Macro Mondays: September 29, 2025
Macro Mondays: September 29, 2025
Podcast34 min 33 sec
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Note: AI-generated summary based on third-party content. Not financial advice. Read more.
Quick Insights

Based on historical seasonality, consider Bitcoin (BTC) for a potential Q4 rally, as October has been its strongest month over the past decade. A significant contrarian opportunity may exist in Chinese tech stocks like Alibaba (BABA), which is investing heavily in AI but remains overlooked by international investors. Investment flow data suggests favoring US equities over European equities, as foreign capital continues to show confidence in the US market. The cannabis sector also presents a potential early-stage growth opportunity, as renewed political attention could serve as a catalyst for related stocks. Finally, be cautious with newly launched thematic ETFs, as their release can signal that an investment theme is already mature or over-hyped.

Detailed Analysis

Bitcoin (BTC)

  • A guest on the show, Eric Trump, stated he believes Bitcoin will eventually surpass $1 million.
  • The fourth quarter (Q4) is historically the best quarter for cryptocurrencies, and October is the strongest month of the year for Bitcoin on average, with returns around 22-23% over the past 10 years.
  • The current macroeconomic backdrop is seen as supportive for a Bitcoin rally in Q4 2025.
    • The US is in a rate-cutting cycle.
    • The money supply (M2) is expanding, not due to the Federal Reserve (which is doing quantitative tightening), but due to credit creation from private banks.
  • The speaker agrees with the bullish outlook but disagrees with the reasoning that quantitative easing (QE) is the driver, stating that QE is "not even close" to happening.

Takeaways

  • There is a bullish sentiment for Bitcoin heading into the end of the year, based on strong historical seasonality and a favorable macro environment.
  • Investors should be aware that the current expansion in the money supply is coming from the private sector, not the Federal Reserve. This is a key distinction from the post-2008 and COVID-era rallies.
  • While historical performance is not a guarantee of future results, the strong seasonal trend for Bitcoin in Q4, particularly October, is a significant factor for traders and investors to consider.

Cannabis Sector

  • The discussion was prompted by a video from Donald Trump about legalizing cannabis to "revolutionize senior healthcare."
  • The speakers note that the legalization trend is already well underway, with 24 states having legalized recreational use and 38 states allowing medical use.
  • The sector is described as a "really, really interesting investment case" that is not yet crowded or fully subscribed to by the market.
  • The speakers believe there is "plenty of money to be made here" and that this is an area where retail investors can potentially get ahead of the institutional crowd.
  • The theme extends beyond cannabis to other "alternative sources of medication" like MDMA and Ayahuasca.

Takeaways

  • The cannabis sector, particularly its medical applications, presents a potential growth opportunity that may still be in its early stages from an investment perspective.
  • Renewed political attention could act as a catalyst for stocks in this sector.
  • Investors interested in this theme could explore cannabis-themed ETFs or research individual companies in the space, as the speakers hint that they have identified specific stocks they find attractive.

Lithium Sector

  • A major lithium discovery in Germany was discussed, but the speakers are highly skeptical about its near-term investment potential.
  • The companies involved in the German project, Neptune Energy and Lilac, are noted as being private companies, so they are not directly investable for the public.
  • Risk Factors for the German project:
    • Germany has some of the highest labor and energy costs in the world.
    • Germany lacks the refining capabilities, meaning the raw material would need to be shipped to China and back.
    • There is significant local and environmental opposition, with over 22,000 petitions filed against the project.
  • As a point of comparison, Lithium Americas (LAC) was mentioned as a stock that saw an explosion of nearly 100% in a few days after the US government considered taking a strategic stake in it.

Takeaways

  • The news of a lithium discovery in Germany is likely overstated from an investment standpoint due to high costs and major regulatory and social hurdles.
  • The key takeaway for the lithium sector is that strategic government support is a massive catalyst, as demonstrated by the price action in Lithium Americas (LAC).
  • Investors should be cautious and recognize that a raw material discovery does not immediately translate into a profitable venture, especially in regions with high costs and complex regulations like the EU.

Chinese Equities (feat. Alibaba)

  • Analysis of global investment flows shows that foreign investors are largely avoiding China, despite it being the "only true competitor to the U.S. in terms of this AI CapEx data cycle."
  • Alibaba (BABA) is highlighted as an example of a major Chinese tech company that is being overlooked by international investors.
    • Alibaba has announced a $50 billion investment plan into AI.
    • The stock has been trading well, but this is believed to be driven by domestic retail buying, not international funds.
  • The speaker suggests there is a "big value play" in Chinese stocks like Alibaba.

Takeaways

  • A contrarian opportunity may exist in Chinese technology stocks. These companies are major players in the global AI race but are currently unpopular with international investors.
  • If and when global funds begin to flow back into China, stocks like Alibaba (BABA) could experience a significant rally.
  • This is a potential value play for investors with a higher risk tolerance who are willing to invest against the current market sentiment.

Thematic ETFs

  • A chart was presented showing that thematic ETFs often see their performance drop off after they are launched.
  • The speakers theorize this happens because ETF providers launch these products in response to existing hype and buying pressure, meaning the theme may already be at or near its peak.
  • The timing of an ETF launch is often optimized for the provider to raise money, not for the investor to achieve the best returns.
  • The example given was that "now would be a really good time to launch an AI ETF," implying the AI theme might be peaking in popularity.

Takeaways

  • Investors should be cautious about buying thematic ETFs immediately upon their launch.
  • The launch of a new thematic ETF can sometimes be a signal that a particular investment narrative is already mature or crowded.
  • It's important to do your own research on the underlying theme's long-term potential rather than buying into the hype that accompanies a new product launch.

US & European Equities

  • Data on net foreign investment flows shows that "US exceptionalism is not dead."
  • There are sizable and sustained inflows from foreign investors into US equities, despite skeptical narratives in financial media.
  • In contrast, the investment case for Europe appears to be showing "fatigue," with foreign investment flows not being particularly strong.

Takeaways

  • The speakers' advice is to "follow the money." The actual flow of capital shows continued confidence in the US market.
  • The strong inflows suggest underlying strength in US equities that may not be captured by media headlines.
  • The investment case for Europe appears to be weakening relative to the US, according to foreign investment data.
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Episode Description
Andreas Steno and Mikkel Rosenvold of Steno Research start our week by examining the latest macro news and trends moving global markets. 🔥 *FINAL HOURS: Get 50% OFF Real Vision Connect* https://rvtv.io/3UenXVY 📣 This episode is brought to you by Bitwise Asset Management*. Bitwise has been all-in on crypto since 2017 and has more than 20 crypto-based products to help investors get the necessary access. Bitwise manages the world’s largest crypto index fund, one of the top Bitcoin ETFs, and one of the largest institutional Ethereum staking solutions. Bitwise has over $10 billion in assets under management and over 100 people in the US and Europe to help manage everything from ETFs to private alpha strategies to SMAs for large investors. 👉 Check out Bitwise at https://bitwiseinvestments.com and let them know that Real Vision mentioned them*. Carefully consider the extreme risks associated with crypto before investing 📣 Binance is a leading global blockchain ecosystem behind the world’s largest cryptocurrency exchange by trading volume and registered users. Binance is trusted by more than 280 million people in 100+ countries for its industry-leading security, transparency, trading engine speed, protections for investors, and unmatched portfolio of digital asset products and offerings from trading and finance to education, research, social good, payments, institutional services, and Web3 features. Binance is devoted to building an inclusive crypto ecosystem to increase the freedom of money and financial access for people around the world with crypto as the fundamental means. 👉 Learn more at https://realvision.com/binance 📣 Today’s sponsor is Plus500 US. Take your trading to the next level with cross-market contracts, from precious metals to key indices, and more. Whether you’re a seasoned trader in the Futures arena or brand new, Plus500’s user-friendly trading platform offers you the advanced tools, market insights, and quick execution you’ve been looking for. 👉 Get started with Plus500 for as little as $100 at https://us.plus500.com. Trading in futures involves the risk of loss. Elevate your brand with Real Vision. Connect with us at partnerships@realvision.com to explore advertising possibilities. Music license ID: WJ6TRPVHFD About Real Vision™: We arm you with the knowledge, tools, and network to succeed on your financial journey. Connect with Real Vision™ Online: Website: https://www.realvision.com/join Twitter: https://rvtv.io/twitter Instagram: https://rvtv.io/instagram Linkedin: https://rvtv.io/linkedin Disclaimer: https://media.realvision.com/wp/20231004185303/Disclaimer-1.pdf Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
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