Expect Corporate Bankruptcies and a Recession This Year

04/07/25 • 66 min

On this week's Stansberry Investor Hour, Dan and Corey welcome their colleague Mike DiBiase back to the show. Mike is the editor of Stansberry's Credit Opportunities and senior analyst for Stansberry's Investment Advisory.

Mike kicks off the episode by discussing the rampant fear in the stock market today. He notes that this fear is not yet reflected in the credit market, which is a "mistake," as credit investors should be more concerned. Mike then talks about the lack of good high-yield bonds out there, corporate bankruptcies being on the rise, the worrying number of zombie companies, the Starbucks recession indicator, consumer confidence hitting a 12-year low, and why he believes things are "not going to end well" for the economy. (1:40)

Next, Mike examines the budget-deficit problem and the market's expectation that the government will always bail it out. He highlights the fact that the U.S. has been printing money at an above-average rate the past year and says he believes inflation will spike once more as a result. All of this is part of the "new world" that investors will need to learn to navigate, including permanently higher interest rates, bonds being a better choice than stocks, and an inevitable credit crisis similar to the one from 2008. (21:32)

Finally, Mike explains the economic difference between tariffs and inflation, how investors can "make a killing" from what's about to happen, and the many advantages corporate bonds have over stocks – such as it being easier to spot a bottom with bonds. He says he's waiting until credit spreads surpass 1,000 basis points, and then he will deploy his strategy of finding the best bonds out there with the lowest risk of defaulting. (40:22)

Previous Episode

Don't Underestimate the Power of 'Hidden Compounders'

On this week's Stansberry Investor Hour, Dan and Corey are joined by John Barr. John is a managing director at Needham Funds, where he has served as co-portfolio manager of the Needham Growth Fund and portfolio manager of the Needham Aggressive Growth Fund for 15 years.

John kicks things off by discussing his investment philosophy, what Needham Funds does, and the power of compounding. He says he tries to find companies that are hidden compounders that will eventually turn into quality compounders. This leads John to share the four criteria he looks for when trying to find hidden compounders. He names two such companies that fit the criteria, breaking down the thought process for Needham's investing in each one. (1:39)

Next, John explains why he's such a fan of family-run businesses and names a power-conversion company he likes that's still being led by its founder. He then discusses what sets Needham apart from other funds, including its preference to hold on to quality companies for a long time – even through 50% drawdowns. And John details how he decides when to actually sell a company, although he notes that he made a mistake with Dick's Sporting Goods. (21:31)

Finally, John reminds investors to know and play to their strengths. And he urges them to ignore all the noise in the news, as being successful in the markets requires a fair amount of optimism about the future. Talking broadly, John says that Needham has been investing in infrastructure for the past decade-plus and more recently has been looking at defense companies. He names military shipbuilder Huntington Ingalls Industries as a solid pick today. Plus, he names a couple skilled-labor-school stocks he likes, as skilled labor is set to remain in high demand. (40:58)

Next Episode

What to Do When the Market Punches You in the Face

On this week's Stansberry Investor Hour, Dan and Corey welcome Chris Mayer back to the show. Chris is co-founder and portfolio manager of Woodlock House Family Capital – a firm that focuses on long-term, patient investing. He has also written several books, including 100 Baggers: Stocks That Return 100-to-1 and How to Find Them.

Chris kicks things off by breaking down his "CODE" acronym that he uses for picking stocks – cheap, owner operator, disclosures, and excellent financial condition. He lists Brown & Brown as an example of one such company that checks all four boxes. And he shares a trucking company he likes because of its lower-than-average turnover rate. This leads to a conversation about the importance of management having skin in the game and why investors should mostly leave their portfolios alone. Chris then uses Monster Beverage as a case study for identifying a good company. (1:47)

Next, Chris talks about investor psychology. He says that it's difficult to hold stocks through large drawdowns and through periods of boredom, but that's how you can make a lot of money in the long term. Doing nothing is often the best thing you can do for your portfolio. Chris also covers how philosophy has influenced his investing style, the hidden opportunity in Swedish stocks, two specific Swedish companies that he likes today, and why you should always stick to your core principles – even if it means missing some winners along the way. (20:02)

Finally, Chris explains that staying true to your investment principles is hardest (yet also most crucial) when times get tough. It all comes down to knowing yourself, your risk tolerance, and what you're most comfortable investing in. Chris shares the names of two spun-off companies he's excited about today, as he expects a big surge in free cash flow for both. He clarifies that these are for holding long term rather than trying to make a quick buck. And Chris finishes with a discussion about why the recent tariff drama doesn't really matter. (39:26)