Commentaries

By: John E. Charalambakis | On: November 24, 2016 |

European Developments Meet Bruegel: The Icarus Effect

While the markets enjoy historic highs and particular sectors experienced rallies (such as financial and healthcare) one of the questions that investors may have is whether value can be found […]

By: John E. Charalambakis | On: November 17, 2016 |

The Meeting of Trends: A Value-Oriented Investment Strategy

In the last two commentaries we focused on asset allocation in times of change and on particular sectors that may benefit from forthcoming policy changes. In this commentary we would […]

By: John E. Charalambakis | On: November 9, 2016 |

Initial Reflections on US Elections and Markets’ Reaction: The Sisyphus Dilemma

As the results of the election kept coming in on Tuesday night, the futures markets indicated a turbulent opening for Wednesday. However, as the morning hours were unfolding and as […]

By: John E. Charalambakis | On: November 3, 2016 |

US Presidential Election and Market Perspectives: Asset Allocation in Times of Change

Within six days the US election will (probably) be over. Serious statistical models show that the outcome may be more uncertain than pundits predict. Some of the latest polls in […]

By: John E. Charalambakis | On: October 26, 2016 |

Trapped in the Noise of the Market: Rates and Momentum

Markets are looking for an opportunity to break free from the noise of going sideways. It could be that the recently announced deals in mergers and acquisitions could become the […]

By: John E. Charalambakis | On: October 18, 2016 |

Credit Impulse and Currency Outlook: Kafka’s Clamence Ponders on Currencies’ Trajectory

This year marks the 60th anniversary since Kafka published his least understood philosophical novel titled “The Fall”. The novel is a series of monologues by its main character (Clamence). Clamence’s […]

By: John E. Charalambakis | On: October 8, 2016 |

Hyperkinesis and Financial Ecology: The EU and a Lesson from the Kudzu Weed

The markets seem to be suffering from hyperkinetic activity generated from too much kudzu collateralization, securitization, credit overextension, and central banking intervention. This has resulted  in impulsivity across credit markets […]

By: John E. Charalambakis | On: October 2, 2016 |

Complacency, Deflationary Bulls, and Inflationary Bears: Japanification in an Era when the Enemy of my Enemy is Still my Enemy

Lack of foresight is not a tactical mistake. It is a dangerous strategic error whose price is paid mainly by innocents over a long period of time. In April 1917, […]

By: John E. Charalambakis | On: September 27, 2016 |

The Markets and the Search for a Refiner’s Fire: Staring in the Mirror

In chapter 19 of the Odyssey, Homer writes about Penelope’s encounter with a mysterious guest. “Falsehoods all, but he gave his falsehoods all the ring of truth. As she listened […]

By: John E. Charalambakis | On: September 13, 2016 |

Enlightenment in the Era of Central Banking: Fearing the Normal or Normalizing Fear?

The flowering of the Enlightenment across Europe in the 17th and 18th centuries took place when a diverse group of thinkers questioned perceived opinion. The names of Descartes, Spinoza, Locke, […]