Business

Rational Dissent

Bianco Research L.L.C. has been a source of objective research and unique insights into financial markets for over 20 years. We combine cutting-edge analytics and a highly visual approach to provide clear, concise conclusions in a data driven market.

Latest Episodes:

Episode 015. What Being in the Market Means Oct 30, 2026

Show notes

The week's episode unpacks what it really means to be "in the market"—breaking down active versus passive investing across stocks and bonds, and revealing why overly optimistic return expectations could set investors up for a painful reality check.

Chapters

00:00 - Time in the Market vs. Timing the Market

03:02 - Active vs. Passive Equities (SPIVA Data)

07:07 - Why Active Works in Fixed Income

13:30 - Commodities, Roll Yield & New Asset Classes

15:57 - Return Expectations: Retail vs. Institutions

22:24 - High Expectations, Risk Tolerances & Time Horizons

27:10 - What Will Reset Investor Sentiment?

32:44 - Conclusion

Learn more about Bianco Research: https://www.biancoresearch.com/

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Foreside Fund Services, LLC is not affiliated with, or endorsed by WisdomTree, Jim Bianco, or Bianco Research, or any of their respective affiliates.

Episode 014. Inflation is STILL the Problem Oct 23, 2026

Show notes

Post-COVID structural shifts like deglobalization and tariffs have permanently eliminated the cheap goods deflation that previously offset services inflation, leaving the U.S. settled in a 3% inflation world where a 5% nominal growth rate justifies matching 5% interest rates.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction: Inflation Reality vs. Consensus

02:22 Nominal GDP Framework and 5% Yields

06:36 Core PCE, China, and the End of Goods Deflation

11:15 Protectionism, Tariffs, and the BYD Example

15:02 Why We Are Stuck in a 3% Inflation World

23:38 Rising Inflation Volatility and Remote Work

28:13 Monetary Policy: Why the Fed Must Focus on Nominal GDP

32:37 Closing Remarks

Learn more about Bianco Research: https://www.biancoresearch.com/

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Foreside Fund Services, LLC is not affiliated with, or endorsed by WisdomTree, Jim Bianco, or Bianco Research, or any of their respective affiliates.

Episode 013. Bubble Talk: Tulips to Tech Oct 16, 2026

Show notes

Despite bubbly valuations, persistent market skepticism suggests the AI boom is expanding like 1996—not collapsing like 2000.

Chapters

00:00 - Introduction & Sponsor

02:13 - Defining Bubbles: Tulips, Dot-Com & 2008

06:37 - Bubble Expansion vs. Market Peak

09:34 - S&P 500 Valuations & AI Concentration

17:20 - Why Equities Require "Hopes and Dreams"

21:52 - Are We Closer to 1996 or 2000?

26:27 - AI Monetization: Frontier Models vs. Applications

32:10 - The Real Risk: Overcapacity & Technological Disruption

36:27 - Conclusion & Outro

Learn more about Bianco Research: https://www.biancoresearch.com/

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Foreside Fund Services, LLC is not affiliated with, or endorsed by WisdomTree, Jim Bianco, or Bianco Research, or any of their respective affiliates.

Episode 012. What the 'K' is Going on? Oct 09, 2026

Show notes

Markets and portfolios are keeping top earners spending, while many paycheck-to-paycheck households fall behind as prices have risen faster than wages since COVID.

Chapters

00:00 - K Shaped Setup

01:59 - Income Deciles Breakdown

02:38 - Where Money Comes From

03:29 - Spending Essentials Gap

04:50 - Who Drives Consumption

06:02 - Affordability Poll Reality

07:45 - Wages Versus Inflation

09:27 - Stocks Versus Sentiment

12:45 - Can Policy Fix It

14:42 - Fed Limits Fiscal Trap

20:08 - If Markets Roll Over

24:44 - Social Unrest Risk

28:28 - Advice For Leaders

30:17 - Deficits And Inflation Loop

33:03 - Wrap Up

Learn more about Bianco Research: https://www.biancoresearch.com/

Episode 011. Three Risks That Matter More Than Terminator AI Oct 02, 2026

Show notes

Looking past the sensational headlines, we analyze the measurable risks truly driving markets—from Europe's winter energy vulnerabilities and cracks in distressed corporate credit to the Fed funding pressures behind the Treasury basis trade.

Chapters

00:00 - Introduction & Risks

01:46 - Energy Market Breakdown

04:07 - Europe Natural Gas Watch

07:24 - AI Debt and Credit Spreads

09:55 - Oracle and CCC Stress

12:31 - Basis Trade Explained

15:36 - Funding Market Triggers

21:50 - Crowded Trade and Transparency

26:36 - Energy and Global Fallout

31:20 - One Number to Watch

35:36 - Final Takeaways and Signoff

Learn more about Bianco Research: https://www.biancoresearch.com/

Episode 010. Will the Bond Market End Humanity? Sep 25, 2026

Show notes

With the 10-year Treasury yield hitting 16-year highs at 5.20%, is this the return to historical normal—or the start of a market break?

Chapters

00:00 - Introduction & Market Overview

03:01 - Analyzing the Week's Bond Market Frenzy

07:09 - Shifts in FOMC Rate Expectations

08:27 - Economic Growth and Potential GDP

13:30 - Historical Context: 5,000 Years of Interest Rates

17:04 - Economic Resilience vs. Market Fears

18:38 - Drivers of Yields: Growth, Energy, Policy, and Deficits

23:03 - The Fed's Dilemma Heading into October

26:14 - Bond Math and Are Yields Near a Peak?

29:56 - Closing Question: Does the Fed Lead or Follow the Market?

Learn more about Bianco Research: https://www.biancoresearch.com/

Episode 009. Did the Fed Get it Right? Sep 18, 2026

Show notes

Kevin Warsh delivered the first hike in a few years as persistent inflation bites, was it the right move?

Chapters

00:00 – Introduction & FOMC Rate Hike Overview

02:38 – Rising Bond Yields & Financial Conditions

08:02 – Structural Inflation & the Post-Pandemic Economy

24:10 – The 12–0 Vote & Threats to Fed Independence

29:10 – Eliminating Forward Guidance & Outro

Learn more about Bianco Research: https://www.biancoresearch.com/

Episode 008. One Commodity Cycle or Many? Sep 11, 2026

Show notes

Commodities as an asset class are rarely homogenous. Today, prices are moving together, which either reflects a structural relationship or a set of unrelated drivers arriving at once.

Rate Cut Cycle Returns Table: https://www.biancoresearch.com/bianco/podcast/2026/09/rate_cut_cycle_returns.png

Chapters

00:00 - Introduction & The Commodity Rally

02:25 - How Commodity Total Return is Calculated

06:02 - The Structural Case for "Easy Money"

13:03 - Supply Disruption Drivers in Energy Markets

16:46 - The "Sovereignty Premium" & Central Bank Gold Buying

23:28 - Debating the Multi-Factor Reality Behind Commodities

31:46 - Closing Question: How Should the Fed Respond to Structural Commodity Shocks?

Learn more about Bianco Research: https://www.biancoresearch.com/

Episode 007. Are Yields Good Enough To Compete? Sep 04, 2026

Show notes

A yield is only as good as what you compare it to, right now, rates aren't promising enough for investors to want in.

Chapters

00:00 - Introduction

01:46 - Determining the "Right" Level for Interest Rates

05:46 - Price-Sensitive vs. Price-Insensitive Treasury Buyers

12:00 - Comparing Treasuries to Alternatives

16:43 - Term Premium and the Market's Demand for Higher Yields

20:57 - The 4-5-6 Rule and Unrealistic Investor Expectations

24:28 - Will Foreign Central Banks and Price-Insensitive Buyers Return?

28:25 - Lightning Round: Will Bonds Win, or Will Everything Else Lose

32:24 - Outro and Conclusion

Episode 006. Can the Treasury Bully the Bond Market? Aug 28, 2026

Show notes

In a regime where financial conditions never tightened and liquidity never left, the Treasury could open its wallet the same week the Fed decides whether to hike. Is it a fool’s errand?

Chapters

00:00 - Introduction and Topic Overview

02:23 - Defining Financial Conditions vs. Liquidity

05:54 - Liquidity and the Fed's Balance Sheet

08:26 - The Role of the Treasury General Account (TGA)

12:48 - Market Liquidity and Inflation Fears

21:51 - Term Premium and Market Risk

24:41 - The "Liz Truss Moment" and Bond Vigilantes

32:26 - Outro

Learn more about Bianco Research: https://www.biancoresearch.com/