Category Risk

The Fourth Shift: The AI ‘Honey Pot’ and Late-Cycle Dynamics Demand Strong Cash Position

3-Years Since ChatGPT Launched… What’s Changed? 

The seismic shift triggered by ChatGPT 3 years ago reminds me of 1995 when Netscape hit our screen. But as we approach the year 2000 - several "greey swans" emerged. Could 2026 be similar. This post discusses some of the possible risks looming for next year. This AI revolution has many of the hallmarks we saw some 30 years ago; i.e., creating extreme capital concentration in giants like Nvidia. As we enter what I think is a late-cycle phase, our focus shifts to systemic risks—from AI disillusionment to credit volatility.

The TACO Trap: Why the S&P 500 Mean Reversion and the 5% Bond Yield are the Real ‘Sell in May’ The TACO Trap: Why the S&P 500 Mean Reversion and the 5% Bond Yield are the Real ‘Sell in May’

The TACO Trap: Why the S&P 500 Mean Reversion and the 5% Bond Yield are the Real ‘Sell in May’

The market is betting Trump is all bluster and no action. The acronym "Trump Always Chickens Out" (TACO) is sure to piss the President off. Now, if the TACO trade is right, then Trump's threats will lose their power as a negotiating tactic. Therefore, on the assumption Trump believes in protectionism - he may have to follow through on some of his rhetoric. Markets seem to think that won't happen...

Why Buffett’s Mentor Would Reduce Risk

I've been re-reading "The Intelligent Investor" by Benjamin Graham. Warren Buffett called it "by far the best book on investing ever written" - crediting Graham with laying the foundation for his entire investment philosophy. The book taught me three powerful lessons: (1) above all else, investing is about protecting your capital; (2) investors should strive to pursue adequate and sustainable gains; and (3) it requires overcoming self-defeating behaviors (e.g., fear, greed and bias). The lessons could not be more timely given today's excessive valuations.

Time to Forget About Recession Risks?

Known to many as the 'bond king' - DoubleLine Capital's founder and CEO - Jeff Gundlach - is well known for his contrarian calls. This week on CNBC he made the comment that he feels that we will look back at Sept 2024 and say "this was the start of the 2024/25 recession". If Gundlach is correct - the recession has already hit the US economy. Therefore, this would imply the jumbo sized cut from the Fed this week is already too late - and will do very little to course correct a rapidly slowing economy (especially given the 9-12 month lag effect of monetary policy).

Defensive Sponges Soaking Up Liquidity

After enduring its worst week since March 2023, the S&P 500 rebounded with its best performance of the year. From mine, this kind of week-to-week unpredictability highlights the futility of attempting to predict short-term gyrations. It's not something I pretend to be able to do. My approach prioritizes a longer-term perspective - as it increases the odds of success. It's near impossible to attempt to trade around Mr. Market - you can never know what his mood will be from one day to the next. Therefore I choose to maintain a cautiously invested strategy - where ~65% of my capital remains in high quality stocks.

Real PCE: Seeing Around Corners

As an investor, your job is to carefully assess the risks against the rewards. A large part of that equation is knowing exactly where we are in the business cycle. For example, consider the following questions: (a) do you think we're at the beginning or middle of an economic advance (with more to go)? or (b) do you think we're about to encounter a significant change in direction? and (c) if so, is that change for the better or for the worse? Your answer is very important. It's far better to invest (or take more risk) at the start of the business cycle vs the end. Therefore, how will make that decision? How are you able to determine where we are? I will offer a market signal which is arguably more consistent and reliable than most indicators.

Buying is Easy… Selling is Hard

Do you consider yourself a "good" or "bad" investor? For example, one might say a good investor is someone who beats the returns of the Index over a long period (10.5% annualized). Beating the Index over the long-run is difficult to do... very few fund managers are able to do it. But what if I framed the question this way: (i) bad investors think of ways to make money; vs (ii) good investors think of ways not to lose money. Which one best summarizes your approach to speculation? Of the several thousand posts I've written the past 13+ years - this is arguably the most important question you could ask. If you understand the gravity of this distinction... you have a good chance of succeeding.

When the Laws of Probability are Forgotten

Whilst the S&P 500 posted a negative week - it was a strong month for equities. The world's largest Index managed to add 4.8% for the month - hitting an intra-month record high of 5339. That's four of five winning months to start 2024. Perhaps completely enamored by all things AI (more on this in my conclusion) - investors basically shrugged off sharply higher yields and a series of disappointing inflation prints to push prices higher. What could go wrong? At the end of every month - it pays to extend our time horizon to the (less noisy) monthly chart. And whilst the weekly chart is useful - it tends to whip around. Longer-term trends (and perhaps investments) are often better examined using this lens.

Is the Market “Euphoric”?

It's that time of year... where "Sell in May and Go Away" makes its typically annual appearance. Personally I don't give it much weight... basically none. Who invests with the timeframe a few months? Not many that consistently make money. But therein lies the rub - this saying is only relevant as a function of how you choose to invest. Your time horizons are likely very different to mine. This post will offer background where the adage comes from. From there, I will try and answer the question of whether the market is "euphoric". And finally, I'll share some names that I've been adding to.... it's not NVDA.

Are These Recession Indicators Broken?

At the conclusion of their July 26 '23, meeting, the Federal Open Market Committee (FOMC) voted to raise the target range of the federal funds rate by 25 basis points to 5.25% to 5.50%. The S&P 500 traded around 4,000 points at the time - some 16% off its ~4800 January high. Markets had reason to be worried... Investors had not seen the Fed this aggressive at any time in the past 40 years... and conditions seemed ripe for a recession. What's more, most widely cited indicators suggested this was a likely outcome. However, it didn't happen? Why not? Are popular recession indicators no longer relevant?