11 October 2018 After years of describing NAFTA as "the worst trade deal in history", the Trump Administration along with Canada and Mexico signed the US Mexico Canada Agreement (USMCA). The White House, naturally, hails the accord as a historic triumph for American workers and farmers. Critics view the deal as a simple rebranding of [...]
Can Bolsonaro Unite Brazil?
30 September 2018 Brazil will go to the polls next weekend in perhaps the most wide-open, consequential election in its history. I will leave it to more clever pundits to predict the outcome (especially after Brexit and the US election results!). Rather, following recent volatility in emerging markets, I will outline the challenges the next [...]
Strategy 2019: Turning (Even More) Defensive!
19 September 2018 As analysts return from summer holidays, they tend to extend their earnings forecasts into the next year. In this spirit, I am casting my strategic gaze into 2019 as well. In order to set the stage, a brief review of our 2018 strategic themes may be helpful. In our December essay "Aging [...]
EM Contagion: Who’s Next??!!
10 August 2018 In the wake of the turmoil in Turkey, markets are considering which Emerging Market currencies potentially could be vulnerable if a broader EM contagion develops. A couple of my favourite Charts may provide some clues. What has provoked the dramatic run on the Turkish lira? Chart 1 illustrates the Turkish currency was [...]