In a wide‑ranging conversation on Share Talk, Zak Mir sat down with Clem Chambes, CEO of aNewFN.com, to pick apart market narratives, technology trends and the practical fallout for investors. Clem brings his trademark scepticism, dry humour and strategic thinking to a discussion that ranges from the silliness of punditry to a single, clear investment thesis.
Markets favour straightforward thinking. Direction matters far more than perfect timing. Get the broad trend right, and you win far more often than you lose. That, in a sentence, is the investment philosophy worth stealing.
Markets are as much psychological as they are mathematical. Treating investing like therapy—calm, pragmatic and forward-looking—changes outcomes. The simplest mental shift that improves performance is this: stop trying to win zero-sum fights and instead participate in positive-sum games where value is created and shared.
Mindset first: why “financial therapy” matters
Fear and contrarian contrails cost more than a bad trade. If you sit on the sidelines because you expect the market to “come unstuck,” you’ll miss the compounder that shrugs off your pessimism and keeps rising. Successful participants have three traits: they are positive, persistent and prepared to act.
Preparation means understanding market structure more than trying to outsmart every professional with better information. The market charges commissions and creates friction; trying to beat that at every turn is a losing strategy unless you have a structural edge.
Game theory for investors: positive, zero and negative sum
Think of market opportunities like games:
- Positive-sum: Everyone can win. Examples: long-term equities when the economy expands; value created through innovation, trade and cross-border capital flows.
- Zero-sum: One wins, one loses. Trading short-term on someone else’s move without an edge—this is dicey once costs are taken into account.
- Negative-sum: Games with fees and slippage that steadily drain participants. Avoid these.
Play positive-sum games.
Practical implication: If you do not have a specific short-edge, default to equities. If unsure, buy the index and let the positive-sum dynamics do the work.
Cross-border capital flows: why UK equities could benefit
A falling dollar and American capital recycling abroad can push valuations higher in other markets. English-speaking, liquid markets such as the UK often become attractive first ports of call for foreign buyers. That inflow can lift prices regardless of domestic sentiment.
So rather than bemoaning foreign buyers, consider that their capital can be a tailwind for domestic-listed international companies. If the macro context supports capital outward flows, equities in absorbing markets are worth watching.
Gold, miners and the better risk-reward
Gold can perform, but it is often a slow mover. When seeking leverage to precious-metals moves, consider the miners rather than sitting in physical bullion or plain ETFs. Miners offer operational leverage: a modest percentage move in metal prices can translate into a substantially larger move in producers’ earnings and share prices.
That said, trading mechanics matter. Physical bullion sales can be slower, and even ETFs can experience execution delays. Know how quickly you can access liquidity before choosing the vehicle.
Bitcoin: another winter may be coming
Expect more downside before the next sustained recovery. A severe retracement—potentially down to 30–40% of recent highs—could unfold, followed by a consolidation period where weaker crypto companies fold. History has shown similar winters after halving cycles.
Two structural notes about crypto:
- Forks are resilience: If a quantum threat or another systemic vulnerability ever undermines one chain, a fork can create a quantum-resistant successor and migrate value there. Chains and communities adapt.
- Institutionalisation changes dynamics: Wall Street and large institutions on-board the space change behaviour, liquidity and correlation patterns. That can reduce volatility or create fresh risk channels—be cautious.
Commodities to watch: copper and energy
Copper has yet to go vertical in this cycle despite being at high absolute levels. It commonly leads industrial cycles and energy demand. If industrial metals still have room to run, copper is one to track closely.
Energy, especially oil, is a long-term structural story. Supply tightness, geopolitical shocks or renewed demand driven by industrial pivots (even surprising ones like higher-energy consumption for advanced technologies) can push oil significantly higher. Keep an eye on major integrateds for early signals.
Stocks to check now
- ExxonMobil (XOM): A strong move in a heavyweight is a signal. Follow the multi-year chart rather than daily noise.
- Shell (SHEL): Moves in peer energy names provide cross-checks—if similar names lag, ask why.
- Equinor: If you prefer exposure outside the Middle East, consider producers with North Sea focus and lower geopolitical tail risk.
Execution matters: real-time data and Level 2
Having price data a few minutes delayed can cost real money. If your order is sized to execute around a volatile level, delayed quotes will mislead you. Real-time feeds and Level 2 order book data allow you to:
- See supply and demand at specific price levels
- Execute aggressive strategies such as “fill or kill” with confidence
- React when market makers widen spreads or pull bids during stress
Level 2 is often sold for hundreds or thousands per year on other platforms. For anyone trading mid- to large-cap names or ETFs in fast markets, it is a practical multiplier on execution quality and risk control.
Quick practical checklist
- Pick positive-sum exposures: Broad equities, selected commodities and quality producers.
- Prefer leveraged thematic exposure through producers: Miners for metals, majors for energy when you expect a move.
- Manage liquidity and vehicle risk: Know ETF vs physical limits and broker latencies.
- Expect crypto volatility: Plan position sizing and accept extended consolidations.
- Use real-time market data: Level 2 order books save capital in stressed markets.
Final thought
Markets reward participants who are positive, prepared and pragmatic. Shift your frame from trying to “beat” others to capturing value from positive-sum trends. Stay alert to commodities, keep your execution tools sharp, and when you feel the urge to be stubbornly pessimistic, check the charts—often they will tell you whether you are being contrarian or simply missing a lift.
This is not investment advice. These are observations on market mechanics, geopolitics and the information flows that shape opportunity. Do your own research and use reliable, timely data when making decisions.
If you want to follow market action more closely, look for platforms that deliver consolidated, real‑time feeds and transparent level 2 data. When markets move quickly, intelligence wins.
