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This episode explores the concept of tariff puffery, delving into the economic realities versus the exaggerations perpetuated by political figures regarding trade policies. Hosts Steve and Glenn discuss the implications of tariffs on consumers and businesses, offering a critical insight into their effectiveness in today's economy.

• Definition of puffery in the context of tariffs 
• Examination of historical tariff impacts 
• Discussion on the automation of pricing and consumer costs 
• Analysis of tariffs on China, Canada, and Mexico 
• Implications of on-shoring and reshoring supply chains post-COVID-19 
• Market resilience in the face of tariff discussions

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Disclaimer - These podcasts are not intended as investment advice. Individuals please consult your own investment, tax and legal advisors. They provide these insights for educational purposes only.

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Navigating political puffery reveals the absurdity in exaggerated claims made by leaders, showcasing how distractions shape public discourse and investor perceptions. Understanding these dynamics helps listeners critically assess the implications of such statements on global relationships and policy. 
• Defining puffery in political terms 
• Canada as the absurd notion of a 51st state 
• Greenland's strategic importance and its dismissals 
• The Panama Canal's exaggerated claims of ownership 
• Jingoism and the Gulf of America concept 
• The complexity of the Ukraine conflict and Trump's role 
• Ranking the most outrageous claims discussed 
Please check out our other two podcasts on Puffery Immigration Ideas and Puffery Regarding Tariffs.

Straight Talk for All - Nonsense for None

Please check out our other podcasts:

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Disclaimer - These podcasts are not intended as investment advice. Individuals please consult your own investment, tax and legal advisors. They provide these insights for educational purposes only.

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Unlock the secrets to safeguarding your investments amidst uncertain economic times with our latest episode, featuring an engaging discussion with financial expert Steve Davenport. Together, we dive into effective strategies for protecting your portfolio from potential downturns, emphasizing the critical role of conservative asset allocation. Learn how to balance growth, income, and stability, while navigating the challenges posed by economic factors like debt ceiling issues and geopolitical tensions. This episode equips you with insights to maintain a resilient investment portfolio tailored to your unique needs.

Explore the intricate dynamics of diversification and risk management within our portfolios. We examine the role of median beta values, alongside the strategic inclusion of high-growth stocks like NVIDIA, to balance risk and potential returns. Discover how hedging strategies—such as put options and collars—can be essential tools for those approaching retirement, aiming for simplicity, or managing market volatility. We offer insightful examples and practical advice to help you make informed decisions on your financial journey.

As we conclude, we invite listeners to embrace a healthy dose of skepticism while remaining open to improvement. Reflecting on the value of this discussion, we express our excitement for the future, with plans to introduce new voices like James Thorne and Steve Gattuso. We extend our heartfelt gratitude to our audience, looking forward to a year filled with promise and continued exploration of strategies to navigate the ever-changing investment landscape. Join us on this journey to financial resilience and peace of mind.

Straight Talk for All - Nonsense for None

Please check out our other podcasts:

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Disclaimer - These podcasts are not intended as investment advice. Individuals please consult your own investment, tax and legal advisors. They provide these insights for educational purposes only.

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What if the next big investment opportunity isn't where you'd expect it to be? Join us as we kick off our 2025 podcast series with Glenn, where we explore the world of 'spice' stocks—those hidden gems in burgeoning sectors like data centers, cloud services, renewable energy, and quantum computing. These mid-cap and smaller companies offer a unique way to spice up your portfolio with high alpha potential, balancing risk and reward through a barbell strategy. Discover the importance of selecting companies with strong profitability and cash reserves, ensuring your investments remain stable even amidst the allure of high-growth opportunities.

Meet the intriguing players like Palantir and IonQ in the high-risk investment space. We critically assess Palantir's impressive market cap against its revenue, delving into its heavy reliance on government contracts, while also exploring IonQ's futuristic quantum computing technology with its potential to revolutionize encryption and cryptocurrency security. The conversation emphasizes the need for a cautious approach, balancing the excitement of high-risk opportunities with the importance of measured investment strategies.

Explore the strategic potential of mid-cap stocks as we challenge the dominance of mega-cap giants. With Glenn's insights, we scrutinize the potential pitfalls of over-reliance on stocks like Apple, Google, and Tesla, considering regulatory pressures and operational challenges. Uncover the sweet spot for investors seeking long-term growth by allocating 10-15% to mid-caps, especially in emerging sectors like AI and healthcare. This episode provides a comprehensive guide to building a robust and balanced portfolio, positioning mid-caps as a stable and attractive alternative in a market often overshadowed by its larger counterparts.

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Please check out our other podcasts:

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Disclaimer - These podcasts are not intended as investment advice. Individuals please consult your own investment, tax and legal advisors. They provide these insights for educational purposes only.

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In this episode of Skeptic’s Guide to Investing, Steve Davenport and Clem Miller discuss what investors should be tracking as the Second Trump Administration gets underway.  

Will increased energy output be addressed on Day 1?  Will these policies support not just increased oil drilling but also natural gas exports and nuclear? 

Will the Administration and Congress get so side-tracked by social issues and retribution against perceived enemies that it will be unable to form a bipartisan consensus to extend the 2017 tax cuts? 

Will proposals by Elon Musk and his so-called DOGE to drastically slash government spending, including entitlements, be stymied by Trump’s own allies in Congress?  Is DOGE just another distraction? When will Trump dump Musk?

Will there be any efforts made to build out the infrastructure needed to keep U.S. industries competitive with those of other countries? 

Will Trump’s cabinet and agency nominees demonstrate the competence necessary to manage government functions effectively?

Steve and Clem also discuss and debate the weak long-term return projections of several prominent investment management firms.  These projections are lower than would be implied by long-term U.S. nominal economic growth trends, but do they embed an expectation of recession?  Do they reflect a substantial multiple contraction? 

Finally, we discuss how we’re positions our portfolios for the opportunities and uncertainties posed by Trump 2.0. 

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Please check out our other podcasts:

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Disclaimer - These podcasts are not intended as investment advice. Individuals please consult your own investment, tax and legal advisors. They provide these insights for educational purposes only.

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In this episode of Skeptic’s Guide to Investing, Clem Miller and Steve Davenport discuss how the incoming Trump Administration’s threats to impose very high tariffs, expel millions of undocumented immigrants, and reshape U.S. alliances  to favor authoritarian regimes (coupled with the Fed’s strong dollar policy) are causing global shockwaves. We discuss the precarious position of Trudeau’s government in Canada and the prospect of U.S. military intervention in northern Mexico to address migration and drug crimes.  We discuss shifts within multi-party coalitions in Germany, potential EU direct military involvement in Ukraine should the U.S. reduce support, and Russia’s covert efforts to destabilize EU governments.  We discuss the attempted self-coup in South Korea, as well as the political and economic situations in Brazil and China.   Finally, Steve and Clem share their thoughts on U.S. investors should consider these developments with respect to their stock selection and portfolio positioning. 

Straight Talk for All - Nonsense for None

Please check out our other podcasts:

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Disclaimer - These podcasts are not intended as investment advice. Individuals please consult your own investment, tax and legal advisors. They provide these insights for educational purposes only.

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What if you could make trading decisions without emotion clouding your judgment? Join us as we sit down with Adrian Reid from Enlightened Stock Trader, who reveals the secret ingredients for trading success in 2025. Adrian's unique approach focuses on systematic strategies that prioritize models over market noise, incorporating factors like momentum, size, and volatility. Learn how he strategically excludes European markets to focus on regions with the best potential edge and expectancy, navigating through the complexities of markets in the US, Canada, Hong Kong, and Australia.

Delve into the intricacies of trading strategies and risk assessment with Adrian, as he shares insights into using short interest as a quant factor and the distinction between alpha and beta for informed investment decisions. Discover the potential of mean reversion and trend-following strategies to capitalize on stock-specific behavior rather than broader market movements. We also discuss the importance of preparing for potential downturns, ensuring that your portfolio is robust enough to endure market fluctuations.

Explore the art of portfolio diversification and market allocation as Adrian emphasizes the importance of liquidity and maintaining insignificant trades to prevent market influence. Gain insights into strategic diversification across different markets, considering factors like liquidity, spreads, and tax implications. With robust backtesting and a diversified approach, Adrian aims to ensure consistent success, navigating market volatility while mitigating risks. Tune in for a wealth of expert insights that could transform your trading journey.

For more information on Adrian Reid:

https://enlightenedstocktrading.com/free/

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Please check out our other podcasts:

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Disclaimer - These podcasts are not intended as investment advice. Individuals please consult your own investment, tax and legal advisors. They provide these insights for educational purposes only.

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Clem Miller and Steve Davenport discuss President-Elect Trump’s transactional approach to resolving thorny international conflicts, such as with the Russia-Ukraine conflict, in the Middle East conflict, or with China-Taiwan. 

Will Trump abandon or downgrade long-standing relationships with NATO or other allies as he makes foreign policy deals? 

Is Trump likely to be successful in bringing regional adversaries like Russia and Ukraine, or Israel and Iran, to the negotiating table? If there are agreements reached, what is the likelihood they will stick?  

Should we look at proposed U.S. tariffs on Chinese products as an economic issue or as more of a tool for gaining foreign policy leverage on the Taiwan issue?  Will China ever promise to refrain from attacking Taiwan?

Will the U.S. be drawn into conflict with Russia or North Korea through increased Ukrainian attacks on Russian territory or North Korean troops?

We discuss these and more foreign policy issues as Inauguration Day approaches.  What are our takeaways for investment portfolios?

Straight Talk for All - Nonsense for None

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Disclaimer - These podcasts are not intended as investment advice. Individuals please consult your own investment, tax and legal advisors. They provide these insights for educational purposes only.

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Steve Davenport and Clem Miller discuss President-Elect Trump’s domestic agenda: deportations, tariffs, taxes, and energy.  Will Trump have a durable Congressional majority to enact his policies?  What can he do by Executive Order?  Will he squander too much political capital on distractions or retribution? Even if his policies are enacted, what would be their true economic impact?  Won’t deportations of employed immigrants, and broad-based tariffs lead to recession and higher inflation? What are our investment takeaways?

Straight Talk for All - Nonsense for None

Please check out our other podcasts:

https://skepticsguidetoinvesting.buzzsprout.com

Disclaimer - These podcasts are not intended as investment advice. Individuals please consult your own investment, tax and legal advisors. They provide these insights for educational purposes only.

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Surprised by the recent election results? You're not alone. Despite widespread economic discontent, Trump's resounding victory over Kamala Harris left many, including us, scratching our heads. Join Clem Miller and me, Steve Davenport, as we unpack the implications of this political shift and explore how the economy, especially inflation, played a pivotal role in shaping voter sentiment. We dive into the cyclical nature of political power and discuss the public's lofty expectations for falling prices, posing significant challenges for Trump's administration. We'll also look into how key figures like Elon Musk could influence the effectiveness of Trump's governance and what this means for investors navigating these turbulent market reactions.

With political turbulence on the horizon, we analyze potential resistance efforts and the role of checks and balances in maintaining a stable government. Surprising voter demographics, particularly among white men and women, point to a complex tapestry of issues ranging from economics to trust in government, and we explore how Democratic states might push back against federal policies. Our conversation is more than just analysis; it's about preparing you for the future. We conclude with our commitment to enhancing audience engagement, inviting you to suggest interviewees and topics that could sharpen your investment strategies. Your insights are valuable, and we can't wait to hear from you!

Straight Talk for All - Nonsense for None

Please check out our other podcasts:

https://skepticsguidetoinvesting.buzzsprout.com

Disclaimer - These podcasts are not intended as investment advice. Individuals please consult your own investment, tax and legal advisors. They provide these insights for educational purposes only.