Exponential Investor Podcast

For more expert financial analysis from the Exponential Investor team, go to: https://subscribe.exponentialinvestor.com/X983X827/3c-sb This week, Sam Volkering and Shae Russell discuss the benefits and impact of real “boots-on-the-ground” research.Over the last few weeks, they’ve both been to major industry events “IRL” (in real life) to speak with and hear from the people shaping our future.Whether it be for commodities markets, FinTech, crypto or just investing in general, it pays to be at some of the conferences and events the world has to offer.You get to have the conversations, “fireside” chats and insights that you’ll never have at a virtual conference.You get to see, hear, and feel innovation first hand, as well as enjoy a real-world experience that no Zoom meeting will ever deliver.This gives the investors in attendance an edge, and affords them a level of understanding that most people won’t ever have or bother to obtain.To hear more about the level of inside information (in the completely legal sense) that we have access to, tune in to this week’s Exponential Investor podcast.

For more expert financial analysis from the Exponential Investor team, go to: https://subscribe.exponentialinvestor.com/X983X827/3c-sb Early in the week our mates in the G7 countries “banned” buying Russian gold. In other words, Russia can mine its gold all it wants, but G7 members are forbidden from purchasing it. This must be the most useless government ban, in the history of government bans. Given that there are a lot of governments around the world that choose not to follow NATO (or other widely recognised groupings of Western nations) in imposing sanctions, this symbolic gesture from the G7 is hollow.Expect Russian gold to turn up in China, India and even the United Arab Emirates as these are major gold buyers. What I should have mentioned in the video, is that once gold is melted down and recast, it’s impossible to tell where it even originated. Given gold’s portability (which is a reason why we like it) it’s not hard for Russian gold to leak into the G7 member countries… but let’s not go ruining the politicians’ good PR stunt with facts.At the end, I cover the gold and silver ratio, and why you should keep an eye on miners’ half-year results. Also, it appears I’ve been caught out. In the video I mention that I’ve written why I don’t think the gold-to-silver ratio will revert to the long-term average, but… it appears I haven’t. Whoops! I’ll be sure to write about that next week.

For more expert financial analysis from the Exponential Investor team, go to: https://subscribe.exponentialinvestor.com/X983X827/3c-sb I (Shae Russell) am flying solo this week, and today’s podcast comes to you from the Australian Gold Conference in Sydney.Given that I’m at a gold function, it will come as no surprise to you that today I’m discussing all things concerning the precious metal. I cover some of the most common questions I get about gold, such as, “Have I missed the boat?”, and “Is there a right and wrong time to buy?” (Not-so-subtle hint: never buy gold when it’s in the news!)Plus, for those who are looking to invest in mining stocks, I go through the three key things you should look out for before taking the plunge: a great management team, companies that beat their own expectations, and another side of “ESG” (environment, social and governance) that’s rarely discussed.

For more expert financial analysis from the Exponential Investor team, go to: https://subscribe.exponentialinvestor.com/X983X827/3c-sb In today’s Exponential Investor…What are the business leaders, founders and CEOs of the world saying about the economy and the markets?Are they calling this the “new normal”? Are they petrified that we’re about to head into a decade-long depression? Are they talking about an energy, food, fuel crisis?Or…Are they looking at all the incredible development and innovation happening in banking and finance, hunting out opportunities to build the next great era of global finance?Guess what? It’s not the first list of things.In this week’s Exponential Investor podcast, I’m live in Amsterdam from the Money20/20 conference, getting the inside info from the founders and CEOs of companies such as Stripe, Visa, Blockchain.com, Kraken, Citi, Fireblocks, Ripple, Booking.com, ING, Nexo, HSBC, Zopa and more.While it’s clear that there is some trepidation over the longevity of the economic headwinds, most are aware this isn’t the first time we’ve been in this position.In fact, Peter Smith, founder and CEO of Blockchain.com, explained how, in crypto, these cycles hit every couple of years, and that he felt “comfortable”. That’s because he runs his company lean, doesn’t over hire, and didn’t bloat his business in the hype phase of growth.Now with things tapering off, money and access to it drying up, he’s just fine. And that’s a common theme. Companies that are lean and make hard decisions about where to spend and where to tighten the belt will be just fine. Conditions such as these sort the wheat from the chaff, and the better players come out the other side bigger, wiser, and stronger.Right now, that means those companies primed to make it through are at discounts – they are “bargains” in the market that present a great opportunity for investors.Also, while the traditional market might throw up these chances, everyone is looking at crypto now in a way I’ve not seen before. That’s a good thing, because the scope they are now seeing – from networks, to payments, non-fungible tokens (NFTs), the metaverse and decentralised finance (DeFi) – is huge. That means that, if you’re ahead of the game in those sectors (as we are), there’s a lot of exciting growth to still come.Anyway, check out today’s podcast, and what I’ve been able to dissect from a jam-packed schedule here at Money20/20.

For more expert financial analysis from the Exponential Investor team, go to: https://subscribe.exponentialinvestor.com/X983X827/3c-sb It is the Queen’s Jubilee long weekend, which (according to The Royal Mint) means, “shared lunches, street parties and concerts.”We’re not so sure about the whole “shared lunches” thing, but we are sure there will be plenty of celebration here in the UK.It also means that due to there being a two-day bank holiday, the markets are closed.That doesn’t mean you should stop thinking about your investments.In fact, for many people this weekend is a good reminder that perhaps setting some money aside for some bullion coins or bars isn’t such a bad idea.It’s something we’ve been looking at for a while and may very well action this weekend.After all, if you pop on to the Royal Mint website, you’ll find everything from James Bond 1OZ gold bullion bars to special gold “proof” coins celebrating “Queen Lizzie’s” longest reign in British history.However, if you’re thinking about getting some gold or silver collectible coins, or perhaps some of the more expensive gold bars or coins, what do you need to know?What are the things to look out for? What are the things you need to understand?And if you’re looking around the market for bars or coins, what are some of the dangers to look out for to ensure that you’re not getting ripped off?To celebrate the Queen’s Jubilee in our own unique way in today’s Exponential Investor podcast, we look at all these things and more.If you’ve ever thought about buying silver or gold coins or bars, then today’s episode is a must watch (or listen).

For more expert financial analysis from the Exponential Investor team, go to: https://subscribe.exponentialinvestor.com/X983X827/3c-sb In this week’s Exponential Investor podcast, Sam Volkering and I (Shae Russell) sit down to discuss some uncomfortable truths.Whether we like it or not, the market doesn’t care about our feelings. Just because ESG (environmental, social and governance) is the latest investor buzzword, it doesn’t mean that all companies fall under that banner. And more importantly, simply whacking ESG on some corporate documents also risks glossing over some of the uglier truths about their business.From here, Sam and I ask ourselves the tough questions on what this means for investors. In particular, we provide a reminder that as a shareholder, you have a right to vote in how a company operates, and you can tell them what is important to you as an investor.

For more expert financial analysis from the Exponential Investor team, go to: https://subscribe.exponentialinvestor.com/X983X827/3c-sb In this very eventful Exponential Investor podcast, I ask co-editor Sam Volkering to explain quantum computing. No amount of the analogies I come up with to simplify it get it right, Sam gently points out. Though he does go on to say “quantum computing isn’t ‘coming’, it’s here, just not in personal-computing form yet”. With a supercomputer in the home office some years away yet, he then runs through a few of the investing opportunities that have presented themselves as more of us work from home. We discuss whether electronic retailers should be considered consumer staples now rather than discretionary stocks, compare who has the biggest monitor, then the smoke alarm goes off, but the show doesn’t stop.

I (Shae Russell) kicked off today’s Exponential Investor podcast asking my co-editor Sam Volkering, are the current falling stock and crypto markets a “zoom out” or a “buy the dip” opportunity?“The markets” said Sam with his index fingers. “Pfft”. It turns out, Sam isn’t a fan of simply referring to all asset sectors as just “the markets”. Rather, he points out, what really matters is looking for the individual opportunities within the markets.Tech stocks, commodity stocks and cryptocurrencies have all seen sell-offs of various sizes. It’s not a case of buy the dip, Sam tells me, but rather look for excellent companies that are being unfairly knocked around by market sentiment. Settle in and join Sam and I as we talk about what to look for when stocks get kicked around. (Bonus points if you spy the moment where Sam ran away to take delivery of nine extremely large chipboard panels...).For more expert financial analysis from the Exponential Investor team, go to: https://subscribe.exponentialinvestor.com/X983X827/3c-sb

Which three key events will lead to global stagflation? That’s what I ask a special guest in today’s episode. Earlier in the week, I attended an Australian mining conference where I asked keynote speaker Nick Frappell, ABC Refinery’s Global Head of Institutional Markets, to share his speech with us.Today, this is basically me introducing you to one of my all-time gurus. You see, Nick has been on the institutional side of the precious-metals markets for the better part of 30 years. Or, as he puts it: “I’m two bear markets and one bull market old” – a reference to gold’s bull market from 2002 to 2012 once in Nick’s three decades of trading gold, silver, platinum and palladium.Nick doesn’t just understand what moves gold, he feels the flow of the metal. Nick and I kick off our discussion with some technical analysis around crude prices, complete with some very bullish price targets. We also talk about how Russia’s prolonged invasion in Ukraine is putting extreme pressure on food prices, and about central banks increasing rates, and how this could push gold prices higher in the next 12 months. Nick explains tha all of these factors are leading to global stagflation.For more expert financial analysis from the Exponential Investor team, go to: https://subscribe.exponentialinvestor.com/X983X827/3c-sb

#ad Sign up to what Sam describes as his “most important interview ever”. He shares the exact four moves you need to make to prepare for the alternative financial system: https://subscribe.fortuneandfreedom.com/2002965/NMNR

Sign up to what Sam describes as his “most important interview ever”. He shares the exact four moves you need to make to prepare for the alternative financial system: https://subscribe.fortuneandfreedom.com/2002965/NMNR This video explores one of the most important subjects facing you today… the massive change in global finance and the explosion of the crypto economy.There are big changes coming to everything you do in the world today. How you communicate and network, how you access and share data, and how you transact and function in a global economy.What do these changes look like, what should you be thinking and doing when they come?Also, crucially, how does the fast moving and innovative world of crypto fit into all this?In today’s podcast I divulge what I consider to be some answers to those questions.You may already be down that rabbit hole, or you may still be a crypto-sceptic. Whichever you are, it doesn’t matter: what’s coming is going to impact us all.That’s why next week you’ll have access to an interview I took part in with one of the most recognised names in the UK. That person is someone who understands what change looks like, what it means for the people of this country, and why it’s important to absorb and understand all aspects of what’s coming down the pathway.It’s possibly the most important interview that I’ve ever done. In it, I tell you exactly what four moves you need to make to prepare for when New Money, New Rules take hold.Make sure to get access to the whole interview when it drops next week here.https://subscribe.fortuneandfreedom.com/2002965/NMNR

Something’s gotta give.Property prices are up. The cost of living is up. Inflation is up. Rates are heading up. Wages… actually wages are not heading up in line with all this.So, ask yourself what the logical outcome to all this is.Sure, you’ve seen property prices rise, and rise and rise.You’ve seen properties worth £200,000 a few decades ago now tip over £2 million. But in another 30-odd years’ time do you really believe those £2 million properties will be worth £20 million (or more)?Really?Think about it hard. That is because what you’ve known for the last 30 years is, in our opinion, emphatically not what you could, should or will expect in the next 30.We all know the past is not a true indicator for the future. We learn from the past. We take lessons from events and patterns that have passed by. But, deep down, we all know that what we’ve seen particularly in the last few years is not what we can expect moving forward.The game has changed. The world is a completely different investment beast. It requires a new approach to how you think about assets like property and how you plan for the future.We’re not saying that having a property is a bad thing. A roof over your head and at least the perception of security is comforting to many. But as an investment vehicle… again, perhaps you might want to think again or look somewhere else.In today’s podcast we explain that line of thinking, why it’s so relevant, how it plays into the cost of living and why we both believe that we’re heading towards… the word we dare not say…… the “R” word!That’s right, if keep heading down this pathway, and it looks like they will, then it’s fair to expect the country will head into… a recession.If so, what steps should you take? How can you prepare for it? What should you do with your investments? What should you do about property? We look at these issues and pick apart some thoughts on it all in this week’s Exponential Investor podcast.For more expert financial analysis from the Exponential Investor team, go to: https://subscribe.exponentialinvestor.com/X983X827/3c-sb

In today’s Exponential Investor Podcast, Sam and Shae look at the confusing gold markets.In times of turmoil and economic uncertainty gold is supposed to be the best hedge for investors…right? RIGHT?Then why did the price pump higher and then fall right back. IT just doesn’t look like how a “crisis asset” is supposed to behave in an actual crisis.What’s going on and what are we to make of these moves? Luckily our resident expert, Shae Russell has a pretty good idea about why. And she’ll let you in on a little secret about where the fast money is moving and what the slow money is doing…it’s not what you might think.Also, is gold trading like a stock? Buy the rumour, sell the news? It appears that way. Which is funny because that’s also how it appears another “crisis asset” is trading now too, bitcoin.And here’s the thing, both gold and bitcoin can and in our view, should exist as a portion of an investor’s portfolio.But both gold and bitcoin investors tend to be very adversarial. It doesn’t have to be that way. And in today’s Exponential Investor we unpick why that is and how you should be thinking about both gold and bitcoin in your portfolio.Until next time…For more expert financial analysis from the Exponential Investor team, go to: https://subscribe.exponentialinvestor.com/X983X827/3c-sb

Today is a special edition of Exponential Investor.We’ve got some exciting news and we thought the best way to explain it is by video!In today’s Exponential Investor: Special Video, we welcome a new editor who’s going to be writing to you regularly and you’ll be hearing and seeing more of in our podcasts and investor briefings.Shae Russell is an expert in commodities, mining and metals and she’s joining us at Exponential Investor and Southbank Investment Research as our go-to expert on everything to do with commodities, metals and mining.I’ve known Shae for about nine years now. Back then we were Melbourne, Australia, where we both worked as investment writers and analysts with Fat Tail Media (then known as Port Phillip Publishing).Shae is – hands down – one of the most brilliant investment analysts and writers that I’ve ever seen when it comes to the commodities, metals and mining markets.Her depth of knowledge, access to industry contacts and understanding of this (often) complex world is second to none.It’s quite the coup that we’ve been able to bring Shae on board as a regular editor here at Exponential Investor and I know that you’ll come to love hearing from her and about the opportunities she’ll be uncovering.But as I say, the best way to get to know Shae is to meet her (almost) in person.In our conversation we unpick what Shae is all about, what she’ll bring to Exponential Investor and some of the areas she’s most excited about in the commodities and mining sectors.You can also expect to hear from Shae this coming Thursday as she publishes her first piece of editorial with us at Exponential Investor: make sure to get your eyes on that one!But for now, enjoy our video conversation and join me in welcoming Shae Russell to the team.Until next time…Get free access to a five-day investor summit with some of the most forward-thinking minds and experts from the world of climate tech.https://subscribe.exponentialinvestor.com/X983Y3BL/NWI-2

Take a look at the market…It’s not pretty.The stock market is floundering. The crypto market is floundering.Now cast your eye over the stock market in China…It has taken a beating the likes we’ve only seen previously in 2008/09 and more recently in March 2020 in the early stages of the pandemic.Some stocks that were the darlings of the market, Alibaba, JD.com, Baidu are trading upwards of 50% off their recent highs.Is China a happy hunting ground now? You can bet your bottom dollar if you’ve got any kind of emerging markets fund or ETF you’ll have a big Chinese exposure. So do you load up for the long Chinese run back to power, or will there be some more pain before gain?And if China is on the comeback trail what does that means in the broader geopolitical landscape?Having seen Russia recently cut out of the global financial system, they’ve turned to their Chinese buddies for a bit of salvation, and there’s talk of oil getting paid for in Yuan.So what?Who cares? What really matters is the optics of all this for the markets. And perhaps the really bigger story here is a glimpse at a precursor to a system of digital currency issued by central banks that is coming to your front door faster than you think.There is of course a fast and easy way to ensure that regardless of these geopolitical shenanigans you can build and grow wealth. Even when the markets are down, inflation is up and the cost of living is soaring, you can earn more money in new ways that defies all the headwinds we face.There’s a few dots to connect and we certainly try to pick through the noise this week in what is an exciting, slightly worrying, but always optimistic episode of the Exponential Investor Podcast.Get your free ticket to the Climate Tech Fortunes Summit here: https://subscribe.exponentialinvestor.com/1975474/NWI

Get your free ticket to the Climate Tech Fortunes Summit here: https://subscribe.exponentialinvestor.com/1975474/NWI When it comes to the markets right now, it’s fair to say that things are wild!Nickel hit a record $100,000/tonne, with the chart going vertical, trading like some cryptos do.I didn’t think I’d be comparing the commodities market to crypto this year, that’s for sure.Yet, here we are, at a time that the costs of critical metals are skyrocketing. Yet these are also supposed to be the metals that will help us usher in a new energy revolution that will make our energy cleaner, greener and ultimately cheaper.The question on our lips and many others in the UK is, when?When will things get better and cheaper?If this is supposed to be deflationary for prices, why are prices tripling when we whip out the energy bill?Is this just another example of something that will benefit us in another ten years’ time? And if so, what do we do now about it? Can we do anything now about it?And where are the opportunities in a market that is the most volatile that we can remember of recent times?

Get your free ticket to the Climate Tech Fortunes Summit here: https://subscribe1.southbankresearch.com/1969710There’s no escaping the most impactful events of today are focused squarely on the Ukraine. It’s such a world-impacting event that it’s throwing all markets into turmoil.The oil market has gone bonkers.The gas market has gone bonkers.The stock market, crypto market, all markets, all going bonkers.Wheat, rapeseed oil, copper, silver, gold, all of it, volatile and full of opportunity. If you’re fast enough you can get ahead of some of these massive moves in commodities and resources.But these are all short-term trades that will swing on the events of a war.Trade that market at your own peril!What is very clear though is some key outcomes that forever will change the direction of this decade.In our view it comes down to three big outcomes…Energy independence: countries in Europe know that pinning your energy hopes to an authoritarian regime like Putin’s Russia is no longer plausible. That means figuring out how to ensure the energy security of their own countries at any cost.Military strength: this kind of threat can’t exist and already Germans are open to greater military spending in the economy. Expect that to flow everywhere, and when bills pass parliament for bigger and better military spending, don’t expect too much opposition.Financial control: there will be a greater push from governments in “democracies” to control money with central bank backed digital currencies. This is brewing as a power grab that a war conveniently provides justification for.But on the subject of energy independence, never before has there been a more important time to identify what the opportunities are and how you can get onto them as this decade is ruled by countries spending up big…as in trillions-big…on achieving energy independence.In today’s Exponential Investor Podcast we look at how this shapes up and where investors can look.For more expert financial analysis from the Exponential Investor team, go to: https://www.exponentialinvestor.com/

Exponential Investor editor Sam Volkering had quite the shock this week…His gas bill has gone up three-fold! So, what is, going, on?Why is Sam’s (and likely your) gas bills three-times higher? Why haven’t the record-breaking winds from Storm A, B, C, D, E and F this year made our energy prices drop?Where is this promise of clean, cheap…free energy? And if it’s not coming tomorrow, then when is it going to arrive?How do you as someone who pays the bills to keep your household running afford these massive jumps, while also trying to build wealth? Or is the trick to build wealth to offset these massive jumps?Answers are needed. And answers we will find, for that is why we are here, and why we have energy experts at Southbank Research like Kit Winder. In today’s Exponential Investor podcast, Kit Winder and Sam Volkering try to figure out why is gas skyrocketing and when is it actually going to get cheaper for you. Or alternatively, how can you find a way to make more to counter these massive rises?All that and more in today’s Exponential Investor podcast. For more expert financial analysis from the Exponential Investor team, go to: https://www.exponentialinvestor.com/

Ah, the 1990s: grunge music, NBA basketball golden days, “Hammer-pants”, the rise of the Spice Girls and, of course, General Motors’ futuristic, all-electric EV1.Actually, in the 1990s the abundance of electric-powered devices, transportation… anything was limited to the stuff you’d plug into the wall. Kettles, toasters and microwaves in and near the kitchen, hairdryers near the bathroom…The idea of long-range, high-capacity lithium-ion battery tech was pretty cutting edge, and expensive. Granted our Sharp MD-MS722 MiniDisc player had a rechargeable lithium-ion battery in it, but that was the latest thing fresh out of Japan.However, battery tech back then was still a long way from where we are today. For example, if you wanted to power a house for a day in the 1990s using lithium-ion battery tech, you’d have needed to be filthy rich. It would have cost around $75,000 for a battery that would weigh about 113kg and be about the size of a beer keg.Today, it would cost about $2,000 and weigh just 40kg.So in 30 years the cost of lithium-ion tech has cratered (in a good way) and the actual cost of lithium has also radically fallen.However, while 30 years is a relatively short period of time to see such progression, what investors want to know today is this: why on earth has the price of lithium increased over five-fold in the last year?Does this mean that we’ll be heading back to cost per kilowatt-hour of the 1990s? Is the 1990s revival extending past fashion and into the resources sector?Or does the availability of better and more efficient tech help keep those costs down?Furthermore, as an investor, when you see the price of lithium skyrocket like this, how do you play it?Do you look to the domination and control of the market by the big miners and producers? Or do you work your way down the size scale (and up the risk scale) to the junior lithium miners?When the survival of a penny-stock lithium miner rests on a successful set of assay results or feasibility study, you can be assured of a roller-coaster ride…So do you onboard risk for potential riches, or play the “safer” game by sticking with the big boys?We dive into why lithium is skyrocketing, what it means and how to play it as an investor in today’s Exponential Investor Podcast.And we find out what are three key things Kit Winder looks for when picking out the good from the bad in the junior lithium mining sector… a must watch for any prospective lithium investor!Find out in this episode of the Exponential Investor Podcast.For more expert financial analysis from the Exponential Investor team, go to: https://www.exponentialinvestor.com/

“Have you ever invested in bonds?”Does anyone you know invest in bonds?Or is it more that you’ve got “bonds” but through a fund? Or perhaps you don’t think you’re invested in bonds, but you actually are thanks to how the funds you are invested in operate?Lots of questions today and that’s because we’re turning the spotlight back on you to a certain degree.And we also explore, if it’s better to be a stock picker or to pick the right industry, theme, asset class. All these kinds of investments, asset classes, stock picking vs. value investing, it’s a lot to absorb. For many the simplicity of a fund or ETF is much easier to know and manage.That’s fine, but you must ask how much do you really know about your fund? Where they invest, what they invest in. Are they carrying more debt than meets the eye, are they involved in structured and complex products that is a feedback loop to scratch the back of the funds management industry?Funds management can be a murky world at times and transparency hasn’t exactly been a legacy feature. Which means you must ask the questions and take a look at how you are really invested.Of course there are some great funds, some great operators, but ultimately when it comes to your financial situation and your investments there is only one person who really knows what’s best for you…And that’s you.We explore this and much more in today’s Exponential Investor Podcast. For more expert financial analysis from the Exponential Investor team, go to: https://www.exponentialinvestor.com/