ME- First the Bang. Now the Whimper! Investment Conclusion The time of maximum risk is over. The Mullahs will shift to survival mode. They will not seek to escalate militarily – though a few revenge suicide bombings could happen. Any significant escalation by Iran ... Read More

This Update will be quick as the Middle East is dominating research resources! 1. Port of Los Angeles Data shows fairly stable container flows at TEU 134k and then 127k for next two weeks but then there is a pretty massive fall to TEU 77k in the week of July 6 to July 12. If... Read More

ME – No Taco but Attack Investment Conclusion. President Trump has not gone TACO on Iran. The US will attack Iran’s nuclear asserts (e.g. Fordow) if Iran does not totally surrender its nuclear assets in short shift. No more negotiations. No more ducking and weaving. No... Read More

ME- Portfolio on War Footing Investment Conclusion President Trump has shifted his stance to demanding “unconditional surrender” of Iran. If this is not just rhetoric or a negotiating ploy, it opens the way to escalation of the war. Israel and the US would then ... Read More

Israel Vs Iran Update: The Thin Edge of Judgement Investment Conclusion The war will last longer than the Israeli lightning-strikes that the market is used to. It can also tip into a war focussed on regime-change (as Israel ambitions) or a pause for President Tr... Read More

The Port of Los Angeles inward bound anticipated container traffic is set to run at 122k to 123k TEUs this week and next. This is slightly above the low levels of a year ago. However in the week ending July 7 volumes drop back to the average run rate of 100k TEUs. This is not a... Read More

Middle East: Good Cop, Bad Cop & The Bactrian Camel Investment Conclusion The Israeli attack on Iran was coordinated with the US. The strategy is intended to force Iran to denuclearise on President Trump’s terms. Thus escalation will be limited for now as Ira... Read More

The Gormless Eejit! Investment Conclusion Can equities continue to rise while US bonds and the US$ to fall? I got this wrong so far. This note looks at the economic logic of this divorce. It could continue if disruption is over. But that’s unlikely. The wider economi... Read More

Here is the anticipated inward US container port data for the next three weeks - as provided by the Port of Los Angeles. (The port of Los Angeles handles 40% of US containerised imports. 50% of its traffic is from China. That is why i use it as a proxy for US container ... Read More

The taxation and breakdown of global capital flows (Written on a plane - unchecked, illiterate but important) QS strategy includes capital controls and taxation of foreign investment as part of the fragmentation of world order. It is also part of the potty e... Read More