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Is Inflation About to Derail the Rally? with Andreas Steno | Macro Mondays - Oct. 19, 2026

Real Vision: Finance & Investing

31m
Transcript

Original podcast

Summary

Written by a model from the transcript; not yet reviewed.

This episode of Macro Mondays on Real Vision features host Mick Rossmann and guest Andreas Steno analyzing the surprising strength of the US manufacturing sector, recent geopolitical developments involving Iran and the Strait of Hormuz, and upcoming market trades for June. Despite fragile peace negotiations and broken WhatsApp communication links between the US and Iran, the market reaction remains relatively benign as oil prices experience moderate upward pressure. The discussion also covers the broader macroeconomic landscape, liquidity dynamics driven by US Treasury issuance needs, and the strong performance of AI hardware, computer servers, and software security trades.

The discussion explores how manufacturing is accelerating faster than services due to the heavy infrastructure and hardware build-out for artificial intelligence, defying earlier doom-and-gloom forecasts. The guest explains how unexpected budget deficits from blocked tariff policies are draining the Treasury General Account, releasing liquidity into private banks and driving a powerful leverage-fueled market rally. Specific attention is given to the software short squeeze, the surge in computer server manufacturers like Dell, and potential momentum plays in security software and military drones as investors navigate the month of June.

  • Monitor US manufacturing ISM numbers closely because the sector is growing at a faster pace than services due to ongoing AI infrastructure buildouts. 4:40
  • Watch the Treasury General Account drawdown over the coming weeks as government tariff payback deficits inject liquidity directly into private banks. 17:31
  • Consider security software and computer server manufacturers as viable trades to capitalize on ongoing short squeezes and aggressive momentum. 23:20

Chapters

  1. 0:00
    Podcast Intro and Host Greeting

    Hosts introduce the episode, outline the agenda, and set the tone for the discussion.

  2. 1:44
    Overview of Recent Geopolitical Tensions

    The hosts discuss the latest Iran-US tensions and the potential impact on global markets.

  3. 4:26
    ISM Data and Manufacturing Outlook

    Analysis of the latest ISM manufacturing data and its implications for the U.S. economy.

  4. 5:37
    Inflation and Supply‑Chain Resilience

    Examination of inflation trends, supply‑chain issues, and the role of AI in manufacturing.

  5. 17:11
    Robotics, Autonomous Vehicles, and Long‑Term Outlook

    Exploration of robotics and autonomous vehicle data, highlighting the long‑term investment horizon.

  6. 21:04
    Crypto Market Participation and Momentum

    Analysis of Bitcoin and other crypto assets’ participation in the current rally and investor sentiment.

  7. 23:10
    Trade Ideas for June: Software & AI

    Hosts outline specific June trade ideas focusing on software, AI, and related hardware sectors.

  8. 27:11
    Impact of AI on Portfolio Construction

    Discussion on how AI-driven insights influence portfolio allocation and trade selection.

  9. 29:37
    Closing Remarks and Upcoming Events

    Hosts wrap up the episode, promote upcoming shows, and provide final takeaways.

Highlights

  • 2:35

    Inflation Momentum Flatlinesinsight

    The guest explains that US inflation momentum has mostly flatlined since the first week of May, presenting a major surprise given the ongoing tensions around the Strait of Hormuz and regional supply chain fears.

  • 4:34

    Manufacturing Outpaces Servicesdata

    Manufacturing is accelerating faster than services in the US economy, driven heavily by the hardware trade and on-ground CapEx following the artificial intelligence data center build-out.

  • 5:48

    Iran Breaks Off Negotiationsstory

    News breaks that Iran has broken off communications via WhatsApp channels with the US, and the host evaluates the extreme fragility of the ceasefire and its localized impact on oil prices.

  • 17:31

    Blocked Tariffs Create Budget Holedata

    Court rulings against reciprocal and global tax policies have severely reduced tariff revenue to a fraction of expected levels, leaving a substantial deficit hole in the federal budget.

  • 23:20

    Software Short Squeezeinsight

    The market is caught heavily short in software, creating a violent short squeeze that is driving massive gains across security software names and related technology sectors.

  • 24:35

    Dell Trades Like Meme Coinstory

    Computer server makers like Dell are experiencing explosive growth similar to meme coins, fueled by artificial intelligence server demand and unexpected spillover effects to end-consumer products.

  • 27:57

    AI Recommending Service Nowinsight

    The guest highlights the circular irony of the AI assistant Claude recommending Service Now as a top buy despite it being a prime target for cannibalization by the AI itself.

Quotes

  • “We have brand new ISM numbers, so we have a lot to unwrap.”
    Unnamed speaker · 1:43
  • “I actually think the market reaction is fairly benign.”
    Unnamed speaker · 7:30
  • Real Vision 2:11–2:25
  • Shift 13:20–13:57

About this episode

Andreas Steno of Steno Research is flying solo on this week's Macro Mondays, breaking down the latest inflation signals and what they mean for the market outlook. With energy prices and input costs rising, is another inflation shock on the horizon — and could Kevin Warsh be focusing on the wrong inflation measure? Andreas also examines the latest business cycle data, why he's not ready to turn bearish on equities just yet, and what renewed pressure in France's bond market could mean for European investors. 🏆 The Real Vision Trading is now open! The best trade ideas on the platform compete for $80,000 in cash. 📈 Trading League: https://realvision.com/your-future Timestamps: 00:00 - France Is Burning — But Is the Market Panic Overdone? 02:30 - French Bond Stress: Why Credit Markets Are Turning on France 04:23 - AI Credit Stress: Is the Data Center Buildout Finally Breaking? 05:14 - Extreme Fear, Record Hedging, and the Midterm Setup 07:30 - Why This AI Selloff Is More Fundamental Than the Last Ones 08:26 - Hot CPI and PPI — So Why Did Bond Yields Fall? 09:38 - Positioning Is Crowded: Bonds, Energy, Dollar, and AI 11:30 - Inflation Peak Ahead? Why October Could Be the Turning Point 14:35 - Are the Mag 7 Really About to Cut AI CapEx? 15:41 - Compute Prices Are Rising — and That Changes the AI Bear Case 18:04 - DeepSeek Banned From US Government Systems: A New AI Trade War? 20:12 - Hiking Cycles, Credit Stress, and the Timing of the Next Trade 21:05 - Why Inflation and the Midterms Could Set Up a Q4 Rebound #macromondays #macro #mikkelrosenvold #andreassteno #stenoresearch #realvision Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Transcript

0:00
31:55

4,963 words · 6 speakers

Topics

  • US
  • Iran
  • Claude
  • Bitcoin
  • ISM
  • Dell
  • Macro Mondays
  • WhatsApp
  • Tesla
  • Waymo

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