Loading...
Loading...
Loading...
Loading...
Loading...
Loading...
1 selected
Loading...
0 selected
Loading...
0 selected
0 selected
All post types✓
Portfolio updates✓
Stock lists✓
Research✓
News✓
All Content✓
Source feeds
Buzzberg Top 50
✓
All market capsNo capitalization filter✓
200 B and aboveMega✓
10 B to 200 BLarge✓
2 B to 10 BMid✓
0 to 2 BSmall✓
Custom
Enter market cap range in B USD
All directions✓
▲ Long✓
▼ Short✓
⛔ Avoid✓
✂ Close✓
◦ Others✓
Any score✓
LOW+✓
MED+✓
HIGH✓
15:45
Sep 04
Sep 04
Joseph Wang
14h
SPY FLIP
▾
HIGH
War end lowers yields, stocks surge.
Joseph Wang argues that global yields have been driven higher by a common factor, energy prices, since the Iran war began. If the war ends, he expects energy prices to ease, yields and inflation to fall, and the stock market to surge, making war resolution a bullish inflection for equities and Treasury prices.
SPY LONG
HIGH
15:04
Aug 29
Aug 29
Joseph Wang
6d
Stock Market
2-Year Treasury Yield
WTI
VOLATILITY 1ST
Equities
▾
HIGH
Iran/Canada deal would boost risk assets.
The president holds a positive market catalyst: he can announce an Iran peace deal at any time, which would push oil lower, rates lower, and stocks higher. Bad midterm polls and Canada tensions make a political resolution before midterms more likely, so the setup is a risk-positive catalyst to watch.
Stock Market WATCH
WTI WATCH
September hike underpriced; front-end yields rise.
The Jackson Hole speech was extremely hawkish and all but promised a September hike. The 2-year yield surged 11bp and SOFR/fed funds futures now imply about two hikes, but September is still priced as only 50/50. Wang puts the odds at 90%, so front-end rates have more repricing to go as the market catches up.
2-Year Treasury Yield LONG
Expect higher volatility after Labor Day.
With the final week before Labor Day ending summer, Wang expects more market volatility as the hawkish Fed repricing is digested and low-volatility conditions unwind.
VOLATILITY LONG
Equities face further hawkish repricing risk.
Short-term rate traders already understood the hawkish shift and gold fell Friday, but equity investors have not fully repriced it. As the market realizes this is a real Fed shift, further repricing could upset risk assets; low volatility has been masking the setup.
Equities WATCH
HIGH
15:47
Aug 22
Aug 22
Joseph Wang
13d
TLT
▾
HIGH
Treasury action caps long-end yields.
The US Treasury now sees 5.3% on the long end as too high and is actively intervening via a 'Treasury twist'—upsizing long-end buybacks and likely funding them with bills—to shorten duration and cap long-bond yields. If this is not enough, the Treasury can further upsize buybacks, cut long-end issuance, encourage banks or Fannie Mae/Freddie Mac to buy Treasuries, or ultimately involve the Fed. Wang says he is no longer worried about higher long-bond yields and could see the long bond below 5% if Iran war tensions ease.
TLT LONG
HIGH
15:43
Aug 15
Aug 15
Joseph Wang
20d
TLT
30-year TIPS
Euroland long-end government bonds
SPY
UGA
▾
HIGH
Long bond attractive above 5%, awaiting cracks.
The long bond yield has climbed relentlessly to about 5.25% and repeatedly retraces any post-data rally after benign CPI/PPI, weak retail sales, and weak payrolls, which tells him yields want to go higher near term; however, he personally likes the long bond above 5% and expects a flight-to-safety bid once equity markets crack, so the setup is to watch for that catalyst before buying.
TLT WATCH
Thirty-year TIPS real yield near 3% attractive.
The 30-year TIPS real yield is about 3%, which he calls very juicy inflation-protected compensation; this offers a direct way to express long-bond value even while nominal long bonds are still acting poorly.
30-year TIPS LONG
Euroland long-end yields rising on energy shock.
Global long-end yields are being driven higher more abroad than in the US, with Euroland long-end yields up several basis points on Friday and pulling US yields up; the likely driver is a persistent energy/war shock hitting Europe and Asia harder, pressuring their inflation-targeting bond markets.
Euroland long-end government bonds SHORT
Stay cautious on equities despite new highs.
Higher long-end yields will ultimately hurt the stock market, and with the S&P 500 eking out new highs on call/momentum behavior, possible AI bubble risk, and upcoming Middle East/midterm catalysts, he remains very cautious on equities even though a blowoff top could occur first.
SPY AVOID
Gasoline futures rising on refinery capacity shortage.
Gasoline futures are marching steadily higher even though crude oil is well behaved because reduced refinery capacity is driving refined product and distillate prices up; the energy shock is persisting and hitting Europe/Asia harder, which supports continued gasoline strength.
UGA LONG
HIGH
17:15
Aug 08
Aug 08
Joseph Wang
27d
MSFT 1ST
USD/JPY
AMZN 1ST
▾
HIGH
AI rotates to Microsoft, Amazon strength
The AI trade is morphing, with bottleneck trades like DRAM languishing while mega-cap tech (specifically Microsoft and Amazon) are getting a second wind, zooming higher and carrying major indexes.
MSFT LONG
AMZN LONG
Yen weakness persists despite intervention
Despite coordinated US-Japan intervention, the yen remains weak because interest rate differentials are too large and fundamentals of yen depreciation are too strong. The market is not believing the intervention and is convinced of further yen weakness, making intervention a losing war unless rates adjust.
USD/JPY LONG
HIGH
14:39
Aug 01
Aug 01
Joseph Wang
1mo
SOX (Philadelphia Semiconductor Index)
UGA 1ST
USD/JPY
▾
HIGH
AI semiconductor bounce likely dead cat.
The AI trade is likely over; the recent bounce is a dead-cat bounce fueled by momentum and leverage, not fundamentals. Massive liquidation of highly leveraged speculators like Leopold's hedge fund and deep psychological damage from a 40% drop in the semiconductor index means many buyers are trapped at higher levels and will sell into rallies, capping upside.
SOX (Philadelphia Semiconductor Index) SHORT
Gasoline futures elevated on refinery attacks.
Gasoline futures are elevated and face further upward pressure because refinery supply is being constrained globally. Attacks on Russian refineries by Ukraine and on Gulf refineries by Houthis and Iran limit refined product output, even as crude oil remains around $90. This bottleneck means refined products like gasoline will stay elevated, driving inflation and economic damage.
UGA LONG
Yen intervention fails, USDJPY goes higher.
The joint US-Japan yen intervention will fail to reverse the weakening trend. It does not address the root cause of wide interest-rate differentials. The Bank of Japan has been slow to hike rates and may be politically constrained, while US yields could push higher. Therefore, USD/JPY is likely to continue rising.
USD/JPY LONG
HIGH
20:20
Jul 29
Jul 29
Joseph Wang
1mo
SPY
30-Year US Treasury Bond
▾
MED
Fed uncertainty hits risk assets
The poor press conference and the Fed chair's secret inflation target will negatively impact broader risk assets, as the increased uncertainty and bond market stress spill over into equities and other risk markets.
SPY AVOID
Secret inflation target hurts long bonds
Fed Chair Kevin indicated his inflation target is not truly measured by PCE and is essentially a secret, materially increasing uncertainty and risk for holders of long-term Treasuries. This caused 30-year bond yields to spike during the press conference.
30-Year US Treasury Bond AVOID
MED
15:22
Jul 25
Jul 25
Joseph Wang
1mo
SPY
SOXX
BNO
TLT
▾
HIGH
S&P 500 faces correction risk.
Equity markets face significant headwinds from AI trade peaking, Iran war escalation, and potential Fed rate hikes. The S&P 500 could decline another 10% before any eventual peace rally, and investors should be very cautious. A correction toward the 200-day moving average around 7,000 is possible.
SPY AVOID
AI semiconductor trade is peaking.
The AI trade is peaking. The semiconductor index (SOCS) has topped. Despite upbeat earnings from TSMC and ASML, stocks popped then sold off. Google's first hyperscaler earnings showed the market now punishes AI capex increases with a 4-5% drop, no longer rewarding spending. Google reported negative free cash flow. Debt markets are demanding higher risk premiums for hyperscaler bonds. Chinese open-weight models are becoming competitive, reducing demand for GPUs and RAM. These signals point to an inflection where the AI boom may recede.
SOXX SHORT
Iran escalation to constrain oil supply.
Imminent escalation in the Iran war will further constrain global oil supply. Military assets are surging to the Middle East, Houthis are blocking oil transit through the Red Sea, and the US SPR is already drawn down. The conflict shows no diplomatic solution, and a coming intense bombing campaign is likely. Oil prices have already surged just shy of $100 on Brent, and supply constraints will keep pressure on crude.
BNO LONG
Long bonds attractive as equity hedge.
Long-term bonds are attractive at current high yields, especially as a hedge against significant equity downside. Although the long bond has traded poorly recently, the yield levels and the potential for equity weakness make it a favored position. The bond market is ultimately controlled by authorities, so a disorderly implosion is not a risk, but volatility could still pressure equities.
TLT LONG
HIGH
15:07
Jul 18
Jul 18
Joseph Wang
1mo
SPY
EWY
SOXX FLIP
WTI FLIP
▾
HIGH
US equities losing momentum, turning bearish.
Major US equity indexes are clearly losing momentum, breaking moving averages. The market faces two punches: the re-emergence of Middle East war and a new Chinese open-weight AI model that threatens the AI trade. With options support fading, the market looks heavy and poised for further declines.
SPY SHORT
KOSPI overleveraged, topping pattern, dangerous.
South Korea's KOSPI index went parabolic and has since suffered a huge tumble. Massive leverage built up via options and levered ETFs; over a million Korean trading accounts reportedly received margin calls on Friday. Even strongly bullish AI news from SK Hynix, ASML, and TSMC failed to lift these stocks, signaling a dangerous momentum break and potential for further unwind.
EWY AVOID
Open-weight AI models threaten chip demand.
A new Chinese open-weight AI model from Moonshot (Kimmy) is near the frontier of closed models like Claude and ChatGPT. Open-weight models reduce the moat of closed AI companies and may lower their profitability and future compute spending, ultimately reducing demand for US chips. This also introduces more competition in the chip sector, bearish for US semiconductor stocks.
SOXX SHORT
War and low SPR push oil up.
The renewed US-Iran conflict, with a potential ground invasion, is pushing spot oil prices higher. The US Strategic Petroleum Reserve is near critically low levels, with refinery problems in Eastern Europe, creating risks of shortages in refined products like diesel, jet fuel, and gasoline, adding upward pressure on oil.
WTI LONG
HIGH
15:16
Jul 04
Jul 04
Joseph Wang
2mo
EWY
MU
SPY
▾
HIGH
AI momentum bust, KOSPI and Micron cracking.
The AI momentum trade is cracking. The KOSPI index (Korean AI semiconductor stocks) has doubled this year but now appears to be losing momentum and possibly topping. US AI stocks like Micron are also trading poorly. Narratives suggest real cracks: Meta is leasing out excess compute capacity, US companies are adopting cheaper open-source Chinese models, and Palantir's CEO admits the future is openweight, undermining closed-end AI model demand and compute spending. Unwinding of leveraged positions could trigger a broader correction.
EWY AVOID
MU AVOID
S&P 500 may rally before a correction.
Jeremy Grantham's historical bubble pattern shows that after high-flyers lag, the broader market often continues to rally. The S&P 500 could make new all-time highs before a serious correction, similar to 2000 when the S&P 500 rose another 10% after the NASDAQ peaked.
SPY WATCH
HIGH
15:49
Jun 27
Jun 27
Joseph Wang
2mo
USD
SILVER
XCenter 1ST
EWY
005930.KS
▾
HIGH
Dollar strengthens on hawkish Fed
The US dollar has surged due to higher nominal yields, market pricing rate hikes, and uncertainty about the new Fed's reaction function. Connected people suggest the Fed may hike. USD/JPY is breaking above 160, and the dollar is surging against the euro and CAD. This dollar strength is crushing other assets.
USD LONG
Gold and silver crumble under strong dollar
The strong dollar and rising real rates are exerting pressure on debasement trades. Silver had a parabolic move but dealers were overflowing and now it has fallen sharply. Gold has imploded, falling below the 200-day moving average, which often shifts sentiment. The unwinding continues.
SILVER SHORT
GLD SHORT
Solo entrepreneurs disrupt XCenter
The rise of solo entrepreneurs enabled by technology and AI is disrupting traditional large professional services firms. XCenter recently reported earnings that led to a ~20% stock drop, signaling that competition from solo entrepreneurs is already eroding their margins. This trend is likely to continue.
XCenter SHORT
KOSPI rally may be ending
The KOSPI index has been the leader in the AI rally, doubling year-to-date, driven by retail speculation and leverage. This past week it stumbled 10% with a limit down, a big red flag suggesting the party may be over. Extreme retail leverage and momentum can reverse quickly.
EWY SHORT
Semiconductor earnings boom is transitory
The semiconductor earnings boom is transitory, similar to COVID beneficiaries that saw earnings bubbles burst. Eventually new fabs, competition, and self-sufficiency will bring margins back down. Stock prices tend to decline before analysts downgrade earnings, so a top may be forming. Micron's big beat fading after hours is a caution sign.
005930.KS SHORT
MU SHORT
000660.KS SHORT
Bitcoin declines as attention fades
Bitcoin prices have been declining as attention has shifted to AI. Bitcoin does not have earnings calls, so its price is driven by attention and social media hype. Influencers have become quieter about wealth due to physical threats, reducing visibility. The attention theory suggests less attention leads to less buying pressure.
BTC SHORT
Rising RAM costs hurt Apple
RAM price surge is raising input costs for consumer electronics makers. Apple had to increase product prices citing RAM inflation, and its stock fell 5%. Other vendors like Microsoft and Nintendo are also affected. This headwind will dampen consumer electronics spending and pressure Apple's margins and unit sales.
AAPL SHORT
HIGH
16:46
Jun 20
Jun 20
Joseph Wang
2mo
German DAX index
BNO FLIP
▾
MED
China shock 2.0 breaks German export model.
The 'China shock 2.0' sees China moving up the value chain in advanced manufacturing (EVs, batteries, solar panels) and aggressively exporting while imports stagnate. This directly threatens Germany's export-driven business model, with German equipment exports declining and car exports plateauing against surging Chinese car exports. Europe also lacks an AI buildout, leaving Germany structurally challenged with poor growth prospects and a likely need for tariff walls. German equities face sustained competitive erosion.
German DAX index SHORT
Durable ceasefire keeps crude oil down.
The US-Iran peace deal is durable because the US cannot risk an oil supply crisis with the Strategic Petroleum Reserve near minimal operational levels and is applying unprecedented political pressure on Israel to comply. This will keep the Strait of Hormuz open, allowing Middle Eastern oil production to restart, sending a disinflationary wave through oil markets. Spot Brent has already plummeted, and with the ceasefire expected to hold at least a few months, crude oil remains under downward pressure.
BNO SHORT
MED
23:43
Jun 17
Jun 17
Joseph Wang
2mo
SPY
▾
MED
Risk assets face a meaningful decline.
Joseph Wang sees a setup for a sustained and meaningful decline in risk assets. He points to widespread speculation, huge equity supply coming from lockup expiries (SpaceX, Anthropic, Google, Super Micro) and new issuance, the market pricing in rate hikes, and classic major-top indicators like elevated public participation and leverage. Although the Fed did not hike today, financial conditions are tightening via hawkish communication and the dot plot, which adds pressure.
SPY SHORT
MED
16:25
Jun 13
Jun 13
Joseph Wang
2mo
WTI
SPCX 1ST
TLT
SPY
▾
HIGH
Oil prices could spike on SPR depletion
The US Strategic Petroleum Reserve (SPR) is being drawn down aggressively and is close to minimal operational levels. Oil CEOs warn that if the Iran situation is not resolved soon, the SPR can no longer buffer supply, causing oil prices to spike sharply.
WTI WATCH
SpaceX IPO valued at $2 trillion despite billions in losses. A flood of equity supply is coming as employees and early investors lock in profits after lock-up periods, creating a significant headwind. Historically, large IPOs struggle in the first year. This will likely push SpaceX shares lower.
SPCX AVOID
Potential rate cuts on Iran peace deal
If a genuine Iran peace deal emerges, oil prices will fall further, bringing down headline CPI. In that scenario, the Fed could shift to a neutral stance and the market will begin pricing in rate cuts, leading to a significant rally in US rates markets (lower yields).
TLT WATCH
Equity supply headwind pressures US stocks
The broader US equity market faces a headwind from a shift to net equity issuance. Big Tech companies are reducing buybacks and issuing shares to finance AI buildouts, removing a decades-long pillar of support. Combined with upcoming IPOs (Anthropic, OpenAI), the increased supply will likely pressure stock prices.
SPY SHORT
HIGH
15:46
Jun 06
Jun 06
Joseph Wang
3mo
EWY 1ST
000660.KS 1ST
005930.KS 1ST
SILVER FLIP
BTC
▾
MED
Korean margin calls may trigger further selling.
Korean retail investors are highly levered and chased momentum in the KOSPI, driven by memory stocks Samsung and SK Hynix. After a 5% drop, margin calls may force further selling of Korean stocks and US holdings, leading to another 5-10% down day in the KOSPI.
EWY SHORT
000660.KS SHORT
005930.KS SHORT
Gold breakdown trigger further selling ahead.
Gold lost its 200-day moving average during the deleveraging event, triggering trend-followers to sell, and the move is likely not over yet. Silver and Bitcoin also suffered large declines as part of the same risk-off unwind.
SILVER SHORT
BTC SHORT
GLD SHORT
MED
17:40
May 30
May 30
Joseph Wang
3mo
WTI
TLT
▾
HIGH
Oil prices will spike soon.
Global oil stocks are being drawn down due to the closure of the Strait of Hormuz; once stocks reach a minimal low level, oil prices will spike uncontrollably.
WTI LONG
Buy 30-year Treasury at 5%.
At 5% yield, the 30-year Treasury offers 5% carry and potential capital appreciation if the equity bubble bursts and the Fed cuts rates, similar to the dot-com bust.
TLT LONG
HIGH
15:26
May 16
May 16
Joseph Wang
3mo
XHB 1ST
SMH FLIP
▾
HIGH
Higher mortgage rates hurt home builders.
Yields are rising globally due to more hawkish Fed repricing and energy shocks. Higher mortgage rates will negatively impact home builders, making the sector unattractive.
XHB AVOID
Chip providers win from AI productivity.
AI will massively increase productivity in services, leading to deflation in service prices. The analog to the agricultural revolution shows that the providers of equipment (semiconductors/chips) are the main beneficiaries, while service providers face margin compression.
SMH LONG
HIGH
16:49
May 09
May 09
Joseph Wang
3mo
SOXX FLIP
▾
HIGH
Semiconductor index parabolic will implode.
The semiconductor index has gone parabolic and will inevitably implode due to unsustainable momentum and leverage. The rally is driven by call option activity and circular AI investments (hyperscalers investing in AI startups that then spend on compute), creating a fragile system that will reverse when sentiment changes.
SOXX SHORT
HIGH
16:35
May 02
May 02
Joseph Wang
4mo
USD/JPY
NVDA 1ST
SOXX FLIP
CL1!
▾
HIGH
Yen to weaken due to low real rates.
The Japanese yen will continue to weaken because monetary policy remains too easy with interest rates below 1% while inflation is 2-3%, resulting in very low real rates. BOJ interventions are temporary and the yen's depreciation will persist until rates are hiked.
USD/JPY SHORT
AI capex benefits semiconductor companies.
Semiconductor companies like Nvidia benefit from AI-driven demand for memory chips, with RAM prices quadrupling due to supply constraints and hyperscaler spending. This supports continued upside in semiconductor stocks and indexes like the SOX.
NVDA LONG
SOXX LONG
Oil to rise on prolonged Hormuz closure.
The ongoing closure of the Strait of Hormuz is causing an energy shock that will keep oil prices elevated or push them higher, as inventories draw down and central banks may be forced to hike. The market underappreciates the economic impact, and oil could shoot up quickly.
CL1! LONG
HIGH
16:14
Apr 25
Apr 25
Joseph Wang
4mo
SMH
WTI
▾
MED
Semiconductor stocks are in a blowoff top.
Semiconductor stocks are surging in a frenzy that looks like a blowoff top, historically ending in implosion. Demand for compute may falter if hyperscalers start charging for usage or if competition commoditizes AI models, undermining chip makers' revenue sustainability.
SMH SHORT
Oil prices rise due to Hormuz closure.
The Strait of Hormuz closure prevents oil supply, causing oil prices to continue rising and supporting higher inflation. Unless the route is resolved, oil will stay elevated, constraining the Fed's ability to cut rates.
WTI LONG
MED
16:39
Apr 18
Apr 18
Joseph Wang
4mo
SPY
▾
HIGH
Speculative stock bubble may pop.
The US stock market has seen an historic, aggressive rally driven by speculative euphoria, including a surge in call buying and meme stock activity (e.g., Allbirds shifting to AI and surging 600-700%). Such speculative moments historically tend to occur before large declines. Additionally, if the Middle East situation (Strait of Hormuz blockage) does not resolve, it could lead to supply shocks (higher oil prices, jet fuel shortages) causing higher inflation, which may force the Fed to hike rates. Higher interest rates historically pop bubbles, making the current market environment dangerous.
SPY AVOID
HIGH
16:56
Apr 04
Apr 04
Joseph Wang
5mo
SPY
WTI
▾
Speaker characterizes the current market as a "very dangerous time," with the S&P 500 below its 200-day moving average and volatility driven by geopolitical headlines. He argues a permanent decline in oil supply from escalation would cause a global recession, harming the U.S. economy. High geopolitical uncertainty and a deteriorating macro backdrop (recession risk from oil shock) create a poor risk/reward environment for broad equities. The combination of technical weakness, headline risk, and fundamental recession risk justifies an AVOID stance. The Fed could intervene or the Iran conflict could de-escalate faster than expected, removing the macro overhang.
SPY AVOID
short-term / medium-term
Speaker states the Strait of Hormuz closure will lead to an "air pocket" in global oil supply in the coming weeks as pre-closure shipments are depleted, and analysts are "very concerned" the market may not be pricing the full impact. He notes oil prices continue to trend higher, and a ground invasion or further Iranian retaliation on Gulf facilities could cause a "permanent" supply shortage, sending oil "permanently higher." Physical supply disruption is imminent and could be exacerbated by further military escalation, leading to a sharp, nonlinear price increase. The setup warrants close monitoring (WATCH) due to high, underappreciated near-term catalyst risk. Governments could intervene with subsidies or demand-reduction policies; the "air pocket" could be buffered by stockpiles.
WTI WATCH
short-term / medium-term
18:21
Mar 28
Mar 28
Joseph Wang
5mo
SPY
XLE FLIP
JETS 1ST
VTI 1ST
▾
The speaker states a stock market implosion could force a US political off-ramp, leading to an Iranian victory. He later states a "blue sweep" midterm result would be "stock market negative" due to expectations of higher taxes and redistribution. The primary mechanism for market decline is the oil shock-induced recession. A secondary, reinforcing mechanism is the high probability of adverse political/regime change (Democratic sweep) catalyzed by the recession and market decline itself. The combined effect of a near-term recessionary shock and a longer-term shift towards less market-friendly fiscal policy creates a clear negative setup for US equities. A swift geopolitical resolution that averts a deep recession and stabilizes the political outlook.
SPY AVOID
VTI AVOID
Medium-term.
The Strait of Hormuz closure has created a "tremendous negative supply shock" in oil. Iran is selling more, but net global flow is down. Refined product prices (jet fuel, diesel) are spiking. Higher refined product prices directly increase costs for major consuming industries (airlines, shipping, agriculture) and reduce consumer demand (travel), creating a defacto tax on the global economy. As a key input cost, sustained high energy prices will crush margins and demand for energy-consuming sectors and the broader economy, making them unattractive. A rapid geopolitical resolution reopening the Strait, or a faster-than-expected global recession destroying demand.
XLE AVOID
Short to medium-term.
Airlines are canceling thousands of flights due to high jet fuel prices. The speaker explicitly links this to bleeding into the tourism industry (hotels, etc.). The oil supply shock is causing input cost inflation for the entire transportation sector (air and likely freight), directly harming profitability and operational capacity. The sector faces immediate, concrete headwinds from high fuel costs, which will reduce earnings and is part of the broader "slow motion train wreck" for the economy. A sudden drop in oil prices or government subsidies for the sector.
JETS AVOID
Short-term.
19:49
Mar 21
Mar 21
Joseph Wang
5mo
WTI
GOLD FLIP
SPY FLIP
UNG
USD 1ST
▾
The speaker states Brent crude is elevated around $110 and "doesn't look like it's going down," with the Strait of Hormuz closed and structural damage done to Qatari gas (and by extension, energy) production capacity. The ongoing war and closure of a critical chokepoint, combined with physical attacks on production infrastructure, are creating a tight physical supply picture that supports high prices. The structural supply constraints and ongoing geopolitical risk make oil a critical asset to monitor, as its price path is central to the inflation outlook and market direction. A sudden, peaceful resolution to the conflict and reopening of the Strait without tolls.
WTI WATCH
Medium-term
The speaker notes gold "took a pretty big beating," losing key momentum signals like its 50-day moving average and the historically supportive 100-day moving average, despite geopolitical risk. The simultaneous strengthening of the US dollar and surge in interest rates are creating powerful headwinds that are overwhelming gold's typical safe-haven bid during geopolitical stress. The explicit breakdown of technical supports in the face of strong macro headwinds suggests gold is in a weak position and is not currently serving as a reliable hedge. A loss of control in the Middle East conflict escalating beyond current expectations, triggering a panic flight to traditional havens.
GOLD AVOID
Short-term
The speaker states the S&P 500 "did not do very well," broke the 100-day moving average, and briefly dipped below 6,500 during a week of broad-based selling. The massive hawkish repricing in global central bank policy, driven by the Middle East war and persistent energy shocks, is bleeding into all risk assets, creating a hostile environment for equities. The explicit mention of breakdowns and poor performance, combined with the macro context of rising rates and economic damage, suggests an unattractive, risky environment to stay away from. A rapid de-escalation in the Middle East leading to a collapse in energy prices and a dovish central bank pivot.
SPY AVOID
Short-term / medium-term
The speaker details an Iranian missile attack on major Qatari gas fields, which took down capacity and may not be restored for years, calling it a "structural decline in the capacity of the world to produce gas." This physical destruction of production capacity is separate from logistics (Strait closure) and implies a lasting reduction in global supply, which should support structurally higher prices. The specific focus on a gas supply shock, distinct from oil, creates a compelling, fundamental reason to closely watch the natural gas market for sustained strength. The damage assessments are overstated, and production is restored more quickly than reported.
UNG WATCH
Long-term
The speaker explicitly states "the dollar is strengthening" as one of the factors pressuring gold, alongside rising rates. The hawkish repricing of the Fed relative to other central banks and the safe-haven demand generated by global geopolitical and economic risk are classic drivers of dollar strength. The dollar is identified as a direct beneficiary of the current macro and geopolitical turmoil, with its upward momentum presented as a clear market fact. The Fed explicitly rules out hikes and signals imminent cuts despite high inflation.
USD LONG
Short-term / medium-term
16:49
Mar 14
Mar 14
Joseph Wang
5mo
SMH 1ST
NTR 1ST
ARCC
MOS 1ST
ARES 1ST
▾
"Helium is a very important industrial input into things like semiconductors. So maybe that impacts the production of chips which of course is a very important part of the AI trade." Qatar is a major global producer of helium, and its exports are trapped behind the Hormuz blockade. A shortage of this critical input gas will bottleneck semiconductor manufacturing, threatening the production capabilities and high valuations of the entire AI chip sector. AVOID because the semiconductor sector is priced for perfection based on the AI boom, and a physical supply chain disruption will force severe downward earnings revisions. Semiconductor foundries have larger strategic reserves of helium than anticipated, or alternative extraction sources ramp up immediately.
SMH AVOID
short-term
"You add on to that higher fertilizer prices that's going to cause food inflation... a lot of the people who import fertilizer are these poor countries that are dependent upon Gulf sourced fertilizer." The inability to export fertilizer from the Middle East creates a massive global supply deficit. North American agricultural chemical and fertilizer producers will experience a surge in demand and pricing power as global buyers scramble to replace trapped Gulf-sourced materials. LONG because these companies operate outside the geopolitical danger zone and will capture the premium pricing caused by the supply shock. Alternative supply chains adapt quickly, or governments intervene with price controls on agricultural inputs to prevent famine.
NTR LONG
MOS LONG
CF LONG
medium-term
"You see the big private credit sponsors. Their stock prices have declined significantly right look at companies like Aries and you also hear all sorts of headlines about investors in private credited funds trying to withdraw." AI is rapidly disrupting the middle-market software businesses that many private credit funds and Business Development Companies (BDCs) lend to. This fundamental deterioration is sparking investor panic and redemption requests, which will continue to pressure the equity valuations of publicly traded private credit sponsors. AVOID because even though the structure prevents a systemic bank run, the equity tranches of these BDCs will absorb the loan losses and suffer from negative sentiment. The disruption to software companies is overstated, and the high dividend yields of BDCs attract aggressive dip-buying from retail investors.
ARCC AVOID
ARES AVOID
short-term
"The straight up Hermuz is basically shut... futures curve for Brent crude, you can see that over the past few weeks, even longerdated futures are shifting higher." With the Strait of Hormuz closed due to military conflict and physical risks to shipping, global energy markets are facing a massive, potentially prolonged supply shock. This bottleneck will force crude prices and energy sector equities significantly higher as the conflict drags on and global inventories deplete. LONG because physical supply destruction in a high-demand commodity directly translates to massive pricing power for producers outside the conflict zone. The US and Iran reach a sudden diplomatic resolution, or a severe global recession destroys oil demand faster than supply is constrained.
USO LONG
XLE LONG
medium-term
"I think the market is way too hawkish right now. It's much more likely in my view that we would have a new Fed that is inclined to interpret things to be more doubbish... we have a very obviously weakening labor market and are very likely to be heading into a global recession." The bond market is currently selling off (yields rising) because it fears the inflationary impact of the oil shock. However, if the Fed follows its standard playbook of looking through supply shocks and instead cuts rates to combat the weakening labor market and global recession, long-duration bonds will aggressively rally. LONG because the market is mispricing the Fed's reaction function to a stagflationary environment, creating an asymmetric entry point for long-dated Treasuries. The Fed prioritizes its inflation mandate over employment due to political pressure, leading to further rate hikes.
TLT LONG
medium-term
16:54
Mar 07
Mar 07
Joseph Wang
6mo
IWM
USO FLIP
SPY
UNG 1ST
EZU
▾
"The US lost 90,000 jobs last month... weak labor market tells me that we are probably heading into a recession if not in one already." Weak labor destroys consumer confidence. Consumers will retrench on spending (housing, cars, dining), creating a self-reinforcing downward spiral for corporate earnings and GDP. Short US Equities as the economy tips into recession and the "wealth effect" evaporates. Dealers are currently "long gamma" which may pin markets or cause mean reversion until March OpEx.
IWM WATCH
SPY WATCH
medium-term
"The straight of Hormuz... about 20% of global crude oil passes through that and when they shut that down that is a huge negative supply shock." Insurance firms are pulling coverage and threats are active, effectively closing the strait. With the US SPR only half full, there is no buffer to absorb this shock, forcing prices significantly higher. Long Oil exposure as the conflict escalates and supply remains constrained. A sudden peace deal ("Taco") or resolution would cause prices to implode, similar to Desert Storm.
USO LONG
medium-term
"Qatar is saying is that they are... shutting down production... In the future, if the straight up moves is ever opened, it's going to take even more time for them to restart." Unlike oil which can be turned on/off relatively easily, LNG requires complex freezing/storage. Shutting down these plants creates a "permanent supply shock" that will persist even after the conflict ends. Long Natural Gas via UNG to capture the supply deficit. Demand destruction from a global recession could dampen energy needs despite supply constraints.
UNG LONG
medium-term
"It's really going to impact Euroland because Euroland of course already... shut down their nuclear power plants... this is a double shock for them." While China and Japan have massive strategic reserves to weather the storm, Europe is energy-poor and structurally vulnerable. High energy prices will crush European industry and consumption disproportionately. Short Eurozone Equities. A swift resolution to the conflict or heavy government subsidies to cap energy costs.
EZU SHORT
VGK SHORT
medium-term
17:15
Feb 28
Feb 28
Joseph Wang
6mo
BDC 1ST
WTI 1ST
EWJ 1ST
QQQ 1ST
BKLN 1ST
▾
Wang notes that BDCs (publicly traded private credit funds) are taking "huge huge haircuts" because they are big lenders to software technology companies. As AI disrupts legacy software models (SaaS), the companies that borrowed money from private credit funds are failing. This credit stress is "creeping into the debt markets" and has not fully played out. SHORT. Fed rate cuts could bail out floating-rate borrowers by lowering interest expenses.
BDC SHORT
BKLN SHORT
medium-term
In prior Middle East conflicts (1990, 2003), oil prices spiked during the buildup but "totally imploded" once the invasion actually started. The geopolitical premium is often priced in before the first shot is fired. Unless Iran successfully destroys significant global supply (which is a risk), the "fear premium" evaporates quickly. SHORT (Fade the war spike). Iran explicitly targeting oil facilities of neighbors or successfully closing the Strait of Hormuz.
WTI SHORT
short-term
The US is now the largest oil producer in the world and is energy independent. Japan and Europe are net importers. A Middle East war that spikes oil prices acts as a tax on Japan and Europe, hurting their economies significantly more than the US. SHORT (Relative to US Equities). Oil prices collapse faster than expected, negating the energy disadvantage.
EWJ SHORT
EZU SHORT
short-term
The US and Israel have begun striking Iran. Historically (Desert Storm 1990, Iraq 2003), markets sold off during the buildup but "rallied furiously" the moment the actual strikes commenced. The market hates uncertainty more than war. Once the "fog of war" clears and the event is realized, it becomes a "sell the rumor, buy the news" event. Despite the initial risk-off drop, the historical play is to fade the geopolitical panic. LONG (Fade the initial sell-off). Iran has hypersonic missiles and could disrupt global oil supply more effectively than Iraq did, prolonging the conflict beyond a "quick strike."
QQQ LONG
SPY LONG
short-term
Wang discusses a scenario where AI displaces white-collar labor (e.g., Jack Dorsey firing 40% of staff), leading to mass unemployment and deflation, while the Fed cuts rates to combat labor market weakness. If AI creates a deflationary spiral where "we are all wealthier but no one makes any money," nominal yields must collapse. Wang explicitly states, "in that scenario of course in my personal view bonds would be the ultimate AI trade." LONG. Inflation remains sticky due to war/supply chain disruptions rather than AI deflation.
TLT LONG
medium-term
18:28
Feb 21
Feb 21
Joseph Wang
6mo
EWG
TLT
▾
Reports suggest ECB President Lagarde may resign early so Macron can appoint a successor before a potential political shift in France. The speaker notes France's economy is "not doing well" and "would really appreciate lower rates." Political maneuvering at the ECB combined with French economic weakness suggests a structural bias toward dovish policy or political capture of the central bank, which impacts the Euro and European assets. WATCH for leadership changes and dovish pivots. Political gridlock in the EU prevents appointment or policy shifts.
EWG WATCH
medium-term
The speaker calls the Fed minutes suggesting potential rate hikes "ridiculous" and notes, "The trend for the unemployment rate is clearly upwards. The trend for inflation is clearly downwards." Despite some hawkish chatter in the minutes, the macro data (labor/inflation) and political pressure make hikes impossible. Rates will follow the expected path of Fed policy (cuts), not fears of tariff-induced deficits. NEUTRAL (Fade fears of rate hikes). Inflation re-accelerates significantly, forcing the Fed's hand.
TLT NEUTRAL
medium-term
18:29
Feb 14
Feb 14
Joseph Wang
6mo
SPY
IGV 1ST
SCHW 1ST
TLT
▾
"This past week, we saw the S&P 500 lose the 50-day moving average... I'm getting the sense just a guess that we we probably have to test the 200 day moving average around 6500." Technical momentum is broken. Fundamentally, while AI boosts margins initially (by firing people), the secondary effect is "demand negative" (unemployed people don't buy things). If aggregate demand shrinks, corporate revenues eventually fall, leading to lower stock prices. Short/Underweight Equities due to technical breakdown and macro headwinds. The market ignores macro data and continues to bid up tech stocks on hype; the 200-day moving average holds as support.
SPY WATCH
short-term
"We saw huge amounts of selling and the SAS stocks and even some wealth management stocks... perceived to be disrupted by AI." The speaker validates the market's fear by confirming that AI *does* replace service jobs (editing, legal research, wealth advising). If AI can perform "white collar" tasks (like tax efficiency strategies or contract editing) cheaper than humans or legacy software, these specific sectors face margin compression and revenue loss. Avoid sectors where AI is a direct substitute for the core service product. These companies successfully integrate AI to upsell rather than being replaced by it.
IGV AVOID
SCHW AVOID
medium-term
"I'm beginning to think that AI is going to be very good for bonds... you're going to have a lot more rate cuts, lower employ un un higher unemployment." The speaker observes that AI (specifically Cloud/Claude) allows him to replace human freelancers ($$$) with a cheap subscription ($). While efficient, this removes income from the economy (the freelancer's wages). Multiplied across the economy (law firms, creative services), this leads to higher unemployment and lower aggregate demand. A slowing economy with rising unemployment forces the Federal Reserve to cut interest rates, which drives bond prices up. Long Bonds as a hedge against AI-induced economic slowdown. AI creates new industries/jobs faster than it destroys old ones, keeping demand high.
TLT LONG
medium-term
17:21
Feb 07
Feb 07
Joseph Wang
6mo
CRM 1ST
BTC 1ST
TLT 1ST
AMZN
ADBE 1ST
▾
"Anthropic AI... new cloud version which apparently can do a lot of vibe coding... allows people who are not trained programmers to be able to vibe code things really easily... companies that currently specialize in things like that like Salesforce or Adobe... saw their stock price decline." If companies can use cheap AI bots to build custom internal tools (payroll, document review) for pennies, they will cancel expensive subscriptions to legacy SaaS providers. This is an existential threat to the SaaS business model. Short legacy SaaS companies facing AI disruption. Institutional stickiness and high switching costs prevent companies from abandoning established software ecosystems.
CRM SHORT
ADBE SHORT
medium-term
"Bitcoin has basically given up all the gains that it had from the Trump boost... hanging out below the 200 day moving average for some time and very clearly not in an uptrend." Despite the most favorable political environment possible (Pro-Crypto President), the asset is failing to perform. It is decoupling from the debasement trade (Gold/Silver are up, BTC is down), indicating a structural crisis of confidence and potential deleveraging by tech-exposed investors. Avoid Bitcoin until it reclaims technical levels or proves its correlation to the debasement trade. A sudden return of speculative liquidity or a specific regulatory catalyst sparks a short squeeze.
BTC AVOID
short-term
"Businesses have significantly ramped up their intention to lay off workers... job openings per worker looking for a job has now declined to levels that are below pre-pandemic." A softening labor market leads to decelerating wage growth and downward pressure on service inflation. This forces the Fed to cut rates more aggressively than the two cuts currently priced in. More cuts equal lower yields and higher bond prices. Long duration treasuries to capture the repricing of Fed cuts. Inflation re-accelerates due to supply shocks, preventing the Fed from cutting despite labor weakness (Stagflation).
TLT LONG
medium-term
"When Amazon announced that they would invest 200 billion in AI this year... the market punished them. So, their stock was down 10% after earnings." Market psychology has shifted. Previously, AI spending was viewed as growth; now, it is viewed as a cash drag that reduces shareholder returns (buybacks). If the market continues to penalize high capex without immediate profit, Amazon's valuation will compress. Short Amazon as sentiment turns against massive AI infrastructure spending. Amazon demonstrates immediate, high-margin revenue from these investments in the next quarter.
AMZN WATCH
short-term
"Ares Capital Corporation... has almost a quarter of their assets in loans to software companies... the market is looking at this and they're worried that AI could cannibalize other software companies." This is the second-order effect of the "AI kills SaaS" thesis. If software companies lose revenue to AI "vibe coding," they cannot service their debts. BDCs with high exposure to software loans face a wave of defaults, damaging their book value. Short/Avoid Private Credit managers with high software exposure. The software borrowers in Ares' portfolio are mission-critical infrastructure rather than easily replaceable back-office tools.
ARCC SHORT
medium-term
"Over the past few months, you've seen gold surge, you've seen silver surge... base metals have surged, say copper... these are traditional what people think of a traditional debasement trades." The "debasement trade" (hedging against currency weakness/fiscal dominance) is active, but capital is flowing into physical commodities rather than crypto. As the dollar weakens, these assets are the primary beneficiaries of the liquidity rotation. Long Precious and Base Metals as the functioning hedge against fiat. A sudden strengthening of the US Dollar or a hawkish Fed pivot.
SLV LONG
CPER LONG
GLD LONG
medium-term
Choose Sources
Loading sources...