James Aitken, a financial markets veteran and advisor to elite investors, discusses a major shift in the Federal Reserve's monetary policy. He highlights the recent 50 basis point rate cut and its implications for labor market support and inflation. Aitken examines geopolitical challenges, the potential impact of a Trump 2.0 administration, and changes in China's economic strategy. The conversation also delves into the role of central banks in a debt-driven world and the complexities of interest rates and commodities, offering valuable insights for investors navigating this changing landscape.

James Aitken is the Founder of Aitken Advisors, a one-man macroeconomic consultancy based in Wimbledon, England that works with one hundred of the most influential pools of capital in the world. James has been a repeat guest on the show. Our very first conversation five years ago including his background and process, and the most recent one last year are replayed in the feed. If you search on the podcast page at capitalallocators.com, you can find the rest of his appearances. Our conversation this time around covers the precarious set-up from fiscal and monetary policy. We turn to attractive opportunities arising from it in the U.S. industrial complex, Japan, and the UK, and risks on the horizon from volatility targeting, unprofitable businesses, illiquid exposures, and the absence of governments willing to embrace pain. We close with James’ thoughts on his home country of Australia and, for the first time, how he is making his research more broadly available. For full show notes, visit the episode webpage here. Learn More Follow Ted on Twitter at @tseides or LinkedIn Subscribe to the mailing list Access Transcript with Premium Membership

Australian James Aitken is the Founder and Managing Partner of Aitken Advisors, a one-man macroeconomic consultancy based in Wimbledon, England that works with approximately one hundred of the most influential pools of capital in the world. James started his career in 1992 as a foreign exchange trader, moved to London in May 1999, and in March 2002 joined the infamous AIG Financial Products team in London. In August 2006 he joined UBS, where he deployed his knowledge of the inner workings of the financial system to help his institutional investor clients successfully navigate their portfolios through 2007 and 2008. At the urging of his clients, James established his own firm in June 2009. Our conversation covers James' perspective on the Global Financial Crisis from his seat at its epicenter, the Eurozone crisis in 2011, subsequent process-driven opportunities in Greece, views on Central Banks in the US, China, & Europe, some brief observations on India, positioning for the current environment, and what makes a great macro manager.   Learn More  Follow Ted on Twitter at @tseides or LinkedIn  Subscribe to the mailing list  Access Transcript with Premium Membership

James Aitken, an expert in the plumbing of the financial system, takes us on a world tour of hotspots in global finance. Topics include why he is relaxed about the US, Japan's program for greatness and its possible effects on global bond markets, and the challenges faced by China's property sector.

James Aitken, founder of Aitken Advisors with three decades of experience in the financial system's plumbing, shares key insights on investing, including reflections on the aftermath of the global financial crisis, valuation of Microsoft stock, geopolitical risk in portfolios, and the role of central bank governors in today's financial landscape.