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Become a Better Investor Newsletter – 6 June 2026

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Noteworthy this week

  • Asian rice prices surge due to Iran war
  • Oil-importing nations are dumping US Treasuries
  • US manufacturing expands for a fifth straight month
  • Exxon warns oil could hit US$150+/bbl
  • Korea’s export growth hits a four-decade high

Asian rice prices surge due to Iran war: Thailand’s benchmark white rice price jumped +20% in May, the biggest monthly increase since 2008, as fertilizer costs across Southeast Asia soar.

Oil-importing nations are dumping US Treasuries: With foreigners holding US$13–14trn in dollar-denominated debt, rising oil prices are forcing aggressive selling to fund energy imports.

US manufacturing expands for a fifth straight month: The ISM Manufacturing index reached 54.0, marking a sustained breakout after a prolonged stretch of contraction.

Exxon warns oil could hit US$150+/bbl: A senior executive says global inventories are approaching “unheard of” lows, with a price spike likely once stockpiles hit critical levels.

Korea’s export growth hits a four-decade high: Exports rose +53% YoY in May to a record US$87.8bn, driven almost entirely by chip sales surging +169% as global AI investment accelerates.

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Weekly market performance

Chart of the week

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Podcasts we listened to this week

Bloomberg Odd Lots | Gita Gopinath on Why interest rates have surged all around the world

“Today, we speak with Gopinath about the seeming disconnect between stocks and bonds and why investors may be wrong to assume that governments will have their back the next time there’s a major shock.”

Listen on Apple or Spotify.

Readings this week

Ron Paul Institute | Ron Paul: The Federal Reserve is why people are unhappy

“According to the University of Michigan’s latest Index of Consumer Sentiment, a record number of Americans have negative views of the economy. This is yet more evidence that the American people are dissatisfied with their economic condition.”

Read the article.

Memes of the week

Published on Become a Better Investor this week

What if the problem isn’t your strategy, your people, or your tools, but the lens you’re looking through? In this first conversation with Andrew Stotz, quality educator Balaji Reddie explains why so many organizations chase Deming’s 14 Points and prizes but miss the philosophy underneath.

Listen to A New Lens with Balaji Reddie (Part 1)

Gunkul Engineering Public Company Limited (GUNKUL TB): Profitable Growth rank of 4 was up compared to the prior period’s 5th rank. This is above average performance compared to 1,110 medium Industrials companies worldwide.

Read Gunkul Engineering – World Class Benchmarking

China Railway Materials Company Limited (000927 SZ): Profitable Growth rank of 7 was up compared to the prior period’s 9th rank. This is below average performance compared to 1,380 large Industrials companies worldwide.

Read China Railway Materials – World Class Benchmarking

China Aviation Oil (Singapore) Corporation Limited (CAO SP): Profitable Growth rank of 4 was up compared to the prior period’s 6th rank. This is above average performance compared to 280 large Energy companies worldwide.

Read China Aviation Oil (Singapore) Corporation – World Class Benchmarking

In May 2026, we published 1 new episode of the My Worst Investment Ever podcast. Listen to all of them here.

Listen to My Worst Investment Ever May 2026

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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