The Lam Lens

UBS advisor podcasts · ubs.com

The Lam Lens brings clarity to the world of finance and the global economy. Hosted by The Lam Group, this weekly podcast shares accessible, insightful commentary that cuts through noise and myths, helping listeners make sense of how the financial system works. Our goal is simple: to educate, debunk financial myths and share our team’s lens on the markets.

21 episodes

2mo ago latest

fortnightly cadence

English language

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Episodes 21

The Oil Shock That Didn’t Break the Market
2mo ago
This episode explores why recent geopolitical disruptions have not pushed oil prices as high as many investors expected. It compares today’s oil market with past crises and explains how stronger reserves, flexible demand, and a more diversified energy mix are helping contain inflation pressures.
Why Isn’t the Yen Rising?
2mo ago
Japan has finally exited decades of deflation, inflation is back, and the Bank of Japan has begun raising interest rates. So why hasn’t the yen strengthened? In this episode, we unpack the forces keeping Japan’s currency weak—from the yen carry trade and interest rate differentials to energy imports, government debt, and the limits of monetary tightening.
Why the World’s Reserve Currency, The Dollar, Is Under Pressure
2mo ago
In this episode, we explore why the U.S. dollar has weakened despite strong performance in U.S. stocks and a relatively resilient economy. We break down the key forces behind the shift—including changing investor sentiment, Federal Reserve rate cuts, and growing concerns around fiscal and monetary policy—and what it could mean for global markets.
The Paradox of Weak Confidence and Resilient Spending
3mo ago
In this episode, we explore why consumer spending can remain relatively steady even when confidence appears deeply weak. We also look at how growing wealth concentration is shaping demand—and why that makes the economy look resilient in some areas while more fragile in others.
What the Employment Rate and Labor Participation Rate Really Tell Us
3mo ago
In this episode, we break down the difference between the unemployment rate and the labor force participation rate—and why that distinction matters more than many headlines suggest. We explain how the labor market can look stable on the surface while underlying participation trends point to a more mixed picture.
Risk, Return, and the AI Era
3mo ago
Understanding risk and return is key to long term investing. From historical market cycles to today's technology driven environment, we break down how volatility, innovation, and market concentration shape returns - and what it means to stay invested through different cycles.
Expectations, Credibility, and Why the Fed Thinks Forward
4mo ago
Inflation is as much about behavior as it is about data. In this episode, we explain why expectations matter more than current inflation readings, how consumers and markets respond differently, and why the Federal Reserve focuses on staying predictable rather than reactive. We close by tying credibility to market stability—and what that means for long‑term investors.
Money, Inflation, and Why They’re Inseparable
4mo ago
In this episode, we break down what money really is, how currencies function, and why inflation is inseparable from the concept of money itself. We explore the two main frameworks for understanding inflation—demand‑driven and money‑supply driven—and what recent data tells us about inflation control. The key takeaway: inflation is not just a number, but a measure of confidence, and credibility is what keeps money and markets working.
Oil, War, and Recessions Explained
5mo ago · 24:38
In this episode of The Lam Lens, we break down how global events—like tensions in the Middle East—can influence oil prices and what that means for markets and everyday investors. We explain why markets often react quickly to uncertainty and why those moves don’t always last. Most importantly, we share why staying focused on long‑term goals can help investors navigate short‑term headlines with confidence.
Private Credit Explained: Beyond the Headlines
5mo ago
Private credit has been in the spotlight - but not always for the right reasons. In this episode, we break down what private credit actually is, how this asset class works, where current fears are coming from, and why it still remains a part of modern portfolios.
Business Cycles Explained: AI May Be Rewiring the Cycle
5mo ago
In this episode, join Evans and Client Associate Nicole Chen to revisit the traditional textbook view of business cycles - expansions followed by an inevitable recession. With AI driven productivity, what if the cycle is evolving?
Lam Lens Q&A: Should we offload AI?
6mo ago
In this episode, join Evans and Nicole Chen, Client Associate, from The Lam Group to explore a question we may all carry: should investors offload AI? We break down the ways we see mitigating concentration risk and thinking long-term about transformative technology.
2025 GDP Explained: Growth, Jobs, and Hidden Forces
6mo ago
In this episode, join Evans and the team to explore what may appear as a paradox: economic growth without jobs. From shifting labor trends to unexpected drivers of growth, we explore what the latest data may be signaling below the surface.
Gold Explained: Silver is not Gold's twin
6mo ago
Continuing our last episode on Gold, we explore why gold is often viewed differently from silver, based on supply, government demand, and how each metal is produced. We discuss how silver is mined as a by-product, how that affects pricing and volatility, and what history shows about silver's susceptibility to sharp market moves.
Gold Explained: Why Gold Still Matters Today
6mo ago
Gold has been making big moves. In this episode, join Evans Lam to explore what's driving recent gold volatility, why scarcity matters, and why gold continues to play a unique role into global investments and government reserves. Be on the look out for a dedicated follow-up episode where we will take a deeper look at silver.
Economic Growth Explained: Why America's Growth is Higher Than You Think
6mo ago
In this episode, join Evans Lam dives into the intriguing reasons why economic growth estimates consistently falls short of actual performance. Exploring the dynamics of GDP composition, productivity gains, and the influence of technology, he challenges the perception of the "stagnant economy". Join us as we debunk myths and uncover how AI and new consumer models are reshaping our understanding of economic growth.
Inflation Explained: What the Numbers Miss
7mo ago
In this episode, join Evans Lam to explore why the level inflation feels worse for many Americans than what the figure says. Evans explains how different income groups, retirees, and everyday consumers experience price pressures in ways traditional measurements overlook. Tune in for a thought-provoking analysis on the realities of inflation and a need for a more nuanced understanding of its impact across all societal layers.
2026 Outlook: Big Risks, Bigger Momentum
7mo ago
Continuing our last 2026 Outlook episode, join Evans Lam to dive deeper into the major risks in the new year. The market is caught between Trump-driven political uncertainty and FOMO surrounding major private equity IPOs. As investors are on the edge, we look at what may drive - or derail - the year ahead.
2026 Outlook: Opportunities, Risks, and What to Expect
7mo ago
What does 2026 hold for the markets? From interest rate shifts to global economic trends, investors are looking ahead with curiosity - sometimes uncertainty. In this episode, join Evans Lam and walk through the forces driving the outlook for 2026, explain what investors should pay attention to, and share insights on navigating risks and opportunities in the year ahead.
A Look Back at 2025
7mo ago
A quick dive into the key market themes that shaped 2025. Join Evans Lam to break down what mattered, what surprised investors, and what it means heading into the new year.
Productivity Explained: Are We Really in a Crisis?
9mo ago
What exactly is productivity - and why does everyone from policy makers to investors care about it? Join Evans Lam and Kelsey Berryman, as they unpack the mechanics of productivity, why it matters for the economy, and how technology may be quietly boosting productivity in ways traditional metrics miss. A simple, insightful conversation designed to make complex economic topics easier to understand.