The Moses and Methuselah Podcast

The Moses and Methuselah Podcast

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A weekly discussion on developments in the financial markets, and what they mean for governments, investors and tax payers. Hosted by Jonathan Davis and Peter Seilern.

Jonathan Davis & Peter Seilern


    • Aug 6, 2023 LATEST EPISODE
    • infrequent NEW EPISODES
    • 30m AVG DURATION
    • 50 EPISODES


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    Latest episodes from The Moses and Methuselah Podcast

    Goldilocks or a bull trap?

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 6, 2023 25:43


    SummaryPeter and Jonathan take stock of the financial markets after the Federal Reserve raises interest rates yet again and debate the possible impact of artificial intelligence in the short and longer term.00:32 - Nearing the end of the rate hike cycle?02:54 - Indicators of a soft landing06:43 - Increasing optimism08:12 - The bond market in a soft landing13:18 - A change in global financial conditions17:21 - AI mania22:39 - Positive real interest rates24:54 - CloseAbout Your HostsJonathan Davis started his career as a financial journalist on UK national newspapers, including The Times and The Economist, before qualifying as a professional investor and moving into a new portfolio career as an author, columnist (for The Independent and Financial Times), publisher and investment strategist. He is currently the editor of the annual Investment Trusts Handbook. You can find his newsletter and weekly investment trust podcast on his Money-Makers website. Apart from family, his chief recreation is playing bridge at a high level.Peter Seilern began his career in financial services in October 1973, which coincided with the first oil shock and was followed by a brutal bear market and an explosion in inflation. After gaining experience in all aspects of the banking industry in Austria, Germany and Switzerland, he founded his own investment management business in 1989, today called Seilern Investment Management, based in London. Born in Trieste, Italy, in 1952, his background is quintessentially pan-European and he deeply believes in the necessity for European nations to continue to strive for ever closer political, economic and monetary union. He has been married for almost thirty-nine years and has three adult children. His hobbies include making and listening to music and reading.Buy Peter's book Only the Best Will Do, master investor Peter Seilern reveals everything you need to know to practise the art of quality growth investing: finding the companies that can reliably deliver steady and strong growth for the long term.

    Mr Market Versus Central Banks

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 10, 2023 25:23


    SummaryAs central banks wrestle with the "trilemma" of balancing the risks of inflation, recession and financial stability, Jonathan and Peter debate whether the bond market is giving us an accurate taste of what is to come.00:32 - The first six months of the year03:33 - Pundits predicting the market10:25 - Getting inflation wrong15:53 - Bond market signals19:51 - Pricing in a trilemma24:37 - CloseAbout Your HostsJonathan Davis started his career as a financial journalist on UK national newspapers, including The Times and The Economist, before qualifying as a professional investor and moving into a new portfolio career as an author, columnist (for The Independent and Financial Times), publisher and investment strategist. He is currently the editor of the annual Investment Trusts Handbook. You can find his newsletter and weekly investment trust podcast on his Money-Makers website. Apart from family, his chief recreation is playing bridge at a high level.Peter Seilern began his career in financial services in October 1973, which coincided with the first oil shock and was followed by a brutal bear market and an explosion in inflation. After gaining experience in all aspects of the banking industry in Austria, Germany and Switzerland, he founded his own investment management business in 1989, today called Seilern Investment Management, based in London. Born in Trieste, Italy, in 1952, his background is quintessentially pan-European and he deeply believes in the necessity for European nations to continue to strive for ever closer political, economic and monetary union. He has been married for almost thirty-nine years and has three adult children. His hobbies include making and listening to music and reading.Buy Peter's book Only the Best Will Do, master investor Peter Seilern reveals everything you need to know to practise the art of quality growth investing: finding the companies that can reliably deliver steady and strong growth for the long term.

    Corporate Governance Within Private Companies

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 26, 2023 25:20


    SummaryThe collapse of Odey Asset Management, a high profile London hedge fund business, following allegations about the behaviour of its founder Crispin Odey, raises a number of important questions - about the management of private firms, the treatment of women in the workplace and the role of the media and regulator in financial services. Peter and Jonathan talk through the issues in our latest episode.00:31 - Welcome back02:33 - Reaction to the Odey Asset Management story06:04 - Employee grievance procedures12:57 - Evaluating who is a fit and proper person18:47 - Additional regulation on hedge funds22:07 - The increasing role of women in top jobs25:51 - CloseAbout Your HostsJonathan Davis started his career as a financial journalist on UK national newspapers, including The Times and The Economist, before qualifying as a professional investor and moving into a new portfolio career as an author, columnist (for The Independent and Financial Times), publisher and investment strategist. He is currently the editor of the annual Investment Trusts Handbook. You can find his newsletter and weekly investment trust podcast on his Money-Makers website. Apart from family, his chief recreation is playing bridge at a high level.Peter Seilern began his career in financial services in October 1973, which coincided with the first oil shock and was followed by a brutal bear market and an explosion in inflation. After gaining experience in all aspects of the banking industry in Austria, Germany and Switzerland, he founded his own investment management business in 1989, today called Seilern Investment Management, based in London. Born in Trieste, Italy, in 1952, his background is quintessentially pan-European and he deeply believes in the necessity for European nations to continue to strive for ever closer political, economic and monetary union. He has been married for almost thirty-nine years and has three adult children. His hobbies include making and listening to music and reading.Buy Peter's book Only the Best Will Do, master investor Peter Seilern reveals everything you need to know to practise the art of quality growth investing: finding the companies that can reliably deliver steady and strong growth for the long term.

    Is Brexit Working?

    Play Episode Listen Later May 30, 2023 27:22


    SummaryWe return to the issue of Brexit - what impact has it had on the UK and the EU, both economically and politically? We compare our different perspectives, one UK-based, the other Eurocentric.00:32 - Welcome back06:32 - UK and European cultural differences10:58 - Trends in the UK since Brexit16:53 - The need for reform in the UK's political system20:45 - Migration25:13 - A new referendum on the EU?About Your HostsJonathan Davis started his career as a financial journalist on UK national newspapers, including The Times and The Economist, before qualifying as a professional investor and moving into a new portfolio career as an author, columnist (for The Independent and Financial Times), publisher and investment strategist. He is currently the editor of the annual Investment Trusts Handbook. You can find his newsletter and weekly investment trust podcast on his Money-Makers website. Apart from family, his chief recreation is playing bridge at a high level.Peter Seilern began his career in financial services in October 1973, which coincided with the first oil shock and was followed by a brutal bear market and an explosion in inflation. After gaining experience in all aspects of the banking industry in Austria, Germany and Switzerland, he founded his own investment management business in 1989, today called Seilern Investment Management, based in London. Born in Trieste, Italy, in 1952, his background is quintessentially pan-European and he deeply believes in the necessity for European nations to continue to strive for ever closer political, economic and monetary union. He has been married for almost thirty-nine years and has three adult children. His hobbies include making and listening to music and reading.Buy Peter's book Only the Best Will Do, master investor Peter Seilern reveals everything you need to know to practise the art of quality growth investing: finding the companies that can reliably deliver steady and strong growth for the long term.

    Of Credit Crunches and Debt Defaults

    Play Episode Listen Later May 16, 2023 22:51


    SummaryIn our latest edition Peter and Jonathan discuss the likely impact on the bond market of tighter credit conditions and the potential failure of Congress and the Biden administration to agree to an increase in the Federal debt ceiling in the United States. Are these issues in the price already?00:32 - Welcome back01:19 - Credit conditions05:53 - Bond yields and recession08:24 - Commercial real estate14:52 -The Federal debt ceiling22:05 - CloseAbout Your HostsJonathan Davis started his career as a financial journalist on UK national newspapers, including The Times and The Economist, before qualifying as a professional investor and moving into a new portfolio career as an author, columnist (for The Independent and Financial Times), publisher and investment strategist. He is currently the editor of the annual Investment Trusts Handbook. You can find his newsletter and weekly investment trust podcast on his Money-Makers website. Apart from family, his chief recreation is playing bridge at a high level.Peter Seilern began his career in financial services in October 1973, which coincided with the first oil shock and was followed by a brutal bear market and an explosion in inflation. After gaining experience in all aspects of the banking industry in Austria, Germany and Switzerland, he founded his own investment management business in 1989, today called Seilern Investment Management, based in London. Born in Trieste, Italy, in 1952, his background is quintessentially pan-European and he deeply believes in the necessity for European nations to continue to strive for ever closer political, economic and monetary union. He has been married for almost thirty-nine years and has three adult children. His hobbies include making and listening to music and reading.Buy Peter's book Only the Best Will Do, master investor Peter Seilern reveals everything you need to know to practise the art of quality growth investing: finding the companies that can reliably deliver steady and strong growth for the long term.

    Staying Close to Investors in Challenging Times

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 30, 2023 33:41


    SummaryIn the latest episode Peter and Jonathan, quoting Warren Buffett liberally, take a look at the dynamics of the fund management business, the factors that make for a successful long term relationship between investors and the stewards of their money and the reasons why in a sales-driven industry mutual happiness is only achieved by a minority of firms.00:31 - Welcome back01:15 - The importance of marketing and communications05:05 - Getting and keeping clients09:03 - Value for money14:37 - Judging the best performers19:44 - Risks in finding good managers23:44 - Managers balancing time and priorities27:22 - Publicly quoted fund management companies32:09 - CloseAbout Your HostsJonathan Davis started his career as a financial journalist on UK national newspapers, including The Times and The Economist, before qualifying as a professional investor and moving into a new portfolio career as an author, columnist (for The Independent and Financial Times), publisher and investment strategist. He is currently the editor of the annual Investment Trusts Handbook. You can find his newsletter and weekly investment trust podcast on his Money-Makers website. Apart from family, his chief recreation is playing bridge at a high level.Peter Seilern began his career in financial services in October 1973, which coincided with the first oil shock and was followed by a brutal bear market and an explosion in inflation. After gaining experience in all aspects of the banking industry in Austria, Germany and Switzerland, he founded his own investment management business in 1989, today called Seilern Investment Management, based in London. Born in Trieste, Italy, in 1952, his background is quintessentially pan-European and he deeply believes in the necessity for European nations to continue to strive for ever closer political, economic and monetary union. He has been married for almost thirty-nine years and has three adult children. His hobbies include making and listening to music and reading.Buy Peter's book Only the Best Will Do, master investor Peter Seilern reveals everything you need to know to practise the art of quality growth investing: finding the companies that can reliably deliver steady and strong growth for the long term.

    Central Banks Versus Bond Markets: The Clash Continues

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 15, 2023 27:02


    SummaryEquity and bond markets have stabilised after the banking tremors we saw in March, but bond investors remain convinced that inflation and future interest rates will come back down to earth more quickly than many vocal market pundits think. Peter and Jonathan are not entirely agreed on how this will all play out and continue their debate on this issue, while agreeing that as credit conditions tighten availability of finance will be more important than its cost, making strong and prudently managed balance sheets a primary consideration for equity and fund investors.00:32 - Welcome back00:50 - How central banks balance reducing inflation versus promoting instability in the banking system?05:36 - Will the Fed change course?09:10 - Governments and banks pulling in different directions16:20 - Sell the last rate hike20:15 - Impact of the availability of credit25:41 - CloseAbout Your HostsJonathan Davis started his career as a financial journalist on UK national newspapers, including The Times and The Economist, before qualifying as a professional investor and moving into a new portfolio career as an author, columnist (for The Independent and Financial Times), publisher and investment strategist. He is currently the editor of the annual Investment Trusts Handbook. You can find his newsletter and weekly investment trust podcast on his Money-Makers website. Apart from family, his chief recreation is playing bridge at a high level.Peter Seilern began his career in financial services in October 1973, which coincided with the first oil shock and was followed by a brutal bear market and an explosion in inflation. After gaining experience in all aspects of the banking industry in Austria, Germany and Switzerland, he founded his own investment management business in 1989, today called Seilern Investment Management, based in London. Born in Trieste, Italy, in 1952, his background is quintessentially pan-European and he deeply believes in the necessity for European nations to continue to strive for ever closer political, economic and monetary union. He has been married for almost thirty-nine years and has three adult children. His hobbies include making and listening to music and reading.Buy Peter's book Only the Best Will Do, master investor Peter Seilern reveals everything you need to know to practise the art of quality growth investing: finding the companies that can reliably deliver steady and strong growth for the long term.

    A Banana Republic in the Heart of Europe

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 1, 2023 38:45


    SummaryThe authorities may have averted a new global banking crisis for now by their handling of Silicon Valley Bank and the rushed shotgun marriage that handed Credit Suisse to fellow Swiss bank UBS, but there will be plenty of ramifications for the financial markets to absorb. In their latest podcast, now appearing fortnightly, Peter Seilern and Jonathan Davis discuss the causes of the bank failures and what it all means for regulators, depositors, bondholders and shareholders in an age of rising interest rates and instant communications - not to mention for Switzerland, which in Peter's view risks being seen as a "banana republic" for the way it chose to handle the Credit Suisse debacle.01:20 - Has the banking crisis stabilised for now?07:15 - Role of management failures08:35 - Swiss approach to banking crisis12:51 - Shareholder impact14:55 - Implications for EU banks17:12 - Has UBS got a good deal?23:24 - Behind the collapse of SVB26:34 - Unintended consequences and real world implications36:39 - Wrapping upAbout Your HostsJonathan Davis started his career as a financial journalist on UK national newspapers, including The Times and The Economist, before qualifying as a professional investor and moving into a new portfolio career as an author, columnist (for The Independent and Financial Times), publisher and investment strategist. He is currently the editor of the annual Investment Trusts Handbook, an adviser to Saunderson House and a Member of the Chartered Institute for Securities and Investment. You can find his newsletter and weekly investment trust podcast on his Money-Makers website. Apart from family, his chief recreation is playing bridge at a high level.Peter Seilern began his career in financial services in October 1973, which coincided with the first oil shock and was followed by a brutal bear market and an explosion in inflation. After gaining experience in all aspects of the banking industry in Austria, Germany and Switzerland, he founded his own investment management business in 1989, today called Seilern Investment Management, based in London. Born in Trieste, Italy, in 1952, his background is quintessentially pan-European and he deeply believes in the necessity for European nations to continue to strive for ever closer political, economic and monetary union. He has been married for almost thirty-nine years and has three adult children. His hobbies include making and listening to music and reading.Buy Peter's book Only the Best Will Do, master investor Peter Seilern reveals everything you need to know to practise the art of quality growth investing: finding the companies that can reliably deliver steady and strong growth for the long term.

    Banks in crisis - here we go again.

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 17, 2023 34:25


    Join Jonathan and Peter as they discuss the collapse of SVB and what this means for the global banking sector.

    Clash of the Titans

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 10, 2023 33:23


    Peter and Jonathan discuss the current US bond markets.

    Light at the End of the Tunnel

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 20, 2023 35:18


    Jonathan and Peter discuss recent geopolitical events and their impact on the markets.

    Bulls and Bears

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 13, 2022 33:11


    Jonathan and Peter discuss markets.

    chicago bulls bulls and bears
    “Inflation must be vanquished at all costs”

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 9, 2022 36:47


    Peter and Jonathan discuss the attitude of the central banks at this time..

    The Perfect Storm

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 30, 2022 40:41


    Peter and Jonathan discuss the market response to this week's current affairs.

    Is this a dead cat bounce?

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 30, 2022 32:22


    Peter and Jonathan discuss current events and their repercussions on the markets.

    Is Putin's war still relevant to financial markets?

    Play Episode Listen Later May 30, 2022 33:10


    Jonathan and Peter discuss the impact of the war on current markets.

    The Triple Whammy

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 28, 2022 38:49


    Join Peter and Jonathan for another discussion on global current events.

    Will Putin Strengthen Europe?

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 30, 2022 30:48


    Join Peter and Jonathan as they discuss recent developments and alternative perspectives on the events in Ukraine.

    War in Europe

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 1, 2022 31:26


    Peter and Jonathan discuss the situation in Ukraine as it continues to unfold..

    Who is more influential over financial markets: Vladimir Putin or Jay Powell?

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 3, 2022 29:33


    Join Peter and Jonathan as they continue to discuss the influence of Vladimir Putin on the financial markets.

    How Dangerous is Vladimir Putin?

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 12, 2022 30:53


    Jonathan Davis and Peter Seilern discuss Putin and Russia and offer some interesting perspectives on both.

    Quality Growth in Challenging Times

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 7, 2021 30:05


    Peter and Jonathan discuss the nuances of growth in the markets at this time.

    What Is Going On With Inflation?

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 12, 2021 30:29


    Peter and Jonathan discuss confusing trends in the financial markets.

    Geopolitics and the Financial Markets

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 30, 2021 27:21


    Jonathan and Peter return for a third series, starting with a discussion on what influence, if any, politics at the national level and geopolitics at the world level have on financial markets.

    Interview with Rupert Everett

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 25, 2021 29:00


    Esteemed Hollywood actor, author, director and film-maker, Rupert Everett, joins Jonathan and Peter in a revealing and intimate conversation about life on and off the camera.

    Are all politicians economical with the truth?

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 30, 2021 37:49


    Jonathan and Peter explore the landscape of how politicians leverage "truth" in politics today..

    The bicentenary of Napoleon Bonaparte's death. Was he a hero or a villain?

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 8, 2021 31:22


    Peter and Jonathan bring new angles and elements to this discussion of a fascinating historical figure.

    A new, post-pandemic consensus in financial markets” Is it right or wrong?

    Play Episode Listen Later May 13, 2021 32:44


    Jonathan and Peter discuss the markets post pandemic..

    Film Review "The Post" (and the role of the media)

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 28, 2021 32:21


    Jonathan and Peter consider the implications of this statement in the context of the film and the wider world:“The press is to serve the governed, not the governors” (US Supreme Court).

    Film Review: "The Lives of Others"

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 31, 2021 27:31


    Jonathan and Peter discuss the “The Lives of Others” (Das Leben der Anderen), the Oscar winning film by Florian Henckel von Donnersmarck.

    Author's Review of 'Our Shrunken World' by Otto von Habsburg

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 10, 2021 37:22


    Jonathan and Peter discuss the ongoing relevance of this work as pertains to Europe and the wider issues playing out today.

    Author's Review of ‘Civilisation' by Kenneth Clark

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 24, 2021 31:55


    Jonathan and Peter dive deep into this seminal work.

    The Rotation Phenomenon: How This Is Manifesting in the Markets

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 10, 2021 40:38


    A look at how events in the USA since November have catalysed a style rotation in the markets worldwide.

    Once Upon A Brexit

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 27, 2021 33:39


    Jonathan and Peter discuss the earliest days of a post Brexit New Year and how this might impact both sides… A balanced and thoughtful discussion looking at different perspectives.

    Episode 15: Cornering in on Investment Trusts

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 20, 2020 32:56


    How prices can diverge from valueHow many operators were wrong-footedExpect the unexpected

    Episode 14: Long-term stock market returns

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 5, 2020 37:04


    The bestThe worstWhy

    Episode 13: Reflections on 20th century Europe

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 27, 2020 42:54


    Origins of World War 1Aftermath of Word War 2

    Episode 12: Value Investing

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 21, 2020 32:44


    Different interpretations of value investing.Will value investing come back into fashion?

    Episode 11: Alice in Wonderland

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 13, 2020 29:30


    Who is right? The media, the economy or the stock markets?As lockdowns are relaxed, consumers resume spending...

    Episode 10: US social unrest and an improving US economy

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 6, 2020 28:19


    - Violence in the streets has no effect on financial markets. How come?- Massive new jobs unexpectedly created in US.

    Episode 09: Part 2: Remember Brexit?

    Play Episode Listen Later May 31, 2020 20:09


    It looks like no deal...

    Episode 09: Part 1: Onwards and upwards?

    Play Episode Listen Later May 31, 2020 22:30


    Sentiment change in the marketsFear of missing out

    Episode 08: Why is the Dollar So Strong, Inching Towards Ever Closer Union Within The EU

    Play Episode Listen Later May 23, 2020 27:26


    Safe haven statusInternational liquidity squeezeFranco-German recovery fundFrugal Four Fighback

    Episode 07: Stock market update and Negative Interest Rates

    Play Episode Listen Later May 16, 2020 28:15


    A dead cat bounceA new bull marketThe risk of negative interest rates

    Episode 06: Inflation or Deflation?

    Play Episode Listen Later May 10, 2020 25:31


    Interest rates to stay lower for longerConventional monetary policy ineffectiveThe supply demand struggle

    Episode 05: "Shell's Dividend Cut and Corporate Bond Markets"

    Play Episode Listen Later May 2, 2020 25:04


    Shell's Dividend CutOil price collapses by 70% year to date.Oil majors' promises to shareholders impossible to keep.Dividend cover falls relentlessly.Corporate Bond MarketsFrom death to resurrection Central banks do whatever it takes…...including buying junk bonds.

    Episode 04: Investment Trusts and Sector Performance Analysis

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 25, 2020 30:48


    1. Investment Trusts:How they differ from conventional open-ended funds.Why they have enjoyed better performances this year.Where is the downside?2. Sector performance comparisons year-to-date:Healthcare and consumer staples lessen the pain.Financials and energy stocks have been the worst hit.Can unloved share prices rebound?

    Episode 03: How will Europe respond to COVID-19?

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 18, 2020 29:11


    "Corona Bonds" in Europe?Why the doomsters are wrong.Don't fight the Fed.Company earnings and valuations.

    Episode 02: The True Cost of COVID-19

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 15, 2020 22:55


    Markets rally at fastest weekly rate since 1974. Will the health scare or markets prevail?Is it a dead cat bounce?Economic forecasters could not be gloomier.Should governments interfere on dividends?

    Episode 01: A Bear Market?

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 15, 2020 18:41


    Two months ago we never had it so good. It can't last, said the experts.Suddenly, there were three Black Swans.Central banks flood the markets. But who will foot the bill?

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