When markets are hitting record highs is the time to be cautious, and ask why? US Stocks and Bonds are at record levels, despite the current uncertainties and policy instability. What’s driving it is a mix of themes, including market evolution. But also a market potentially complacent about approaching threats.

What’s not to like as the sun rises on a beautiful spring morning? Well… As the UK watches its public infrastructure tumble into wrack and ruin as a result of privatisation and financialisation, the USA is excited Elon Musk is doing such a great job at DOGE saving their tax-dollars. They might want to avoid a look at the shaky edifice of Musk’s tech empire as its core, Tesla, increasingly looks a hollow sham.

I’m delighted to announce we’ve signed an agreement in Cairo to build a new $7 bln private sector petrochemicals plant in Egypt, a development that could herald a new era of economic growth and the emergence of the future Middle Sea economy for the Middle East, Europe and North Africa.

Blain’s Morning Porridge 8th Jan 2025 – Beware rising complacency [...]

It’s clear 2025 will be a challenging year – there are plenty of issues to cause markets headaches, but opportunities in abundance. The primary problems may come from the ongoing politics of disruption and the likelihood electorates are going to remain profoundly disappointed.

2024 was an “interesting” year – big questions about inflation, growth and geopolitics were all asked, but answers remain difficult. The politics of populism now dominates the agenda. Issues like climate change and ESG have been pushed aside. The lessons don’t change – trade what the market thinks, but invest in facts and likely outcomes.

Bitcoin breaking $100k was a judder moment in a market already awash with signs and portents suggesting irrational exuberance has gone too far, and a correction is coming. Meanwhile… the UK govt declares war on Porridge.

Sequels oft disappoint. Just how will the world change after Jan 20th 2025? Maybe not the way we expect. Meanwhile, the global Alternatives markets are becoming increasingly frothy as the big firms bid up for market expertise and scale. Does that suggest they might be missing something?

There are some mornings when the headlines just scream madness. So many improbable events and market moves surround us, we’re in danger of becoming desensitised to the mounting risks. It is ever thus when markets enter the irrational phase. Are we missing the fact Crypto might have captured the White House?

This morning the wind is blowing again in the UK. In Baku they are preparing for the gabfest that will be COP29. In Florida, Trump is getting ready to withdraw from the Paris Agreement on Climate Change. As the planet experiences its warmest year on record, and chaotic climate events multiply – where do we go from here in climate finance?