The SkyBridge Alternative Conference (SALT) wrapped up Thrusday. To be honest, most of the attendees were still reminiscing about the second day’s after party, with headliner Maroon 5. But, we kicked off the day with a contentious start as political strategists went at it.
Robert Gibbs, longtime advisor to President Barack Obama, and Karl Rove, former Deputy Chief of Staff & Senior advisor to President George W. Bush, were right in the thick of things, most notably touching on the hot topic of religious backgrounds. Nevertheless, both strategists found common ground, noting that this election will be a close one with swing states determining the outcome. Additionally, both acknowledged the sticky point that the rich will have to pay their fair share and entitlements need to be cut.
Additionally, we heard from the global shift into finding opportunities in the emerging markets. Moderator Tim Seymour, managing partner of Triogem Asset Management, has been a staunch supporter of emerging market investments.
“You want to buy EM when fiscal policy is tight and monetary policy is loose. That’s what’s going on. Central banks in EM are easing — fiscal policy, though, very conservative,” Seymour said earlier this year on CNBC. “It’s a good time to invest in this backdrop, but be careful. It’s been a big run.”
T. Boone Pickens, legendary Texan energy tycoon and chief executive officer at BP Capital, has been pushing to pass the so-called Energy Security Act, which focuses on America’s large natural gas reserves. He appeared late Thursday on a CNBC interview at the conference and commented on his discontent with the speed at which the administration is moving on the matter.
“When this one’s over for me, I am through with Washington,” Pickens, founder and CEO at BP Capital, said at the conference. “What I’d like to do is get our own resources in the United States and get the hell out of the Middle East.”
The opinions and forecasts expressed herein are solely those of Tom Lydon, and may not actually come to pass. Information on this site should not be used or construed as an offer to sell, a solicitation of an offer to buy, or a recommendation for any product.