Econ Americas

Buy the books:- "Mega Returns", David Skarica: https://amzn.to/4hiUIv5- "Financial Sovereignty for Canadians" Fergus Hodgson: https://econamericas.com/financial-sovereignty-canadians/David Skarica, a Canadian financial advisor based in the Bahamas, shares insights from his latest book, Mega Returns: Profit from Maximum Pessimism (available from today). According to Skarica, assets surrounded by temporary negative sentiment often present good long-term opportunities. For instance, he purchased his house in 2011, “when no one wanted to buy a house after the housing bubble,” securing it at a low price. Skarica's book covers many asset classes and also emphasizes the importance of investing in gold as a reliable store of value, especially in these uncertain times. He also explains how to target corporate bonds with put options as effective tools for managing financial risk.When it comes to crypto, Skarica compares bitcoin to gold in terms of its function as a hedge—particularly in struggling economies. However, he cautions that bitcoin has in recent times mirrored the Nasdaq's performance. That trend could undermine its role as a safe haven. Regarding altcoins, he considers them high risk and largely unproductive as investment vehicles.

Buy Fergus Hodgson's "Financial Sovereignty for Canadians" on Amazon!: https://econamericas.com/financial-sovereignty-canadians/ Michael Wagner, author of "Time to Live: Canada Cannot Be Fixed," advocates independence for Alberta. Alberta contributes the lion's share of Canada's oil and natural-gas production, serving as a cornerstone of the national economy. A massive portion of the Alberta economy, however, is confiscated by the federal government in Ottawa to fund redistribution programs. The chief reason behind the case for a sovereign Alberta is the structural impossibility of reform within Canada. This means that, no matter how distinct Alberta might be from the rest of Canada, there is no hope of an end to the pillaging and alien governance from Ottawa. Amazon links: https://amzn.to/42oVzG2 (Canada) https://amzn.to/4gagmQO (United States)

My road to the CAIA designation was not rosy, and it included skipping two exams altogether. Here are five tips I would give my younger self approaching the exams.Read the full article: https://econamericas.substack.com/p/five-tips-for-dominating-caia-examsDiscount code (10 percent) for Edge Designations: FERG https://edgedesignations.com/Consultation/tutoring: https://calendly.com/econ-americas/consultation-meetings

The gold bugs among us were rewarded this year with a 20 percent spike in price in March and April. Since then, however, there has been sideways jostling between support and resistance at US$2,300–$2,400 per ounce. That poses the question: has gold's spike settled on a new plateau, or is there more to come in the next 12 months? Read the full article: https://econamericas.substack.com/p/b9e73b51-1598-4068-8ebc-a03298918bf9?postPreview=paid&updated=2024-07-10T03%3A22%3A02.579Z&audience=everyone&free_preview=false&freemail=true

New investment opportunities are opening up in Ecuador's mining sector. The government and industry leaders agree the time is now to tap into the nation's full potential for natural resources. Gabriella Guerrero, an associate attorney in corporate and energy law at the Robalino Law Firm, explains how policymakers can work toward a healthier business environment to attract foreign capital. Although mining is a strategic sector for economic development, Guerrero explains a great deal of uncertainty surrounds it due to environmental and community hurdles. Show notes: https://econamericas.com/2022/04/what-ecuador-needs-to-tap-her-mining-potential/ --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/econ-americas/message

Conservation efforts in Latin America still need a lot of support and incentives in the private sector, and carbon markets are touted as a way to provide much-needed incentives for conservation. Justin Cochrane, director and CEO of Carbon Streaming, explains what carbon credits are and how they offer value to landowners while protecting forests and reducing carbon emissions at the same time. Show notes: https://econamericas.com/2022/03/what-works-in-latin-americas-emerging-carbon-markets/ --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/econ-americas/message

Outside Silicon Valley, there are vibrant tech industries catering to overlooked niches. Alexis Alston, a senior associate at the early-stage VC fund Lightship Capital, explains how entrepreneurs in South Florida are tapping into migrant communities' needs across countries. Show notes: https://econamericas.com/2022/02/how-miami-startups-offer-exposure-to-latin-america --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/econ-americas/message

Mining gets a bad rap in Latin America due to its environmental and social impact. Ivan Bebek, a veteran mining executive with extensive business experience in the region, explains how a new generation of firms have turned the page on checkbook diplomacy and instead work out tailored solutions with local communities. Show notes: https://econamericas.com/2022/01/what-works-better-checkbook-diplomacy-in-latam --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/econ-americas/message

Mining is a major source of foreign direct investment in Latin America. Mark Brennan, a Colombia-born mining executive with 30 years of financing and operating experience in the Americas and Europe, explains how countries with rich deposits can attract responsible investors. Show notes: https://econamericas.com/2021/12/what-latin-america-mining-capital-attract --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/econ-americas/message

The Bolsonaro administration in Brazil had campaigned on major pension, tax, and privatization reforms. Maurício Bento, an economist with the São Paulo Court of Accounts and with the Property Rights Alliance, explains which ones have succeeded, which ones have not, and why. Show notes: https://econamericas.com/2021/11/brazil-economic-reform-rocky-road/ --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/econ-americas/message

The Honduran startup cities—autonomous jurisdictions known as Zones for Employment and Economic Development (ZEDEs)—have barely gotten off the ground and are already facing one of their largest hurdles: elections. Guillermo Peña, a political analyst, entrepreneur, and technical secretary for the Orquídea ZEDE, explains the opposition to ZEDEs and how they could boost investment in Honduras. Show notes: https://econamericas.com/2021/10/honduran-startup-cities-zedes-race-prove-worth/ --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/econ-americas/message

The new Guillermo Lasso administration is injecting optimism into Ecuador. Juan Fernando Carpio, an economics instructor and business consultant, believes long-term investment is on the rise, although key reforms are required to unleash the dollarized economy's full potential. Show notes: https://econamericas.com/2021/09/ecuador-investors-back-on-the-radar --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/econ-americas/message

In 2020, Mexico surpassed Brazil as the largest recipient of Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) in Latin America. For Rafael Ramírez de Alba, an economics professor and experienced financial consultant, there are plenty of investment opportunities in the auto industry, agriculture, construction, and tech. Show notes: https://econamericas.com/2021/08/why-mexico-fdi-leads-latin-america/ --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/econ-americas/message

Bolivia has vast untapped resources in oil, gas, and mining. However, for economist and wealth manager Mauricio Ríos García, investment has dried up after years of institutional degradation. Show notes: https://econamericas.com/2021/07/what-investors-bolivia-want-to-see/ --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/econ-americas/message

Governments across the world are reversing a decades-long trend of low corporate taxation. Martín Litwak, an expert in wealth and fund structuring, explains what this means for Latin American tax havens and tax hells. Show notes: https://econamericas.com/2021/06/latin-american-tax-havens-tax-hells/ --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/econ-americas/message

Panama City's impressive skyline has a little-known origin: spillover benefits from the country's vibrant free trade zones. Surse Pierpoint, a Panamanian entrepreneur and the former manager of Colón's Free Port, walks us through the transformative potential of trade in Central America and its opportunities for investors. Show notes: https://econamericas.com/2021/05/how-panamas-free-trade-zones-built/ --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/econ-americas/message

In most developed countries, cryptoassets are mainly speculation assets. In Latin America, on the other hand, they function as money and cross-border payment vehicles. Cristóbal Pereira, a Chilean entrepreneur and financial educator, explains the crypto industry's potential for the millions of unbanked and underbanked. Show notes: https://econamericas.com/2021/04/cryptoassets-in-latin-america-thirst/ --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/econ-americas/message

Colombia is a success story in Latin America: a country that has left rampant violence behind and now attracts high levels of foreign investment. Jorge Castro, a Colombian businessman and financial consultant, describes opportunities in real estate and other promising industries such as fintech and cannabis. Show notes: https://econamericas.com/2021/03/cannabis-real-estate-investments-in-colombia/ --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/econ-americas/message

Real negative interest rates in much of the developed world are pushing investors to look for yields in emerging markets. What does Latin America have to offer? Fergus Hodgson, the director of Econ Americas, joins us for our inaugural podcast episode. Show notes: https://econamericas.com/2021/02/why-invest-in-latin-america-in-2021/ --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/econ-americas/message