As a more quantitative focused analyst, I keep focus one thing – the numbers. Stories are good, but numbers are better. At best stories, provide context for numbers, but stories of politics will not lead to market trends. Capital flows on trends in profits, growth, liquidity, and risk. Do not suffer from “shiny object” syndrome. The news of today may not impact the important fundamental trends.
The stories and themes for this month are similar to the last few. An investor has to address three questions. What is happening to global growth and is there a rotation in capital? What is the impact of potential liquidity changes from central banks? Will there be actual fiscal stimulus that can ignite growth and profits? Focus on these three to determine any changes in portfolio construction.
Markets often communicate more clearly through price action than through headlines. The dramatic surge in metals contracts is sending a powerful signal, but what exactly is it telling us? Traders frequently monitor inter-market relationships for early warnings. When one asset class moves unusually, it can ripple across the system or reveal deeper structural issues. In […]
History never repeats itself, but it often rhymes. This is even more so the case this year, as Trump began his second term with similar but different disruptions to the markets. Rising stocks, normalizing inflation, and the AI boom took center stage. We discuss some of the key events below and try to anticipate where […]
Proper forest management requires clearing dead brush, protecting high-risk areas, and conducting controlled burns. As January 2026 approaches, marking the one-year anniversary of the devastating Southern California wildfires that destroyed over 16,000 structures, we examine the mistakes made and how those lessons apply to the financial markets. Much like forest fires, risk can be mitigated […]