How economic wars, pandemics, and worker shortages could lead to years of high structural inflation. What needs to happen to avoid this dire inflation scenario. Topics covered include: What are three inflation lessons shared by Federal Reserve Chair Jerome PowellWhat is inflation anchoringWhat caused the current period of high inflationHow China and Russia contributed to low inflation and why those trends have reversedHow behavior changes and productivity improvements can contribute to … [Read more...]
394 Plus: Share Buyback Timing, Contango vs Backwardation, and the Fundrise Growth Tech Fund
In Plus Episode 394, we look at whether corporate management repurchases stock shares when the price is low or when it is high. We consider what contango and backwardation mean as it relates to commodities futures. Then we discuss whether commodity futures are generally in contango or backwardation during commodity bull and bear markets. Finally, we analyze a new fund offering by Fundrise that differs from their previous real estate related offerings. … [Read more...]
384: Has a Commodities Bull Market Supercycle Started? If So, How Do You Invest in It?
What causes secular bull and bear markets in commodities. What factors suggest a new commodities bull market has started and how can investors participate. What the risks are. Topics covered include: What is a bull and bear marketHow long have earlier commodity bull and bear markets lasted and what were the returnsWhat led to the current commodity bear market that began in 2011How shareholder revolts and ESG mandates have contributed to reduced investment in the commodities space, … [Read more...]
382: Is A Famine Next? Food Inflation, Food Riots, and Investing in Commodities and Other Real Things
Why food costs are soaring and what we can do about it. Why inflation rates could start to drop. Why commodity futures, including agriculture futures, have been lousy inflation hedges, and what has worked better. Topics covered include: Previous investment recommendations by Money For the Rest of Us to combat inflation Why commodity futures hedge against unexpected inflation but have underperformed inflation over the long-term A recommended ETF for investing in commodity … [Read more...]
342: Is Another Great Inflation Coming?
How today's inflationary environment is similar and different from the great inflation of the 1970s. What are the best assets to protect your portfolio if the next great inflation is here. Topics covered include: How is inflation measured and why the pandemic made calculating inflation difficult What causes inflation Why is inflation increasing currently What caused the great inflation of the 1970s Which assets are best to own to protect against inflation Show … [Read more...]
Read This Before Investing in Farmland
What you need to know about the risks, returns, and ways to invest in farmland. ARTICLE TABLE OF CONTENTS (Skip to Section) Three Ways To Invest in FarmlandWhat Drives Farmland ReturnsBumper Crops = Bumper ProductionFarmland Returns Farmland Investing RisksFarmland Investment OptionsPodcast Episode 334:How To Invest In Farmland by EMILY BOULTER & | Updated Farmland is popping up everywhere as a lower-risk opportunity that has outpaced inflation and offers the … [Read more...]
317 Plus: Mid Month Investment Conditions Update, Commodity Bull and Bear Markets, and Worthy Bonds
In Plus episode 317, we evaluate recent market returns and economic releases. We look at whether commodities are starting a new bull market or whether the nine-year bear market continues. Finally, we analyze the risk Worthy bonds which pay a 5% yield. … [Read more...]
309 Plus: Investment Newsletters and Preferred Stock
In this Plus episode, we look at the investment newsletter business and whether investors should invest in their individual stock recommendations. We also discuss how to evaluate and invest in preferred stocks. … [Read more...]
296: Why Negative Prices Exist and What Can They Teach Us
Why the oil price fell below zero and what are other examples of negative prices. What lessons can we learn from negative prices. Topics covered include: How oil futures work and why the oil future prices fell below zero for the first time ever.Why has the United States Oil ETF (USO) lost so much money.How ETF authorized participants create new shares only so they can be shorted.How storage problems for oil and electricity can lead to negative prices.How negative interest rates are … [Read more...]
265 Plus: Mid-month Update, Separately Managed Accounts, and Agricultural Commodity ETFs
In Plus episode 265 for the week of August 24, 2019 we review the latest economic releases, Federal Reserve minutes and other economic and investment indicators. We evaluate under what conditions it makes sense to utilize an actively managed separately managed account versus an index fund or ETF. Finally, we look at why agricultural commodity ETFs have significantly underperformed the spot price for corn, wheat, and other agricultural products. … [Read more...]