Making Markets

Latest Episodes:

Robbie Cannon: The Evolution of Asset Management - [Making Markets, EP.45] Oct 04, 2024

Show notes

My guest this week is Robbie Cannon. Robbie founded Horizon Investments in 1999 and grew the company to $7B in AUM before selling in 2021. Today, he takes us on a tour of the asset management industry. We cover many fascinating topics, such as the industry's evolution over 25 years, the blurring of lines between wealth and asset management, oligopolies in finance, the impact of private equity, the role of technology and AI, and more. Please enjoy this conversation with Robbie Cannon.

For the full show notes, transcript, and links to the best content to learn more, check out the episode page HERE.

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Making Markets is a property of Colossus, LLC. For more episodes of Making Markets, visit joincolossus.com/episodes.

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Editing and post-production work for this episode was provided by The Podcast Consultant (https://thepodcastconsultant.com).

Show Notes

(00:00:00) Welcome to Making Markets

(00:01:06) Evolution of Wealth and Asset Management

(00:04:18) Blurred Lines in Financial Services

(00:14:18) Private Equity and Financial Advisors

(00:17:05) Robo Advisors and Technological Integration

(00:26:07) Evaluating Compatibility and Money in Motion

(00:27:06) Peer Collaboration and Industry Insights

(00:29:05) Strategic Asset Allocation for 2024

(00:29:46) Challenges for Emerging Managers

(00:32:16) AI in Asset Management

(00:45:27) Digital Solutions and Future Trends

(00:49:36) The Evolution of Financial Advice

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Jerry Derevyanny: Frameworks for Cannabis Investing - [Making Markets, EP.44] Sep 20, 2024

Show notes

My guest today is Jerry Derevyanny, a partner at Bengal Capital, a cannabis investing firm. Jerry has been a part of the regulated Cannabis industry since 2014, and today he shares the nuances of investing in this growing and unique industry. I enjoyed listening to Jerry’s frameworks for the industry, such as Ants versus Locusts, the similarities and differences between Alcohol and Cannabis, capital allocation, and valuation. We also cover politics, the farm bill, and what the future of the Cannabis industry may look like. Please enjoy this conversation with Jerry Derevyanny.

Bengal Capital's substack here.

For the full show notes, transcript, and links to the best content to learn more, check out the episode page HERE.

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Making Markets is a property of Colossus, LLC. For more episodes of Making Markets, visit joincolossus.com/episodes.

Editing and post-production work for this episode was provided by The Podcast Consultant (https://thepodcastconsultant.com).

Show Notes

(00:00:00) Introduction to Cannabis Investing

(00:00:30) Changing Investment Strategies

(00:01:10) Highlighting Grown Rogue

(00:02:33) Cannabis Market Dynamics

(00:05:28) State-by-State Market Analysis

(00:11:15) Capital Cycles in Cannabis

(00:18:24) Federal Legalization and Its Impacts

(00:29:56) Hemp-Derived THC and Market Trends

(00:34:47) Conclusion and Future Outlook

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David Nadig: The Complexities of Modern Markets - [Making Markets, EP.43] Sep 13, 2024

Show notes

My guest this week is David Nadig. David is the Financial Futurist for ETF Trends and ETF Database and has had over 25 years of ETF experience. We start off by acknowledging the debate over active and passive investing. David and I discuss the potential dangers of passive funds on market discovery, the inelastic markets hypothesis, and the effects of massive inflows into index funds. This episode explores how leverage and options trading interact with these market dynamics and the broader implications on capitalism and market structures. Please enjoy my conversation with David Nadig.

For the full show notes, transcript, and links to the best content to learn more, check out the episode page HERE.

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Making Markets is a property of Colossus, LLC. For more episodes of Making Markets, visit joincolossus.com/episodes.

Editing and post-production work for this episode was provided by The Podcast Consultant (https://thepodcastconsultant.com).

Show Notes

(00:00:00) Welcome to Making Markets

(00:01:25) The Passive vs Active Debate

(00:03:02) Impact of Passive Investing on Market Pricing

(00:04:02) Flow and Market Cap Multiplier Effect

(00:07:20) Daily Leverage and Market Volatility

(00:10:35) Uninformed vs Informed Traders

(00:19:19) Opportunities and Risks in Passive Investing

(00:21:52) Opportunities in Forced Selling and Crisis

(00:22:17) The Shift from Public to Private Markets

(00:24:46) Challenges in Private Equity Liquidity

(00:29:46) The Broken System of Capitalism

(00:35:30) Insurance Problems and Government Role

(00:37:02) Thoughts on Capitalism's Future

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Nir Kaissar: Economic Sentiment versus Reality - [Making Markets, REPLAY] Sep 06, 2024

Show notes

My guest today is Nir Kaissar. Nir is the founder and portfolio manager at Unison Advisors and one of my favorite economic commentators/columnists at Bloomberg. Today, he joins us for a wide-ranging discussion on the US economy. We start with the disconnect between the strong economic numbers and the sentiment amongst the population. We then cover indicators of recessions, the potential for a systemic crisis in Private Equity, the magnificent seven, and more. Please enjoy this excellent conversation with Nir Kaissar.

For the full show notes, transcript, and links to the best content to learn more, check out the episode page HERE.

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Making Markets is a property of Colossus, LLC. For more episodes of Making Markets, visit joincolossus.com/episodes.

Editing and post-production work for this episode was provided by The Podcast Consultant (https://thepodcastconsultant.com).

Show Notes

(00:00:00) - Welcome to Making Markets

(00:02:07) - Exploring Economic Disparities Amidst a Booming Economy

(00:02:53) - The Living Wage Crisis in the U.S.

(00:04:30) - Unpacking the Wage Stagnation Puzzle

(00:07:12) - The Transparency and Productivity Dilemma

(00:09:18) - Innovative Solutions for Economic Inequality

(00:12:41) - Government's Role in Redistributing Wealth

(00:18:31) - Addressing the Retirement Savings Gap

(00:19:26) - Debunking Recession Predictions and Economic Indicators

(00:29:10) - The Potential Risks in Private Equity and Real Estate

(00:32:55) - The Growing Influence of Private Equity

(00:34:55) - The Unprecedented Scale of Private Capital

(00:36:28) - The Need for Transparency in Private Equity

(00:38:06) - Exploring Systemic Risks and Distribution Concerns

(00:40:37) - The Changing Landscape of Commercial Real Estate

(00:43:03) - Rethinking Bailouts and Sovereign Wealth Funds

(00:46:29) - The Debate on Government Intervention and Economic Stability

(00:56:08) - Public Securities and the Magnificent Seven

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Mark Dow: A Behavioral Macro View - [Making Markets, REPLAY] Aug 30, 2024

Show notes

My guest this week is Mark Dow. Mark started his career as an economist with the US Treasury and the IMF before he joined Wall Street. Today, he is the founder of behavourialmacro.com and runs a fund that combines his skillsets as a trader and an economist. In this discussion, we talk about why economists are usually bad investors, how Mark approaches markets, and we cover some provocative ideas - including how Quantitive Easing and Tightening have little effect and why Mark's not worried about US debt. Please enjoy this great conversation with Mark Dow

For the full show notes, transcript, and links to the best content to learn more, check out the episode page here.

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Making Markets is a property of Colossus, LLC. For more episodes of Making Markets, visit joincolossus.com/episodes.

Editing and post-production work for this episode was provided by The Podcast Consultant (https://thepodcastconsultant.com).

Show Notes

(00:01:06) Welcome to Making Markets

(00:01:53) Starting the Conversation: Economists as Investors

(00:03:31) Transition from Economist to Trader: A Personal Journey

(00:05:32) Understanding Market Narratives and Trading Patterns

(00:08:09) The Role of the Federal Reserve in Market Narratives

(00:09:26) The Impact of Monetary Policy on Market Dynamics

(00:09:40) The Behavioral, Secular, and Cyclical Factors Influencing Monetary Policy

(00:11:52) The Limitations of the Federal Reserve's Control Over Money Creation

(00:14:40) The Behavioral Conditioning of Interest Rates

(00:16:26) Understanding the Role of Banks in Money Creation

(00:17:16) The Misconceptions about Monetary Policy

(00:17:50) The Mechanics of Quantitative Easing

(00:18:50) The Impact of Quantitative Easing on the Economy

(00:19:55) The Role of Risk Appetite in Lending

(00:21:25) The Effect of Economic Expectations on Yields

(00:22:19) The Role of the Fed in the Financial System

(00:26:53) The Impact of Competitive Pressures on Risk Taking

(00:27:13) Understanding the Financial Instability Hypothesis

(00:31:01) The Role of Demand in Asset Valuation

(00:34:05) Understanding the Market Risk Cycle

(00:34:13) The New Cycle and Its Differences

(00:35:11) Economic Headwinds and Future Predictions

(00:35:41) The Role of Banks and Areas of Concern

(00:36:46) The Impact of Debt and the Financial System

(00:37:15) The Role of Government Debt and Its Implications

(00:37:36) The Stability of Treasuries and the Global Financial System

(00:38:07) The Future of the Dollar and Government Debt

(00:39:14) The Impact of Growth and Productivity on the Economy

(00:40:03) The Risk Cycle and the Role of Institutions

(00:42:06) The Impact of Fiscal Deficit and Modern Monetary Theory

(00:48:55) Understanding Income Inequality and Asset Price Inflation

(00:50:28) The Role of Finance and Technology in Income Inequality

(00:53:34) The Future of the Housing Market

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Nik Lentz: UFC Fighter Turned Trader - [Making Markets, REPLAY] Aug 23, 2024

Show notes

Today, we're replaying my episode with Nik “The Carny” Lentz. It's not every day you talk to a UFC fighter turned trader. And this conversation is both intense and insightful. We start by talking about Nik's journey from a difficult childhood to a UFC career and his philosophy on fighting, parenting, and life. We then cover his move to trading derivatives full-time and his approach to position sizing, risk management, and more. This is a different kind of episode, but one I thoroughly enjoyed listening back to, and I hope you feel the same.

For the full show notes, transcript, and links to the best content to learn more, check out the episode page here.

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Making Markets is a property of Colossus, LLC. For more episodes of Making Markets, visit joincolossus.com/episodes.

Show Notes

(00:01:39) - (First Question) - Nik’s childhood and how he got into ultimate fighting

(00:08:54) - Nik’s mentality when in the cage fighting

(00:10:37) - Links between traumatic childhood and becoming a UFC fighter

(00:11:48) - How Nik feels about his children potentially fighting in the future

(00:13:29) - Nik’s earliest UFC fights and the importance of storytelling in the sport

(00:21:35) - Insecurity and work ethic, getting the balance right to be able to perform at the top

(00:26:35) - The relationship between drive and motivation and the kind of upbringing you have

(00:28:52) - How Nik got into finance and his first moves in the market

(00:33:00) - Nik’s development of his own investment process and how he manages risk

(00:36:00) - Determining position sizes, when to get in, when to get out. The ratio between Nik’s low-risk trades versus his big swings

(00:38:16) - The similarities between gambling and investing, Nik’s opinion on the apparent lack of differentiation

(00:40:19) - Nik’s advice to young people looking to get started in investing

(00:41:32) - Comparing the ups and downs of UFC fighting versus trading in the markets

(00:43:32) - The process of walking away from fighting and whether Nik thinks he will ever walk away from investing

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Saurabh Mukherjea: The Case for Investing in India - [Making Markets, EP.42] Aug 16, 2024

Show notes

My guest today is Saurabh Mukherjea, the founder and Chief Investment Officer of Marcellus Investment Managers. Saurabh is one of the most articulate fund managers in India, and today, he lays out a compelling case for investing in the country. We start by contrasting India with China and explaining why China receives all the attention despite the much better results from the Indian market. We also cover the bull case for India, the rise of domestic inflows in India, the Indian bond market, and close with a discussion of the risks and the themes Saurabh is excited about over the coming years. Please enjoy this conversation with Saurabh Mukherjea.

For the full show notes, transcript, and links to mentioned content, check out the episode page here.

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Making Markets is a property of Colossus, LLC. For more episodes of Making Markets, visit joincolossus.com/episodes.

Editing and post-production work for this episode was provided by The Podcast Consultant (https://thepodcastconsultant.com).

Show Notes:

(00:00:00) Welcome to Making Markets

(00:01:05) Meet Saurabh Mukherjee: India's Articulate Fund Manager

(00:01:18) India vs. China: A Market Comparison

(00:01:26) The Rise of Domestic Inflows in India

(00:01:33) Challenges and Risks in Indian Markets

(00:02:17) Why India is Oversold to American Investors

(00:03:59) The Flow of Capital: India vs. China

(00:08:30) The Impact of Political Dynamics on Markets

(00:09:55) China vs. India: Private Sector Relations

(00:11:19) Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) in China and India

(00:13:37) Perceptions of Free Market Democracies

(00:15:31) Media Influence and Market Trends

(00:18:45) The Role of Domestic Investors in India

(00:20:19) Wealth Distribution and Investment Trends

(00:21:18) Impact of COVID-19 on Market Participation

(00:24:16) Regulatory Perspective on Market Growth

(00:24:38) Social Shifts Driving Market Trends

(00:27:36) Angel Investing Boom

(00:28:18) Debt and Corporate Balance Sheets

(00:34:31) The Bull Case for India: Key Themes

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Herman Narula: Enabling the Metaverse - [Making Markets, EP.41] Aug 09, 2024

Show notes

My guest this week is Herman Narula, the CEO of Improbable. Improbable is an ambitious company that is building the infrastructure for an open metaverse. We dive into his vision for the metaverse, the technical requirements, the economic model, the role of blockchain, and more. We also cover the issues with AI regulations and the gaming industry. Please enjoy this conversation with Herman Narula.

For the full show notes, transcript, and links to mentioned content, check out the episode page here.

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Making Markets is a property of Colossus, LLC. For more episodes of Making Markets, visit joincolossus.com/episodes.

Editing and post-production work for this episode was provided by The Podcast Consultant (https://thepodcastconsultant.com).

Show Notes:

(00:00:00) Welcome to Making Markets

(00:01:54) Improbable's Journey and Vision

(00:03:28) Challenges and Learnings in Tech and Business

(00:05:16) The Evolution of Improbable and the Metaverse

(00:08:23) Blockchain and Gaming: A New Frontier

(00:18:14) Technical Innovations and Future Prospects

(00:24:35) Building Your Own Metaverse Ecosystem

(00:24:50) Value Accrual and Business Model

(00:25:19) Venture Building and Equity Participation

(00:26:01) Unique Experiences and Better Economics

(00:26:36) Massive Multiplayer Capabilities

(00:28:38) Creative and Social Experiments

(00:30:57) Governance and IP Protection

(00:36:13) Regulation of Technology and AI

(00:45:21) AI in Game Development

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Sajith Pai: Unpacking India - [Making Markets, EP.40] Aug 02, 2024

Show notes

My guest today is Sajith Pai, a VC at Blume Ventures. Sajith is one of the leading thinkers on India, and today he takes us on a journey to understand this massive, fast-growing, and challenging market. We cover many of the unique features that define the country, such as the lack of trust and the low levels of debt. We also talk about segmenting the Indian consumer, the business models that work in India, the incredible rise of the startup ecosystem, and more.

If you want to learn more, I recommend you check out the 10-part Colossus series, Return on India. Please enjoy this episode with Sajith Pai.

For the full show notes, transcript, and links to the best content to learn more, check out the episode page HERE.

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Making Markets is a property of Colossus, LLC. For more episodes of Making Markets, visit joincolossus.com/episodes.

Editing and post-production work for this episode was provided by The Podcast Consultant (https://thepodcastconsultant.com).

Show Notes

(00:00:00) Welcome to Making Markets

(00:01:04) Introduction to Sajith Pai and the Indian Market

(00:02:22) Challenges and Opportunities in the Indian Market

(00:04:54) Cultural Differences: Trust and Credit in India

(00:07:31) The Duopoly Phenomenon in Indian Industries

(00:11:01) Comparing India with Other Emerging Markets

(00:16:13) The Venture Capital Landscape in India

(00:21:24) Indian Consumer Market Dynamics

(00:21:54) Built in India for India: Success Stories

(00:23:06) Unique Indian Business Models

(00:24:48) Built in India for the West: Insights

(00:26:49) Government and Regulatory Environment

(00:28:56) Investment Landscape and Competition

(00:34:29) Exit Opportunities and Challenges

(00:37:41) Advice for Indian Founders

(00:39:57) Current Market Sentiment

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Quarterly Market Recap: Q2 2024 - [Making Markets, EP.39] Jul 26, 2024

Show notes

In this quarterly recap, Matt turns the mic on Eric to delve into the remarkable performance of Q2, with the S&P up 4% and NASDAQ up 8%. They discuss the ongoing market strength, particularly driven by mega-cap growth companies and AI investment. The conversation covers the complexities active managers face, the unique AI spending cycle, the role of big balance sheets, and significant capital deployment. They also touch on historical market trends, fixed income perspectives, election year influences, and the rise of crypto. Please enjoy this second quarterly recap of 2024.

For the full show notes, transcript, and links to the best content to learn more, check out the episode page HERE.

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Making Markets is a property of Colossus, LLC. For more episodes of Making Markets, visit joincolossus.com/episodes.

Editing and post-production work for this episode was provided by The Podcast Consultant (https://thepodcastconsultant.com).

Show Notes

(00:00:00) Welcome to Making Markets

(00:00:41) Active Management Challenges

(00:02:04) AI Boom and Market Dynamics

(00:04:54) Tech Giants and Capital Deployment

(00:08:12) Fixed Income Insights

(00:18:29) Small Cap and International Performance

(00:21:00) Election Year Market Impacts