Daily Briefing - June 2, 2020

Professor Richard Werner joins Hugh Hendry, founder and former CIO of Eclectica Asset Management, for a deep-dive into the world of central banking. They explore the process of credit creation and examine the fundamental role it plays in inflating asset bubbles, the popping of which can wreck whole economies but can be very good for central bankers. They analyze the Bank of Japan's (BOJ) remarkable record of credit expansion, including its use of lending quotas, through the lens of Werner’' renowned book, "Princes of the Yen," which was a number one bestseller in Japan. They also look at the ongoing efforts of the Fed and the European Central Bank (ECB) to provide liquidity during this unprecedented global crisis at all costs, particularly debt monetization and quantitative easing (a term Werner himself coined), which Werner suggests could lead to a widespread bank nationalization – or a "Sovietization" of the banking sector, as he says. Werner argues that the ECB is undemocratic and that it bears a closer similarity to the Reichsbank (1876 – 1945) than it does to the Bundesbank (1957-present). Hendry and Werner conclude their lengthy discussion by looking forward: they scrutinize the current and future monarchs of the global monetary order, who are no longer princes but who may be on their way to becoming kings. Hugh Hendry can be found on Twitter at @hendry_hugh and on Instagram at hughhendryofficial. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

12 Jul 20201h 43min

By both surprise and necessity, Modern Monetary Theory is here at our doorstep. And with neither major party remaining as the party of 'fiscal responsibility', it seems there is little standing in the way of MMT becoming the premise for US government spending initiatives. That’s why it is more important than ever to understand the thinking behind MMT and the common misconceptions surrounding it -- and to prepare your portfolio for its increased acceptance by politicians who view it as an invitation to spend. In this interview with Marshall Auerback of the Levy Economics Institute, Stephanie Kelton breaks down the arguments put forward in her new book, "The Deficit Myth: Modern Monetary Theory and the Birth of the People's Economy". Together they discuss why MMT does not give governments carte blanche to spend indiscriminately. Kelton also articulates why comparing government debts to private debts is flawed. She explores the varying gradations of monetary sovereignty as it relates to constraints on countries potentially using MMT as an economic framework. Finally, Kelton touches on the 'job guarantee vs. UBI' debate and much more in this interview that is sure to be a learning experience for MMT skeptics and believers alike. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

11 Jul 20201h 3min

Is the idea of a V-shaped recovery dead? Real Vision CEO Raoul Pal and senior editor Ash Bennington explore that question in depth through the lens of the virulent reemergence of COVID-19 in the U.S. Raoul and Ash break down the alarming rise of cases coming out of many states and analyze the effect that this ominous second wave will have on markets. They also discuss Ash’s seminal interview today with Dr. Kayvon Modjarrad, director for Emerging Infectious Diseases at the Walter Reed Army Institute of Research. Raoul is firm in belief that the human reaction function is what matters and that the virus’s effect on behavior is more significant than the virus itself. Raoul concludes that caution is prudent in these uncertain times and that the bond market is sending the clearest signal to investors. In the intro, Peter Cooper examines market news and coronavirus data. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

10 Jul 202044min

Real Vision managing editor Ed Harrison hosts Real Vision's Tyler Neville to discuss the ever-expanding chasm in markets between fundamentals and flows. Drawing upon his experience on the buy-side, Tyler analyzes how market forces such as commission free trading and the widespread adoption of passive ETFs have distorted price discovery, and he and Ed explore whether this means that the bull market mania could last longer than the bears expect. Ed is skeptical and argues that the pain on Main Street must eventually move to Wall Street as well. Ed and Tyler also explore how macro tailwinds such as demographics affect the pension system. In the intro, Peter Cooper looks at job destruction that's currently happening in several different countries and what the long-term effects the pandemic may have on employment. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

9 Jul 202027min

Senior editor Ash Bennington joins managing editor Ed Harrison to discuss the latest developments in markets, macro, and coronavirus. Ash and Ed first dive into recently released interviews with Stephanie Kelton and with George Magnus and share their takeaways from those pieces. They also talk about how flows are buoying equities, the “summer lull” that is occurring in markets, and the developing macro picture that could pull the rug out from underneath unsuspecting investors in the next few months. In the intro, Peter Cooper explains how coronavirus has affected millions of Americans’ living situations and what lies ahead for both renters and homeowners. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

8 Jul 202037min

Managing editor Ed Harrison joins Dan Russo, CMT, chief market strategist at Chaikin Analytics, to discuss the latest developments and trends in markets. With his blend of technical and fundamental analysis, Russo shares where he’s seeing relative strength in equities and explains why understanding the macro picture and the interconnected relationships of various asset classes is important for equity traders. Russo and Harrison also dive into currencies, bonds, and the macro trends, especially as it pertains to inflation. In the intro, Peter Cooper talks about remittance and why it’s a critical piece of puzzle for the global economic recovery. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

7 Jul 202031min

Max Wiethe joins managing editor Ed Harrison to discuss sentiment, the 2020 election, and forward earnings and what sort of impact that will have on markets in the coming months. Max and Ed first break down Peter Atwater’s interview from last week on Real Vision, examining his thoughts on current market sentiment and US politics, which then leads them to consider what a Democratic sweep would mean for fiscal policy and how MMT policy would affect equities. They also talk about the growing consensus around the Fed’s indirect influence on equities, what variables would challenge the narrative of the Fed’s omnipotence, and how the growing number of companies suspending EPS estimates makes the future that much more unclear. In the intro, Peter Cooper shines a light on Warren Buffett's recent purchase of major natural gas pipelines from energy giant Dominion Energy. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

6 Jul 202033min

At few moments in history have the policies of global central banks been as important as they are today. Former central bank insider and senior fellow at the C.D. Howe Institute, William White, tells Santiago Capital's Brent Johnson just how we’ve gotten to this point. Dr. White puts forward the nuanced view that he is glad policymakers have implemented certain tools to lessen the impact of the crisis while also driving home the point that at best we are kicking the can down the road. The pair also discuss central bankers' recent abdication to fiscal authorities, the political limitations of policy tools supporting foreign markets, and the fate of the global dollar system. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

6 Jul 20201h 14min