David L. Smith

Featured Keynote Programs

When the Tech-Dot-Com bubble burst in 2000 and 9/11 traumatized the world economy, we were reminded of the peril as well as profit in today's new economy. As the millennium approached and sunshine pundits saw nothing but blue sky ahead, Smith clearly warned his audiences of approaching "clouds in the silver lining" that could storm on the economy. He also provided strategies to avoid the dangers of crashing stock markets, international crises, a sagging U.S. economy and "sticky" long-term interest rates. His contrarian resource allocation strategies--recommending profitable exits from the stock market between January 4, 2000 and April 2003 --proved to be the most valuable information his audiences could use and the most expensive advice to ignore. With singular independence of mind and uncanny insight, Smith explains what is going on in the global economy and financial markets--the good, the bad and the ugly. He discusses current and projected economic conditions; monetary and fiscal policy; international trade and capital flows; currency, energy, financial and investment markets. Learn how to avoid surprises and deploy business and personal resources to avoid losses and capture profits in volatile times. If you want "nothing but blue skies" try a sunshine pundit. However, if you want to know what is really going on and how to profit from it personally and professionally, listen to David L. Smith.

Overview: Following the massive devaluations in the wake of the “Asian Flu” in 1997, the economies of Asia have aggressively accumulated vast trade surpluses with the U.S., in particular. Asians have recycled their dollar surpluses back into the U.S. economy, producing bubbles in the U.S. stock and housing markets, and the “conundrum” in the bond market, which in turn have stimulated U.S. demand for Asian exports. Former Fed Chairman Paul Volker has warned that “This seemingly comfortable pattern can’t go on forever,” adding “Altogether the circumstances seem to me as dangerous and intractable as any I can remember.” Smith addresses three critical related questions:
1) When are Asians likely to stop lending money to the U.S.? 2) What will happen to the U.S. economy and financial markets when they do? 3) Where will Asians then invest their money? 4) What can consumers, investors and business decision-makers do to avoid loss and capture profits in the aftermath of the Asian financial tsunami? The answers might just be the most valuable information you can use, and the most expensive advice to ignore.
Audience Benefits: Gain an understanding of the Asia’s influence on the powerful economic forces affecting their lives -- professionally and personally -- as the dynamics of international capital flows evolve. Also gain profitable insight into the economic and financial opportunities and challenges they will face in the coming years.

Overview: Given the close interdependency between the U.S. and Asia-Pacific economies, the presentation begins with a review of the U.S. economy, with a behind-the-scenes examination of imbalances that will eventually bring the long expansion to an end. One imbalance in particular -- soaring U.S. trade deficits -- must inevitably result in a devaluation of the dollar relative to the yen, with profound consequences for the dynamics of the global economy. Next, the Japanese "Economic Disappointment" and plans for financial and economic reform are reviewed, and prospects for a self-sustaining Japanese recovery are evaluated. Present conditions in the rest of the Asia Pacific economies are presented. The presentation concludes with strategies calculated to optimize returns and avoid losses in the Asia Pacific region over the next 3-5 years.
Audience benefits: The audience will gain an understanding of the powerful economic and financial forces affecting their lives -- professionally and personally -- as the dynamics of the global economy evolve. They will also gain profitable insight into the economic and financial opportunities and challenges they will face in the Asia-Pacific region.

Overview: In his controversial 1993 essay “The Clash of Civilizations,” (and subsequent book) political scientist Samuel P. Huntington helped to reframe the geopolitical discourse following the end of the Cold War. Whereas ideological polarization – capitalism vs. communism – fueled the predominant geopolitical confrontation and conflict in the Cold War era, according to Huntington, conflict in the post-Cold War era will be driven by cultural polarization in the clash of civilizations. Of the various cultural fault lines likely to produce a catastrophic clash of civilizations, the divide between the West and Islam poses the greatest danger. The occupation of Iraq and Afghanistan, and corresponding insurgencies; the War on Terrorism and its Islamic counterpart, jihad; and the conflict between Israelis and Palestinians are the most visible flashpoints of lethal confrontation between these two cultures today. This presentation puts the present confrontation into historical context; examines the polarizing forces of religion, interests, race, political ideology; discusses the strategies and objectives of the combatants and projects possible outcomes. Audience benefits: A clearer understanding of the dynamics of the escalating confrontation between the West and Islam, the stakes involved and possible outcomes, along with practical conclusions as to how to survive and prosper in what promises to be a volatile and difficult period ahead.