Podcast

Host Mike Wallberg, CFA, interviews Javier Gonzalez Lastra, CFA, a portfolio manager at Tema ETFs, about the investment potential of the luxury goods sector. Javier explains that while the luxury goods market is fragmented, companies like LVMH have managed to build large conglomerates. He discusses the reasons why his team at Tema decided to launch a luxury ETF, pointing to demographic trends like the growing purchasing power of females in the workforce and the rise of the middle class in Asia. Javier also touches on the pricing power of luxury goods, which is driven by their desirability and negative price elasticity.

Our guest today is Peter Atwater, President of Financial Insyghts and an adjunct professor at William & Mary and the University of Delaware. He studies the impact of changing confidence on consumer decision-making, using his research to advise investors, business leaders, and policymakers. In 2023, he released the book, The Confidence Map: Charting a Path from Chaos to Clarity. 

In today’s episode, Peter walks through some of the key topics in the world today, including the dominance of U.S. stocks, the rise of grifters in the past few years, why he coined the term K-Shape Recovery in 2020. Everything Peter discusses is through the lens of the decision-making framework laid out in his recent book, which is the best writing about the way feelings of confidence and vulnerability relate to the markets at any given time. 

Our co-hosts today are Chris Cannon, CFA, and myself, Colby Donovan, CFA. Please enjoy the episode. 

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Tracie McMillion, CFA, is Head of Global Asset Allocation Strategy at Wells Fargo Investment Institute, a subsidiary of Wells Fargo & Company.  We talk with Tracie about global asset allocation and historical lessons, how portfolios are impacted by inflation, geopolitical risks and exogenous shocks, and her latest findings on women and investing.  

Tracie McMillion is focused on delivering the highest quality investment expertise and advice to help investors manage risk and succeed financially. Wells Fargo Investment Institute serves Wealth and Investment Management, a division of Wells Fargo & Company, and is comprised of Wells Fargo Private Bank and Wells Fargo Advisors businesses.

In her current role, Ms. McMillion leads a team that develops capital market assumptions and asset allocation recommendations. She also writes market commentary and analysis. She is frequently quoted in the national media, including The Wall Street Journal, Reuters, Bloomberg Television, and CNBC.

Prior to her current role, she served as an asset allocation strategist and a senior investment research analyst for Wells Fargo and predecessor firms. Earlier in her career, she managed assets for high-net-worth clients and philanthropic organizations.

Tracie earned a Bachelor of Arts in Economics and a Master of Business Administration from the College of William and Mary in Virginia. She is a CFA® charterholder and member of the CFA Society North Carolina. Ms. McMillion is located in Winston-Salem, North Carolina.

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