Securities, Inc. a registered broker-dealer and Member of FINRA and SIPC, and, in other jurisdictions, by locally registered entities. ©2026 Bank of America Corporation. All rights reserved.

Takes from Defense Forum and Private Company Meetings US defense is in the midst of an upcycle, driven by an increasingly assertive policy stance, the potential for a step‑change in federal defense spending, and accelerating innovation across traditional and non‑traditional contractors. Earlier this month, Ron Epstein hosted discussions at the 18th BofA Global Research Defense Forum in New York, which underscored a bullish multi‑year outlook. U.S. spending could step higher in F27, some of that merely helping to match some European promises when it comes to spend as a percentage of GDP. This will require increased automation for defense companies, an investment theme in its own right. It may also come with more conditions and we discuss whether this could be a risk going forward. Another important topic in the industry is the many innovative private companies in the defense space. Ron discusses some of the areas of focus for these firms and how they can be complementary to defense primes.   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 globally by banking affiliates of Bank of America Corporation, including Bank of America, N.A., Member FDIC. Securities, trading, research, strategic advisory, and other investment banking and markets activities are performed globally by affiliates of Bank of America Corporation, including, in the United States, BofA Securities, Inc. a registered broker-dealer and Member of FINRA and SIPC, and, in other jurisdictions, by locally registered entities. ©2026 Bank of America Corporation. All rights reserved.

Please join Ralf Preusser in discussion with Mark Capleton, Sphia Salim and Meghan Swiber, analysing global yield curve dynamics. We will explain our outlook for curves across USD, EUR and GBP. We will focus on what we have learnt so far this year and on risks to our forecasts, including issuance patterns, investor behaviour (incl Dutch pension reform) and the policy environment (in particular in the US).   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 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 America, N.A., Member FDIC. Securities, trading, research, strategic advisory, and other investment banking and markets activities are performed globally by affiliates of Bank of America Corporation, including, in the United States, BofA Securities, Inc. a registered broker-dealer and Member of FINRA and SIPC, and, in other jurisdictions, by locally registered entities. ©2026 Bank of America Corporation. All rights reserved.

Jack talks with a top BofA Securities strategist and looks into a Wall Street theory on Corona sales and immigration policy. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

BofA Securities analyst Matthew DeYoe discusses his industry's challenges and why bargain hunters should stay “downstream” for now.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices