What Are Derivatives and Leverage?

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Episode 3343:

Jesse Cramer unpacks why Warren Buffett labeled derivatives and leverage as “financial weapons of mass destruction,” showing how these tools can amplify both profits and catastrophic losses. Through real-world analogies and examples like the 2008 financial crisis and Long-Term Capital Management, Jesse urges everyday investors to recognize the hidden risks around them and stick to steady, sustainable strategies.

Read along with the original article(s) here: https://bestinterest.blog/financial-mass-destruction/

Quotes to ponder:

“Neither derivatives nor leverage is free.”

“The range of derivatives contracts is limited only by the imagination of man, or sometimes so it seems, madmen.”

“Wall Street ends up trillions of dollars too optimistic, until the music stops.”

Episode references:

When Genius Failed by Roger Lowenstein: https://www.amazon.com/When-Genius-Failed-Long-Term-Management/dp/0375758259

The Big Short by Michael Lewis: https://www.amazon.com/Big-Short-Inside-Doomsday-Machine/dp/0393338827

Odd Lots Podcast (featuring Brad DeLong): https://www.bloomberg.com/podcasts/odd-lots

SPIVA U.S. Scorecard by S&P Dow Jones Indices: https://www.spglobal.com/spdji/en/research-insights/spiva/

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