​Context
Other than buy and hold strategies focused on specific companies in stock markets, trading is by construction a zero sum game (even negative sum game due to transaction costs). The profits of one are the losses of the other. No, it does NOT matter how you slice it. This means that, in these markets, there is a mathematical obligation to have lots of “losers”, on average. This has MUCH more far-reaching consequences than many people realize, including many traders, who don’t “see the forest” (big macro picture) due to an excessive focus on the trees (very short term strategies and indicators). I want to touch on a few very important aspects of this subject, which will surely be of interest for traders and total beginners alike. Read on!

​Context
All industrialized countries currently have very low inflation and interest rates. When central banks hint at increasing rates, the effects are considerable, especially for the Fed. This is typical of high credit and liquidity driven markets: the quantity of funds looking for returns creates speculative ups and downs globally and within countries, in stocks, bonds, currencies, and all other markets. Income inequality adds to the picture, because the propensity to save (and invest in financial markets) is very high for high income earners. The quick reaction to rumors of “normalizing rates” by central banks creates immediate stress in markets and could affect the real economy through tighter credit and financial market returns. Are we all living on artificial boosting like an athlete on steroids? Let’s look into this a bit more...

​Context
Many people have asked me “what is this forex thing?” People are generally familiar with stock markets, either because they have money in it or simply because they hear about it in the news all the time. Yet the FOREX market is much bigger, more easily accessible for everyday people, much more interesting, and more liquid. To fill the knowledge gap, I decided to provide an “introductory overview” with some value-added insights for people in the general public who are curious about financial markets and investments. Ready? GO!

​Context
This week, we discuss an important public policy issue... Income inequality has increased in many industrialized countries since the 1990s. This has spurred much debate and ideological positioning on the causes and consequences of this phenomenon. One of the main drivers of public debate lately is related to the taxation of corporations and high-income individuals. Since decisions about taxation have important consequences for growth, jobs, prosperity, freedom of choice, public well-being, public finances, and public services in the long run, it is important to set a few things straight in the public debate to reduce the amount of nonsense and increase the quality of the debate and exchanges. This is a very important post, so please read on, even if you only care about forex and stock markets – it is good “brain training”! Let’s go!