Michael Lewis talks about how hedge funds are employing pollsters because economic changes are so dependent on public opinion in varying countries and how they are likely to vote. Lots more good stuff.
The interesting part of this conversation is the connection between markets and public opinion. Investors often talk as though they are only watching numbers, but the numbers are shaped by governments, voters, fear, confidence, and the stories people believe about the future.
If hedge funds are paying attention to pollsters, that tells us something important. Politics is not separate from the economy. The way people vote, the way governments respond, and the way the public reacts can all become part of the financial calculation. Lewis is good at making those connections feel concrete.