What’s going on here?

Universa Investments, a $20 billion Miami-based hedge fund specializing in market crashes, thinks US stocks could gain another 20% before facing a downturn as severe as the 1929 collapse.

What does this mean?

The S&P 500 has already climbed 13% this year, especially after the Federal Reserve’s recent rate cut and hints at more easing to support the job market. But Universa’s founder believes this hot streak may not last. He suggests the index could top 8,000 before higher borrowing costs—still lingering after aggressive post-pandemic hikes—finally catch up, potentially causing an 80% drop. Universa specializes in tail-risk, or “black swan,” events: rare, severe market shocks traditional risk models often miss. The fund uses derivatives to hedge against these blowups—a strategy that paid off big during the 2020 rout, helping the fund average over 100% annualized returns since 2007. Investors view Universa like portfolio insurance, accepting modest losses in stable times for big gains if chaos erupts.

Why should I care?

For markets: Breaking records with eyes on the risks.

Markets are hitting all-time highs fueled by recent rate cuts and investor optimism, but tail-risk funds like Universa say hidden dangers could pull the rug out. While these strategies can drag on returns in calm conditions, they shine during market turmoil—as 2020 showed with triple-digit gains for hedged portfolios. With the S&P 500 at record levels and the easy money era winding down, investors are left wondering if today’s strength can withstand tomorrow’s higher borrowing costs.

The bigger picture: Why tail-risk protection is back in style.

The US economy is still running on momentum from years of loose monetary policy, but Universa’s warnings reflect a bigger shift. As higher interest rates filter through the system, their delayed impact may take months—or even years—to fully hit. This backdrop is pushing more investors to seek insurance-like strategies, forcing everyone to consider how markets will adapt when the cushion of past stimulus finally disappears.

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