Über-capitalist becomes communist
One fascinating espionage technique during the Cold War was the “sleeper mole.” These were Soviet agents who operated inconspicuously in the West for years—sometimes even decades—awaiting activation. To avoid being recognized as communists, these moles had to cultivate the opposite image. In the eyes of Soviet strategists, the perfect cover? An extreme capitalist: someone who lines his house with gold, plasters his name in gold letters on buildings, and constantly boasts about wealth and success.
Investing is a game of mistakes
Investing is a game of mistakes; the one who makes the fewest mistakes wins. In that sense, investing has more in common with soccer than one might initially think. And that’s exactly what made Johan Cruyff so uniquely suited to share his genius—with insights both on and off the field—with investors.
Safe havens in investment portfolios
The prospect of foreign investors reducing their exposure to U.S. assets due to concerns about the dominance of U.S. Treasuries as a safe haven is fueling discussions about the very concept of a safe haven. Significant shifts in correlations between various asset classes, particularly between U.S. equities and the dollar, are at the heart of this debate.
The first 100 days
As we approach the milestone of President Donald Trump’s first one hundred days back in the White House, it is time to assess the impact his administration has had on both policy and markets.
Global trade after Trump
Following Donald Trump’s “Liberation Day,” investors are grappling with a fundamental question: Is a trading order possible that is less dependent on the United States? Or are we on the brink of a new Great Depression, as some doomsayers suggest?
“Tear down this wall”
In the 1980s, Ronald Reagan became known for his hardline stance against the Soviet Union—a strategy that ultimately contributed to the end of the Cold War. Today, we see Donald Trump adopting a similarly confrontational approach, but this time on the economic battlefield.
The underestimation of artificial intelligence
The training landscape of artificial intelligence has taken an unexpected turn—one that challenges classical economic principles. More data leads to better performance, with no signs of saturation.
When the bubble bursts
On 10 March 2000, the Nasdaq peaked at 5048.6 points – a moment that no one recognised as such at the time, but which, in retrospect, marked the beginning of a freefall that would wipe out 77 percent of the market’s value. Now, 25 years later, inevitable parallels arise between the dotcom hype and the current AI revolution. But are these comparisons justified?
"Make Russia Great Again"
For more than eighty years, Europe has been protected under the security umbrella of the United States. Now, as negotiations take place regarding the war in Europe without the involvement of Ukraine or any other European nations, Europe is forced to adopt an independent stance both politically and militarily.
‘Animal spirits’
The Bund in Shanghai is a one-and-a-half-kilometre waterfront promenade along the Yellow River. With its luxury restaurants and Italian racing cars, the view of Pudong from Bar Rouge on the Bund resembles the capitalist pinnacle of the communist utopia.