Many Happy Returns PensionCraft

Markets are full of numbers. Big ones. Small ones. Nonsensical ones. But what is the most influential number in investing?
Is it the oil price? Or the interest rate set by the Fed? Or perhaps the strength of the dollar?
We debate seven different rates and prices in attempt to crown The World’s Most Important Number.
And in the Dumb Question of the Week: Why does the Fed set its policy rate as a target range?
Selected links
How the Fed Implements Monetary Policy with Its Tools — St Louis Fed How Does the Fed Influence Interest Rates Using Its New Tools? — St Louis Fed
---
Get in touch
📧 mhr@pensioncraft.com
🎧 many-happy-returns.captivate.fm
---
Join PensionCraft
🌐 Become a member at pensioncraft.com
▶️ Subscribe on YouTube
---
Disclaimer
This podcast is for informational and entertainment purposes and is not financial advice. We do not provide recommendations or endorse any decision to buy, sell or hold any security. We cannot be held responsible for any actions listeners may take and investors are encouraged to seek independent financial advice.
Copyright 2023 Many Happy Returns

The Fear of Missing Out tempts us all. Amid fast-moving markets and 24-hour news, FOMO can be an investor's worst enemy, derailing decision-making and undermining long-term goals. We discuss the strategies that help us stick to the plan. And in today’s Dumb Question of the Week: When is the right time to sell an investment?
Thanks to Lightyear for sponsoring this episode. Sign up at lightyear.app.link/pensioncraft or use the code PENSIONCRAFT to get a US fractional share worth $10.
Capital at risk. The provider of investment services is Lightyear Financial Ltd for the UK and Lightyear Europe AS for the EU. Terms apply: lightyear.com/terms. Seek qualified advice if necessary.
Yield is provided as of November 27th, 2023. Refer to the instrument’s Key Information Document available on the issuer’s website and Lightyear App before making investment decisions.
---
Get in touch
📧 mhr@pensioncraft.com
🎧 many-happy-returns.captivate.fm
---
Join PensionCraft
🌐 Become a member at pensioncraft.com
▶️ Subscribe on YouTube
---
Disclaimer
This podcast is for informational and entertainment purposes and is not financial advice. We do not provide recommendations or endorse any decision to buy, sell or hold any security. We cannot be held responsible for any actions listeners may take and investors are encouraged to seek independent financial advice.
Copyright 2023 Many Happy Returns

What do you get if you combine the world’s most important financial market, hedge funds, enormous leverage, and doom loop dynamics? Welcome to the Treasury ‘basis trade'.
We discuss the risks that lurk behind the Treasury market and why regulators are sounding the alarm.
And in today’s Dumb Question of the Week: What is the difference between duration and maturity?
---
Get in touch
📧 mhr@pensioncraft.com
🎧 many-happy-returns.captivate.fm
---
Join PensionCraft
🌐 Become a member at pensioncraft.com
▶️ Subscribe on YouTube
---
Disclaimer
This podcast is for informational and entertainment purposes and is not financial advice. We do not provide recommendations or endorse any decision to buy, sell or hold any security. We cannot be held responsible for any actions listeners may take and investors are encouraged to seek independent financial advice.
Copyright 2023 Many Happy Returns

Over decades, index funds have delivered superior returns and surged in popularity. But some claim the rise of passive investing has come at the cost of less competitive markets and inflated prices for consumers. We look at the evidence that common stock ownership might harm economic efficiency.
And in today’s Dumb Question of the Week: How high would bond yields have to go for you to sell your stocks?
Selected links
How Index Funds May Hurt the Economy - The Atlantic Anti-Competitive Effects of Common Ownership The Perils of Common Ownership: The Flooding Phenomenon Martin Schmalz: How passive funds prevent competition Index Investing and Common Ownership Theories | BlackRock
---
Get in touch
📧 mhr@pensioncraft.com
🎧 many-happy-returns.captivate.fm
---
Join PensionCraft
🌐 Become a member at pensioncraft.com
▶️ Subscribe on YouTube
---
Disclaimer
This podcast is for informational and entertainment purposes and is not financial advice. We do not provide recommendations or endorse any decision to buy, sell or hold any security. We cannot be held responsible for any actions listeners may take and investors are encouraged to seek independent financial advice.
Copyright 2023 Many Happy Returns

The “Magnificent Seven” stocks have reigned supreme this year, accounting for almost all of the S&P 500’s returns. But what if these titans of tech begin to stumble? And in today’s Dumb Question of the Week: How long do companies last?
Thanks to IG for sponsoring this episode. Find out more about IG Smart Portfolios via https://upl.inc/h46sgc
IG is also offering new IG Smart Portfolio accounts 50% off the management fees until November 2024 when you open a new account via this link. That’s a management fee of just 0.25%, capped at £250 per year.
Note that this offer is only open to UK residents, over the age of 18 years old, who meet the eligibility criteria for an IG Smart Portfolio account. The offer only applies to new IG Smart Portfolio accounts opened via the above link on or before 30 November 2024 (and will not apply to existing IG Smart Portfolio accounts or to any other product or service offered by IG). This offer begins on 1 November 2023 and ends on 30 November 2024. Please contact IG at helpdesk.uk@ig.com for any assistance.
Please be aware that investing puts your capital at risk.
---
Get in touch
📧 mhr@pensioncraft.com
🎧 many-happy-returns.captivate.fm
---
Join PensionCraft
🌐 Become a member at pensioncraft.com
▶️ Subscribe on YouTube
---
Disclaimer
This podcast is for informational and entertainment purposes and is not financial advice. We do not provide recommendations or endorse any decision to buy, sell or hold any security. We cannot be held responsible for any actions listeners may take and investors are encouraged to seek independent financial advice.
Copyright 2023 Many Happy Returns

Ever feel like investing in something unusual? From unlisted shares to commercial property to infrastructure, Investment Trusts could be your answer. Performance has waned of late, and many are available at chunky discounts. Is now the time to buy in? And in today’s Dumb Question of the Week: What is a “Long Term Asset Fund”?
Thanks to IG for sponsoring this episode. Find out more about IG Smart Portfolios via https://upl.inc/h46sgc
IG is also offering new IG Smart Portfolio accounts 50% off the management fees until November 2024 when you open a new account via this link. That’s a management fee of just 0.25%, capped at £250 per year.
Note that this offer is only open to UK residents, over the age of 18 years old, who meet the eligibility criteria for an IG Smart Portfolio account. The offer only applies to new IG Smart Portfolio accounts opened via the above link on or before 30 November 2024 (and will not apply to existing IG Smart Portfolio accounts or to any other product or service offered by IG). This offer begins on 1 November 2023 and ends on 30 November 2024. Please contact IG at helpdesk.uk@ig.com for any assistance.
Please be aware that investing puts your capital at risk.
---
Get in touch
📧 mhr@pensioncraft.com
🎧 many-happy-returns.captivate.fm
---

Join PensionCraft
🌐 Become a member at pensioncraft.com
▶️ Subscribe on YouTube
---

Disclaimer
This podcast is for informational and entertainment purposes and is not financial advice. We do not provide recommendations or endorse any decision to buy, sell or hold any security. We cannot be held responsible for any actions listeners may take and investors are encouraged to seek independent financial advice.

Copyright 2023 Many Happy Returns