Off the Charts!

Blu Putnam

CME Group Chief Economist Blu Putnam's series Off The Charts! examines the pertinent economic issues of the day in the United States and across the globe. The podcast series provides a deeper dive into complex topics and frames the issues in a way that can lead to a better understanding of the financial and commodities markets.

  • 5 minutes 30 seconds
    Copper's Supply-Side Story

    Copper output has been stagnating or declining since 2015, with the pandemic causing mine closures in top producer Chile.

    15 June 2021, 5:36 pm
  • 8 minutes 37 seconds
    Treasury Options Skews

    Do options skews in Treasuries provide any guidance on market trend? We look into whether extreme downside skews signal a buying opportunity.

    30 May 2019, 6:38 pm
  • 10 minutes 13 seconds
    Oil: Are Options Skews Reliable Price Indicators?

    Investors in the oil market seem to be more concerned over a market slump than a rally, as reflected in out-of-the-money options skews. Were they right?

    21 May 2019, 6:26 pm
  • 12 minutes 6 seconds
    Oil: Are Options Signaling Long-Term Uncertainty?

    Oil prices have bounced off their recent lows but the implied volatility in options is indicating uncertainty in the market's direction over the long term.

    5 February 2019, 4:38 pm
  • 8 minutes 4 seconds
    Brexit: Classic Case of an Approaching Major Event Risk

    Outcome of talks for UK's exit from the European Union under Brexit presents a classic case of event risk that could reach a climax in November.

    1 October 2018, 7:23 pm
  • 7 minutes 58 seconds
    Trade War Fallout Reverberates Through Markets, Economy

    Large-cap U.S. stocks are much more vulnerable to the fallout from the trade war between the U.S. and China because of their complex global supply chains.

    12 July 2018, 7:36 pm
  • 13 minutes 44 seconds
    Oil: As Price Tops $70, Will Shale Producers Ramp Up Output?

    As crude oil prices top $70 per barrel amid escalating Mideast geopolitical risk premium, will shale producers ramp up output as they lock in prices?

    7 May 2018, 8:07 pm
  • 6 minutes 1 second
    Fed's Challenges as its Steers Away From Emergency Policies

    The Fed faces several key challenges as it charts a new monetary course in the aftermath of the emergency policies put in place during the Bernanke era.

    3 May 2018, 8:12 pm
  • 18 minutes 39 seconds
    Li Keqiang Index: China's Alternative Growth Barometer

    An index named for China's prime minister seems to provide better insight into its growth than official GDP. What's in store for the world's No. 2 economy.

    9 April 2018, 8:32 pm
  • 12 minutes 51 seconds
    Phase Transitions and the Rise in Market Volatility

    From growing U.S. budget deficits to potential trade wars and the end of quantitative easing, several "phase transitions" could fire up market volatility.

    2 April 2018, 5:14 pm
  • 10 minutes 42 seconds
    global-trade-disputes-take-center-stage-in-2018

    From U.S. import tariffs on steel and aluminum to the uncertain future of NAFTA and tough Brexit negotiations, trade issues are taking center stage in 2018.

    16 March 2018, 2:31 pm
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