John Butler

How the Green Grinch stole Christmas

The Green Grinch attempted to steal Europe’s Christmas this year with near-zero wind and solar power generation. Soaring prices were the result. Germany’s government has now collapsed and France has yet another prime minister with only a weak mandate. Is more mayhem in store for 2025?

Happy New Year!

With the holiday season now mostly behind us, we turn our attention what the new year might have in store…

2025: The Year of the Chainsaw?

Last year Britain lurched to the left while much of Europe and North American did the opposite. But nowhere is the contrast with Britain greater than in Argentina, which has leapt from bureaucratic basket-case to capitalist dynamo during President Milei’s first year in power.

Merry Christmas!

It’s that time of year when we gather together to celebrate whatever it is that we find most precious. Here at Fortune & Freedom, we reflect on a historic year and look forward to the challenges of 2025 and beyond.

The recession of 2024

Last week we learned that the UK economy has contracted slightly for two months running. But a deeper look at the data shows that the private sector has been in recession all year. Will 2025 bring more of the same?

Digital, or fool’s gold?

Bitcoin’s Trump-pumped rally has now taken it to the landmark $100,000 level. Crypto has certainly caught the zeitgeist. But gold, too, remains in a bull market and should have a place in all investors’ portfolios.

Only Labour could pull the plug on EVs

Labour have now backed away from one of their most prominent “green” goals, EV adoption. But this may be only the beginning of a general shift away from political unpopular policies. One can only hope...

The other shoe is about to drop

The UK economy is slowing again, making it unlikely that recent taxes hikes will actually increase revenue. Government finances will continue to deteriorate. Gilts and sterling may both decline in value. Investors should turn to gold to protect their wealth.

A global revenue bargain?

US stock markets went from expensive to even more so following Trump’s victory. But is this justified? Regardless, the UK stock market is a relative bargain by comparison.

The Trump-Labour divide: should we be worried?

PS Did you miss the Southbank Gold Summit 2025? Good news – you can still catch all the expert insights and market-shifting predictions. We’ve made…

What the “Halloween” budget means for Britain

Labour’s “trick-or-treat” Halloween budget was not at all pro-business or growth. Should we be afraid?

Labour’s “trick-or-treat” budget

Both tax rises and spending cuts are likely The stock market is unlikely to care Global developments remain more important Labour will present their “trick-or-treat”…

Lies, damn lies and (economic) statistics, part 2

Economic data must be adjusted for inflation in order to give a real picture of the economy. If inflation is mismeasured, so is everything else. What appears to be economic growth could actually be stagnation. How confident should we be that inflation data are accurate?

Lies, damn lies and (economic) statistics, part 1

These past few weeks have brought some important economic data that continue to support my view that the US and by extension global economy has weakened over the past year. And it might be even weaker than official economic data suggest.

Energy’s roaring comeback

Following a lengthy, large decline, oil prices have spiked higher in recent days, perhaps due to developments in the Middle East. This could, in turn, push inflation and interest rates higher again, the last thing that a slowing global economy needs. The risk of a stock market correction is growing.

An evening in Covent Garden

Last week, Southbank Investment Research held an exclusive event for members in the heart of London’s West End. There were four guest speakers in attendance in the capacity-crowd room. Topics included the outlook for the economy, government policy and what investors can do to protect themselves from both.

The Federal Reserve cuts rates. So what?

US interest rates are finally headed lower It is probably too late to prevent a recession Do financial markets reflect reality? Long anticipated by the…

The stock market smells trouble ahead

Industrial commodity prices have been declining Cyclical stocks have been underperforming Signs are growing the global economy is slipping into recession As a relatively small,…

Where left is right, and right is left

For investors, the opportunity to profit from this ongoing tech revolution has never been greater. That’s where Altucher’s Investment Network UK comes in. Led by…

The great lighthouse mystery

For investors, the opportunity to profit from this ongoing tech revolution has never been greater. That’s where Altucher’s Investment Network UK comes in. Led by…