QTR’s Fringe Finance

QTR's Fringe Finance critically examines financial, political, and societal issues through a libertarian lens, frequently questioning mainstream narratives around topics like monetary policy, media honesty, and government interventions. It delves into the impact of economic policies, the role of alternative media, and promotes skepticism towards established financial and governmental institutions.

Monetary Policy Media Critique Government Intervention Inflation and Economic Analysis Libertarianism Financial Markets Cryptocurrency Civil Liberties Political Commentary

The hottest Substack posts of QTR’s Fringe Finance

And their main takeaways

Destroying The "Woke" Narrative In One Video

24 implied HN points • 02 Jul 23
  1. The importance of paying attention when the left highlights serious issues efficiently
  2. Questioning narratives from media and government can lead to discovering objective truths
  3. This blog focuses on exploring finance, politics, and world events by challenging mainstream narratives

A Second Black Swan For Markets Emerges

19 implied HN points • 11 Sep 23
  1. Last week, Nvidia was highlighted as a potential black swan for the market.
  2. This week, another name emerged as a possible black swan.
  3. The market is considered overvalued with the potential for black swan events.

The Fed Hits 3,000% Inflation

21 implied HN points • 08 Aug 23
  1. The US experienced 3,000% inflation under the Federal Reserve compared to almost 0% before the Fed
  2. Inflation has been rising persistently under the Federal Reserve since its establishment in 1913
  3. Official statistics show inflation under the Fed as 2,952%, but it is likely to hit 3,000%

So Why Aren’t We Paying Down the National Debt?

27 implied HN points • 12 May 23
  1. Maintaining a small national debt acts as a security blanket for America.
  2. Paying down the national debt would reduce the recurring debt-ceiling crises.
  3. Reducing the debt through budget surpluses can provide more fiscal flexibility for future emergencies.
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The Market Is A Time Bomb And Other Observations

23 implied HN points • 05 Jul 23
  1. The market is showing signs of being overvalued with various indicators pointing towards a potential crash or recession.
  2. Current economic and geopolitical events are not being fully reflected in the market's high valuation.
  3. The yield curve inversion is a strong indicator of an impending recession, signaling potential volatility and market correction.

"No One Cares About Your Dividends"

14 implied HN points • 28 Nov 23
  1. The debate between buybacks and dividends has been ongoing for over a century.
  2. Consider the relative merits of both strategies.
  3. Some argue that buybacks at high valuations can lead to value destruction.

100 Sigma Events?

18 implied HN points • 19 Sep 23
  1. Harris Kupperman, founder of Praetorian Capital, discusses his next big bet and macro trends.
  2. Reflects on the cult classic movie 'The Big Short' and relates it to finance guys and Wall Street misfits.
  3. Importance of being aware of trends and staying ahead of the curve in investments.

The Destruction of the American Middle Class

13 implied HN points • 05 Dec 23
  1. Top 1% and 0.1% wealthy households gained significantly more net worth since 2000 compared to wage-earning classes
  2. Median real annual wage has risen minimally while cost of living has surged, resulting in a stark disparity in wealth accumulation
  3. The US economy needs to shift focus from Wall Street speculation to Main Street investment to create more middle-income job opportunities

The Myth of American Inequality and Stagnation

24 implied HN points • 26 May 23
  1. The belief that the American economy has only served the super rich while leaving ordinary Americans behind is false and based on flawed data processing.
  2. Research shows that poor and middle-income Americans have actually enjoyed substantial gains in real income and well-being over the past several decades.
  3. Taking into account government transfer payments and taxes reveals a much more positive economic picture for ordinary Americans, debunking the notion of rising income inequality and stagnant middle class.

Hayek and Bitcoin

23 implied HN points • 10 Jun 23
  1. Hayek supported competition in money and multiple kinds of currency.
  2. Bitcoin is praised for being resistant to political pressure and difficult to stop.
  3. Bitcoin's protocol, resembling gold, offers a decentralized and superior monetary system.

The Inverted Yield Curve and Next US Recession

21 implied HN points • 11 Jul 23
  1. Inverted yield curve historically predicts US recessions
  2. Yield curve spreads accurately forecast recessions
  3. US yield curve forecasts global economic-financial results

AIER’s Thanksgiving Cost Index Climbs Over 5 Percent from 2022 to 2023

13 implied HN points • 25 Nov 23
  1. The Thanksgiving Cost Index increased by over 5% from 2022 to 2023 due to monetary interventions during the early stages of the COVID-19 pandemic.
  2. Thanksgiving dinners are predicted to be around 4.5% cheaper than last year, following a decrease in costs compared to the previous year.
  3. Certain auxiliary Thanksgiving expenses rose in 2023, with costs like haircuts, dry cleaning, and pet care increasing at nearly double the headline CPI rate.

U.S. Dollar & Sovereign Debt Endgame

25 implied HN points • 05 May 23
  1. The post discusses the U.S. Dollar and Sovereign Debt Endgame
  2. The author mines the insights of economists Larry Lepard & Andy Schectman
  3. The post is a long-form discussion with two economists about the state of the U.S. economy

Why Do Friends of Freedom Dread the World Economic Forum?

24 implied HN points • 18 May 23
  1. People fear the World Economic Forum's influence on policies.
  2. WEF advocates for a 'Great Reset' to have more control over people.
  3. Freedom of speech is a major concern when it comes to implementing the WEF's agenda.

Cleaned by Capitalism and Soiled by Socialism

22 implied HN points • 15 Jun 23
  1. Modern human environment is cleaner and safer due to capitalism innovations.
  2. Government regulations under socialism can sometimes worsen cleanliness in the environment.
  3. Innovative capitalist markets play a crucial role in offering goods that make our everyday lives less polluted.

The Global Wave of Childhood Pneumonia

12 implied HN points • 11 Dec 23
  1. Many countries are experiencing an increase in childhood pneumonia and respiratory illnesses.
  2. The human immune system may be dramatically degrading, making people more susceptible to opportunistic pathogens.
  3. Immediate actions are needed to strengthen healthcare systems, provide effective treatments, and restore health to combat the rising cases of childhood pneumonia.

Fitch Drops US Creditworthiness: Spending is the Reason

18 implied HN points • 19 Aug 23
  1. Fitch downgraded US credit rating due to excessive spending and fiscal deterioration.
  2. There is a need for better budget management and fiscal responsibility to prevent economic crisis.
  3. Implementing measures like zero-based budgeting and a budget growth rate cap can help manage debt and foster economic growth.

Top Ten Quotes From The NYT Fauci Interview

25 implied HN points • 27 Apr 23
  1. Something went wrong in the pandemic response despite being a rich country.
  2. Fauci blames divisiveness on vaccine mandates on people who are hesitant.
  3. There was a lack of balance between public health and economic considerations during lockdown decisions.

France Folds

26 implied HN points • 10 Apr 23
  1. Macron publicly snubs the U.S. after trip to China
  2. US attempted to control Russia/Ukraine war outcome through financial means
  3. Hubris evident in US foreign and monetary policies

CBDCs: A Weapon for Debanking the Banked

19 implied HN points • 26 Jul 23
  1. Countries are exploring CBDCs with some already launched and others in development
  2. CBDCs are facing challenges like low adoption rates and concerns about loss of privacy and financial freedom
  3. There are risks associated with CBDCs including increased surveillance, reduced credit availability, and impacting businesses operating legally under state law

New Inflation "Floor" Will Be 3% To 4%: Mark Spiegel

15 implied HN points • 03 Oct 23
  1. Mark Spiegel predicts a new inflation floor of 3% to 4% due to various economic factors
  2. Spiegel warns of an impending recession citing factors like consumer credit card delinquencies and declining job openings
  3. Spiegel's fund remains short on SPY and Tesla, expecting stock market index valuations to decline

How to Cut Through the New Gordian Knots

27 implied HN points • 14 Mar 23
  1. Governance at various levels is facing significant challenges due to bureaucratic entanglements and lack of accountability.
  2. Complex systems in education, health, and defense make it difficult for individuals to understand the entirety of the issues, leading to corruption and inefficiencies.
  3. To address these challenges, suggestions include injecting specialized help, reducing commitments, unraveling dead money influence, changing democratic and legal systems, reforming taxation, and evolving media production.

Don’t Assume that Experts Know Something You Do Not

17 implied HN points • 21 Aug 23
  1. Don't assume that experts know something you do not.
  2. Experts' intelligence is not superior to the general population's intelligence.
  3. It's important not to be intimidated by experts and to question their authority.

"Where I'd Put All My Money Today": Chris DeMuth

22 implied HN points • 24 May 23
  1. Chris DeMuth Jr. suggests diversifying investments across different types and not having large positions in a single currency or commodity.
  2. Chris DeMuth Jr.'s investing strategy focuses on mispriced securities with limited downsides and corporate events that unlock shareholder value.
  3. Chris DeMuth Jr. is well-respected in the investing community and known for his contributions to Seeking Alpha and hosting research products.

China Preps For War: Spy Balloon Belies Much Larger Economic Warning Signs

29 implied HN points • 04 Feb 23
  1. China's spy balloon incident reveals potential aggression towards the U.S. both physically and economically.
  2. China's actions like stockpiling gold and selling U.S. Treasuries indicate preparation for war or challenging the U.S. dollar globally.
  3. The sequence of events points to escalating threats from China, requiring serious consideration of the country as a threat.

Trading The Shit Show: June 2023 Portfolio Review

20 implied HN points • 20 Jun 23
  1. The post is about a portfolio review for June 2023.
  2. The author discusses macro trends and updated thoughts on the economy.
  3. New positions taken and existing holdings are shared with readers.

Elon Musk's Twitter Is A Monster Of The Left's Own Making

33 implied HN points • 29 Nov 22
  1. The left's critique of Elon Musk's Twitter is a reflection of their own impact on the platform.
  2. Elon Musk's takeover of Twitter was driven by a need for more freedom of speech on the platform.
  3. Twitter faced issues due to mismanagement and content moderation before Musk's intervention.

There Will Be Consequences

22 implied HN points • 10 May 23
  1. Market days might not remain calm for long.
  2. CPI numbers may not significantly impact Fed policy.
  3. Certain content may require subscription to access.

The Bond Market Is Having A Historic Panic Attack

27 implied HN points • 16 Feb 23
  1. The bond market often leads the equity market in assessing risk.
  2. Bonds are considered the 'smart money' while equities are seen as 'dumb money.'
  3. Understanding bond market movements can give insights into the overall market direction.

The End Of The U.S. Dollar Empire

16 implied HN points • 18 Aug 23
  1. Fitch downgraded U.S. debt due to out-of-control monetary and fiscal policy.
  2. Media plays a role in perpetuating false narratives, impacting public opinion.
  3. Potential demise of the U.S. dollar empire is discussed in relation to current geopolitical and economic factors.

3 Reasons A "Nasty Recession" Will Soon Arrive

15 implied HN points • 05 Sep 23
  1. Investor Mark B. Spiegel predicts a 'nasty recession' due to factors like depleting Covid savings and increasing consumer credit card delinquencies.
  2. Indicators like business lending data, an inverted yield curve, and rising Federal debt costs suggest an imminent recession.
  3. High stock market valuations combined with high inflation levels signal economic challenges ahead.

Inflation Is Quietly Stripping Us Of Our Private Property Rights

39 implied HN points • 19 Aug 22
  1. Inflation reduces purchasing power and diminishes private property rights.
  2. Rising prices are causing financial strain, pushing people to give up their own homes.
  3. Inflation can lead to a future where ownership of property becomes concentrated amongst the wealthy, threatening individual private property rights.