How then Should We Invest? A Conversation with Francis Bacon, Descartes, Heisenberg, Israel Kirzner, Byron, and Francis Schaeffer

by John E. Charalambakis | Dec 28, 2015 | Commentaries

I boarded the non-stop flight from Cincinnati to Paris. Walking down the plane’s aisle I discovered a special area can accommodate round-the-table discussions, just as in previous years. To my left I saw Bacon, Descartes, and Heisenberg. On the right side were...

Strategic Assets and Strategic Mistakes: Tactical Moves for 2016 and Planting COG Seeds for the Day After 2016 (Investment Paths Series, Part IV)

by John E. Charalambakis | Dec 21, 2015 | Commentaries

It’s so wonderful to have friends who teach you about some great moments in history that could have been pivotal for the world we live today. A few days ago, I was visiting with Dan Schechter in Los Angeles – principal of L.E.K. Consulting, a prominent global...

Market Mispricing and Distortions: Liquidity and Credit Concerns

by John E. Charalambakis | Dec 11, 2015 | Commentaries

Over the last few days the markets have exhibited signs of fears and some distress. Diverging a little bit from our recent commentaries that dealt with the investment paths of 2016, I would like us to review the main reasons for the recent market behavior. Before...

The Investment Paths of 2016, Part III: Ain’t Misbehavin’ and the Crossing of the Volatility Bridge

by John E. Charalambakis | Dec 8, 2015 | Commentaries

During most of 2015, investors had to worry about a Grexit, a China slowdown, a commodities bust, or a synchronized degradation of market expectations. At the dawn of 2016, we are of the opinion that a bridge is open that can put behind the volatility of 2015 and...

The Investment Paths of 2016, Part II: From Risks to Opportunities

by John E. Charalambakis | Nov 29, 2015 | Commentaries

Much ado about nothing may end up being not just a Shakespeare play but also the reality that will sink in after the Fed starts raising short term rates. All those talks, analyses, papers, assessments, and myriads of opinions about the terrible effects that the rate...

Diverging Asymmetries and Market Fragilities: Understanding the Investment Paths of 2016, Part I

by John E. Charalambakis | Nov 23, 2015 | Commentaries

Well-respected publications such as The Economist and The Financial Times have recently published extensive reports regarding the threats to the global economy from emerging markets’ debt. The fact is that emerging market economies have accumulated significant amounts...