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.

The Inflation Genie – jumping back into the bottle?

Something different this morning – is the inflation threat really about to be corked back in its bottle? My head of research, Ernst Knacke thinks so.. so this morning I’m letting him argue the point on where inflation is headed and how to position for lower inflation next year!

The Inflation Genie – jumping back into the bottle?2023-11-01T15:29:21+00:00

What Does 2023 Hold For Markets – Some Best Guesses!

I’ve no idea what might happen in 2023, but I don’t think its going to be as bad as some expect, but neither will it be as rewarding as others predict. Its likely to be another year of trading on what the mood is, what the numbers mean, and hoping to call it right. Hope, as they say, is only a strategy when you simply don’t know!

What Does 2023 Hold For Markets – Some Best Guesses!2023-11-01T15:29:21+00:00

Weather is a disaster for UK Energy!

It was a disastrous weekend for UK energy strategy as the biting cold and lack of wind demonstrated the fallacy of wind as “the” renewable solution. Energy security requires predictable power. Meanwhile, Central Bank mull rate hikes and implications for dollar strength.

Weather is a disaster for UK Energy!2023-11-01T15:29:21+00:00

The Politics of Climate Change: Pragmatism, Virtue Signalling and Opportunism

West Cumbria Mining has upset the Green Lobby, but it’s a triumph of pragmatism over virtue signalling. We should be more concerned at the implications of US Fund Vanguard pulling out of an asset management alliance focused on slashing emissions. However, the reality is the Global Economy is poised for growth driven by climate change mitigation and renewable energy!  

The Politics of Climate Change: Pragmatism, Virtue Signalling and Opportunism2023-11-01T15:29:21+00:00

Easy money was the drug that fuelled the 2010s and now it’s Cold Turkey Time!

Doom and Gloom dominates the economic mood. Analysts are predicting just how bad it will be next year – but easy money was the drug that fuelled the financial excesses of the 2010s, the market is still addicted to it, and the current dire sentiment is cold turkey..

Easy money was the drug that fuelled the 2010s and now it’s Cold Turkey Time!2023-11-01T15:29:21+00:00

Kwarteng wins Financial Idiot of the Year as IMF warns on the dangers of debt and swaps… and Buttcon worth $1?

Good is bad, and bad is good as Kwasi Kwarteng wins the Financial Idiot of the Year award as the IMF warns about the consequences and dangers of $80 trillion of hidden swap debt and rising global debt levels. Should we worry? Probably.

Kwarteng wins Financial Idiot of the Year as IMF warns on the dangers of debt and swaps… and Buttcon worth $1?2023-11-01T15:29:21+00:00

Underinvestment and Zero Growth? What’s wrong with the UK is a lack of honesty…

The CBI think the next decade could be lost as the UK is swamped by stagflation, zero growth and disinvestment, and wonder what the government’s plan is? There isn’t one except to ignore the brutal truth of acknowledging the greatest mistake the UK ever made.

Underinvestment and Zero Growth? What’s wrong with the UK is a lack of honesty…2023-11-01T15:29:21+00:00

Big Tech and evolutionary dead-ends. Too Big to Survive.

Big Tech is so yesterday. Prices peaked last year, but there are limited reasons to expect they will ever become so dominant again. They are too big, under the regulatory cosh, and increasingly under competitive pressure. They are heading the same way as the dinosaurs.

Big Tech and evolutionary dead-ends. Too Big to Survive.2023-11-01T15:29:21+00:00

Did the Fed just make a long term mistake? Is inflation a bad or good thing?

Jerome Powell signalled a slow-down in interest rate hikes – and markets loved it. But did he just make a long-term mistake by not decisively signalling the end of the era of monetary and market distortion? There are lessons to be learnt, not least being the role of inflation in a buoyant economy.

Did the Fed just make a long term mistake? Is inflation a bad or good thing?2023-11-01T15:29:21+00:00
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