“High-flying growth with shaky roots” defines today’s economy: soaring Mag7 valuations mask the decay on Main Street, while private equity avoids facing losses in a new rate regime. Value is eclipsed by price, optionality always carries cost, and defaults—set quietly by tech and politics—shape the rules of engagement. True capitalism thrives when it disrupts, not when it entrenches.

In a world where facts are cheap and narratives compound, the ultimate currency is belief—story sells, and those who master narrative hold the real power.

This week’s edition explores risk calibration in investing, the fragility of AI analysis, and why quitting can be a powerful strategy. From Alan Waxman’s unitized risk model to Cate Hall’s case for walking away, discover how capital, cashflow, and culture demand recalibration—not just ambition.

Discover how eight unconventional CEOs outperformed Wall Street by mastering capital allocation, rejecting corporate trends, and focusing relentlessly on per-share value. Based on The Outsiders by William Thorndike, this article reveals the contrarian blueprint behind decades of market-beating returns.