FEG Insight Bridge

Join FEG CIO Greg Dowling and Jason Trennert, Chairman and Chief Investment Strategist of Strategas, as they discuss the investment outlook of 2024. Listen as they explore economic trends, market leadership, potential rate cuts, inflation challenges, and the impact of the upcoming presidential election.Listen to this explorative dialogue that spans the broad economic landscape, then dive into the specific nuances that shape the market outlook for the year ahead. Will inflation rear its ugly head once again? Will potential Fed rate cuts satisfy the expectations of investors? As the discussion unfolds, explore the global rise of populism and its possible implications, particularly in the context of upcoming elections and geopolitical challenges; and uncover the ongoing debate between active and passive investing, hedge funds, and private equity.  Key TakeawaysHistorically, economic soft landings are rare, and inflation typically comes in waves.The Federal Reserve aims to remain independent from politics, balancing addressing political pressures and maintaining credibility with the market.The markets are probably overestimating the amount and frequency of Fed rate cuts.Which party occupies the White House does not have a material impact on stock market performance. However, economic performance prior to election does heavily influence voters. What we experienced with the “Magnificent Seven” in terms of market concentration and the contribution to index performance was highly unusual. It is also uncommon that the former market leaders of the past bull market lead the next.Due to a changing regime, we may be at peak passive and the golden days of private equity may be in the past.You can find every episode of FEG Insight Bridge podcasts in one place and sign up to receive our other publications here.

In this episode of the FEG Insight Bridge, Greg Dowling welcomes David Grain, CEO of Grain Management as he discusses the forces shaping our interconnected world. This discussion journeys through the dynamic landscape of the telecommunications space, exploring the evolution of cell towers to the invisible waves of spectrum and the essential role of fiber. Explore the intricacies of spectrum, raw land in the sky, and why it serves as the fundamental backbone of our ever-evolving communication ecosystem. David unravels a spectrum of opportunities, from cell tower investments to navigating the explosive growth of global mobile data consumption, providing a comprehensive view of the dynamic world of telecommunication investing.Key TakeawaysWhile the U.S. market for cell towers has become less lucrative, due to increased interest, Grain identifies opportunities in spectrum licenses, especially beyond U.S borders.Focused on tier two and tier three markets, Grain recognizes the outperformance of regional players in the realm of fiber networks and data centers, leveraging their agility against larger competitors that are often overshadowed in the market.Driven by data explosion, AI, and an expected 8x rise in global mobile data consumption by 2030, Grain Management and similar firms are crucial in deploying $6-10 trillion for network improvements from 2020 to 2030.You can find every episode of FEG Insight Bridge podcasts in one place and sign up to receive our other publications here.

 Which pill would you take, red or blue? Today's guest shares insight into what it may mean to exit the narrative matrix of today. In this episode of the FEG Insight Bridge, Greg Dowling welcomes Ben Hunt, the creator and CIO of Epsilon Theory and Co-founder of Second Foundation Partners as he explains the narratives in markets and intertwines game theory and artificial intelligence (AI) concepts. We explore Ben’s transition from the world of academia to a successful foray in the investment business, all driven by his profound enthusiasm for game theory. Ben describes his journey of unravelling the enigma behind one of the world’s most prominent games, investing. His insight includes comprehending the significance of narratives and identifying underlying patterns to forecast better investment outcomes.Epsilon Theory is Second Foundation’s principal publishing brand and a widely read newsletter and website offering unique insights into market dynamics through the lenses of game theory and history. Epsilon Theory's audience spans across 180 countries consisting of over 100,000 professional investors and allocators. Ben’s diverse background includes teaching political science, authoring academic books, founding technology companies, and working in venture capital and hedge funds before joining Salient, where he applied his expertise in portfolio management and game theory to enhance client outcomes. He holds a Ph.D. in Government from Harvard University and is a Vanderbilt University graduate.Key TakeawaysWe are wired to respond in predictable patterns to the stories we are told.Our media system has changed significantly to an always-on, 24/7 information provision.Smartphones today allow for a continuous intake of messaging in our lives.Society acknowledges and accepts this higher-than-ever level of information receptiveness. It drives and impacts our world today.To be an informed investor (or informed citizens), it isn’t what you read, but how.  Maintain critical distance from the information, and ask yourself questions including “why am I reading this now?”You can find every episode of FEG Insight Bridge podcasts in one place and sign up to receive our other publications here.

Immerse yourself in the world of investing in sports as Greg Dowling sits down with prominent American venture capitalist, Kara Nortman. Kara, shares her journey in becoming a co-founder of Angels City FC, as well as her role at  Monarch Collective, a venture capital firm investing in women's sports, teams, leagues, and adjacent revenue streams. Discover investment strategies, challenges, and triumphs that shaped these groundbreaking women-led sports ventures. Kara breaks down underwriting, expanding media rights, commercialization, and maximizing returns, providing insight for investors. Kara provides raw and unfiltered insights into the dynamic world of sports investing. Join us, we hope you get a kick out of it.You can find every episode of FEG Insight Bridge podcasts in one place and sign up to receive our other publications here.

FEG is hosting our 10th Investment Forum September 18 - 20 in Cincinnati.  In this episode, President and CEO Becky Wood joins Greg to discuss what attendees can expect from the speakers and sessions at the event.  Greg Dowling, Chief Investment Officer of FEG Investment Advisors hosts. You can find every episode of FEG Insight Bridge podcasts in one place and sign up to receive our other publications here.

Is the real estate sector really as bad as the headlines seem? This episode welcomes Seth Singerman, founder and managing principal of Singerman Real Estate,  as his discussion with Greg aims to help investors understand what’s next for this diverse asset class and how to pick winners from among the many different players in the space. The conversation covers many topics including: the unique value of life science office compared to traditional officethe relative strength of public real estate valuationsand, the viability of new builds and real estate in key fields such as “meds and eds” going forward Greg Dowling, Chief Investment Officer of FEG Investment Advisors hosts. You can find every episode of FEG Insight Bridge podcasts in one place and sign up to receive our other publications here.

Join FEG’s Head of Research Greg Dowling as he chats with Edward Chancellor, financial historian, financial journalist, investment strategist, former investment professional, and best-selling author of Devil Take the Hindmost. Ed’s most recent book, The Price of Time: The Real Story of Interest Rates details the history of interest rates from ancient times to today, examining financial bubbles throughout history and the investor behaviors that fed them to conclude once and for all that “there is nothing new under the sun.”“…These really are the craziest financial markets, as far as I can see in my reading of history, that have ever been witnessed.” - Edward ChancellorEd talks about the relationship between low interest rates and speculation, how interest has thrived across history, and his take on the Fed’s monetary policies over the last 40 years. He also shares his thoughts on a “digital Chicago plan” as a means to rein in inflation and prevent bank runs. Make sure you tune in for this fascinating and highly educational episode!You can find every episode of FEG Insight Bridge podcasts in one place and sign up to receive our other publications here.

Kenneth Lee and Michael Yoshino—co-founders of Pleiad, a Hong-Kong-based, absolute return-oriented, fundamental equity investment strategy with a focus in the Asia Pacific Region–have made a name for themselves over the past decade as on-the-ground experts on investing in Asia.In this Insight Bridge, Kenny and Mike share with Greg their insights on Asia’s post-COVID trajectory, where opportunities might lie going forward, how to best navigate the sometimes-mysterious Asian markets, and how different countries are beginning to recover from the COVID slump. They also discuss the path for China and Japan going forward, the importance of investing on the back of good fundamentals and a strong thesis rather than relative momentum, and the advantage of having a nuanced understanding of the region. You won’t want to miss this intriguing and educational episode!  You can find every episode of FEG Insight Bridge podcasts in one place and sign up to receive our other publications here.

This extra-special episode of the FEG Insight Bridge highlights the Cincinnati IceBreakers, an adaptive sled hockey team that offers individuals with physical disabilities the chance to compete in organized sports. Greg is joined by Frank Yantek, one of the founding members of the organization, and the two discuss the current status of the club, which members are playing for the U.S. National Sled Hockey Team, and why access to organized sports is so important—especially for those who might not otherwise get the chance to play. Make sure you tune in for this heart-warming episode!You can find every episode of FEG Insight Bridge podcasts in one place and sign up to receive our other publications here.

Growing up in a small town in northern Canada, Xavier Majic had one dream: to make it to the NHL. In this episode of the FEG Insight Bridge, Xavier walks Greg through his unusual journey from aspirations of professional hockey to playing in Canada’s national hockey league and the NHL, to becoming an investor. They also discuss how Xavier’s conditioning as an athlete has influenced his approach to finance and why he decided to found his firm Maple Rock in Toronto, Canada, rather than New York or San Francisco. Xavier shares his investment philosophy, some of his biggest mottos, and how his relationship with his father helped shape him into the leader he is today. Whether you’re a relative hockey novice or a Slapshot enthusiast, you won’t want to miss this enthralling episode. Be sure to check out more at feg.com.You can find every episode of FEG Insight Bridge podcasts in one place and sign up to receive our other publications here.