Global Macro Update

Could Another Tariff Meltdown Lie Ahead?

“Anytime Trump says something, it is harmful to my positions.” For commodities trader Jared Dillian, the spring tariff meltdown broke the market for good. And we may be due for a second tariff-driven sell-off this fall.

A Regime Change for Global Trade

The simultaneous sell-off of stocks, bonds, and US dollar is a big deal. Brent Donnelly from Spectra Markets explains how broken trust has left permanent scars on US trade policy: “Once an action has been taken, you can remove the action, but then there's still going to be some damage.”

Will the trade war become a currency crisis?

All trade wars have a currency effect, but what happens when nations drive down their currencies to counter US tariffs? John Mauldin explains why he doesn’t believe China is using US treasuries as a weapon—and where the trade war will hurt most.

Too Late for Portfolio Insurance?

There’s no substitute for experience. That was evident this week in the markets. While most people were confused or frozen, at least one investor (our old friend Jared) was making money after spending the past few months positioning himself for a week like this one. Part of his strategy involves using options, but not for speculation…

Private Equity: Too Big to Fail?

Private equity is buying up America—everything from nursing homes to the local plumbing business. Some are calling it a bubble, with the value of global private equity deals reaching $2 trillion in 2024. Brendan Ballou, author of the new book Plunder, says the real trouble with PE comes from weak regulations that incentivize bad decisions.