With a total U.S. inflation rate of 14% in the past two years, we review how various inflation hedges performed over the past twenty-four months. Topics covered include: What were investors' and the Federal Reserve's inflation expectations two years ago What led to the big inflation increase Why was the Federal Reserve forced to raise its policy rate by almost 5% in a year How successful were inflation-index bonds, stocks, commodities, and real estate in beating inflation … [Read more...]
400: What If High Inflation Doesn’t End?
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...]
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...]
232: Is It Time To Invest In Commodities?
Why investing in commodities such as oil, gold and cocoa beans is challenging. What you need to know before you invest. Photo by J.D. Stein In this episode you’ll learn: Why have oil prices have fallen and what will impact their long-term price trend.How commodity futures work.How cocoa beans were used as currency by the Maya. To learn more about what you need to know to invest in commodity ETFs, check out this guide. Show Notes Doubleline's Gundlach says commodities are … [Read more...]
