John Butler

Another look behind the headlines

Inside this issue: The US economy appears strong on the surface Beneath, it appears weak The private sector may already be in recession Back in…

Sailing on the Titanic

Debt, deficits, devaluation… inflation, stagflation, war… Yes, things are bad and they are likely to get even worse over the next few years. Investors need to take action to protect their wealth in what are going to become even more challenging times.

Gold has broken out; silver to follow

The global financial and monetary system is living on leverage and borrowed time. John Butler interviews financial and monetary expert Alasdair Macleod, where they discuss the risks to financial assets and currencies and why gold and silver prices will keep marching higher.

Other people’s money

Open an introductory Economics textbook and one of the first things you’re likely to come across is a definition of what, exactly, Economics is. These tend to be short, for example, “The science of resource allocation” or “The study of production, exchange and consumption”.

Back to the future: of energy

Last week the UK government announced that it would authorise the construction of a handful of new, gas-fired power plants. While the government claims that it is still fully committed to its ambitious net-zero plans, it pointed out that, due to the unexpectedly poor performance of both wind and solar, in particular for base power production, more traditional, backup capacity was necessary.

The EU’s deepening existential crisis

Last weekend, Portuguese voters went to the polls. The centre-right Democratic Alliance (AD) party won the most seats but far short of a majority. The far-right Chega party quadrupled its seats and emerged as controversial coalition kingmaker.

Laffer’s paradox and the folly of high taxation, part 2

In part 1, I presented Arthur Laffer’s eponymous curve and the implications it has for British tax policies. In brief, there is really no way for tax rates to go anywhere but lower from here.

Laffer’s paradox and the folly of high taxation, part 1

Arthur Laffer, legendary US economist and adviser to two presidents, visited the UK last month. His message: taxes are way too high. If not lowered dramatically, high rates of tax threaten an economic “destitution”.

Will the “big tech” rally continue?

In this edition of Week in Review I sit down with my Southbank Investment Research colleague and tech guru Sam Volkering to analyse the most recent rally in “big tech” stocks and whether this trend can continue. Sam is confident that it can, and for a variety of reasons.

When worlds collide

Artificial intelligence is “colliding” with our world Where some see danger, others see opportunity A sci-fi classic can help to illustrate the point One of…

The triumph of geopolitics, part 2

Amid recession and war, German opposition parties are rising in the polls The government is now pursuing a hydrogen energy dream This might go over…

The triumph of geopolitics, part 1

Germany is headed for yet another Energiewende This one might be even more disastrous Will Britain follow a similar (misguided) course? Southbank Wealth AdvantageThe economy…

Looking behind the headlines

Economic data can be misleading It can also be subject to political spin This is particularly true in election years That time is coming. A…

From pitchforks to politics

Widespread EU “pitchfork” protests continued this week The far right is surging in the polls The EU is on course to become ungovernable Southbank Wealth…

Money, forgotten casualty of war

Are frozen Russian foreign reserves being dangled as a carrot to lure Ukraine to the negotiating table? Does dollar “weaponisation” threaten the US currency’s global…

The geopolitical year ahead

Multiple geopolitical trends are converging There could be huge financial market implications Investors need to be aware and to prepare That time is coming. A…

The EU’s worst nightmare: pitchforks!

Farmers are revolting in Germany and neighbouring countries Populist parties continue to rise in the polls The EU may not survive in its current form…

2023: The year the “Green Dream” died

2023: an “annus horribilus” for green energy New energy trends are taking hold everywhere The energy sector remains an absolute “must invest” Southbank Wealth AdvantageNotwithstanding…

Hell has frozen over

Russia’s defeat of Ukraine is changing European thinking There is growing pressure to remilitarise Nuclear rearmament is even on the table That time is coming.…

“Democracy” is what those in power say it is

Populism is on the rise globally Some claim this threatens democracy But does history really bear that out? Southbank Wealth AdvantageFormer Prime Minister Churchill once…