Financial Markets and Investment Insights from Michael Batnick

Michael Batnick is a financial analyst, author, and Director of Research at Ritholtz Wealth Management, where he helps shape the firm's portfolio strategy. He first gained attention through his blog, The Irrelevant Investor, where he writes candidly about investing mistakes, market cycles, and behavioral traps that even seasoned professionals fall into. Alongside co-host Ben Carlson, his podcast Animal Spirits became a go-to for investors looking for honest takes on markets without the jargon. Batnick’s style is known for being conversational, self-aware, and refreshingly unfiltered; a rare mix in the financial world.

In 2025, Batnick continues to guide research at a firm managing over $3 billion in assets. His book Big Mistakes remains a popular resource for understanding how even the best investors stumble. With more than 150,000 followers on Twitter and a growing YouTube presence, Batnick is a regular face at major conferences and financial panels. In the past year, he was featured in the CFA Institute’s editorial series and provided market analysis on CNBC and Bloomberg during the bond sell-off. His takes are not just media-friendly; they’re used by real asset managers, including firms overseeing over $500 million, as part of their investment thinking.