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Markets Demystified

Markets Demystified

By Aesop Advisor

Markets Demystified by Aesop Advisor LLC talks about investing and how it relates to personal money management.
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Crypto Quantity: Satoshi’s Focus on Scarcity

Markets DemystifiedDec 21, 2022

00:00
05:41
Netflix’s Madoff: Can It Happen Again

Netflix’s Madoff: Can It Happen Again

Bernie Madoff ran the biggest pyramid scheme ever, undetected, for at least nearly two decades. Could the same thing happen again? Click to read.
Mar 15, 202309:08
Inflation Persists: Labor Market Unfazed

Inflation Persists: Labor Market Unfazed

Following the Fed’s last policy meeting, markets appeared to declare victory over inflation and decided only 1 more rate hike was coming. In the wake of a staggering jobs report and disappointing inflation readings, markets have now decided there will be at least 3 more hikes. Clink for print version.
Mar 01, 202305:43
Cryo Crypto: Frozen Funds, Bankruptcy & Conflict

Cryo Crypto: Frozen Funds, Bankruptcy & Conflict

During the pandemic, crypto lenders boomed, offering high returns for crypto deposits. Unfortunately, many firms went bust, leaving depositors uncertain if they will recover their funds. Now, crypto firms are facing intensifying scrutiny as, ironically, assets intended to enhance trust in markets have ushered in a tidal wave of fraud. Click to read.
Feb 15, 202308:39
Market Slumps: 2022 & Covid

Market Slumps: 2022 & Covid

Despite steeper losses during the pandemic, the current market downturn may be more noticeable, as it has been much more prolonged. Click to view print version.
Feb 01, 202305:12
Inflation Frontlines: Soft or Hard Landing

Inflation Frontlines: Soft or Hard Landing

After a year of relentless rate hikes from Jerome Powell and the Federal Reserve Board in a struggle to simmer soaring inflation, will the economy avoid a severe slowdown? Click to read.
Jan 18, 202305:52
Day Trading: High Risk Heavy Odds

Day Trading: High Risk Heavy Odds

Many people are curious about day trading and wonder if it's something they can do to make extra money or even make a living from. Despite success stories that get outsized attention, research shows reality for most may be far removed from happy endings. Click to view print version.
Jan 04, 202306:08
Crypto Quantity: Satoshi’s Focus on Scarcity

Crypto Quantity: Satoshi’s Focus on Scarcity

Scarcity was an essential element for Satoshi Nakamoto when designing bitcoin. The anonymous computer programmer focused nearly exclusively on scarcity when discussing potential bitcoin value, and drew parallels between bitcoin and the scarceness of gold. However, a review of precious metals and currency markets may not support scarceness as a guarantee of value. Click to view print version.
Dec 21, 202205:41
S&P 500: Stock Market Standard

S&P 500: Stock Market Standard

There are multiple stock indexes that are often cited by media outlets. However, the one that may be heard most often might be the least useful as a measure of the overall market. Click to view the print version of this podcast.
Dec 06, 202206:04
Showtime’s Billions: Realistic or Ridiculous

Showtime’s Billions: Realistic or Ridiculous

Although characters from Showtime’s series Billions may be in-part inspired by real people such as former hedge fund manager Steve Cohen and former US Attorneys Preet Bharara and Eliot Spitzer, how real is the show? Click to view print version.
Nov 15, 202206:58
Inflation in Focus: CPI, PCE & PPI

Inflation in Focus: CPI, PCE & PPI

With the highest inflation in decades, gauges of price changes have become a center of economic focus. The Consumer Price Index, the Personal Consumption Expenditures price index, and the Producer Price Index are common measures of inflation. However, the measure that may be cited most often is not the one preferred by the Federal Reserve. Click to view print version.
Nov 02, 202205:47
Bitcoin Correlations: Crypto Tethered to Stocks

Bitcoin Correlations: Crypto Tethered to Stocks

Bitcoin was intended to exist outside of the financial system and to end inflation. Therefore, it might be quite ironic that it is moving in lockstep with stocks, plummeting in the midst of soaring consumer prices and vulnerable to monetary moves by the Fed. Click link to view print version with charts and resources.
Oct 19, 202206:56
Exchange Traded Funds: Features of Diversified Passive Indexing

Exchange Traded Funds: Features of Diversified Passive Indexing

Exchange traded funds, often called ETFs or index funds, offer the diversification that once was only available through mutual funds, yet they have the cost-effectiveness of a passive buy and hold strategy. These key features can make ETFs a good choice for long-term retirement investors. Click for print version.
Oct 03, 202204:31
Hedge Fund Effect: Why Many Avoid Investing

Hedge Fund Effect: Why Many Avoid Investing

Around half of Americans don’t participate in a retirement investment plan. Part of the reasons why many aren’t invested may have to do with what we call the hedge fund effect. Click to view written edition.
Sep 20, 202204:17
Recession Possible: But Not Here Yet

Recession Possible: But Not Here Yet

Recently, many media pundits have claimed that a recession is imminent, if not already present in the US. Historically high interest rate hikes by the Fed, accompanied by two consecutive quarters of declining gross domestic product has stoked recession fears, possibly causing some to sound the alarm prematurely.
Sep 07, 202204:17
Bitcoin & Inflation: Missing Links in Satoshi’s Vision

Bitcoin & Inflation: Missing Links in Satoshi’s Vision

A computer programmer with no known economic or finance credentials, Satoshi Nakamoto believed bitcoin would end inflation. He emphasized bitcoin’s scarcity as an escape from currency devaluation caused by central governments increasing the money supply. However, Satoshi’s inflation views, recorded in hundreds of forum posts and emails, may reveal a vision largely built on economic misconceptions. Click for print version.
Aug 17, 202204:19
Kevin Bacon’s YOLO: Money Movies - Quicksilver (1986)

Kevin Bacon’s YOLO: Money Movies - Quicksilver (1986)

Our “Money Movies” series explores how film portrayals may be far from what can be expected from a typical finance professional. Often, finance professionals are depicted as unethical, insider-info trading pump-and-dumpers. Quicksilver (1986) starring Kevin Bacon, is an outlier in that the stock trader is portrayed as a hero, rather than a scoundrel. However, the actual trading actions shown in the movie may present Bacon’s character as more of a reckless, irresponsible speculator.
Aug 03, 202205:19
Relentless Inflation: Excess Stimulus or Suppressed Supply

Relentless Inflation: Excess Stimulus or Suppressed Supply

It seems many have taken for granted that pandemic stimulus spending is the prime suspect for causing painful price increases. Despite the widely known mantra of eminent economist Milton Friedman, who said inflation is always related to money supply, researchers have been unable to find a relation since the 1990s. Other than the fact that no direct relationship between money supply and inflation has been found for decades, assessing stimulus details and the timing of inflation may also suggest pandemic aid is not the culprit. Read at: Relentless Inflation: Excess Stimulus or Suppressed Supply – Aesop Advisor
Jul 20, 202205:12
Time In the Market: Not Timing the Market

Time In the Market: Not Timing the Market

Stocks are firmly in bear market territory so far in 2022, having dipped more than 20% from their previous peak. Though losses in the last 6 months are painful, downturns are common and may provide opportunities for long term investors. For the average retirement investor, buckling up for the long haul may be a better choice than reacting to market moves by trying to jump in and out of tops and bottoms.
Jul 06, 202204:14
Bitcoin Beginnings: Satoshi’s Self-Fulfilling Prophecy

Bitcoin Beginnings: Satoshi’s Self-Fulfilling Prophecy

Even as crypto marketplaces adopt more regulation and consumer protections, it remains important to evaluate what crypto assets are actually worth. The writings of bitcoin’s creator, Satoshi Nakamoto, along with a community of cryptographers over a two year period may provide insights into why some believe the value of crypto will rise “to the moon”.
Jun 14, 202204:17
Finance Profession Titles: Grasping a Fragmented Field

Finance Profession Titles: Grasping a Fragmented Field

With a myriad of sometimes overlapping roles, it can be tough to piece together a clear view of the finance industry. We highlight a few types of finance professionals. Despite being a focus of movies and media, perhaps the most familiar finance professional may be the least used by average investors. Click to read.
Jun 01, 202204:17
Index, Exchange, or Both: Understanding Stock Quotes

Index, Exchange, or Both: Understanding Stock Quotes

Pundits throw around multiple terms when talking stocks. We break down what they mean by Dow, S&P 500, and Nasdaq. We’ll explore how they are alike, and how they are different. Surprisingly, perhaps the most used term may be one of the least useful.
May 16, 202203:51
Stocks & Jellybeans: Law of Large Numbers

Stocks & Jellybeans: Law of Large Numbers

In this edition, we talk about liquidity and investor disagreement.
May 03, 202203:51
Crypto Markets: Low Regulation High Risk

Crypto Markets: Low Regulation High Risk

April 20 edition of Markets Demystified by Aesop Advisor LLC - "Crypto Markets: Low Regulation High Risk"
Apr 20, 202203:59
Yield Curvature: Bond Rate Barometer

Yield Curvature: Bond Rate Barometer

In this edition of Markets Demystified, we talk about the bond rate yield curve and how it often predicts upcoming recessions.
Apr 05, 202203:59
What Will Replace Income In Retirement: Stocks, Pension, or Other

What Will Replace Income In Retirement: Stocks, Pension, or Other

In this edition of Markets Demystified, we talk about how stocks can be a good investment option compared to other assets for those who need to fill income gaps in retirement left by Social Security or pensions.
Sep 15, 202104:09
Stock Pricing Power: Makers and Takers

Stock Pricing Power: Makers and Takers

In this edition, we talk about how larger orders influence prices while smaller orders are price takers.
Sep 01, 202103:51
Trading Versus Investing: Risk, Reason, Time

Trading Versus Investing: Risk, Reason, Time

In this edition of Markets Demystified, we talk about differences between stock trading and investing.
Aug 18, 202103:55
Money Movies: Finance Professionals in Popular Culture

Money Movies: Finance Professionals in Popular Culture

In this edition of Markets Demystified, we talk about how finance professionals are often portrayed in films.
Aug 05, 202104:06
401k or IRA: Employer and Individual Retirement Accounts

401k or IRA: Employer and Individual Retirement Accounts

In this edition of Markets Demystified, we talk about differences between employer and individual retirement accounts, and when it might be a good choice to use one or both.
Jul 21, 202103:52
Wealth, Income, or Preservation: Why Invest?

Wealth, Income, or Preservation: Why Invest?

In this edition of Markets Demystified, we talk about different reasons for having investments.
Jul 07, 202102:56
Gambling Versus Investing: When to Hold and When to Fold

Gambling Versus Investing: When to Hold and When to Fold

In this edition, we talk about differences between gambling and investing.
Jun 16, 202103:13
Inflation, Fed, Stocks: Shutdown Shake-Ups Shift to Roaring Comeback Concerns

Inflation, Fed, Stocks: Shutdown Shake-Ups Shift to Roaring Comeback Concerns

In this edition, we talk about how inflation, the Federal Reserve, and the stock market all intertwine.
Jun 02, 202103:24
Aesop: What's In a Name

Aesop: What's In a Name

In this first edition, we thought it might be fun to talk about why we chose Aesop as the name for our firm.
May 19, 202103:22