Tag: macro

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 →

This Horse-racing gambler earned almost a billion – here’s what he can teach us

One of the best articles that I’ve read in 2018 was a Bloomberg piece I opened while commuting in the subway on a rainy weekday. Kit Chellel’s ‘The Gambler Who Cracked the Horse-Racing Code’ was simply breath-taking. It chronicles the life of Mr Bill Benter, a swashbuckling horse-racing gambler born in Pittsburgh in the United … Continue reading This Horse-racing gambler earned almost a billion – here’s what he can teach us →

If there’s one thing to know soon, it’s MMT

MMT stands for 'Modern Monetary Theory', and it may be the next must-know term to know and understand before it becomes mainstream. OK, but what exactly is Modern Monetary Theory? The Roosevelt Institute published an article about it eight years ago, and it simply describes a school of thought in macro-economic thinking that revolves around … Continue reading If there’s one thing to know soon, it’s MMT →

‘Less about fundamentals, more about risk management’ ~ podcast with Mark Dow

I follow a couple of macro investors out there and Mark Dow of 'Behavioral Macro' is worth following. Dow was an economist with various stints in Wall Street institutions and even the International Monetary Fund (IMF). He currently manages a family office based out in Southern California. Futures Radio Show interviewed Dow at the beginning … Continue reading ‘Less about fundamentals, more about risk management’ ~ podcast with Mark Dow →

Soros, Reflexivity & the Aussie Housing Market (Quick Thoughts)

I once learnt futures trading under an ex-investment professional who was with Temasek and later in the hedge fund industry. While I adapted my style and strategy over the years, there was one valuable piece of advise that I held to heart till this day. Over lunch once, he talked about the famous macro investor … Continue reading Soros, Reflexivity & the Aussie Housing Market (Quick Thoughts) →

Weekly Observations: Central Bankers as Gamemasters

An excerpt from a week's journal: 20 August 2018: Observations & Thoughts Today was generally a risk-on environment, with Chinese equity indexes leading the way in Asia Pacific (Japan and South Korea lagged). Indian equities continued to climb higher. The Yuan has also somewhat stabilised and has strengthened against the USD since last week. Chinese … Continue reading Weekly Observations: Central Bankers as Gamemasters →

These are the things I wish I knew before I started investing

When I first started dabbling in the financial markets years ago, it wasn't a pleasant experience. I made money at first but eventually lost it all, and losing one's hard-earned savings was a heart-wrenching experience. It made me doubt if I could ever become a successful investor (I know it sounds naive). While I saw … Continue reading These are the things I wish I knew before I started investing →