Paul Tudor Jones another bearish investor publicises their concerns
A conga-line of commentators have spoken out about the risks associated with equity markets right now. Many of the dangers cited are, however, already well known and, in some cases, have been in existence for years if not decades. Relying on these conditions to inspire a market sell-off is tantamount to predicting when other investors will also start to worry about them. Given they are already in existence and well known, guessing when, and if, sentiment will shift and broadly agree with the commentators highlighting the issue is prone to error.
Nevertheless, when prominent and successful investors comment, it is worth lending an ear.
Recently Paul Tudor Jones, once regarded as the world’s most successful futures trader and the subject of a chapter in Jack Schwager’s book Market Wizards, spoke with CNBC about why he’s cautious. After listening to the interview, the below headings provide a summary of Tudor Jones’s concerns.
According to Tudor Jones, the U.S. economic landscape presents investors with complex challenges. From geopolitical uncertainties to fiscal concerns, the environment has become increasingly unpredictable for equity investors. While the U.S. traditionally boasted a stable economy, recent events have shifted the scales, making a set-and-forget investment strategy almost impossible to comfortably sustain.
Geopolitical uncertainties
The current geopolitical scenario is a significant factor that investors cannot ignore. There’s the Middle East, Russia/Ukraine and, at some point China/Taiwan. According to Tudor Jones, these global events set the stage for “non-linear” outcomes, meaning that their repercussions could be unpredictable and profound. Such uncertainties can be detrimental to businesses and, by extension, to stock market investors.
Fiscal concerns in the U.S.
Another pressing concern for the U.S. is its fiscal health. U.S. national debt has reached alarming levels, with a debt-to-GDP ratio of 122 per cent. As interest rates rise, this situation could spiral into a vicious cycle where higher interest rates lead to increased funding costs, resulting in further debt issuance and therefore greater bond supply and subsequently even higher bond rates. Such a scenario can place the U.S. in a precarious fiscal position. Notably, the interest bill of the U.S. is expected to surpass defence spending in just a few years. There’s a looming danger that a substantial portion of tax collections will be directed towards servicing this debt, a topic that needs to be at the forefront of political discourse but is not.
I note that the U.S. fiscal position is deteriorating but it also has for its peers, which still renders the U.S. preferred status on a relative risk basis. It is also the case that this picture is well known to investors, well ‘aged’ and can be relatively easily forecast. But determining when fiscal ‘precariousness’ will trigger a stampede out of the stock market is a mere guess because it is reliant on guessing when other investors will start being concerned. Guessing what others will guess is not an investment strategy.
Political implications
The fiscal situation is a creation of past political decisions, with both Donald Trump and Joe Biden contributing to the rising debt. Trump’s approach to cut taxes without curbing spending and Biden’s “Build Back Better Act,” which Tudor Jones argues should be termed the “Build Back Debtor Act,” have significantly contributed to the country’s fiscal woes.
As the next presidential election draws near, the debate around the country’s fiscal health and its key contributors (the two presidential candidates are the key contributors) may intensify. Voters and experts alike are in search of a candidate who not only understands the gravity of the situation but also offers a comprehensive plan to address it. This is unlikely in the near term.
A call for fiscal retrenchment
Addressing the U.S. fiscal situation will require sacrifice on multiple fronts. Spending needs to be curtailed, entitlements like Social Security, Medicare, and Medicaid will need restructuring, and taxes, especially on the affluent, will have to be raised. Tudor Jones notes, the U.S. ranks fifth lowest in tax collection out of the 40 OECD countries, suggesting that there’s room to generate revenue through taxation. However, any approach to repairing the budget must be balanced, addressing both the spending and revenue sides of the equation. Currently, candidates are only willing to address spending cuts and are ignoring the need to raise tax revenue.
Again, these are known issues, have been publicly debated for many years and aren’t a likely trigger for any kind of market ructions.
The role of the Federal Reserve
According to Tudor Jones, the mounting pressure on the bond market is evident, and it’s clear that the Federal Reserve’s influence is waning. With the private sector expected to fund a staggering U.S.$2.7 trillion by 2024 to support federal spending, Tudor Jones expects bond yields to spike.
This is something investors should watch for closely.
There’s a growing consensus that the bond market, not the Federal Reserve, will dictate the economic trajectory. In other words, the U.S. Fed has lost control of rates, which will be determined now by the bond market. Such developments can potentially lead the U.S. into a recession, underscoring the urgency to address the fiscal situation proactively.
According to Tudor Jones, the U.S. stands at a critical juncture. The road ahead is challenging with geopolitical uncertainties and a looming fiscal crisis. However, with informed decisions, strategic policy changes, and a commitment to fiscal discipline, the nation can navigate these turbulent waters and ensure economic stability.
While the above provides a long list of reasons to be cautious, addressing those concerns would be a trigger for enthusiasm.
Roger Montgomery is the Founder and Chairman of Montgomery Investment Management. Roger has over three decades of experience in funds management and related activities, including equities analysis, equity and derivatives strategy, trading and stockbroking. Prior to establishing Montgomery, Roger held positions at Ord Minnett Jardine Fleming, BT (Australia) Limited and Merrill Lynch.
This post was contributed by a representative of Montgomery Investment Management Pty Limited (AFSL No. 354564). The principal purpose of this post is to provide factual information and not provide financial product advice. Additionally, the information provided is not intended to provide any recommendation or opinion about any financial product. Any commentary and statements of opinion however may contain general advice only that is prepared without taking into account your personal objectives, financial circumstances or needs. Because of this, before acting on any of the information provided, you should always consider its appropriateness in light of your personal objectives, financial circumstances and needs and should consider seeking independent advice from a financial advisor if necessary before making any decisions. This post specifically excludes personal advice.
