— My title emanates from a year-end editorial header in a well-regarded financial magazine. — When all else fails to convey the gravity of the moment, invoke in the astrologer. — Warren Buffett commentary on gravity and rates worth considering — Bifurcation in reverse “Second verse same as the first or Wax on Wax off”…
“The Market Is Not Cheap” … or Is It?
— Is the S&P 500 PE expensive? Maybe in a perspective-free environment the answer is ‘yes’. But I am not perspective-free. — In today’s media environment there are legions of market analysts who would say it is overvalued vs. historical the lows in the late ’70s and early ’80s where high rates and inflation pushed…
Perspective: The Key to The Market Vault!
— Perspective is the number one biggest shortcoming in the coverage of financial and market news. — I examine perspectives on inflation, rates and recessions. — Lack of perspective stems from two causes: The lack of (or willingness to dig for) historical comparisons or the omission of known facts that might soften the fearful impact of a headline….
When Investing, Please Leave Your Politics At The Door!
— In our polarized world your politics can be hazardous to your performance — Many political claims seem to make sense but do not hold water — The economy, energy policy and inflation may be the poster children of this campaign — Market reaction going into (and coming out of) the 2022 midterm election has…
Having trouble making sense out of the market. The following might help!
— It’s all about the history you don’t know — We have been this way before, and rates and inflation were much worse — Historic fact does not matter … pessimism reigns supreme. — Blood in the streets + horrible sentiment + attractive valuation = Time to be greedy The history you don’t know may…
Good news is bad news and bad news is good in today’s upside down market
Pundit #1: This market is headed for a disaster of biblical proportions. Investor: What do you mean, “biblical”? Pundit #2: What he means is Old Testament, Mr. Investor, real wrath of God type stuff. Pundit #1: Exactly. Pundit #2: Fire and brimstone coming down from the skies! Rivers and seas boiling! Pundit #3: Forty years of darkness! Earthquakes, volcanoes…
If bull markets are “born on pessimism,” where are we now?
— Investor sentiment evidence would argue these most recent contractions are for real! — Why investor perceptions differ greatly from reality — lack of perspective and media more interested in getting their attention than an unemotional presentation fo the facts. — Most of the market away from the large cap/tech heavy S&P 500 looks very attractive. — “Bull…
What has this market so spooked?
— Simple Answer: Negative headlines shoveled to investors without perspective — Case in point: the August CPI report — A few deep breaths and a little market history from our last major brush with high inflation and interest rates (the 1970s and 1980s) will put your mind at ease. Negative Headlines without perspective Here is the headline that crushed…
Friday, another day in the clueless market: What were you expecting Powell to say?
— It was a bit surprising to see the market rally into the Fed confab in Jackson Hole — Powell’s speech contained nothing that had not been said before and the “pain” that he is referring to is already being felt in certain inflated sectors. — Is a two percent long-rage inflation goal realistic /…
Who’s the dumber, people who try to predict the market or those who follow their advice?
— Predicting the market or “do you feel lucky, …” — Paradoxically the prediction business can be very profitable for some and not because their predictions are correct. — Being out at the wrong time — Its hard to get back in. — Observations on beating the market Predicting the market or “do you feel…