Episodes
The Fed is all of a sudden opening up to the possibility of hikes: what now? But most importantly: have you ever thought about the possibility of Fed hikes being stimulative? And finally: do you have any idea why every Central Bank in the world is targeting exactly 2% for inflation? Alf and Brent discuss this and much more in today's episode - have fun! And also take a look at Brent's piece on safe havens through different macroeconomic...
Published 04/19/24
This week Alf and Brent discuss how markets seem to be on the lookout for a release valve for the combination of a Fed talking about cuts while nominal growth doesn't call for them: commodiites, bond markets, and the US Dollar seem to be all brewing under the surface. But what will actually break markets?
Published 04/12/24
Interested in Alf's Macro Fund? Send an email to [email protected] Markets are in reflation mode with commodities getting bid all over the place: not only gold and crude oil, but also silver, copper, zinc, you name it. Also, the US Dollar is showing signs of topping and it all starts to closely remind one of the most volatile macro periods ever. So: what's the next big trade? Find out in the show! 
Published 04/05/24
Alf welcomes back Brent to the show, and the co-host duo discusses macro data, Fed's Waller speech, Japan and China. But most importantly they share thoughts and observations about the current low volatility market regime, how to approach it trying to avoid the most common macro traders' mistakes, and how to think of risk/reward when looking at insurance trades. Here are some non-trading and investing reads that are useful for traders and...
Published 03/29/24
This week Alf welcomes Dario Perkins to the show. Dario discusses how we got here with much more benign inflationary dynamics without a big damage to labor markets - hint: Central Bankers were lucky more than skilled. Dario and Alf discuss the path ahead for economies and monetary policy, and a trade idea. Alf opens and closes the show with his thoughts on the big Central Bank events of the week. Go and follow Dario on Twitter (@darioperkins). And share the word about TMTF with a friend!
Published 03/22/24
The bond market is waking up to the idea that inflation might be a bit stickier and the Fed's hands are tied. Alf and Brent discuss what this implies for global macro asset classes, and highlight a few trade ideas.  Sign up for the free waiting list for Brent's upcoming Spectra School course: https://www.spectramarkets.com/school/
Published 03/15/24
Alf and Brent discuss how animal spirits seem to be running loose in several asset classes. Signs are evident not only in stocks but also in gold, Bitcoin and option markets. They also focus on Japan and the potential tectonic shifts in the Bank of Japan monetary policy stance.
Published 03/08/24
Alf and Brent discuss the outlook for the US economy, and how bond markets have adjusted their pricing to reflect the odds of a soft landing. Is there a trade maybe? They then move their focus to Canada, Europe, New Zealand, China: a tour around the world searching for macro opportunities. Two trade ideas and the most useful/stupidest thing they heard this week to top up the comeback episode of The Macro Trading Floor!   Link to the Kelly Criterion...
Published 02/29/24
The Macro Trading Floor is back! And there are quite some surprises...
Published 02/25/24
A last, fascinating tour across global macro asset classes before Alf and Andreas switch the lights off for a while. Want to keep up with Andreas and Alf’s macro views? You can keep up with Andreas through the brand new macro podcast called ‘Macro Sunday’ as well as through his research platform at www.stenoresearch.com, where you can currently get a 30% discount with the code ‘macro30’. Also remember to follow Andreas at @andreassteno on Twitter. Going to miss Alf’s views on TMTF? No...
Published 06/25/23
In this episode, Alf and Andreas discuss the decisions from the Fed, ECB and Bank of Japan.  In a few episodes, The Macro Trading Floor is about to stop for a while: want to keep up with Andreas and Alf’s macro views? You can keep up with Andreas through the brand new macro podcast called ‘Macro Sunday’ as well as through his research platform at www.stenoresearch.com, where you can currently get a 30% discount with the code ‘macro30’. Also remember to follow Andreas at @andreassteno on...
Published 06/18/23
The debt ceiling soap opera is over and hence it’s time to rebuild the Treasury General Account - Alf and Andreas bust some of the myths around this topic, and discuss the real market implications out of this. They also look at inflation developments around the world, labor markets and conclude with some actionable investment ideas. If you enjoyed this episode and you want to read more macro analysis and investment strategy from Alf and Andreas you can do so here! - Alf's...
Published 06/04/23
Tech stocks are pushing stock indexes higher, with AI-related companies (NVIDIA?) leading the rally more decisively while the ''S&P 495'' doesn't join the party. Alf and Andreas discuss this trend, update us on the debt ceiling negotiations, and present some actionable trade ideas. If you enjoyed this episode and you want to read more macro analysis and investment strategy from Alf and Andreas you can do so here! - Alf's website: https://www.themacrocompass.com/ - Andreas'...
Published 05/28/23
How does a professional macro investor think about a multipolar world where investment opportunities and challenges might lie outside the US and China? How does he manage risks, correlations and how does he go about finding new trade ideas and implementing them? Jim Leitner is one of the great long-standing macro investors of our time and he joins Alf on The Macro Trading Floor to answer these questions. If you enjoyed this episode and you want to read more macro analysis and investment...
Published 05/21/23
The X-Date for the debt ceiling is approaching and US politicians don't seem keen in finding a swift resolution. This will impact global liquidity, the bond markets and the US Dollar. Alf and Andreas discuss this theme, reflect over US inflation and present some actionable trade ideas. If you enjoyed this episode and you want to read more macro analysis and investment strategy from Alf and Andreas you can do so here! - Alf's website: https://www.themacrocompass.com/ - Andreas' website:...
Published 05/14/23
Subscribe to The Macro Trading Floor YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCFk1qCySNf2FIzIidVVW81A -- Alf and Andreas discuss the recent Federal Reserve and ECB decisions and the market reactions. They also dig deep into the unfolding regional bank crisis and discuss the credit crunch in the US and in the Eurozone. Finally, towards the end of the show they highlight actionable trade ideas and investment strategy. -- If you enjoyed this episode and you want to read more macro...
Published 05/07/23
Subscribe To The Macro Trading Floor: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCFk1qCySNf2FIzIidVVW81A -- On today's episode of The Macro Trading Floor, Alfonso & Andreas discuss the continued banking turmoil as First Republic Bank lost around $100 Billion in deposits & saw its stock plunge over 95%. How will this impact loan growth & credit creation in the economy, and how will that in turn impact markets? To hear all this & more, you'll have to tune in! -- Follow Andreas:...
Published 04/30/23
Subscribe to The Macro Trading Floor YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCFk1qCySNf2FIzIidVVW81A -- On today's episode of The Macro Trading Floor, Alfonso & Andreas take a tour of the global macro landscape by looking at the key themes to watch around the globe. We discuss the signals emerging out of Asia and how this will spillover into European & U.S markets. To hear all this and more, you'll have to tune in! -- Follow Andreas: https://twitter.com/AndreasSteno Follow...
Published 04/23/23
On today's episode of The Macro Trading Floor, Alfonso & Andreas begin by breaking down the bank earnings on the back of the recent banking turmoil across markets. We then discuss why markets are rallying as everything from the S&P, Banks & Bitcoin begin to retrace prior losses. With the U.S Dollar also erasing its gains against other major currencies, is this the perfect environment for a continued rally, or not? Finally, Alf & Andreas share their actionable trade ideas, but...
Published 04/16/23
On today's episode of The Macro Trading Floor, Alfonso & Andreas begin by breaking down the bank earnings on the back of the recent banking turmoil across markets. We then discuss why markets are rallying as everything from the S&P, Banks & Bitcoin begin to retrace prior losses. With the U.S Dollar also erasing its gains against other major currencies, is this the perfect environment for a continued rally, or not? Finally, Alf & Andreas share their actionable trade ideas, but...
Published 04/16/23
On today's episode of The Macro Trading Floor, Alfonso & Andreas discuss the recent economic data releases and the growth slowdown they are signalling. We then explore the chances of a Fed pause/pivot. Have the probabilities increased since the recent turmoil in the banking system has given the Fed more cover to reign in their hawkish stance? Finally, Alfonso & Andreas share their actionable trade ideas, but to hear that, you'll have to tune in! -- Follow Andreas:...
Published 04/09/23
On today's episode of The Macro Trading Floor, Alfonso & Andreas begin by discussing the banking turmoil of recent weeks and how commercial real estate could impact loan books in both the U.S and Europe. Alfonso & Andreas then move on to discuss the hot topic of the week, the U.S Dollar. With headlines hitting the wire mentioning energy transactions being conducted in Yuan and further relations between the BRICS nations, some investors believe this is a pivotal moment in the end of...
Published 04/02/23
On today's episode of The Macro Trading Floor, Alfonso & Andreas discuss the continued turmoil across the banking sector. Alfonso & Andreas break down the liquidity measures set in place for the current period of banking turmoil which include the Fed's discount window, Bank Term Funding Program and the record $60 billion usage in the FIMA repo facility. To hear all this and more, you'll have to tune in! -- Follow Andreas: https://twitter.com/AndreasSteno Follow Alf:...
Published 03/26/23
On today's episode of The Macro Trading Floor, Alfonso & Andreas discuss the continued fallout from the collapse of Silicon Valley Bank, and what it means for markets. The Fed's H.4.1 report was released this past week, which saw the balance sheet increasing by roughly $300 Billion. The balance sheet increase consisted of a record $152.9 billion usage in the Fed's discount window, $11.9 billion in the Fed's new BTFP facility & a final $142.8bn to guarantee all deposits at SVB and...
Published 03/19/23
On today's episode of The Macro Trading Floor, Alfonso & Andreas walk through the collapse of Silicon Valley Bank. On a historic week where we saw the collapse of the largest bank since 2008, we walk through the dynamics throughout 2020 - 2023 that caused SVB to fail, what risks lie ahead and if we should expect spillovers into the broader banking system. To hear all this and more, you'll have to tune in! -- Follow Andreas: https://twitter.com/AndreasSteno Follow Alf:...
Published 03/12/23