Why The U.S. Just Rescued The Yen w/ Andreas Steno & Mikkel Rosenvold | Macro Mondays
Why The U.S. Just Rescued The Yen w/ Andreas Steno & Mikkel Rosenvold | Macro Mondays
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Note: AI-generated summary based on third-party content. Not financial advice. Read more.
Quick Insights

Rotate your portfolio exposure away from over-hyped GPU pure-plays and into undervalued memory chip producers like Samsung, Micron, and SK Hynix, which are projected to capture the vast majority of AI capital expenditures by 2027.

Prepare for potential shifts in Federal Reserve monetary policy and market volatility as actual U.S. inflation data continues to run significantly cooler than official central bank projections.

Position your portfolio for expected U.S. Dollar depreciation by seeking out attractive macroeconomic investment opportunities outside of the United States.

Treat short-term geopolitical headlines and weekly oil price spikes as market noise rather than systemic threats, as global energy markets have successfully adapted to regional bottlenecks.

Monitor U.S. and Japan diplomatic developments closely, as the Trump administration is expected to leverage recent currency intervention support to demand major economic concessions from Japan.

Detailed Analysis

Japanese Yen (JPY / USD-JPY)

  • The Japanese yen has been on a weakening path for a long period, prompting Japanese authorities to seek help and intervene in the market.
  • A joint intervention occurred over the weekend with the U.S. (associated with Scott Besson), marking a reverse of the dynamics seen in 2011 when authorities intervened against a strong yen.
  • Controlling the yen's path is critical for Japanese authorities to manage inflation.
  • Analysts expect the Trump administration will likely ask Japanese authorities for concessions in return for this intervention support.

Takeaways

  • Monitor U.S.-Japan diplomatic and economic developments, as the Trump administration is expected to leverage this intervention to demand economic or political concessions from Japan.

Oil / Energy Sector

  • The geopolitical conflict involving Iran is driving oil markets, characterized by a "sinus wave" pattern of weekly escalations and subsequent de-escalations (such as Trump calling off large planned attacks due to ongoing negotiations).
  • The oil market has become increasingly creative and resilient; despite ongoing risks, roughly 5 to 6 million barrels per day continue to be sneaked out of the region via the seaway.
  • Iraq is reportedly offering oil tankers lower export prices (around $30 a barrel) for navigating the Strait of Hormuz, providing massive potential profit margins for ship operators willing to take the security risk.
  • Oil market pricing shows significantly less panic compared to previous spikes (such as in March and April), indicating that the market is adapting to the recurring geopolitical headlines.

Takeaways

  • Treat short-term geopolitical headlines and weekly oil price spikes as noise rather than systemic threats, as the global oil market has adapted to bypass regional bottlenecks.

U.S. Inflation and Monetary Policy

  • U.S. inflation data is looking "incredibly soft," with sideways price movement and near-zero monthly inflation driven by fading front-run impacts (such as World Cup travel bookings) and a net release/payback of tariffs.
  • The Federal Reserve (specifically led by figures like Kevin Walsh) remains relatively hawkish while inflation is falling rapidly, leading to significantly higher real interest rates.
  • This policy mismatch between hawkish Fed rhetoric and cooling inflation has created upward pressure on real rates, contributing to market volatility and recent momentum pullbacks.

Takeaways

  • Prepare for potential shifts in Federal Reserve policy as actual inflation data continues to run significantly cooler than official central bank projections.

Artificial Intelligence Infrastructure (Memory vs. Logic Chips)

  • The AI trade is heavily levered and facing valuation distortions, with some hyperscalers altering accounting methods (e.g., Microsoft extending server park lifecycles from 15 to 25 years to hide capital expenditures) while others (like Alphabet) maintain higher accounting credibility.
  • Memory chip manufacturers (specifically Samsung, Micron, and SK Hynix) are highlighted as significantly undervalued relative to GPUs.
  • Projections indicate that by 2027, roughly 75% of the projected trillion-dollar hyperscaler capital expenditure will go toward memory chips rather than logic chips, driven by the needs of the agentic economy where AI agents require vast amounts of memory for background information and decision-making.
  • Memory companies are posting massive free cash flow projections (e.g., Samsung projected to print over a trillion in free cash flows over the next three years against a roughly one-trillion-dollar valuation).

Takeaways

  • Consider rotating exposure away from over-hyped logic/GPU pure-plays and toward undervalued memory chip producers (Samsung, Micron, SK Hynix) which stand to capture the majority of future AI capital expenditures.
  • Exercise caution with heavily levered unlisted assets and maintain sufficient cash reserves to withstand heightened market volatility.

U.S. Dollar (USD)

  • Macro forecasting models and nowcasting data suggest that the U.S. dollar is poised for further weakness moving forward.
  • This projected dollar weakness is supported by softening U.S. inflation data and shifting global macro dynamics.

Takeaways

  • Position portfolios for potential U.S. dollar depreciation by looking for macro opportunities outside of the United States (such as in India, China, Japan, and Europe).
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Video Description
Andreas Steno Larsen and Mikkel Rosenvold are back to break down a dramatic start to the week, beginning with the rare coordinated U.S.-Japan intervention to support the yen and what the market reaction says about currencies, rates, and the future of the carry trade. They Unpack Donald Trump’s decision to postpone planned strikes on Iran in favor of renewed talks, and examine the implosion of Leopold Aschenbrenner’s highly leveraged AI hedge fund and what this means for the AI trade. Let Monarch do your financial 'spring cleaning' for you!  Use code REALVISION at Monarch.com to get your first year half off at just $50. 🔥 Get 𝗙𝗥𝗘𝗘 𝗔𝗖𝗖𝗘𝗦𝗦 to Real Vision https://rvtv.io/3YOZZUe Timestamps: 00:00 - Monarch 01:23 - US Intervention to Support the Yen: What Markets Need to Know 04:45 - Why the US Stepped Into the Japanese Yen Market 06:03 - Iran Talks Resume as Trump Calls Off Planned Strikes 07:32 - The Sinus-Wave War: Why Markets Are Panicking Less 08:49 - Oil Flows, Strait of Hormuz, and the Risk Premium Fading 11:16 - What Trump Really Needs From a New Iran Deal 14:07 - Inflation Is Falling Faster Than the Fed Realizes 18:40 - Strong PMI, Higher Real Rates, and the Momentum Selloff 19:48 - Microsoft vs Alphabet: The AI CapEx Accounting Divide 22:21 - Why Memory Chips Could Be More Valuable Than GPUs 24:56 - Inside Leopold Aschenbrenner’s Hedge-Fund Implosion 26:08 - Global Macro Opportunities and Why the Dollar Could Weaken Elevate your brand with Real Vision. Connect with us at partnerships@realvision.com to explore advertising possibilities. 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 👉 Join our Discord channel and meet like-minded people: https://discord.gg/FTQsrUhD9Z Disclaimer: https://media.realvision.com/wp/20231004185303/Disclaimer-1.pdf Music license ID: WJ6TRPVHFD #macromondays #macro #markets #investing #realvision #mikkelrosenvold #andreassteno #stenoresearch #yen #japan #boj #carrytrade #forex #iran #oil #trump #ai #hedgefund #stocks #geopolitics
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