SKEPTIC’S GUIDE TO INVESTING

60 Episodes

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Navigating Market Reactions to Political Change

2024-11-1121:22

Please text and tell us what you likeSurprised by the recent election results? You're not alone. Despite widespread economic discontent, Trump's resounding victory over Kamala Harris left many, including us, scratching our heads. Join Clem Miller and me, Steve Davenport, as we unpack the implications of this political shift and explore how the economy, especially inflation, played a pivotal role in shaping voter sentiment. We dive into the cyclical nature of political power and discuss the pu...

US Tech Giants in the EU's Regulatory Maze

2024-11-0138:45

Please text and tell us what you likeHow do Europe’s strict regulations ripple through Silicon Valley? Join us on Skeptic's Guide to Investing as Steve Davenport and Clem Miller unpack the labyrinth of European regulations reshaping the landscape for US tech behemoths. Discover how the Digital Markets Act is poised to level the playing field, forcing giants like Alphabet, Apple, and Meta to reassess their global strategies. Learn about the daunting hurdles posed by the General Data Protection...

Inflation's Impact: Strategies Beyond Bonds

2024-11-0131:27

Please text and tell us what you likeIn today’s episode, Steve and Clem discuss (and debate) the idea of replacing a portion of your bond holdings with a satellite portfolio of assets that that may offer a superior combination of yield and inflation resistance. We consider the fact that inflation, while moderating significantly, is far from conquered. We also wonder if Fed rate cuts might actually prompt a return to higher inflation. Last, we wonder if we’re overdue for a siz...

Traditional Meets Modern: Japan's Unique Blend

2024-10-1841:16

Please text and tell us what you likeWhat happens when a seasoned business traveler trades in short visits for a month-long immersion in Japan? Join us as Clem Miller unravels his captivating journey through the Land of the Rising Sun, offering a rich blend of personal anecdotes and cultural insights. From Tokyo's bustling streets to Kyoto's serene temples, Clem paints a vivid picture of Japan's unique juxtaposition of modernity and timeless tradition. Discover how a society renowned for tech...

China's Economic Landscape for Investors

2024-10-1834:29

Please text and tell us what you likeUnlock the secrets behind China's economic strategies and arm yourself with essential insights for cautious investing. Join me, Steve Davenport, alongside Colm Miller, as we dissect the enigmatic world of China's economic policies and the challenges investors face in navigating these murky waters. Our conversation promises a thorough examination of the complex landscape, exploring how China's recent focus on bolstering local retail investor confidence thro...

AI Investments: Delivering or Disappointing

2024-09-2532:43

Please text and tell us what you likeIs the AI market a ticking time bomb or a goldmine waiting to be tapped? Join us as Clem Miller helps dissect the current AI landscape, paralleled with the tech boom of 2000, and clarifies whether companies like Nvidia are the kings of the hill or just on a temporary pedestal. We’ll also explore the strategic pivot towards robust defensive stocks—think healthcare and consumer staples—as a buffer against market volatility. Plus, we're challenging the buzz a...

Stocks vs Factors: The Real Fundamentals

2024-09-2529:56

Please text and tell us what you likeAre factors really the essential building blocks of investment portfolios, or is it just clever marketing? In this episode of Skeptic's Guide, Clem boldly challenges the widespread belief in factor investing by arguing that individual stocks themselves are the true fundamentals. Clem dissects the unpredictable nature of factor performance and critiques the simplistic construction of factor ETFs. While he acknowledges the utility of certain factors like bet...

Debate Dynamics: Harris, Trump, and the Economy

2024-09-1201:00:05

Please text and tell us what you likeCan Kamala Harris’s debate performance really sway undecided voters? On this episode of Skeptic's Guide to Investing, Frazer Rice, author of Wealth Actually, joins us to break down the high-stakes debate between Kamala Harris and Donald Trump. Alongside Clem Miller and Steve Davenport, Frazer dissects Harris's strategies, her ability to maintain composure, and the overall entertainment value of the debate. Our conversation moves beyond the theatrics to exa...

Market Outlook through end-2024

2024-09-0419:52

Please text and tell us what you likeWhat can we expect for the stock market for the rest of 2024? Discover how the U.S. elections, inflation, the economy, and Federal Reserve actions intertwine to influence market trends for the rest of 2024. Join hosts Steve Davenport and Clem Miller as we consider the recent flat trend and high daily volatility. We consider the electoral landscape: the excitement building around Harris as potentially the first woman president, the latest pollin...

Middle East Turmoil: Geopolitical and Investment Dimensions

2024-09-0437:30

Please text and tell us what you likeWhat if the key to understanding the Israeli-Palestinian conflict lies not in politics but in human connections? Join us on this episode of Skeptic's Guide to Investing as Steve and Clem unravel the geopolitical and economic threads of recent Middle East turmoil. We'll explore the motivations behind Israeli leadership, the role of Hamas and Hezbollah, and the potential for a ceasefire, all while maintaining a focus on the humanity that bridges Israelis and...

Is the U.S. National Debt Unsustainable (with Special Guest Steve Gattuso, CFA)

2024-08-2159:29

Please text and tell us what you likePrepare to demystify the complexities of the national debt with our esteemed guest, Steve Gattuso, CFA, Chief Investment Officer at Courier Capital. This episode of Skeptic's Guide to Investing promises to shed light on how the national debt has reached nearly $35 trillion and what this means for our economic future. Steve uses relatable analogies to break down the difference between deficit and debt, while also discussing the significant impact of mandate...

Harris and Walz: The Populist Wave

2024-08-0738:38

Please text and tell us what you likeIs the American political landscape ready for a seismic shift? Join us as we examine how Kamala Harris's decision to bring Tim Walz onboard as her vice-presidential candidate has transformed the 2024 election into a clash of populist titans against Trump and Vance. Harris, once seen as an institutionalist, now embraces a populist strategy, with Walz's relatable and vibrant personality adding a unique charm to the ticket. We’ll dissect the implications of t...

Berkshire Raises Cash: What Signal does this Send?

2024-08-0721:17

Please text and tell us what you likeWhat if the financial industry’s most revered investor made a move that seemed counterintuitive? Join us on the Skeptic's Guide to Investing as Steve Davenport and I dissect the surprising decision by Berkshire Hathaway to sell half of its Apple shares and reduce its Bank of America holdings. We dive into Berkshire's intricate dual business structure, balancing wholly owned insurance operations with expansive non-insurance investments, and speculate on pos...

Recession Watch: Resilience in Volatile Times

2024-08-0730:14

Please text and tell us what you likeIs your portfolio ready for the next market shake-up? Join Clem Miller and Steve Davenport on this episode of Skeptic's Guide to Investing as we unravel the mysteries behind recent market volatility and its potential link to an impending recession. We break down the wild swings in the S&P 500 and question what these movements really indicate about the broader economic landscape. From Warren Buffett’s strategic sale of Apple stock to the low liquidity i...

Harris vs Trump: Business and Politics

2024-07-2455:55

Please text and tell us what you likeWill a sudden change of candidates reshape the entire investment landscape? Steve Davenport and Clem Miller navigate the seismic political shifts that followed President Biden's unexpected withdrawal from the 2024 Presidential campaign. With Kamala Harris stepping up to the presidency, we delve into her qualifications, background, and the ripple effects this transition could have on investors and the broader political scene. We'll also touch on Trump's evo...

Crowdstrike: Protection Becomes a Threat

2024-07-2431:21

Please text and tell us what you likeImagine a world where the very companies hired to protect us from cyber threats inadvertently cause massive disruptions. Today, Steve Davenport and Clem Miller discuss the staggering irony of a global IT outage ignited by a faulty software release from cybersecurity giant CrowdStrike. This episode promises to reveal the vulnerabilities in our digital infrastructure, using historical incidents like the SolarWinds and Target cyber attacks to illustrate the c...

Energy Outlook Around the Globe

2024-07-1735:07

Please text and tell us what you likeUnlock the secrets behind the intricate web of global energy politics with Steve Davenport and Clem Miller from Skeptic's Guide to Investing. How has the Ukraine-Russia conflict reshaped energy markets? Why is diversifying energy sources crucial for geopolitical stability? We pull back the curtain on U.S. energy policies under Trump, exploring the potential future of offshore drilling and the strategic role of nuclear energy. Discover the power plays of ma...

U. S. Election Fireworks Begin

2024-07-1743:16

Please text and tell us what you likeHow could an assassination attempt on a former president change the course of the US elections? Join us on this episode of Skeptic's Guide to Investing as we navigate the chaotic and unpredictable landscape of the current US elections. We kick off by scrutinizing Joe Biden's recent debate performance and how questions regarding his age and competence are coming to the forefront. Then, we delve into the harrowing assassination attempt on Donald Trump and it...

2024: Skeptics Guide to the Second Half

2024-06-2601:09:55

Please text and tell us what you likeWhat can we expect of markets in the second half of 2024? Can AI sustain its explosive momentum, or are we on the brink of a bubble burst? This week on Skeptic's Guide to Investing, we dissect the meteoric rise of AI, focusing on NVIDIA’s dominance and the broader implications for investors navigating this tech frenzy. We’ll guide you through the landscape of AI-related investments, from the behemoths like Google and Microsoft to the higher-risk, anc...

Millennials’ Journey to Financial Wellness with Dan Solin

2024-06-1955:44

Please text and tell us what you likeUnlock the secrets to financial freedom with Dan Solin, author of "Wealthier: The Investing Field Guide for Millennials." In this episode, Dan demystifies investing, highlighting why time and compounding are your best allies in wealth-building. We discuss the importance of managing realistic savings expectations. Dan also puts to rest the myth that investing needs to be complicated, promoting simple, disciplined strategies like buy-and-hold investing...

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