Spencer Jakab

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Spencer Jakab is an award-winning financial journalist and Investing Columnist at The Wall Street Journal, where he authors Markets A.M., the Journal’s flagship daily investing newsletter offering insight and analysis on global markets. Previously, he served as Global Editor of Heard on the Street, WSJ’s premier section for financial commentary and analysis, and earlier wrote the daily investing column Ahead of the Tape. Before joining The Wall Street Journal, he contributed to the Lex Column at The Financial Times, covering market trends and corporate developments. Prior to his journalism career, Jakab led the Emerging Europe, Middle East, and Africa (EMEA) Equity Research team at Credit Suisse as Director of Emerging Markets Research. He is also the author of two highly regarded investing books published by Penguin Random House, where he blends market history, behavioral finance, and real-world insights to help readers better understand how markets truly work.

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EARLY CAREER

Spencer Jakab began his career in finance as a top-rated equity analyst at Credit Suisse, where he served as Head of Emerging Europe, Middle East, and Africa (EEMEA) Research.
In that role, he led a team of analysts covering 11 emerging markets, including Russia, Turkey, and South Africa, providing strategic insights to institutional investors.
Transitioning to journalism, Jakab joined Dow Jones Newswires as an energy reporter and later launched the Taking Stock column, offering market analysis and commentary.
He went on to become a columnist for The Financial Times, where he contributed to the influential Lex column and the On Wall Street column, providing sharp analysis of global market trends and economic developments.
At The Wall Street Journal, he wrote the popular Ahead of the Tape column, which previewed key daily market events and set the tone for investors.
Jakab has also contributed numerous articles to Barron’s, further cementing his reputation as one of the most insightful voices in financial journalism.

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