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Most people have never heard of the Cantillon Effect.
But once you understand it, you’ll see the world of investing differently.
What is it?
In the early 1700s, Richard Cantillon noticed a simple pattern:
When new money enters an economy, it doesn’t reach everyone at once.
And whoever gets it first benefits the most.
Here’s how it works today:
New liquidity enters through the Fed and through bank lending.
Both follow a similar pattern:
→ Markets and large balance sheets get first access
→ Large corporations and well-connected borrowers tap cheap credit next, they invest and expand at today’s prices
→ Asset prices tend to rise as new liquidity chases finite assets
→ Consumer prices often follow
→ Wages rise last, usually after purchasing power has already declined
Fed data shows how lopsided the playing field is:
- The top 10% hold nearly 90% of equities.
- The bottom 50% holds about 1%.
It’s a simple but powerful monetary transmission.
Understanding this won’t change the system.
But it might change how you think about where to store your savings.
For those of you who don't know, I write all about topics like this every week in The Informationist. Last week, we dove deep on this one.
Link in bio if you want to read the full explanation.
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