Mel Mattison anticipates a violent correction due to the unsustainable debt and deficit situation in the U.S., combined with potential policy changes under the new administration. He believes the market will react sharply to the realization of these fiscal challenges, leading to a 10-30% decline in the S&P 500.
Mattison cites the AI boom, the wealth effect from COVID-induced asset price inflation, and the fiscal impulse from massive deficit spending as key drivers. He also highlights the impact of higher interest rates on money markets, which have provided incremental spending power.
Bretton Woods 2.0 represents a potential global monetary reset to address the unsustainable sovereign debt bubble. Mattison believes this reset could involve coordinated efforts to control yields, reduce debt-to-GDP ratios, and introduce a new reserve asset system, which could stabilize and then propel markets higher.
Gold is seen as a potential neutral reserve asset in the proposed monetary reset. Mattison suggests that revaluing gold could help devalue the dollar against it, providing a release valve for global debt issues. He also notes that central banks have been increasing their gold reserves, signaling a shift away from the dollar as the primary reserve asset.
Mattison’s 15,000 S&P 500 target is based on a combination of pro-growth policies, controlled inflation, and structural changes in the global monetary system. He expects real earnings growth and inflationary pressures to drive nominal earnings higher, leading to a significant market rally.
The primary risk is that the market continues to rise without a significant correction, leaving investors with cash on the sidelines. Additionally, unexpected policy changes or geopolitical events could disrupt the anticipated trajectory of the market.
Mattison sees Bitcoin as a potential, though unlikely, part of a new reserve asset system. While he acknowledges its growing acceptance as a store of value, he believes it is more probable that gold and other traditional assets will play a larger role in any monetary reset.
Mattison expects the U.S. dollar to remain a core reserve currency but not the primary reserve asset. He foresees a move toward a more neutral reserve asset system, potentially involving a basket of currencies, gold, and other assets, to reduce reliance on the dollar.
A rapid decline could be triggered by policy announcements from the new administration, such as mass deportations or tariffs, which could create market uncertainty. Additionally, concerns over inflation and debt sustainability could lead to a sharp sell-off.
Mattison is raising cash, buying put options, and using call options to limit downside risk while maintaining some exposure to potential upside moves. He plans to redeploy cash into the market during any significant corrections, focusing on small-cap and equal-weight S&P 500 ETFs.
Mel Mattison, investor, monetary theorist, and former fintech executive, joins Monetary Matters to share how he’s thinking about the next few years for the financial system. Stunned that Mel’s “6,000 by year-end 2024” prediction actually happened, Jack asks Mel why he now expects a violent correction in early 2025 while at the same time extending his S&P 500 forecast to the stunningly high 15,000 level by the end of 2028. They also discuss Bretton Woods 2.0, incoming Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, potential revaluation of gold, and several advanced monetary topics. Recorded December 30, 2024.
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