156. FX 101, Operation Twist and Yale’s Selling Their ENTIRE $6bn PE Portfolio

In this episode of The Wall Street Skinny, we explore the escalating tension between former President Trump and Fed Chair Jerome Powell, how markets reacted, and what it reveals about the importance of central bank independence. Jen also breaks down "Operation Twist"—a lesser-known but powerful Fed tool—and explains how it differs from traditional rate cuts or quantitative easing.

Next, we turn to the U.S. dollar, which recently hit a three-year low. Why does a falling dollar matter, and how does it impact everything from inflation to global trade dynamics? We explore the broader implications of currency devaluation in both the U.S. and China, unpack how exchange rates influence purchasing power and investor sentiment, and challenge popular internet takes that frame this as a one-sided currency war. Spoiler: weak currencies on both sides of a trade war mean everyone loses.

Finally, we zoom in on Yale’s rumored $6 billion sale of private equity stakes—about 15% of its endowment. What does this tell us about the liquidity crunch facing endowments? We explain how the secondaries market works, why endowments like Yale are turning to it, and the growing tension between LPs and PE firms over approvals and fees. For anyone curious about the inner workings of endowments, private equity, or portfolio rebalancing in volatile times, this is a must-listen.

Private Equity Secondaries 101 https://youtu.be/KvayQmu8vNY

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