NYAIR Episode 38
Navigating Asset Management During an Era of Populism, Trade Wars & Negative Yielding Debt
Discover what it takes to manage portfolios, decode monetary policy shifts, and identify the signals before market bubbles burst. In this eye-opening NY-AIR episode, industry insiders join global strategist Frances Newton Stacy to unpack the historical echoes affecting today’s financial landscape. Get behind-the-scenes on the economic philosophies, real-world asset allocation plays, and systemic forces that every serious finance professional needs to understand.
Featured Guests
Frances Newton Stacy
Economic Strategist & Wealth Manager, Scarlet Oak Financial Services; Former Director of Strategy, Optimal Capital
Highly sought after for her predictive analysis in financial media, Frances Newton Stacy brings a rare blend of market insight and academic depth to the world of portfolio strategy. After successfully predicting the 2007 financial crisis, Frances became a respected voice in national outlets (Fox Business, Bloomberg, CBS, and more) and a trusted advisor for both institutional and high-net-worth clients. Her expertise spans credit cycles, central banking policy, global capital flows, and multi-asset portfolio construction. Frances has lectured at Rutgers, advised at the UN level, and proposed innovations to the Bank of England. Whether on national TV or in the boardroom, she empowers professionals to see beyond the headlines and make decisions that safeguard and grow wealth through economic uncertainty.
Robert Akeson
Managing Director Investment Banking at Riverside Management Group
A financial industry leader renowned for executive expertise in brokerage, capital markets, and investment banking, Robert Akeson has steered leading organizations such as Mirae Asset Securities and currently serves as Managing Director at Riverside Management Group. His background encompasses prime brokerage, capital introduction, agency execution, risk management, and advisory roles for both asset managers and entrepreneurs. As an influential speaker and educator in the hedge fund and alternative investment sectors, Robert brings nuanced insights to industry roundtables and has helped shape best practices at major financial institutions.
Key Insights From This Episode
Business Cycles and Historical Parallels
Major credit events and recessions mirror each other throughout history, amplifying risk when monetary policy is less effective—a pattern visible from the Great Depression to today’s markets.
The Wealth Gap and Rise of Populism
Widening disparities drive populist movements that reshape political and economic environments. Both left and right extremes influence market structure, investment risk, and policy effectiveness.
Globalism, Trade, and Portfolio Strategy
Protectionism and globalism have both fueled growth and exposed vulnerabilities. Frances Newton Stacy outlines why today’s hybrid systems create unique, sometimes unstable, market dynamics.
Bubbles, Defensive Assets, and Safe Havens
Current conditions reveal multiple asset bubbles, both in equities and long-term bonds—making a case for tactically overweighting defensive sectors, staples, and US safe havens during late-cycle volatility.
Action Beyond the Headlines
The importance of “reading the chart” over reacting to sensational market news—true inflection points in cycles often surface before headlines or consensus.
Preparing for the Next Paradigm Shift
With central bank “bullets” running low and fiscal policy taking the lead, forward-looking professionals need new playbooks for allocation, liquidity, and risk control in unpredictable climates.
Access the Full Conversation
To unlock the full episode and download a custom insights deck packed with actionable strategies, access the audio and resource library below. Whether you’re a portfolio manager, asset allocator, or investment analyst, this is your front-row pass to the practical lessons and frameworks shaping today’s financial markets.
Soundbites Worth Saving
“Major credit events don’t just slow growth—they trigger simultaneous, system-wide shocks when the money supply can’t service existing debt.”
— Frances Newton Stacy
“We are more over-levered than we were at the onset of the last financial crisis—today’s bubbles demand a defensive, globally aware strategy.”
— Frances Newton Stacy
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