Stocks are taking a breather this week after a succession of successive record highs. With the Fed now deep in QT, how can the market be rising when liquidity is supposed to be tighter, and underlying conditions tougher? Somethings just never make sense…

Nigeria is under attack by cryptocurrencies, says the Government. The Naira has collapsed as locals flee to Bitcoin and Tether – where “crypto-predators” are scamming them. Is this the future? Could it happen to the dollar market as the global economy de-dollarises, leaving a monetary vacuum? What will it mean for the mighty Treasury market?

The multiple problems facing the UK will not be solved by Sir Keir Starmer’s Labour Party trying to be better Tories than the Tories. We don’t need better Tories. We need a better UK.  

The nations of the West face crisis: how to fund vital infrastructure and critical defence spending without upsetting bond markets? They are worrying about the wrong things. Time to rethink government spending and how to do it.

Bitcoin has zero fundamental utility. It is cult that was designed and loaded to make its’ “high priests” rich. To understand how it will trade, forget common sense – focus on what it is, who the players are and what is likely to motivate and influence the price. On that basis Buttcon may be a cynical buy – but be prepared to exit early.

The markets are panicking about bond yields. There is little to panic about. Higher rates will normalise the economy – but the commentariat loves to make a problem into a crisis. Y’day the BBC got it badly wrong, confusing the cost of new debt with debt service costs.  

Everyone seems worried about the sustainability of Sovereign Bonds in terms of rising rates, interest burdens, debt quantum, and who will keep buying. Relax. Bonds have weathered worse. But there are ways to use Sovereign debt better.  

Markets are confused by rates, inflation and recession risks, wondering what central banks will do. The smart money gets it – Central Banks are on top of this, and have the fine controls to avoid crises becoming catastrophes. Meanwhile… why is my drinks cupboard full of craft gin?

Markets are being whipsawed by rate hike threats from Central Banks, China lockdowns, the Ukraine war, while being stalked by inflation and stagflation. The big risk remains policy mistakes – trying to solve these with the wrong monetary and fiscal policies.

Nothing to worry about… except Pandemic, Bonds, Inflation or Deflation, Record Container Prices and Geopolitics? Is there any chance of compromise and a deal on the US infrastructure package everyone agrees is necessary – or will it sink into the partisan swamp? And Cathie Wood talks up her investment strategies – but what’s the substance behind the leading Zeitgeist Investor?