Japan represents an anomaly among the world’s economies, and while its economic characteristics haven’t changed much over the last few decades, the performance of its various asset markets has definitely gone through major gyrations. The economy is unique in that it has barely grown for decades, suffers from an aging population and poor demographics, and has had near zero inflation…
By now, many of us are experiencing a range of emotions regarding the ongoing sell-off in global stock markets. Only in rare cases does it make sense to panic and get rid of your holdings. Using my own professional and personal investment experience over the last few decades, I’ve put together a list of ten actionable items that may help.…
Oil prices have been under pressure, and it’s all about supply. The world is experiencing a glut of oil production, with no likely slowdown until the end of 2016. The market rout looks to continue well into the first quarter of next year, with price per barrel heading into the $20s, as oil producers keep pumping and large regions of…
A few years ago I hurt my elbow, and after six weeks of pain, I finally went to the doctor. He gave me a few choices. First, he suggested I try physical therapy, some anti-inflammatory medicine, and lots of ice. With lots of work and attention, I would probably have pain for another 3-4 weeks and then slowly it would…
Back in the summer of 2013, when I was managing over US$10 billion in emerging markets (EM) fixed income assets, I looked around the industry at my fellow EM portfolio managers and saw a stunned group. In early May that year, Ben Bernanke shocked the world out of its complacency by announcing that the Federal Reserve was ready to taper its…
