Epsilon Theory In Full

Epsilon Theory In Full

 

The soul of Epsilon Theory is our long-form content, a library of hundreds of pieces written by Ben, Rusty and others over the course of the last 5+ years. These are the print-and-take-home-for the weekend notes that made Epsilon Theory what it is today.

Richie Incognito

By Ben Hunt | December 8, 2016 | Comments Off on Richie Incognito

On episode 14 of the Epsilon Theory podcast, Dr. Ben Hunt is joined by Salient president and chief strategy officer Jeremy Radcliffe and co-CEO, chief investment officer, and portfolio manager from Broadmark Asset Management, Chris Guptill. As they explore how a Trump presidency might be similar to Reagan’s presidency and what a “no” vote in Italy could mean for markets, Ben and Jeremy are in awe of Chris’s encyclopedic knowledge of market history.

The Art of the Probe

By Ben Hunt | December 8, 2016 | 0 Comments

We often write about Common Knowledge – the game of markets. It’s time to talk about how to play it. So how can you be a better game-player? What are some specific strategies one can adopt to play the game of markets more effectively?

American Hustle

By Ben Hunt | November 17, 2016 | 0 Comments

There are three questions I’d like to answer in this Epsilon Theory note: what did The Narrative Machine tell us about the market immediately before and immediately after the November 8 election, what am I preparing for now as an investor, and what am I preparing for now as a citizen? I’m giddy about the first, quietly confident about the second, and pretty darn depressed about the third. Could be worse, I suppose.

The Day After

By Ben Hunt | November 11, 2016 | Comments Off on The Day After

On episode 13 of the Epsilon Theory podcast, Dr. Ben Hunt is joined in San Antonio by Grant Williams, founder and publisher of Things That Make You Go Hmmm… and co-founder of Real Vision TV. It’s the day after the 2016 presidential election and time to explore how and why Trump won, what it might mean for markets, and where Dr. Hunt and Grant are turning their attention.

You Had One Job

By Ben Hunt | November 3, 2016 | 0 Comments

Every dog needs a job, and every investment does, too. No single dog can be all things to all people, and neither can a single investment. Nor can any pack of dogs accomplish anything and everything you like. The biggest mistake people make when they get a dog is trying to make the dog fit into the life they wish they led, rather than the life they actually lead.

Karnak

By Ben Hunt | October 27, 2016 | Comments Off on Karnak

On episode 12 of the Epsilon Theory podcast, Dr. Ben Hunt takes a trip down memory lane to look back on the cause of the 2008 financial crisis. He applies those lessons to today’s markets and upcoming election, and nostalgically shares what might boost his spirits.

Anthem!

By Ben Hunt | October 14, 2016 | 0 Comments

I want to be a patriot again. I want to be a fundamental investor again. It won’t ever be exactly like it was before, but that’s okay. A renewed faith can be a stronger faith. It just won’t be a blind faith. It has to be a faith based on my own labor and my own time, a non-alienated patriotism and a non-alienated investment strategy. It has to be a political participation and a market participation based on who we are, not who we are paid to be.

Anthem!

By Ben Hunt | October 13, 2016 | Comments Off on Anthem!

On episode 11 of the Epsilon Theory podcast, Dr. Ben Hunt is joined by two of his daughters, Hannah Hunt and Harper Hunt, to find out if they have an anthem this election season: a rousing cause or political movement about which they feel passionate. They also discuss the role of government and if their difference of opinion is a result of a generational gap.

Virtue Signaling, or … Why Clinton is in Trouble

By Ben Hunt | September 29, 2016 | 1 Comment

Don’t get me wrong. I’m thoroughly despondent about the calcification, mendacity, and venal corruption that I think four years of Clinton™ will impose. Trump, on the other hand … I think he breaks us. Maybe he already has. He breaks us because he transforms every game we play as a country — from our domestic social games to our international security games — from a Coordination Game to a Competition Game.

The First Presidential Debate

By Ben Hunt | September 29, 2016 | Comments Off on The First Presidential Debate

On episode 10 of the Epsilon Theory podcast, Dr. Ben Hunt is joined by Downtown Josh Brown, author, CNBC contributor, and CEO of Ritholtz Wealth Management. Ben and Josh discuss their reaction to the first presidential debate and what it would mean to have a President Clinton or a President Trump.

Essence of Decision

By Ben Hunt | September 16, 2016 | 0 Comments

Here’s the thing. The Fed is now revealing its one True Love — its own reputation and its own political standing — and that’s going to be a bombshell revelation to investors who think that the Fed loves them.

Jubilee!

By Ben Hunt | September 14, 2016 | Comments Off on Jubilee!

We’re back in Houston on Episode 9 of the Epsilon Theory podcast. Dr. Ben Hunt is joined by Salient’s chief investment officer Lee Partridge and…

Magical Thinking

By Ben Hunt | September 1, 2016 | 4 Comments

The problem with magical thinking run amok and its perpetuation of a fantasy world is that sooner or later the dream of the delusional king becomes a real world nightmare for real world people. It’s time to wake up.

Magical Thinking

By Ben Hunt | August 31, 2016 | Comments Off on Magical Thinking

Live from New York in episode 8 of the Epsilon Theory podcast, host Dr. Ben Hunt tackles LIBOR, the money market, and explores magical thinking…

The Narrative Machine

By Ben Hunt | August 17, 2016 | 0 Comments

“So, in the interests of survival, they trained themselves to be agreeing machines instead of thinking machines. All their minds had to do was to discover what other people were thinking, and then they thought that, too.” – Kurt Vonnegut

If there’s a better description of modern markets, I have yet to find it. We have become agreeing machines.

Full House

By Ben Hunt | August 10, 2016 | Comments Off on Full House

On episode seven of the Epsilon Theory podcast, host Dr. Ben Hunt is joined in San Francisco by Salient’s president Jeremy Radcliffe and deputy CIO…

Dungeons & Dragons

By Ben Hunt | July 27, 2016 | Comments Off on Dungeons & Dragons

On episode six of the Epsilon Theory podcast, host Dr. Ben Hunt is joined again by Salient deputy chief investment officer Rusty Guinn to talk…

Crisis Actors and a Reichstag Fire

By Ben Hunt | July 26, 2016 | 0 Comments

Man in Bar: Tomorrow, I’m gonna be a hero. Gideon: I’m sorry?  Man in Bar: You may just be a patsy, but you’re an important…

Financial “Innovation” Returns to ABS Market

By Ben Hunt | July 20, 2016 | 0 Comments

On Monday, Verizon Wireless successfully securitized more than $1 billion in cellphone contracts and sold the notes into the Asset-Backed Securities (ABS) market. Here’s the…

Mailbag #1

By Ben Hunt | July 12, 2016 | Comments Off on Mailbag #1

On episode five of the Epsilon Theory podcast, host Dr. Ben Hunt riffles through the mailbag to answer reader questions. Join the conversation and subscribe…