Last Tuesday the winner of the largest Powerball jackpot winner in history – $2.04 billion – was announced (but not yet identified) by the California Lottery. A gas station in Altadena, just north of Pasadena, sold the ticket (10-33-41-47-56). The lucky recipient can elect a lump sum of $1 billion or be paid in installments…
In recent weeks we’ve devoted considerable space to how the Fed’s Great Unwind and rate hikes have impacted the economy, capital markets, and private credit. We’ve also examined the backdrop for growth (or recession). Our economist friends have helped sift data to guide investors on where US and global economies are headed. Finally, we’ve analyzed…
We conclude our unpacking of the rich content delivered by our three top economists in last month’s exclusive webinar [link] by looking at global policies. The Fed is way ahead of the other central banks in its quantitative tightening and rate hike program. The ECB is “dithering” and the BOE not well organized. Japan continues…
This week we continue unpacking the rich content our three top economists provided for last week’s exclusive webinar [link]. Here are some key takeaways. Nominal GDP remains relatively high in the US, with greater growth reflected in higher corporate revenues and earnings. But real GDP is zero. 3Q is likely positive, thanks to a narrowing…
The Lead Left’s exclusive Lead Left webinar, ”Of Rates and Recessions: What’s Ahead for the Economy,“ aired yesterday with over 400 attendees. We will dedicate space next week summarizing the views of our three expert economists. In the meantime, let’s position that conversation with a review of the state of our economic affairs as it…
One of many challenges of the investing climate is reading the economic signs. Is inflation coming down or going up? Is the labor market strengthening or weakening? Are we in a recession or just slow growth? Last Friday’s job report was a case in point. Job openings dropped dramatically by 1.1 million, the lowest level…
As our Quote of the Week concisely frames it, the world is changing from one where risk-taking was rewarded, to one where it is punished if not appropriately managed. The question for private credit investors is, can you be rewarded while managing today’s level of greater risk? In a nutshell, the Fed’s withdrawal of systemic capital and…
In a world where cash is either being withdrawn systemically through quantitative tightening or selectively by investor caution, capital formation is being challenged. Public capital utilization is governed by fast cash, so when money flows out of retail funds at the pace it has, it’s a headwind to deal activity. Private capital has long-term, locked-up…
Supply chain issues aren’t limited to bikes and baby formula. As the Fed withdraws liquidity from the banking system and investor cash exits public credit, it’s more challenging to deliver capital to traditional buyouts and M&A. In pivoting from a world of abundance to one of scarcity, credit markets are struggling to adjust. Direct lenders…
Our keynote address at this week’s SuperReturn US Private Credit conference allowed us to share a reconsideration of the impact of rate hikes and quantitative tightening on capital markets and private credit. This special series will further develop that thesis. For over a decade, including through Covid, the tide of capital has flowed mostly in…