Episode summary
Bloomberg Businessweek Weekend - April 10th, 2026 | Bloomberg Businessweek
Bloomberg Businessweek Daily
· · 42 min · Hosts: Carol Massar, Tim Stenovec
Summary
Edward Fishman argued that the conflict with Iran underscored a new era of economic warfare, where chokepoints can be as powerful as weapons. He said Iran proved that even a medium-sized power can hold the global economy hostage by threatening the Strait of Hormuz, and that cheap drones and missiles can change shipping economics without a full blockade. He also said Tehran’s leverage may have forced concessions on access to the U.S. financial system, making the fight over sanctions and energy flows central to any future deal.
Michelle Gass made the case that Levi Strauss is benefiting from brand heat, direct-to-consumer execution, and a broader move from jeans into “denim lifestyle.” She pointed to 9% organic growth, stronger women’s and tops sales, and a diversified supply chain as reasons the company can keep taking share even with tariffs and consumer pressure. She also said the company is not planning to move production to the United States.
Tim Craighead’s stock picks focused on catalysts and underestimated businesses: Ferrari’s pricing power, Broadcom’s AI inferencing chips, Dexcom’s new 15-day glucose monitor, Deutsche Bank’s exposure to German stimulus, Japan Exchanges’ trading and rate tailwinds, Magellan’s acquisition-driven upside, DraftKings’ resilience versus prediction markets, and Meituan’s growth despite rising competition.
Key takeaways
- Edward Fishman said the Strait of Hormuz shows how a small country can use an economic chokepoint to pressure the entire global economy.
- Fishman argued Iran may have won more leverage through retaliation than through diplomacy, including access to the U.S. financial system.
- Michelle Gass said Levi Strauss posted 9% organic growth and is leaning harder into direct-to-consumer and non-denim apparel.
- Gass said Levi’s tariff assumptions already include the original reciprocal tariffs, with potential upside if rates fall further.
- Tim Craighead said Broadcom’s AI story is shifting from training to inferencing, where its custom chips can gain share.
- Craighead said DraftKings should hold up better than the market expects despite competition from prediction platforms like Kalshi and Polymarket.
Notable quotes
“even a relatively small country, you know, medium-sized power like Iran, just by closing this strait can again hold the global economy hostage”
“They've established control over the Strait of Hormuz. That's something they didn't have before, right”
“we are seeing momentum across the board, which is around our strategies really picking up and accelerating”
How the episode opens
Bloomberg Audio Studios. Podcasts, radio, news. This is Bloomberg Business Week Daily, reporting from the magazine that helps global leaders stay ahead with insight on the people, companies, and trends shaping today's complex economy.
Plus, global business, finance, and tech news as it happens. The Bloomberg Business Week Daily podcast with Carol Masser and Tim Stenovec on Bloomberg Radio. Hi everyone.
Welcome to the Bloomberg Business Week Weekend podcast. Another week where the conflict in the Middle East left markets in a state of flux after threatening that a whole civilization will die if Iran did not reach an agreement by 8:00 p.m. Tuesday night.
That was of course from President Donald Trump. He ultimately reached what many would call a fragile ceasefire with Iran at least for now, easing some fears of a protracted global energy crisis. I got to say as we put our show to bed, we learned Vice President JD Vance, special envoy Steve Witkoff, and Jared Kushner are leading talks in Pakistan on a lasting peace agreement with Iran.
A sticking point in all of it Israel's attacks on Lebanon. As we said, a developing story big time as we wrapped up. For the latest on the US war in Iran, head over to the Bloomberg and to bloomberg.com.
Also a focus this past week, the release of the minutes from the March Fed meeting. Those detailed a committee closely monitoring how these geopolitical tremors could affect long-term inflation outlook and the longer-term geopolitical framework. And weapons used by nations, increasingly economic ones.
We see that in Iran's use of the Strait of Hormuz in the war with the US and Israel. One former State Department sanctions official puts it as Iran using America's playbook against us. He's the author of Chokepoints.
That's all about economic warfare.
From the episode’s captions: roughly the first two minutes, lightly cleaned. Keep watching on YouTube →
Topics
- business and finance
- global technology
- politics
- economics
- weekly news roundup
Watch the episode
Watch “Bloomberg Businessweek Weekend - April 10th, 2026 | Bloomberg Businessweek” on YouTube
Summary, takeaways and quote selection by Octagon. Quotes are short excerpts; the full conversation is in the episode.
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