About us
Macrolens provides macroeconomic strategy and market insight to institutional investors including asset managers, hedge funds, family offices and pension funds.
We apply a classically grounded lens to the global macro landscape, with particular focus on global monetary dynamics and the interplay between the U.S. and China.
We stress-test popular market narratives to help investors tease out truth from fiction.
We provide market-leading insights on Chinese economics and politics and present them in the context of a holistic view of global macroeconomics.
Join the hundreds of institutional investors that count Macrolens as an invaluable input to their investment processes.
Brian McCarthy is the Managing Principal of Macrolens LLC. Brian founded Macrolens in 2019 to provide institutional investors with value-added insights on global macro, with a focus on the U.S. and China.
Previously, he served as Chief Strategist at Emerging Sovereign Group, where he managed the Nexus Fund, a China-focused macro hedge fund. A recognized authority on the Chinese economy, he has testified before the U.S-China Economic Security and Review Commission and briefed organizations such as the U.S. Dept. of Commerce and the Council of Economic Advisors.
Earlier, Brian held senior roles in portfolio management at AIG, as well as senior positions in FX sales at Barclays, UBS, and RBS.
He holds a B.A. in Economics from Harvard College, and lives on Cape Cod with his wife, Madonna and Coco, a Cavapoo who keeps them occupied between sporadic visits from their three grown children.
Research Samples
Macrolens “Weekend Links”
Each Friday we publish a topical essay and an array of under-the-radar news items with commentary.
On 11/7/25 we unpacked the off-cycle election results and explained why “running is hot” is unlikley to garner many votes for the Republicans.
Macrolens “Weekend Update”
Each Saturday we release a video recap of the week’s research output.
On 11/29/25 discussed the Dec FOMC meetings, the prospects of a Fed Chair Hassett, and the ramifications of Chinese authorities pulling the plug on China Vanke.
Macrolens “Flash”
Ad hoc notes are produced as events demand.
On 10/9/25 we published “China Ups the Pressure,” alerting clients to the risk of an imminent breakdown in US-China relations. The S&P500 fell 2.7% the next day.
Contact Form
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