Executive Summary While it is normal to have rallies during bear markets, volatility caused by options trading currently appears to be having a more profound effect. Options give the purchaser the right to buy or sell an underlying stock at a specific price. The use of shorter-term [...]

Executive Summary In this week’s Update, I share thoughts from Dennis M. Kelleher, Cofounder, President and CEO  of Better Markets, “An independent, nonpartisan, nonprofit organization that promotes the  public interest in financial reform, financial markets and the economy.” Since I have shared  numerous thoughts on the Fed’s [...]

Executive Summary The first graph below illustrates the massive increase in the national debt, which now totals over $31.5 trillion. With interest rates rising, the cost of carrying the U.S. debt skyrocketed 40% (see second graph). By ignoring the future costs of uncontrollable Federal debt, policymakers are [...]

Executive Summary The National Bureau of Economic Research, the arbiter for dating recessions, has not yet declared one – although many economists are predicting one in 2023. Many datapoints are either declining or are reaching points where previous recessions have started. Look at the graphs below including: [...]

Executive Summary Stock markets move in long-term (secular) and shorter-term (cyclical cycles). Historically, the Shiller Price-to-Earnings (P/E) ratio could be used to define secular cycles. In the first graph below, one can see secular bull markets tend to start in single-digit Shiller P/E ratios and end in [...]

Executive Summary As 2023 gets underway, the bear market pattern of 2022 continues. After a few down days, another bear market rally appeared. Notice in the first graph below, the S&P 500 has been on a downward trend since the start of 2022. However, as is typical [...]

Executive Summary The December Job’s Report released last Friday provided optimism that inflation is slowing enough to push the FED to “pivot.” Private sector hourly wage inflation slowed to 0.3%. However, it is the apparent strength of the employment situation which astonishes pundits. Key employment datapoints comparing [...]

Executive Summary Asset classes of all types fell last year, leaving a traditional “buy-and-hold balanced portfolio” consisting of 60% S&P 500 and 40% cash and Treasuries, down about 17%. However, the declines were not straight down as evidenced by the S&P 500 (first graph below showing bear [...]

Executive Summary Last week’s Update discussed what could fuel a Santa Claus rally. While the CPI data provided  some fuel, Jerome Powell threw cold water extinguishing the hopes for a rally. The slightly  cooler CPI data resulted in hope for a Fed policy pivot and a market [...]

Executive Summary Talk by financial media for the always hoped-for Santa Claus rally is rampant. On December 13 the CPI for November will be released. If it is down, there will be hope of a Fed pivot. The Fed should state their interpretation at their meeting on [...]