Tour de force videos compel viewers to focus less on GDP and more on the U.S. balance sheet, as it is nearly 20x the size of GDP

Safanad, a principal-led investment company with in-house investment and asset management capabilities, is extremely pleased to announce the launch of a series of videos by Dr. John Rutledge, Safanad’s Chief Strategist: “Asset-First Economics: Two Economies, Not One” and “Asset-First Economics: Why Inflation and Interest Rates Move Together”. The core thesis of the video series is that the U.S.’s massive $566 trillion balance sheet, not the GDP accounts, is the source of all the impactful stories in economics and finance. Dr. Rutledge’s videos are viewable at https://safanad.com/chief-strategist.

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Dr. John Rutledge, Chief Strategist at Safanad. More information about the Office of the Chief Strategist may be found here: https://safanad.com/chief-strategist

According to Dr. Rutledge, the asset-first shift framework has two essential differences from accepted contemporary economics models. The first is that it is built on the foundational fact that our $566 trillion U.S. balance sheet, not our $30 trillion GDP, is where all the big stories in economics originate. Those stories happen when investors receive information that makes them change their mind about the assets they want to hold, typically when a change in inflation or tax rates alters the after-tax return on the country’s $171 trillion stock of tangible assets.

The second is realizing that the economy is a complex dynamic system built on a communication network that uses price signals to transmit information about wants and scarcities across the vast information network we call a market economy.

“We believe that Asset-First Economics can redefine investing, or, if not redefine it, at least create meaningful dialogue amongst investment professionals,” said Vincent Pica, Vice Chairman, North America, Safanad.

Dr. John Rutledge leads Safanad’s Office of the Chief Strategist. Using insight, foresight and integrity, the Office of the Chief Strategist at Safanad is dedicated to shaping the firm’s long-term investment strategy, identifying market opportunities, and providing thought leadership across our focus sectors.

Dr. John Rutledge is a leading expert in macroeconomics, financial markets, and global investment strategy. With decades of experience in private equity and advising institutional investors, policymakers, and corporate leaders, Dr. Rutledge brings academic rigor and extensive real-world experience to economic analysis and investment strategies. Dr. Rutledge was one of the principal architects of the Reagan Economic Plan and served as an adviser to the Bush White House. An economist trained at the University of Chicago under Nobel Laureate Milton Friedman, Dr. Rutledge is known for his ability to translate complex economic trends into actionable investment insights. Dr. Rutledge is an Honorary Professor at the Chinese Academy of Sciences and Dr. Rutledge was granted Beijing’s Great Wall Friendship Award in recognition of his role as a trusted advisor to China’s top officials.

Dr. Rutledge is a frequent and in-demand speaker at investment conferences and has over 30,000 followers on LinkedIn. He has over 9,000 subscribers to his Substack.

About Safanad

Safanad is a principal-led investment company with in-house investment and asset management capabilities. Committed to business building, Safanad delivers enduring value by investing with conviction, operating with an athlete’s discipline, and aligning deeply with investors to grow great businesses for the long-term. Safanad has platforms in Digital Infrastructure, Education, Healthcare, and Real Estate. The firm operates globally from co-headquarters in New York and Riyadh.

For more information, please visit www.safanad.com.

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