Brazil
Currencies: The Last Piece of the Puzzle
First we reviewed the great bull/bear debate; then we gave a rundown of global stocks; last week we described our view of the positioning of the high-level asset classes. Today we’ll round out the high-level tour with some analysis of global currencies. Cash is of course one of the main Read more…
Asset Allocation
The Asset Class Quilt
After our review of the great bull/bear debate, and last week’s rundown of global stocks, we thought it would be useful this week to zoom out even further to the asset class level. We’ll briefly examine where various asset classes stand in the context of current global developments; what sort Read more…
Europe
The Bull vs Bear Battle
We’ve been planning for a few weeks to write a brief rundown of the case to be made on each side of the market, bull vs. bear. The market’s pullback from its recent high, though, which began on August 16, is strengthening the bears’ case. The remarks of Fed Chair Read more…
Commodities
The First Pillars of Civilization: Hot Water and Affordable Food
Inflation Bites Another month, another sky-high CPI print: at 9.1%, the highest year-over-year inflation since 1981. Of course, the methodology of constructing this index has changed over the decades; if the methodology employed in 1990 were used today, the reported rate would be 17.3%, according to ShadowStats. Even this is Read more…
Energy
Got Nickel? Asking For A Friend
There are years when nothing happens and years in which centuries happen. Carlos Fuentes We’ve seen a whirlwind of events in the past week. Here are some thoughts on the most important themes. Ukraine and the Fed Unfolding events in Ukraine of course represent a humanitarian catastrophe — and we Read more…
Alternative Energy
Nuclear: The End of Europe’s Energy Nightmare?
Most observers would agree that Europe’s energy sector has reached a point of crisis. Political, geopolitical, and macroeconomic trends are colliding in a volatile mix that has led to significant price volatility and public anxiety. Gas has been a key culprit. Source: Jefferies Equity Research The forces that are at Read more…
Energy
Energy Chaos In Europe and the Transition to a Green Economy
Current events in Europe show that even if it’s inexorable, the decarbonization of the global economy is unlikely to be smooth. The latest drama swirls around natural gas and the new German government elected in November, which includes more powerful representation from the Green Party than ever before. The Greens Read more…
Euro
Europe: Back From the Brink
Often in the years since the European sovereign debt crisis, we’ve noted that the European banking system has remained a weak link in the global financial system. In our view, this trouble spot was a likely epicenter of a future crisis. The coronavirus pandemic looked like it could have been Read more…
