Questions in Finance

How Do Stock Markets React to Wars?

In this episode, hosts Kate Holland and Veljko Fotak discuss how wars affect stock markets. Drawing on both existing academic research and historical records, Kate and Veljko discuss how markets tend to initially react negatively, with sharp declines, just as most of us would expect. But those initial sharp declines tend to be followed by “war rallies” and, overall, markets during war...

Should You Hire a Financial Advisor?

In this episode, hosts Kate Holland and Veljko Fotak weight the costs and benefits of hiring a financial advisor. How much do advisors really cost? Do advisors lead to higher returns? How common is fraud? What are the mistakes people make in selecting advisors—and what mistakes do advisors make themselves? The conversation touches upon those questions and much more and, as always, the disc...

What Ten Geopolitical Trends Are Shaping Tomorrow’s Markets? With William Megginson

What do financial economists make of the current geopolitical landscape? Hosts Kate Holland and Veljko Fotak, along with today's guest Bill Megginson, talk about the current state of geopolitics. They discuss tariffs, climate change politics, the internal political dynamics of China, Canada, and Russia, as well as newly emerging peace in the M...

How Does Policy Uncertainty Affect Investments?

In this episode, university professors Kate Holland and Veljko Fotak explore academic research on the impact of policy uncertainty on investment decisions, markets, and firms. The episode underscores that high levels of policy uncertainty tend to depress corporate investment, hiring, and economic growth, as firms delay major expenditures. The conversation spans equity markets and high...

Can You Invest Like Warren Buffett?

In this episode of 'Questions in Finance,' hosts Kate Holland and Veljko Fotak chat about the life and investment philosophy of Warren Buffett, exploring his journey from a young investor to the sixth richest man in the world. The discussion covers...

Should Space Be Privatized? With William Megginson

In this episode of 'Questions in Finance,' Kate and Veljko explore the space economy with Bill Megginson, Professor and Price Chair in Finance at the University of Oklahoma. They discuss the history, financing, and future prospects of space exploration, focusing on the pivotal roles played by private enterprises like SpaceX and government entities such as NASA. The conversation hig...

Who Paid for the 2018 Trade Tariffs?

In this episode of 'Questions in Finance,' Professors Kate Holland and Veljko Fotak discuss the academic research on the impact of the 2018 US trade tariffs. The conversation revolves around who ultimately paid for these tariffs—US consumers and importers—and the nuanced effects on retail prices. The discussion covers the impact of retaliatory tariffs on US exporters, before focusing...

Is a U.S. Sovereign Wealth Fund a Good Idea?

In this episode of 'Questions in Finance,' hosts Kate Holland and Veljko Fotak are joined by guest expert William Megginson, Professor and Price Chair in Finance at the University of Oklahoma, to discuss the concept of Sovereign Wealth Funds (SWFs). The conversation centers around a recent proposal for the creation of an American Sovereign Wealth Fund, initiated by an executive order fro...

Should Investors Care About Corporate Culture?

In this episode, hosts Kate Holland and Veljko Fotak delve into the significance of corporate culture and its impact on firm performance and investor portfolios. They discuss the struggle to measure corporate culture, using examples like Steve Jobs at Apple where storytelling helped create an innovative environ...

Do Pension Bailouts Create Moral Hazard? With Michael Dambra

In this episode of 'Questions in Finance,' host Veljko Fotak dives into the complex world of moral hazard and pension bailouts with guest Michael Dambra, the Kenneth Colwell Chair of Accounting and Law at the University at ...

Is Short Selling Evil?

In this episode, Kate and Veljko delve into the contentious topic of short selling. The discussion begins with an explanation of viatical settlements and transitions into an in-depth exploration of short selling—its mechanisms, benefits, and ethical implications. The hosts examine the historical and legal co...

Do Woke Firms Go Broke? Part 2

In this episode of 'Questions in Finance,' university professors Kate Holland and Veljko Fotak delve into the 'S' (social) aspect of ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) in corporate social responsibility. They discuss...

Do Woke Firms Go Broke? Part 1

In this episode of 'Questions in Finance,' university professors Kate Holland and Veljko Fotak explore the intersection of corporate profitability and social responsibility. They examine whether companies prioritizing ESG (En...

The Presidential Puzzle: Does the US Economy Perform Better under Democrat or Republican Presidents?

In this episode of 'Questions in Finance,' university professors Kate Holland and Veljko Fotak dive into an intriguing economic puzzle: why does public opinion favor Republicans as better managers of the economy, while macroeconomic indicators, corporate performance, and stock market returns generally show better outcomes under Demo...