I'm starting a monthly series where I share interesting things I've come across (articles, podcasts, reports, recent travels, etc.) with brief summaries for your reading pleasure. Articles I'm reading Dan Wang (of Gavekal fame) was interviewed by Noah Smith in this piece and it's a very astute take of today's China. Source: Noahpinion Dan is … Continue reading Monthly Musings
Bank runs & complex systems – Reflections from Sarawak
"There are decades where nothing happens; and there are weeks where decades happen" Vladimir Lenin I was visiting relatives in Kuching, Sarawak when the multiple news reports of American bank failures hit the screens and home televisions the world over. The speed and ferocity of the downfall of Silicon Valley Bank (SVB) and the subsequent … Continue reading Bank runs & complex systems – Reflections from Sarawak
Latest thoughts on markets
"Perception is strong and sight weak. In strategy it is important to see distant things as if they were close and to take a distanced view of close things." Miyamoto Musashi, 五輪書 The Near-View Risk-assets are likely to perform well into end-November or even the end of the year. Slower economic growth and geopolitical uncertainties … Continue reading Latest thoughts on markets
Embracing the opportunities of a multipolar world
The Battle of Red Cliffs (赤壁之戰) at the end of the Han Dynasty, ca. AD 208 "The world under heaven, after a long period of division, tends to unite; after a long period of union, tends to divide. This has been so since antiquity" Ancient Chinese proverb The Chinese believe that the above saying accurately … Continue reading Embracing the opportunities of a multipolar world
Hiatus in 2021
Hi everyone, last year was challenging on a personal basis, and I was unable to take a planned hiatus from writing here on Keanchan.com given a rather tumultuous year and the new insights garnered. My wedding had to be postponed last year and I was burning weekends on exciting new projects. This year, I'll be … Continue reading Hiatus in 2021
Yang Wen-li’s Dilemma – Democracy, Revolutions & thoughts on Financial Markets
In Yoshiki Tanaka's epic science fiction thriller, 'The Legend of the Galactic Heroes', Yang Wen-li is caught between the horns of a difficult dilemma. Staring at the vast open space of stars from his flagship's bridge, the awkward but astute admiral contemplates the never-ending wars between his home planetary system (the democratic Free Planets Alliance) … Continue reading Yang Wen-li’s Dilemma – Democracy, Revolutions & thoughts on Financial Markets
By winning battles against COVID-19, governments could lose the war
Our world is highly complex. History is filled with examples of how seemingly unrelated events led to unexpected outcomes. The interaction between humans and their physical environment has second and third order effects that aren't easy to understand. This makes the business of forecasting challenging, and the outcomes of various events difficult to model. American … Continue reading By winning battles against COVID-19, governments could lose the war
Thoughts on the market selloff
While appreciating the tranquility of the forest beside a stream, the wise and veteran samurai tells the young warrior: 'If you sit by the river long enough, the bodies of your enemies will float by' I've long wondered what this quote meant, but I think I've finally figured it out. It is a quote about … Continue reading Thoughts on the market selloff
Going on hiatus in 2020
Keanchan.com will be going on hiatus in 2020, as I'll be focusing more on: improving my technical competencies and learning new skills. working on new trading strategies and augmenting my framework on macro and global markets. my wedding and a new phase in life. But it's not the end. I'll be back in 2021 to … Continue reading Going on hiatus in 2020
The best articles I’ve read in 2019
2019 has been an eventful year for me and I hope it has been for you too. I've learned a great deal, made new friends and grown both in professional and personal capacities. As the year winds to a close, here's a list of articles that I've read this year and found to be insightful: … Continue reading The best articles I’ve read in 2019