Speculative Risks: Perps, Levered Crypto, AI Valuations

The leading economic indicators are showing that the economy is slowing further. Are we headed into recession?It's too early to tell.But it does put today's sky-high stock valuations in doubt, as they depend on very strong earnings growth next year -- which increasingly look at odds with the decelerating economic data.This boosts the chance of a coming correction in the stock market.How big of one?Lance and I discuss in today's video, along with the latest inflation numbers, AI, signs of growing vulnerability in the credit system, central planner intervention and, always, Lance's firm's latest trades,For everything that mattered to markets this week, watch this Weekly Recap.#recession #inflation #ai 0:00 - Slowdown Signals: Leading Indicators Suggest Economic Weakening4:44 - Economic Data: 3.8% Q2 GDP Driven by Trade, Spending Outpaces Income6:43 - Earnings Gap: Mag 7 Slows, Bottom 493 Flat, 11-15% Growth Questioned9:18 - AI’s Economic Impact: Reduces Jobs/Wages, Hurts Earnings Outlook10:00 - Leading Economic Index: Negative Turn Signals Slower Growth11:19 - 2022 Anomaly: Stimulus Masked Recession Signals, Now Normalizing13:57 - Yield Curve Uninversion: Signals Slower Growth, Recession Risk14:56 - Employment Trends: Full-Time Jobs Drop, Weakens Consumer Spending16:52 - Recession Context: 16-Year Gap, Policy Aversion to Downturns18:29 - Policy Response: All-Out Stimulus Likely for Even Mild Recession23:21 - Policy Addiction: QE, Zero Rates, Checks Expected at Job Losses26:20 - Inflation History: Pre-2000 Restraint vs. Post-Reagan Deficit Surge31:05 - Wealth Inequality: Top 10% Own ~80% Net Worth, Policy-Driven35:30 - Socialism vs. Capitalism: 46% Youth Favor Socialism Amid Inequality39:13 - Speculative Risks: Perpetual Options, Leveraged Bitcoin ETF Losses41:57 - AI Bubble: Nvidia-OpenAI Circular Financing Echoes Dot-Com Excesses47:53 - Entrepreneurship: Capital Access Easier, Opportunities for Scrappy Ideas57:12 - Precious Metals: Silver Melt-Up, Rebalanced to Manage Gains59:46 - Bitcoin Concerns: Leveraged ETFs Down 45%, Signals Risk-Off Move1:01:49 - Technical Analysis: Overbought High Beta, Declining Money Flows1:06:23 - Market Outlook: 5-10% Oct-Nov Correction, Buyable for Year-End Rally1:12:11 - Bond Bull Case: High Valuations, Low ERP Favor Bonds Over Stocks1:16:45 - Tricolor Bankruptcy: $1B Subprime Auto Loans Signal Credit Issues1:20:56 - PayPal’s Buy-Now-Pay-Later: Debt Sale Raises Red Flags1:24:13 - AI Spending Risks: $800B Shortfall, Winner-Take-All Dynamics_____________________________________________ Thoughtful Money LLC is a Registered Investment Advisor Promoter.We produce educational content geared for the individual investor. It’s important to note that this content is NOT investment advice, individual or otherwise, nor should be construed as such.We recommend that most investors, especially if inexperienced, should consider benefiting from the direction and guidance of a qualified financial advisor registered with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) or state securities regulators who can develop & implement a personalized financial plan based on a customer’s unique goals, needs & risk tolerance.IMPORTANT NOTE: There are risks associated with investing in securities.Investing in stocks, bonds, exchange traded funds, mutual funds, money market funds, and other types of securities involve risk of loss. Loss of principal is possible. Some high risk investments may use leverage, which will accentuate gains & losses. Foreign investing involves special risks, including a greater volatility and political, economic and currency risks and differences in accounting methods.A security’s or a firm’s past investment performance is not a guarantee or predictor of future investment performance.Thoughtful Money and the Thoughtful Money logo are trademarks of Thoughtful Money LLC.Copyright © 2025 Thoughtful Money LLC. All rights reserved.