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Become a Better Investor Newsletter – 23 May 2026

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Noteworthy this week

  • The semiconductor price shock brewing in Asia
  • Gulf oil exports bypassing the Strait of Hormuz
  • Midterm elections mean a rough summer for the S&P 500
  • US inflation to exceed 5% by November midterms
  • The Fed may change how it measures inflation

The semiconductor price shock brewing in Asia: Machinery export prices from Korea and Taiwan are rising at their fastest pace in over two decades, signaling that the world now faces two price shocks: energy and electronics.

Gulf oil exports bypassing the Strait of Hormuz: Re-route flows have risen by 1.5m bbl/day to nearly 8m bbl/day, led by Saudi Arabia and the UAE. But overall exports remain far below pre-Iran war levels.

Midterm elections historically mean a rough summer for the S&P 500: Since 1931, midterm years have followed a consistent pattern: flat through April, a six-month drawdown from May to October, then a sharp 4Q rally. We’re entering that window now.

US inflation to exceed 5% by November midterms: CPI has averaged 0.4% MoM over the past 6 months. Even if monthly prints ease to 0.3%, the YoY rate would still hit 4.4%, the highest since April 2023.

The Fed may change how it measures inflation: Governor Warsh has signaled a shift from Core PCE (currently 3.2%) to Trimmed Mean PCE (2.4%). The switch would put the Fed mathematically closer to declaring victory on inflation.

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Weekly market performance

Chart of the week

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Podcasts we listened to this week

The Investor’s Podcast | Lyn Alden on why fiscal dominance changes everything

“Stig Brodersen welcomes back renowned macroeconomist and bestselling author Lyn Alden. They explore fiscal dominance, gold, energy markets, and the shifting role of the U.S. dollar in a more fragmented global economy. Lyn also explains why higher interest rates may no longer slow inflation the way they once did, and what this changing macro regime means for investors.”

Listen on Apple or Spotify.

Readings this week

Aswath Damodaran | An ode to restraint: Lessons from the Tim Cook legacy!

“While Steve Jobs has now been deified in business circles, as an unparalleled visionary and business builder, and deservedly so, I think that Tim Cook, in many ways, has played just as significant a role in molding the company into its current day standing, with far less recognition.”

Read the article.

 

Memes of the week

New My Worst Investment Ever episode

Ep821: Laurie Barkman – Don’t Wait Until You’re Exiting to Plan Your Exit

BIO: Laurie Barkman is a Certified Exit Planner, M&A Advisor, and founder of The Business Transition Sherpa®.

STORY: Laurie explains why it’s important to start planning your exit plan five to seven years before and what you need to do during that period.

LEARNING: Don’t wait until you’re exiting to plan your exit.

Access the episode’s show notes and resources

Published on Become a Better Investor this week

President Bakery Public Company Limited (PB TB): Profitable Growth rank of 4 was down compared to the prior period’s 2nd rank. This is above average performance compared to 410 medium Cons. Staples companies worldwide.

Read President Bakery – World Class Benchmarking

Thai Steel Cable Public Company Limited (TSC TB): Profitable Growth rank of 2 was same compared to the prior period’s 2nd rank. This is World Class performance compared to 760 small Cons. Disc. companies worldwide.

Read Thai Steel Cable – World Class Benchmarking

Patrangsit Healthcare Group Public Company Limited (PHG TB): Profitable Growth rank of 2 was up compared to the prior period’s 3rd rank. This is World Class performance compared to 470 small Health Care companies worldwide.

Read Patrangsit Healthcare Group – World Class Benchmarking

Premier Technology Public Company Limited (PT TB): Profitable Growth rank of 4 was down compared to the prior period’s 1st rank. This is above average performance compared to 750 small Info Tech companies worldwide.

Read Premier Technology – World Class Benchmarking

S & J International Enterprises Public Company Limited (SNJ TB): Profitable Growth rank of 5 was same compared to the prior period’s 5th rank. This is average performance compared to 410 medium Cons. Staples companies worldwide.

Read S & J International Enterprises – World Class Benchmarking

DISCLAIMER: This content is for information purposes only. It is not intended to be investment advice. Readers should not consider statements made by the author(s) as formal recommendations and should consult their financial advisor before making any investment decisions. While the information provided is believed to be accurate, it may include errors or inaccuracies. The author(s) cannot be held liable for any actions taken as a result of reading this article.

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