Excess Returns

Follow Last Call on Spotify⁠⁠Follow Last Call on Apple PodcastsIn this episode of Last Call, Jack Forehand and Matt Zeigler look past the headlines to unpack what really moved markets this month. From the viral AI end of times scenario that sparked responses from Citadel, Fed Governor Waller, and Jeremy Siegel, to the growing stress in private credit and the rotation out of US mega cap stocks, this is a different kind of market wrap. Instead of recapping what the S and P 500 did, we explore what investors are actually doing with their money, how narratives shape positioning, and what the data says about whether this time is different.Featuring Brent Kochuba of SpotGamma, Ben Hunt of Epsilon Theory, Rupert Mitchell of Blind Squirrel Macro, and Meb Faber of The Idea Farm, this episode dives into AI, software stocks, options flows, credit cycles, global equity markets, gold, and the power of base rates in investing.Main topics covered:The viral AI bear case scenario and why a fictional narrative moved real marketsHow investors should think in probabilities, bull cases, base cases, and bear casesWhat options pricing and put call ratios reveal about real fear versus social media fearThe state of software stocks and whether extreme bearishness may have marked a short term bottomPrivate credit stress, rising default risks, and why every credit cycle ends when lenders say no moreAn on the ground anecdote from San Francisco illustrating how refinancing risk is playing out in real timeThe rotation from US mega caps into international stocks and why fiscal spending matters for equity marketsGold and gold miners as potential beneficiaries of global liquidity and currency shiftsWhy base rates matter when evaluating explosive AI revenue forecastsHistorical lessons from the Nifty Fifty, Japan’s bubble, the dot com era, and other periods when investors believed this time is differentPortfolio construction tools including diversification, rebalancing, and trend following in bubble environmentsTimestamps:00:00 Introduction and the AI end of times narrative02:16 Why investors are responding to fiction and what we can learn from it08:00 Brent Kochuba on options flows and software stock positioning13:00 Has extreme bearishness in software marked a bottom19:55 Ben Hunt on private credit and the boom bust cycle27:00 A San Francisco refinancing story and when lenders say no33:08 Rupert Mitchell on global markets, fiscal spending, and gold44:22 Meb Faber on base rates, bubbles, and this time is different01:00:16 How to track AI’s real world impact in corporate dataIf you enjoy deep dives into investing, AI, market structure, credit cycles, global equities, and evidence based portfolio construction, be sure to subscribe to Excess Returns for more conversations like this.

In this episode of Excess Returns, we sit down with Cullen Roche to discuss his new book Your Perfect Portfolio and the deeper principles behind building a portfolio that actually fits your life. Rather than starting with asset allocation models or return forecasts, Cullen reframes investing around risk, time horizons, and lifetime consumption. We explore how to think about stocks, bonds, factor investing, international diversification, private assets, inflation hedges, and more through the lens of financial planning and asset liability matching. This is a practical, wide ranging conversation about portfolio construction, behavioral risk, and how investors can align their investments with real world goals.Main topics covered:Why you are a saver, not an investor, and why that distinction mattersDefining risk as uncertainty of lifetime consumptionThe temporal conundrum and matching investments to time horizonsHuman capital as your most important asset and how it impacts portfolio riskThe pros and cons of a 100 percent stock allocationRethinking the 60 40 portfolio after inflation and rising ratesInternational diversification and valuation differences between US and global marketsFactor investing as a time horizon tool rather than an alpha strategyThe forward cap portfolio and skating to where the market cap puck is goingInflation protection strategies including stocks, TIPS, gold, and the permanent portfolioRisk parity and the tradeoff between diversification and returnCountercyclical rebalancing and managing behavioral riskPrivate equity, venture capital, and the illiquidity premiumDefined duration investing and asset liability matching for individual investorsThe real impact of inflation, taxes, and fees on long term returnsTimestamps:00:00 Risk as lifetime consumption and asset liability matching01:03 Introduction to Your Perfect Portfolio05:25 You are a saver, not an investor08:24 Defining risk and uncertainty of lifetime consumption10:15 The temporal conundrum and time horizons12:38 Using past performance and forecasting responsibly15:00 Human capital and portfolio construction17:12 The case for a 100 percent stock allocation19:50 Rethinking the 60 40 portfolio24:00 Adding international diversification29:43 Factor investing across time horizons35:00 The forward cap portfolio concept38:27 Inflation hedges and the permanent portfolio42:27 Risk parity explained44:49 Countercyclical rebalancing47:17 Private assets and illiquidity51:25 Defined duration strategy and Discipline Funds ETFs56:00 Real returns after inflation, taxes, and feesIf you are interested in portfolio construction, asset allocation, financial planning, factor investing, inflation protection, or building a long term investment strategy that matches your goals, this conversation offers a thoughtful framework for thinking differently about risk and returns.

In this episode of Excess Returns, we sit down with Matt Russell of Business Breakdowns to explore how AI is actually being used in investing today. We go beyond the hype and break down practical use cases for AI in portfolio management, stock research, due diligence, monitoring, and idea generation. From deep research models and agentic AI to prompt engineering and workflow design, this conversation walks through how professional investors can use AI tools to increase productivity, improve decision-making, and reduce blind spots without losing their edge. If you are an asset manager, analyst, allocator, or DIY investor wondering how AI will impact investing and stock picking, this episode offers a clear, practical roadmap.Main topics covered:The evolution from early large language models to deep research and agentic AI for investorsLLMs vs agent-based AI and why the distinction matters for investment researchHow AI fits into an investor’s workflow, from due diligence to portfolio monitoringUsing AI to monitor KPIs, earnings calls, and cross-industry signals in real timeHow AI can help kill bad ideas faster and surface deal breakers earlyPrompt engineering for investors, including mindset framing, audience targeting, and output designBuilding mental models into AI systems to reflect your investment philosophyAI tech stacks for investors, including writing tools, deep research models, and browser-based AIIteration, experimentation, and standardized testing of prompts across model upgradesThe impact of AI on alpha generation, active management, and generalist vs specialist investorsOrganizational adoption strategies for investment firms considering AICustomization, agentic workflows, and what AI in investing could look like five years from nowTimestamps:00:00 How AI tools increase investor productivity01:16 Why early ChatGPT was a head fake for investors03:07 The inflection point with deep research and agentic AI05:00 LLMs vs agents explained in plain English07:01 Where AI fits inside an investment workflow09:28 Replacing manual earnings transcript work11:40 Real-time monitoring and AI alerts19:24 Using AI to kill bad investment ideas faster22:01 Trust but verify, hallucinations and safeguards25:29 Matt’s AI tech stack for investing30:00 Prompt engineering breakthroughs33:00 Standardized experimentation across new AI models36:07 Building idea generation prompts step by step40:15 Using AI as an editor and critical reviewer43:50 Does AI compress investor skill differences46:10 How funds should adopt AI internally50:40 Fear of falling behind in asset management53:05 Generalists vs specialists in an AI world55:18 AI and the pursuit of alpha57:00 Customization, agents and the future of investing01:01:10 Coding agents and building tools with AI

Subscribe to Two Quants and a Financial Planner on SpotifySubscribe to Two Quants and a Financial Planner on AppleIn this episode, we explore one of the most important but overlooked questions in investing: what is the purpose of your portfolio? Through a series of powerful clips and reflections from Aswath Damodaran, Meb Faber, Ben Hunt, Cullen Roche, Corey Hoffstein, Daniel Crosby, Larry Swedroe, and Wes Gray, we examine how goals like financial freedom, funded contentment, liability driven investing, retirement planning, and multi generational wealth shape the way we invest. This conversation goes beyond beating the market and focuses on preserving and growing wealth, reducing financial stress, aligning money with meaning, and defining what a life well lived truly looks like.Topics covered include:Why the end game of investing matters more than beating the marketPreserving and growing wealth vs trying to get richFreedom as the ultimate goal of financial independenceFunded contentment and what it means to live a life well livedLiability driven investing and matching assets to future needsThe difference between getting rich and staying richNeeds vs desires and understanding marginal utility of wealthRetirement planning and redefining success beyond a numberMulti generational wealth and thinking beyond your own lifetimeThe psychological impact of growing up with or without moneyFinancial freedom, stress reduction, and peace of mindTactical financial goals vs long term purpose driven investingEducation, legacy, and investing in the next generationWhy once you win the game you may not need to keep playingTimestamps:00:00 Aswath Damodaran on preserving and growing wealth10:04 Meb Faber on freedom, contentment, and the hedonic treadmill22:36 Ben Hunt on funded contentment and finding your pack28:23 Cullen Roche on risk as uncertainty of consumption33:25 Corey Hoffstein on liability driven investing and not worrying about money41:50 Daniel Crosby on financial freedom and living life on your own terms47:33 Larry Swedroe on needs vs desires and staying rich55:54 Wes Gray on big blue arrows, tactical goals, and peace of mind

Subscribe to the 100 Year Thinkers of SpotifySubscribe to the 100 Year Thinkers of AppleIn this episode of the 100 Year Thinkers, Matt Zeigler and Bogumil Baranowski continue their conversation with Robert Hagstrom and Chris Mayer, diving deeper into general semantics and what it means for investors navigating AI enthusiasm, market volatility, benchmark obsession, and the gamification of markets. From Warren Buffett’s cathedral versus casino metaphor to the risks hiding in so-called “safe” consumer staples stocks, this discussion explores how language, expectations, and mistaken certainty shape investment decisions. If you want to think more clearly about markets, technology, valuation, and your own reactions as an investor, this episode offers a powerful mental framework.Topics CoveredWhat general semantics is and how language influences how investors thinkIFD disease idealism frustration demoralization and how unrealistic expectations impact marketsAI hype, capital spending, and the prisoner’s dilemma facing major tech companiesWarren Buffett’s cathedral versus casino metaphor and what it means for investors todayWhy beating the S and P 500 may not be the right benchmark for successThe gamification of markets, retail trading growth, and the shift from long-term investing to speculationTerminal value risk in software stocks amid AI disruptionWhy low volatility “warm fuzzy” stocks like consumer staples may be more dangerous than they appearExpectations investing, confidence versus overconfidence, and avoiding mistaken certaintyThe map is not the territory and how to avoid confusing models with realityEverything is connected to everything else markets as biological systems rather than mechanical systemsDelayed gratification, compounding, and why wealth is built later in the investment journeyTimestamps00:00 Cathedral versus casino capitalism and the market metaphor02:00 What is general semantics and why it matters for investors03:00 IFD disease unrealistic expectations and AI hype06:40 Outperformance, Bill Miller, and unrealistic return expectations09:00 Are market benchmarks the right way to measure success12:00 What if stock market indexes did not exist14:00 Public versus private markets and myopic loss aversion18:40 Compounding, volatility, and delayed gratification21:00 AI valuations, strategic capital spending, and economic returns24:20 The AI adoption cycle frustration and demoralization30:40 The man in overalls story and delaying reactions33:30 Warren Buffett cathedral versus casino metaphor revisited35:00 Gamification of markets passive flows and species shift in investing39:00 When to sit still versus when to act in volatile markets43:00 Mistaken certainty and the biggest risks in today’s market45:00 The hidden risk in consumer staples and low volatility stocks47:20 Expectations investing confidence versus overconfidence49:40 Everything is connected markets as living systems53:00 What success really means beyond beating an index56:20 The map is not the territory final lessons for investors

In this episode of Excess Returns, Jason Hsu returns for a wide-ranging conversation on China’s economy, the global AI race, emerging markets, factor investing, and what the next phase of globalization could mean for U.S. investors. We explore how China’s fiercely competitive domestic capitalism contrasts with common Western narratives, why AI could reshape professional services the way globalization reshaped manufacturing, and how investors should think about portfolio allocation in a shifting G2 world.This discussion covers China manufacturing dominance, Chinese EV competition, U.S. vs. China AI strategy, emerging markets investing, factor investing in inefficient markets, and how machine learning is changing quantitative portfolio management.Main topics coveredWhy U.S. investors misunderstand China’s economic system and the role of competition inside its domestic marketHow China became the world’s manufacturing powerhouse and what that means for tariffs and trade warsThe Chinese government’s role as a venture-style capital allocator rather than a central plannerThe real estate reset in China and the shift toward technology, AI, and advanced manufacturingAI as the next wave of globalization and its impact on professional services and labor marketsWhether the U.S. vs. China AI competition is truly winner-take-allCapital expenditure intensity in the U.S. vs. capital efficiency and open-source innovation in ChinaU.S. exceptionalism, G2 geopolitics, and portfolio diversification beyond a U.S.-centric allocationWhy emerging markets ex-China may differ from China tech exposureThe case for separating China from emerging markets in asset allocationThe concept of China as an alpha reservoir due to retail-driven market inefficienciesWhy traditional value and factor strategies have struggled in the U.S. but still work in ChinaHow machine learning and AI are changing quantitative investing and factor constructionThe launch of CNQQ and accessing large-cap China technology exposureTimestamps00:00 China as the world’s factory and the role of fierce internal competition01:02 Why U.S. investors misunderstand China’s economy03:48 Is China capitalist despite the Communist Party label05:33 The government as a VC-style investor rather than central planner07:45 China EV competition and manufacturing dominance09:23 Tariffs, trade leverage, and manufacturing monopoly dynamics12:18 China’s bear market and valuation opportunity13:59 The real estate reset and shift toward productive capital16:00 AI as the next wave of globalization18:01 Labor force participation and economic disruption from AI19:46 Jobs that may survive in an AI-dominated world22:00 Is U.S. vs. China AI a winner-take-all battle24:13 Chip restrictions and long-term innovation incentives26:54 Capital efficiency in China vs. heavy AI capex in the U.S.29:27 Rebalancing away from U.S.-centric portfolios31:18 The end of U.S. exceptionalism and the move toward a G2 world34:00 How endowments approach U.S., developed, and emerging markets36:35 CNQQ and accessing China large-cap technology40:45 China as the great alpha reservoir45:49 The future of factor investing in efficient vs. inefficient markets49:06 Machine learning, factor decay, and next-generation quant strategies55:17 Can AI replace active portfolio managersIf you enjoy deep conversations on global markets, AI investing, China technology, emerging markets, and quantitative strategies, make sure to subscribe to Excess Returns for more interviews with leading investors and thinkers.

Subscribe to Click Beta on SpotifySubscribe to Click Beta on Apple PodcastsIn this episode of Click Beta, Matt Zeigler sits down with Cameron Dawson of NewEdge Wealth and Dave Nadig of ETF.com for a wide-ranging conversation on markets, macro data, positioning, tokenization, AI productivity, and the narratives driving investor behavior. The discussion dives into consensus forecasts, the K-shaped economy, international equity performance, dollar positioning, AI capex, and whether the biggest market moves are driven by fundamentals or liquidity shifts. Along the way, they explore tokenization in financial markets, stablecoins, Fed balance sheet dynamics, and how AI is quietly reshaping productivity for small businesses and individuals. This episode is a deep dive into stock market trends, economic data distortions, asset allocation shifts, and the structural forces shaping the investing landscape in 2026.Main topics covered:• Why consensus forecasts are average and why that creates risks for investors• Cyclical reacceleration narrative versus liquidity-driven market rotation• The K-shaped economy and distortions in US jobs data• Healthcare hiring versus cyclical employment weakness• AI capex spending and who actually benefits• Energy, industrials, and staples outperformance versus tech concentration• International equities versus US stocks and valuation percentiles• US dollar positioning extremes and contrarian signals• Positioning versus narrative and where market surprises hide• Tokenization, decentralized finance, and DTCC proposals• Stablecoins, collateral efficiency, and capital reuse in markets• Fed balance sheet, leverage ratios, and financial system risk• AI productivity gains in small and mid-sized businesses• The future of work, automation, and economic dispersionTimestamps:00:00 Cameron on cyclical reacceleration and market expectations03:00 Consensus forecasts and average return assumptions06:00 K-shaped economy and distorted jobs data10:00 AI capex and disconnect between perception and reality12:30 Liquidity shifts and market rotation beyond mega caps14:00 International equity valuations and performance gap16:50 Dollar positioning and contrarian signals18:20 Positioning versus narrative in stock performance20:00 Tokenization and ETF market plumbing22:00 Stablecoins and capital efficiency24:00 Atomic settlement versus traditional clearing27:00 Fed balance sheet and leverage ratio debate30:00 Recessions, market resets, and social impact39:00 Cultural distribution, media fragmentation, and market narratives47:00 AI productivity, small business impact, and economic implicationsFor more episodes from the Excess Returns network, including macro investing, asset allocation, ETFs, and AI-driven market insights, visit excessreturnspod.com

Subscribe to the OPEX Effect on SpotifySubscribe to the OPEX Effect on Apple PodcastsIn this episode of The Opex Effect, Jack and Brent break down the growing impact of options markets on stocks, volatility, and sector rotation. While the major indexes appear calm, massive moves beneath the surface tell a very different story. From software stocks and AI disruption to gold, silver, bonds, and the Nasdaq, they analyze how dealer hedging flows, gamma positioning, implied volatility, and options expiration cycles may be shaping market behavior more than headlines suggest. If you want to understand why markets can feel wildly volatile yet go nowhere, and how options positioning can influence short term price action, this episode provides a deep dive into the mechanics driving today’s market environment.Main Topics CoveredWhy the market feels like the wildest calm market of all timeMassive single stock volatility versus muted index performanceSoftware stock weakness, AI disruption, and the so called SaaS apocalypseThe surge in options volume and the rise of zero DTE in major stocksHow dealer hedging, delta, gamma, and volatility flows impact equitiesThe historical tendency for markets to flip direction after options expirationRealized volatility versus intraday volatility and what is being hiddenBeneath the surface rotation into value, small caps, energy, and defenseGold and silver volatility spikes and what options volume signaled at the topRising demand for puts and what skew is telling us about downside riskCorrelation spikes, VIX behavior, and the risk of a volatility expansionHow positioning can create rapid market spasms in single stocks like Nvidia and TeslaWhy this environment may represent a staging area for a larger moveTimestamps00:00 Violently going nowhere and hidden volatility01:01 The wildest calm market of all time04:00 Introduction to The Opex Effect and options driven flows05:29 The growth of options trading and zero DTE impact11:00 Dealer hedging, delta, and how options move stocks13:42 Why options expiration can trigger regime changes16:22 Intraday volatility versus close to close volatility20:18 Extreme rotation beneath the surface21:00 Measuring expiration size with the lobster claw rating25:00 Single stock positioning and March expiration risk27:35 Core one month correlation warning signals33:00 Rising put demand and what skew reveals36:45 Asset rotation in bonds, gold, bitcoin, and tech43:06 Correlation spikes and crash risk setup46:40 The quickening of volatility and single stock spasms

In this episode of Excess Returns, we sit down with Neil Howe, author of The Fourth Turning Is Here and co-creator of the Fourth Turning generational framework, along with Ben Hunt of Epsilon Theory, to discuss where we are in the current cycle and what it means for markets, inflation, AI, capital flows, and America’s long-term economic outlook. From the debasement trade and rising gold prices to global capital crowding out and the structural forces shaping productivity and growth, this conversation connects generational theory with real-world investing decisions. If you’re thinking about inflation, deficits, AI capital spending, global diversification, or how to position defensively and offensively in a shifting macro regime, this discussion provides a powerful framework for navigating what may be a historic transition period.Topics CoveredThe Fourth Turning framework and where we are in the current crisis cycleWhy inflation is not a problem but a policy solution in major crisesThe collapse in US national savings and long-term deficit risksCapital flows, the debasement trade, and the future of the US dollarGold, commodities, and real assets in a regime shiftGlobal diversification and opportunities outside the United StatesAI capital spending, productivity gains, and the risk of overinvestmentCrowding out effects from government deficits and AI hyper scalingTrust, geopolitics, and the long-term implications for global marketsHealthcare, demographics, and structural investment themesDefensive and offensive positioning in a Fourth Turning environmentTimestamps00:00 Inflation as a solution and the generational crisis framework04:00 Explaining the Fourth Turning and historical crisis cycles12:55 Narratives, generational archetypes, and market behavior22:24 Is the Fourth Turning pessimistic or optimistic34:00 Inflation, gold, and the debasement trade40:00 Global capital flows and the reversal of US inflows50:00 AI capital spending and the K shaped capital markets55:09 Crowding out, deficits, and slow growth risks01:02:23 Defensive and offensive investment positioning01:09:31 Final thoughts on diversification, gold, and financials

In this episode of Excess Returns, we sit down with Pete Hecht of AQR to break down portable alpha, capital efficient portfolio construction, and how investors can combine equity beta with truly diversifying sources of alpha. We cover how portable alpha works in practice, how it solves the funding problem for alternative strategies, and why implementation details like leverage, liquidity, and financing costs matter more than most investors realize. If you’re interested in diversification, long short investing, managed futures, equity market neutral strategies, or improving total returns without giving up equity exposure, this discussion provides a practical and detailed framework.Main Topics CoveredWhat portable alpha actually is and how it differs from traditional stock bond alternative portfoliosHow portable alpha combines equity beta exposure with unconstrained long short alphaThe funding problem with alternatives and how portable alpha solves itTurnkey implementation versus separating alpha managers and beta overlaysThe role of equity market neutral, managed futures, and multi strategy approachesWhy private equity and private credit are poor candidates for portable alphaLong short leverage versus long only leverage and how to think about riskTarget volatility, risk models, and stress testing leveraged portfoliosFinancing costs in futures markets and how higher interest rates affect strategiesHow to evaluate portable alpha using excess returns, tracking error, and tail riskTax aware implementation and after tax returnsWhy mutual funds are not obsolete for active long short strategiesThe importance of asking whether a view is already priced into valuationsTimestamps00:00 Why you cannot eat a risk adjusted return02:12 Defining portable alpha and the problem it solves03:55 Portable alpha versus traditional balanced portfolios06:54 The funding problem with diversifying alternatives09:00 How portable alpha works in practice13:05 What types of alpha strategies work best16:35 Managed futures and crisis alpha19:49 Simplicity versus complexity in implementation21:46 Why private equity and private credit do not work in portable alpha24:15 Understanding leverage and risk management29:18 Target volatility and portfolio construction34:52 Stress testing and lessons from COVID and 202235:01 Risks and financing costs of portable alpha38:50 Interest rates and leveraged strategies39:07 Identifying hidden beta and volatility laundering46:08 Introducing AQR Fusion Funds50:25 Evaluating performance versus the benchmark53:17 Tax efficiency in long short mutual funds57:29 Is your view already priced in

In this episode of Excess Returns, Kai Wu of Sparkline Capital returns to discuss his latest research on AI adoption, ROI, and what it all means for investors.Building on his prior work on the AI CapEx boom, Kai tackles the trillion dollar question at the center of today’s market: Is AI generating real, measurable economic returns across the broader economy, or are we still in an infrastructure-driven bubble?Using a systematic analysis of earnings calls, patent data, and adoption trends, Kai lays out a framework for identifying which companies are truly benefiting from artificial intelligence and how investors can position portfolios accordingly.Find the Full Paper Here:https://etf.sparklinecapital.com/Main topics covered:Satya Nadella’s AI bubble framework and why broad economic diffusion mattersThe AI adoption S-curve and where we are in the technology diffusion cycleA new AI ROI taxonomy based on earnings call analysis and quantified economic gainsReal-world AI productivity, revenue, and cost-saving examples across industriesInfrastructure vs early adopters vs laggards and how companies were categorizedAI-driven outperformance and excess returns across different adopter groupsValuation dispersion between AI infrastructure stocks and AI early adoptersThe risk of overcapacity and lessons from railroads and the dot-com telecom boomCompetition among large language models and the durability of AI moatsS&P 500 exposure to AI infrastructure and hidden concentration riskThe case for AI early adopters as a middle ground between growth and valueIntangible value investing and the concept of AI yieldTimestamps:00:00:00 The trillion dollar question and what “real ROI” means00:03:19 Nadella’s bubble framework: diffusion vs a narrow CapEx trade00:06:08 The classic tech diffusion S-curve and where AI is on it00:32:25 Why infrastructure is being rewarded even if the ROI story is different00:33:04 The key chart: adoption vs valuation shows “basically no relationship”00:38:00 Why early adopters and laggards should separate00:38:26 The “25% ROI” example and how it could show up later in fundamentals00:39:03 Railroads and fiber: builders go bankrupt, users capture the value00:39:45 Telecom index fell 95% and never recovered (dot-com bust parallel)00:40:00 The application layer captures profits; infrastructure becomes a utility00:41:00 The punchline: transformative tech, but builders can still be bad investments00:42:57 Overcapacity question: where are we on the line?00:43:17 The buildout: another $5 trillion of data centers “or whatever the number is”00:44:00 If there’s no ROI, companies cancel orders00:45:01 Moat and LLM competition discussion begins00:49:00 The big one: adding infrastructure names gets the S&P to 46% AI infrastructure00:50:00 “Alternative indices” swing you to laggard risk00:51:00 The “false choice” and the “middle ground” framing (early adopters)

In this episode of Excess Returns, we sit down with Bloomberg Opinion columnist Nir Kaissar for a wide-ranging conversation on markets, AI, interest rates, private credit, small caps, and the risks investors may be underestimating. Nir shares his unexpected predictions for 2026, challenges the consensus on Fed rate cuts, explains why high profitability may be putting a floor under valuations, and offers a thoughtful framework for thinking about AI, concentration risk, and the future of public versus private markets. This is a deep dive into today’s most important investing debates, grounded in history and focused on what may come next.Topics CoveredNir’s unexpected predictions for 2026 and why mass adoption of autonomous vehicles may arrive faster than investors expectWhy the consensus on lower interest rates in 2026 may be wrong and what the two year Treasury yield is signalingThe impact of tariffs, affordability pressures, and corporate margins on inflationWhy high corporate profitability may support elevated stock market valuations even if returns slowThe role of earnings growth in driving S&P 500 returns and why 2015 to 2024 may not repeatIs AI more like 1995 or 1999 in the internet cycle and what that means for long term investorsThe convergence of big tech companies around AI and the risks of a more zero sum competitive landscapeWhy companies staying private longer could hurt retail investors and distort public market indicesConcentration risk in the S&P 500 and what it means for long term portfolio constructionOpportunities and risks in small cap stocks, including the importance of quality screensThe growth of private credit markets and the hidden risks investors may not seeWhy Treasuries may still be the cleanest shirt in the laundry during a crisisLessons from 20 years of running strategies and what Nir has changed his mind aboutTimestamps00:00 Nir’s 2026 predictions and the rise of Waymo05:00 Interest rates, Trump, and the outlook for Fed policy08:40 Tariffs, inflation, and corporate margins12:00 Valuations, profitability, and future S&P 500 returns16:00 AI compared to the internet era and long term investing lessons19:00 Public versus private markets and regulatory concerns32:00 Concentration risk and the Magnificent Seven39:00 Small caps, quality screens, and value opportunities47:00 Private credit risks and default cycles54:30 Nir’s investment philosophy and 20 year lessons

David Giroux, CIO of T. Rowe Price and manager of the Capital Appreciation strategy, joins Excess Returns for a wide ranging discussion on market valuation, AI investing, Mag 6 dynamics, utilities, healthcare, fixed income, and how to think independently in volatile markets. David shares his framework for exploiting structural market inefficiencies, why market drawdowns can create opportunity, how he evaluates the S&P 500 at the micro level, and what investors are getting wrong about AI, profit margins, and the current cycle.Main topics covered in this episode• Exploiting structural market inefficiencies in GARP stocks, high yield, and double B credit• Why market drawdowns often lower forward risk and increase expected returns• Strategic equity allocation during periods of fear and volatility• Rethinking S&P 500 valuation through 500 company bottom up analysis• The changing composition of the index and its impact on profit margins• Where the most overvalued and undervalued areas of the market may be today• AI investing framework including Nvidia, AMD, cloud providers, and software risk• How AI could reshape margins, labor productivity, and enterprise software• Differences between today and the dotcom bubble• Overweight positioning in utilities and healthcare and the thesis behind each• Fixed income positioning including the belly of the Treasury curve and fiscal risk• Commodities, gold, and fiscal sustainability• Lessons for portfolio managers on independent thinking and making high conviction betsTimestamps00:00 Market drawdowns and forward returns02:09 Exploiting structural market inefficiencies06:28 Strategic equity allocation during selloffs11:22 Is the market expensive and how to value the S&P 50015:00 Profit margins and index composition17:13 Where valuation excess exists outside the Mag 620:38 How to think about AI and enterprise adoption27:18 AI disruption risk across sectors39:20 AI versus the dotcom bubble42:30 Apple versus Meta and capital allocation46:53 Overweight utilities and healthcare52:57 Fixed income opportunities and risks57:32 Commodities, gold, and fiscal concerns01:00:15 Lessons for new portfolio managers

In this episode of Excess Returns, we sit down with Kevin Muir, author of The Macro Tourist, for a wide-ranging conversation on market sentiment, asset rotation, and the growing signals of stress beneath the surface of global markets. Kevin explains why extreme bullishness can be dangerous, why gold and commodities may be flashing warning signs, and how shifts in currencies, energy, and global capital flows could reshape portfolios in the years ahead. From hedging strategies to volatility, from AI-driven concentration to international diversification, this discussion focuses on how investors can think clearly in an environment where traditional relationships are breaking down.Topics covered:Why extreme bullish sentiment can be a warning sign for marketsThe meaning of “buying straw hats in the winter” and how to think about hedgingMarket breadth, small caps, and whether rotations are healthy or late cycleGold, silver, and what precious metals signal about financial stressCross-asset volatility and why correlations are changingEnergy markets, commodities, and the long-term impact of underinvestmentGlobal capital flows, foreign ownership of US assets, and currency riskThe US dollar, trade deficits, and implications for international investorsPortfolio construction lessons from bonds, commodities, and FXHow macro regime shifts can change risk management and diversificationTimestamps:00:00 Introduction and market sentiment overview03:00 Buying protection and the straw hat analogy07:00 Sentiment indicators and market confirmation12:00 Market rotations, small caps, and late-cycle risks18:00 Gold, silver, and precious metals as warning signals23:00 Bonds, currencies, and broken correlations29:00 Energy markets and commodity underinvestment37:00 Global capital flows and foreign ownership of US assets44:00 The US dollar, trade deficits, and FX volatility52:00 Macro regime shifts and portfolio construction lessons

In this episode of Excess Returns, we sit down with Victoria Greene of G Squared Private Wealth for a wide-ranging conversation on markets, macro risk, portfolio construction, and how investors should think about 2026 and beyond. Victoria brings a pragmatic, risk-aware framework to investing, blending top-down macro analysis with bottom-up fundamentals, technicals, and a strong focus on cash flow, diversification, and policy risk. We cover everything from the rise of what she calls a badger market, to AI capex, market concentration, inflation risk, and why policy error, not valuation, is what historically ends bull markets.Main topics covered• Why valuation is a poor market timing tool and what actually ends bull markets• The concept of a badger market and how investors should mentally prepare for volatility• Cash flow never lies and how Victoria evaluates business quality• Diversification in 2026 and why international, commodities, and value matter more now• Risks and opportunities in the labor market, AI-driven disruption, and productivity• The K-shaped economy and what it means for consumers and corporate earnings• 60/40 portfolios, alternatives, and where commodities fit today• AI investing from infrastructure to software and cybersecurity• Yield curve dynamics, inflation risk, and portfolio positioning• Active vs passive investing in a concentrated market• How policy decisions and election dynamics influence marketsTimestamps00:00 Intro and why valuation does not kill bull markets01:40 Investment philosophy and macro first portfolio construction06:00 Cash flow never lies explained07:40 Diversification beyond US large caps10:00 Market expectations and big tech earnings risk11:00 What is a badger market12:40 Is the 60 40 portfolio dead15:00 Why Victoria remains constructive on markets18:00 Politics, sentiment, and market noise21:00 Policy error vs valuation as the real risk26:40 The K-shaped economy and consumer health31:10 Hard data vs soft data disconnect34:10 Labor market risks and data reliability36:40 Yield curve steepening and inflation risk41:40 Portfolio positioning in a higher inflation world43:00 How to invest in AI beyond the Mag 747:20 Where we are in the AI cycle49:30 Active management challenges and opportunities53:00 Valuation, planning, and long-term return expectations

Follow Last Call on SpotifyFollow Last Call on Apple PodcastsJoin Jack Forehand and Matt Zeigler for the premiere episode of Last Call, a new monthly market wrap show where we go beyond the headlines to deliver actionable investment insights — and have a little fun along the way.Instead of focusing on index performance or short-term moves, we step back and connect the dots between macro instability, narrative shifts, options market signals, private credit risk, AI capital spending, and the changing nature of the Magnificent Seven.Featuring conversations with Brent Kochuba from SpotGamma, Ben Hunt from Perscient, Kai Wu from Sparkline Capital, and clips from our recent interviews with Liz Ann Sonders and Aswath Damodaran, the episode blends market structure, behavioral finance, valuation discipline, and long-term investing context to help investors understand what is really driving today’s market environment — and how to think about it going forward.Main Topics:• Why this is not a traditional market recap and how Last Call is designed to be more useful for investors• Instability versus uncertainty — and why today’s market feels different• Loss of trust in institutions, policy, and global systems and its impact on markets• What options market flows reveal about hidden market risks and sudden volatility• How private credit has reached bubble-like conditions and why narrative risk matters• The debate over retail and retirement account exposure to private credit• Why valuation discipline looks different when correlations rise across asset classes• Aswath Damodaran on trimming positions, raising cash, and the difficulty of finding uncorrelated assets• How the Magnificent Seven are changing from asset-light to asset-heavy businesses• AI capital expenditure, historical spending booms, and why infrastructure builders often underperform• Whether this AI cycle is truly different from railroads, telecom, and past technology boomsTimestamps00:00 — Intro and opening clips01:10 — What Last Call is and why this format exists04:30 — Instability versus uncertainty in today’s market09:58 — Loss of trust, gold, and historical parallels13:18 — Brent Kochuba on options flows and hidden market stress25:17 — How options dislocations explain sudden market drops25:40 — Ben Hunt on private credit narrative risk28:00 — Why private credit exposure is everywhere32:32 — Retail access versus restrictions in private credit36:19 — What happens if the private credit bubble breaks39:28 — Aswath Damodaran on raising cash and trimming positions47:08 — The changing nature of the Magnificent Seven47:42 — Kai Wu on AI capex and asset-heavy tech50:48 — Why high capital spending often leads to underperformance56:01 — Historical parallels from railroads to the dot-com boom

In this episode of Excess Returns, we’re joined again by Dan Rasmussen of Verdad Advisors for a wide-ranging conversation that challenges some of the most popular narratives in markets today. From private equity and private credit risks to AI-driven capital cycles and overlooked opportunities in biotech and international equities, Dan offers a deeply research-driven perspective on where investors may be misallocating capital and where future returns could emerge. Alongside Justin and special guest co-host Kai Wu, the discussion connects valuation, incentives, and innovation in a market environment shaped by concentration, leverage, and technological change.Main topics covered• Why private equity performance continues to disappoint and where the biggest structural risks are emerging• The growing stress in private credit and what rising bankruptcies signal for lower middle-market deals• Why democratizing private equity through 401ks, interval funds, and ETFs may create more problems than solutions• How AI CapEx is changing the economics of Big Tech and why asset-light models may be getting worse, not better• The case for diversifying away from U.S. concentration toward international markets and international small value• Why bubbles are often necessary for innovation and how to think about AI through that historical lens• How investors may be underestimating valuation and growth bankruptcy risk in the Mag 7• Why biotech is one of the hardest sectors to model and how Verdad rebuilt its framework from scratch• How intangible value, clinical trial data, specialist ownership, and peer momentum can improve biotech investing• What capital starvation, M&A dynamics, and global competition mean for biotech’s future returnsTimestamps00:00 Introduction and market narratives02:20 Revisiting private equity risks and performance06:58 Private credit stress and bankruptcy signals10:58 Private equity in 401ks and interval fund risks14:52 Private assets in ETFs and liquidity concerns15:45 Why bubbles drive innovation and capital formation20:13 AI CapEx, Mag 7 concentration, and valuation risk25:24 International diversification and market leadership29:41 Why Verdad turned to biotech research37:13 Rebuilding biotech valuation and quality metrics44:26 Clinical trial data and peer momentum insights49:17 Portfolio construction and long-short biotech strategies51:00 Capital starvation, AI, and biotech’s setup53:58 Research culture, humility, and evolving quant models

In this episode of our new show The 100 Year Thinkers, Chris Mayer and Robert Hagstrom explore how the words investors use quietly shape the decisions they make — often in destructive ways. From labels like “cheap,” “expensive,” and “compounder” to debates about valuation, concentration, and AI, the conversation digs into how language collapses uncertainty into false certainty. Drawing on general semantics, mental models, and decades of investing experience, they explain why confusing maps for reality leads investors astray — and how clearer thinking can change how you see markets, risk, and long-term returns.Topics discussed include:Why paying 30x earnings can be rational when return on invested capital stays highHow the word “is” smuggles hidden assumptions into investment decisionsThe difference between a company being a compounder and having compounded in the pastWhy valuation debates are really disagreements about time horizonThe “map vs. territory” problem in financial statements and market dataMarket concentration, index construction, and why benchmarks can mislead investorsHow language shapes narratives around value, growth, and riskAI investing, capital allocation, and separating durable businesses from hypeWhy many binary true-or-false questions are traps for investorsHow long-term investors think in decades, not quarters

In this episode of Excess Returns, we sit down with TG Macro founder Tony Greer to explore why markets are increasingly signaling a loss of faith in institutions and what that means for investors heading into 2026. Tony lays out a framework that connects inflation, central bank credibility, political risk, global regime change, and shifting consumer behavior into a coherent macro narrative. From gold and precious metals to miners, commodities, cyclicals, and the evolving role of AI, this conversation bridges big-picture macro themes with actionable market insights for both traders and long-term investors.Topics covered:• Why gold is rallying as trust in institutions erodes• Central banks, inflation, and the long-term consequences of monetary policy• The shift from a 60-40 portfolio to alternatives and real assets• Precious metals versus technology leadership in a changing market regime• Gold miners, industrial miners, and uranium as core themes• Consumer inflation, food prices, and purchasing power on Main Street• Big Food, Big Pharma, and the broader trust breakdown• Legal, political, and geopolitical risks shaping investor behavior• The end of globalization and the rise of domestic supply chains• Copper, energy, and natural resources in an economic recovery• AI, semiconductors, and signs of a leadership transition• Prediction markets and new tools for understanding market expectations• Financials, airlines, and overlooked cyclical opportunities• How to think about risk management when macro regimes changeTimestamps:00:00 Introduction and the collapse of trust in institutions02:00 Why gold is responding to credibility loss, not fear05:00 Central banks, inflation, and monetary excess08:20 Purchasing power and real-world inflation pressures11:00 Big Food, Big Pharma, and consumer awareness14:00 Healthcare, fraud, and institutional breakdown16:30 Legal system risk and political credibility18:30 Global factors, sanctions, and the shift away from globalization21:00 Precious metals, miners, and natural resource leadership25:00 The three mining themes driving performance29:00 Stocks and gold rising together in a new regime32:00 Gold market structure and long-term trend analysis36:00 Japan, global bond markets, and gold demand39:00 Investing versus trading precious metals43:00 Copper, supply chains, and tech partnerships47:00 AI leadership, capital rotation, and market risk51:00 Financials, airlines, and cyclical signals57:30 What would break the thesis and risk management signals

In this episode of Excess Returns, we sit down with Jan van Eck, CEO of VanEck, to discuss how long-term macro forces are shaping markets and investment opportunities. Jan shares how his firm thinks about government spending, monetary policy, and technology, why he believes investors have more visibility than they realize heading into 2026, and how trends like artificial intelligence, gold, and global asset allocation could redefine portfolios over the next decade and beyond.Topics covered in this episode includeHow VanEck uses fiscal policy, monetary policy, and technology as core macro pillarsWhy declining fiscal deficits may reduce long-term stress on marketsThe case for a less interventionist Federal Reserve and what it means for investorsWhy thinking in decades, not quarters, can lead to higher conviction investingArtificial intelligence as a transformative economic force and its impact on semiconductors, energy, and productivityThe AI capex buildout, compute shortages, and lessons from past infrastructure boomsGold’s resurgence as a global store of value in a multipolar worldThe difference between owning physical gold and gold mining stocksRisks and opportunities in private credit and business development companiesWhy illiquid assets may not belong in daily liquidity vehicles like ETFsIndia’s long-term growth potential and implications for global portfoliosHow family ownership influences VanEck’s long-term investment approachBehavioral mistakes investors make and why long-term charts matterLessons Jan would teach the average investor based on decades of market experienceTimestamps00:00 Introduction and VanEck’s macro framework02:25 Translating macro views into product development04:34 2026 outlook and why visibility may mean risk on06:00 Fiscal deficits, interest rates, and market stress07:00 The future of Federal Reserve intervention10:48 Long-term investing versus short-term predictions14:00 India, global growth, and asset allocation19:00 Artificial intelligence, compute demand, and semiconductors24:00 AI, jobs, and economic impact29:00 AI capex, market concentration, and historical analogies38:31 Private credit risks and liquidity considerations40:35 Illiquid assets and ETFs42:56 Gold, global currencies, and long-term trends47:26 Gold miners versus physical gold52:14 Contrarian opportunities and underloved markets52:47 Advantages of a family-owned investment firm56:06 Tokenization, blockchain, and market structure59:45 Investor psychology and long-term charts01:02:05 Lessons for the average investor