"I DON'T THINK THIS IS GOING TO END WELL."
That's not some social media doomsayer, a crypto enthusiast talking up his latest bet, or an internet financial guru selling a course.
That's Alan McQuaid - an economist with more than 30 years' experience in financial markets, who has worked with the Department of Finance, Merrion Stockbrokers and Cantor Fitzgerald Ireland.
A man who has seen a financial crisis or two.
And he believes we're heading for serious trouble.
"We're set up for a big fall."
On this edition of That Great Business Show, Alan joins Conall Ó Móráin for a conversation that becomes increasingly worrying as it unfolds.
We're talking about bond markets, but before you switch off at the very mention of the word BONDS, listen to this.
The bond markets affect the interest on your mortgage, the money available to build houses, the ability of businesses to expand, the security of jobs and, potentially, the value of your pension.
And Alan thinks the warning lights are flashing.
Government borrowing is getting out of hand. Inflation is proving troublesome. Investors are demanding higher returns to lend money. And the world's stock markets may not yet have understood the danger.
Alan thinks interest rates could go higher over the next 12 to 18 months. He fears that share prices could fall sharply. And he believes Ireland is much more vulnerable to an international financial shock than many people realise.
A podcast colleague who's in the process of buying a house and arranging a mortgage, was genuinely worried when he heard this discussion.
We can understand why.
Among the questions we ask:
Alan has strong opinions. You may agree with him. You may disagree very strongly.
But you should hear what he has to say.
Because there's one thing he cannot tell us.
WHEN.
He believes a major fall is coming. But he doesn't know when.
And, as he cheerfully points out, if he did know, he'd be somewhere else making millions.
An extraordinary conversation with an economist who isn't afraid to say what he thinks.
Guest: Alan McQuaid, independent economist.
Connect: https://www.linkedin.com/in/alan-mcquaid-b6278884/
Hosted by Conall Ó Móráin.
That Great Business Show is proudly supported by De Facto Shaving Oil, made in Mayo, sold worldwide. A shaving oil, not a beard oil. No foam needed. Just a great shave.
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