AUTHOR
John Stepek
John is the executive editor of MoneyWeek and writes our daily investment email, Money Morning. John graduated from Strathclyde University with a degree in psychology in 1996 and has always been fascinated by the gap between the way the market works in theory and the way it works in practice, and by how our deep-rooted instincts work against our best interests as investors.
He started out in journalism by writing articles about the specific business challenges facing family firms. In 2003, he took a job on the finance desk of Teletext, where he spent two years covering the markets and breaking financial news. John joined MoneyWeek in 2005.
His work has been published in Families in Business, Shares magazine, Spear's Magazine, The Sunday Times, and The Spectator among others. He has also appeared as an expert commentator on BBC Radio 4's Today programme, BBC Radio Scotland, Newsnight, Daily Politics and Bloomberg. His first book, on contrarian investing, The Sceptical Investor, was released in March 2019. You can follow John on Twitter at @john_stepek.
Are UK house prices finally heading for a crash?
House prices
Are UK house prices finally heading for a crash?
The latest house price figures show a fall of 0.1% in July. With interest rates rising, inflation hitting double figures and a recession on the cards,…
5 Aug 2022
Central banks can’t solve our current economic problems
UK Economy
Central banks can’t solve our current economic problems
Traditionally, as we hit recessionary times, central banks have lowered interest rates. But that’s not an option this time. If anyone can help dull t…
4 Aug 2022
The biggest change in the last 17 years – the death of the “Greenspan put”
Global Economy
The biggest change in the last 17 years – the death of the “Greenspan put”
Since I joined MoneyWeek 17 years ago, says John Stepek, we’ve seen a global financial crisis, a eurozone sovereign debt crisis , several Chinese grow…
3 Aug 2022
Why now looks like a good time to invest in nuclear power
Energy
Why now looks like a good time to invest in nuclear power
Nuclear power has a terrible PR problem. But it has a vital role to play in energy security, to provide baseload power, and to reduce our carbon emis…
3 Aug 2022
Are we heading for a commercial property crash?
Alternative investments
Are we heading for a commercial property crash?
The pandemic has reduced the demand for office spaces and permanently changed the office environment. But John Stepek says rising interest rates are a…
1 Aug 2022
Is the US in recession and does it matter?
US Economy
Is the US in recession and does it matter?
There's a heated debate over whether the US is in recession or not. But why does it matter? John Stepek explains
29 Jul 2022
Market sentiment is at a low ebb – is it time to buy?
Investment strategy
Market sentiment is at a low ebb – is it time to buy?
Fund managers feel as pessimistic now as they did in 2008 and early 2020. So is it time to fill your boots?
29 Jul 2022
What the death of the “Greenspan put” means for investors
US Economy
What the death of the “Greenspan put” means for investors
The Fed’s latest interest-rate rise shows that the “Greenspan put” – the idea that central banks will intervene if markets look like crashing – is dea…
28 Jul 2022
Walmart’s latest shock profit warning tells us a lot about the post-pandemic world
Retail stocks
Walmart’s latest shock profit warning tells us a lot about the post-pandemic world
US retail giant Walmart has issued its second profit warning in ten weeks as consumer spending habits shift. That’s bad news for Walmart, says John St…
27 Jul 2022
“Whatever it takes” is no longer enough to shield the euro
Inflation
“Whatever it takes” is no longer enough to shield the euro
The European Central Bank raised interest rates for the first time in more than a decade on Thursday, officially marking the end of negative interest …
22 Jul 2022
Things won't just return to normal – that's not how inflation works
Inflation
Things won't just return to normal – that's not how inflation works
You might think that, if inflation is indeed “transitory”, we just need to wait and everything will return to “normal”. But this is a grave misunderst…
21 Jul 2022
UK inflation has hit yet another 40-year high
Inflation
UK inflation has hit yet another 40-year high
UK inflation is running at 9.4% – its highest for 40 years. John Stepek explains why rampant inflation can be so damaging for business, for the econom…
20 Jul 2022
Is the eurozone heading for another crisis?
EU Economy
Is the eurozone heading for another crisis?
The eurozone avoided breakup when Greece couldn’t repay its debts after the 2008 financial crisis. Now it’s in trouble again, says John Stepek. And th…
19 Jul 2022
Are stocks cheap yet or do they have further to fall?
Stockmarkets
Are stocks cheap yet or do they have further to fall?
Stockmarkets have fallen hard, but investors still seem willing to pay high price/earnings multiples for shares. John Stepek looks at what might take …
18 Jul 2022
Which stockmarkets look cheap now?
Stockmarkets
Which stockmarkets look cheap now?
We’re always telling you to buy when assets are cheap. So are any global markets looking appealing yet?
18 Jul 2022
What does the latest inflation shocker from the US mean for your money?
Investment strategy
What does the latest inflation shocker from the US mean for your money?
US inflation has hit another fresh 40-year high and it’s unlikely to be going away any time soon, despite the best efforts of the Federal Reserve. Wit…
14 Jul 2022
You can’t ignore politics anymore – here’s what that means for your money
Investment strategy
You can’t ignore politics anymore – here’s what that means for your money
As the world converged on a liberal democratic consensus, it seemed for a while that politics didn’t matter. But things are very different now, says …
11 Jul 2022
Why a strong dollar hurts – and what you can do about it
Currencies
Why a strong dollar hurts – and what you can do about it
The US dollar is at its strongest level in 20 years. That’s bad news for most investment assets, says John Stepek – here’s why
11 Jul 2022
Things may look bad – but they’re not that bad
UK Economy
Things may look bad – but they’re not that bad
The UK faces plenty of problems, says John Stepek. But things may not be as bad as they look. Our debt to GDP ratio is lower than many other major eco…
7 Jul 2022
Even if we end up in recession, a more inflationary world awaits us
UK Economy
Even if we end up in recession, a more inflationary world awaits us
The idea that a recession will drive down interest rates – and thus inflation – is flawed, says John Stepek. The disinflationary forces of the recent …
6 Jul 2022
Is inflation about to drop as recession takes hold?
UK Economy
Is inflation about to drop as recession takes hold?
Central banks are raising interest rates in an attempt to curb soaring inflation. But will that push the economy into recession? John Stepek looks at …
5 Jul 2022
How to boost your income as dividends come back in fashion
Income investing
How to boost your income as dividends come back in fashion
Dividends are back in fashion. But how do you go about building an income-generating portfolio?
4 Jul 2022
UK house prices are definitely cooling off – but are they heading for a fall?
House prices
UK house prices are definitely cooling off – but are they heading for a fall?
UK house prices hit a fresh high in June, but as interest rates start to rise, the market is cooling John Stepek assesses just how much of an effect h…
30 Jun 2022
The benefits of private equity are about to get tested
Stockmarkets
The benefits of private equity are about to get tested
Private equity has grown ever more popular in recent years. But its touted benefits are set to be tested, says John Stepek.
27 Jun 2022
Inflation in the UK just keeps on rising
Inflation
Inflation in the UK just keeps on rising
UK inflation has risen to 9.1% a year – far beyond the Bank of England’s 2% target rate. And it’s likely to remain high for some time. That’s going to…
22 Jun 2022
Central banks are divided – so prepare for more turbulence
Global Economy
Central banks are divided – so prepare for more turbulence
Central banks no longer agree on interest rates. The US is raising aggressively, while the UK is taking a more cautious approach and Japan is sticking…
17 Jun 2022
When will the bear market end?
Investment strategy
When will the bear market end?
US stocks are now in bear market territory. Can history tell us when a bottom is likely?
17 Jun 2022
The Fed really is fighting inflation – so don’t expect an early end to the bear market
Stockmarkets
The Fed really is fighting inflation – so don’t expect an early end to the bear market
In an attempt to contain raging inflation, the Federal Reserve has raised US interest rates by 0.75 percentage points. And it’s going to keep on raisi…
16 Jun 2022
Investors are starting to panic – resist joining in
Investment strategy
Investors are starting to panic – resist joining in
Markets are falling hard as investors take fright. But whatever you do, says John Stepek, don’t panic. Keep your head and prepare for the opportunitie…
14 Jun 2022
Russia is now a liability for Western companies
Investment strategy
Russia is now a liability for Western companies
Companies which have pulled out of Russia have incurred significant costs, but it's been worth it, says John Stepek – they've seen their market value …
14 Jun 2022
Protecting your wealth from inflation won’t be easy – here’s what to do
Investment strategy
Protecting your wealth from inflation won’t be easy – here’s what to do
US inflation hit a fresh 40-year high last week. That sent markets into a spin over fears of interest rates rising more quickly than expected. John St…
13 Jun 2022
Recession talk is a red herring – here’s what investors should focus on instead
Investment strategy
Recession talk is a red herring – here’s what investors should focus on instead
There is a lot of talk of impending recession. But that’s not something you should worry too much about, says John Stepek. What’s more important is …
6 Jun 2022
How to avoid “growth traps”
Growth investing
How to avoid “growth traps”
When high-growth stocks stumble, the market reaction can be brutal. And there’s plenty more to come, says John Stepek.
4 Jun 2022
It may not look like it, but the UK housing market is cooling off
House prices
It may not look like it, but the UK housing market is cooling off
Recent house price statistics show UK house prices rising. But John Stepek explains why the market is in fact slowing down and what this means for you…
2 Jun 2022
Why the UK's investment prospects are improving
Investments
Why the UK's investment prospects are improving
The outlook for the UK has darkened since last year, but the chancellor’s £15bn energy relief package should mean recession is avoided, says John Step…
1 Jun 2022
Has the chancellor done enough to save the UK from recession?
UK Economy
Has the chancellor done enough to save the UK from recession?
UK Chancellor Rishi Sunak announced a new package last week to ease the cost of living crisis. John Stepek explains whether the risk of a UK recession…
29 May 2022