About Bill Blain

ill Blain is a published author on financial markets, contributor and editor of the Morning Porridge. He is a well-known market commentor, and a practicing investment banker in the alternative private debt and equity sector. His day job combines his role as Strategist for Shard Capital, the leading investment management firm, and heading the firm’s Alternatives Group – financing Private debt and equity deals, and direct lending transactions. His clients include sovereign wealth funds, hedge funds, insurance and pension managers, credit funds and family offices.

Bear Markets, Opportunity, Hopes, Expectations and UK Shared Ownership Housing

Markets are in wait and see mode – inflation, rates, earnings and all the rest weigh upon them. Back in the real world, the economic reality for young workers trying to find housing security in London feels more and more broken.

Bear Markets, Opportunity, Hopes, Expectations and UK Shared Ownership Housing2023-11-01T15:29:19+00:00

Inflation, Rates, Recession or Stagflation – nothing is clear yet

esterday’s US CPI numbers look good at a glance, but the reality is the Western economies may face ongoing sticky inflation and long-term stagflation while reversing the economic damage of a decade plus of monetary experimentation. That requires new investment approaches.

Inflation, Rates, Recession or Stagflation – nothing is clear yet2023-11-01T15:29:19+00:00

Bitcoin, Banks, Earnings, Inflation, Shadow Banking and, oh.. what else?

Bitcoin’s recent gains are about as relevant as Liz Truss. But banks, earnings, inflation, rates and investment remain critical. Now shadow banking investment is under threat – which isn’t going to help.

Bitcoin, Banks, Earnings, Inflation, Shadow Banking and, oh.. what else?2023-11-01T15:29:19+00:00

A Porridge from 2033: 10-years of Future Economic History in 1500 words..

By some freakish temporal rift, a Morning Porridge from 10-years in the future was delivered into my email box last week – describing the monumental political and economic events of the last decade… Freaky eh? Who would expect such a thing…? It happens…

A Porridge from 2033: 10-years of Future Economic History in 1500 words..2023-11-01T15:29:19+00:00

Trump, Democracy, Populism and Markets? Who Wins?

The Chinese must be delighted, but Donald J Trump is not the problem, just a symptom of crisis within Democracy. The issue is how it plays out for markets in terms of future global alliances, trade, economic growth and prosperity - the signs are not looking good.

Trump, Democracy, Populism and Markets? Who Wins?2023-11-01T15:29:19+00:00

The approaching Real Estate (CRE) storm will be a crisis – but is hardly unexpected!

Fears of a full-on Commercial Real Estate Crisis are mounting as rising rates, a dearth of credit and a record redemption schedule combine into a perfect storm – but the market is already expecting it, so what will be the credit event or no-see-um that tiggers a market meltdown?

The approaching Real Estate (CRE) storm will be a crisis – but is hardly unexpected!2023-11-01T15:29:19+00:00

The UK needs an Energy Transition Plan, not Regurgitated Political Posturing

The UK announced a new energy strategy – but its nonsense. It’s not a transition plan, but a ploy to placate the courts. We need better if the UK is take advantage of the opportunity Climate Change and Renewable Energy represents.

The UK needs an Energy Transition Plan, not Regurgitated Political Posturing2023-11-01T15:29:19+00:00

Forget the multiple perils of markets – go buy a ticket to Guys and Dolls instead!

Markets are taking a breather after the recent wobbles, but the threat board has never looked, well, more threatening! Relax. Go see Guys and Dolls instead and treat yourself to a great night out.. tomorrow it will be miserable again!

Forget the multiple perils of markets – go buy a ticket to Guys and Dolls instead!2023-11-01T15:29:19+00:00

The Future of Banks: Dinosaurs or Adapt

The current crisis (?) is another step in banking’s progress towards an evolutionary dead end. The future doesn’t need banks. It will need smart risk takers, and new ways to originate and distribute risk.. an opportunity for banks clever enough to evolve!

The Future of Banks: Dinosaurs or Adapt2023-11-01T15:29:19+00:00
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