Category Archive: 9a) Buy and Hold

(3/10/22) The NASDAQ chalked up a 3% gain, and he S&P bounded nearly as much in the biggest one-day gain we've seen in a while. But even with this volatile behavior, markets have been in a consistent decline since January. The out-sized rallies have continued to fail--a hallmark of the correctional process. Below the surface of the average, individual companies are recording losses of up to 30- and 40% off their peaks. The S&P is being...

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(3/10/22) Next Week's Fed Meeting and monetary policy are front and center...but tightening is already occurring, thanks to higher energy prices. Will the Fed back off inflationary stance--and protect financial markets, or go full-speed ahead with higher interest rates? The Amazon 20:1 stock split AND $10-B stock buy-back--a defacto move for larger companies. Who's really to blame for high energy prices? The consequences of virtue signaling and...

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Parents of upper-level high school and college students should be well into the college planning phase of life. The FAFSA is an essential part of planning for college expenses, and one incorrect answer could cost you money, time, and opportunity. RIA Advisors Senior Advisor, Danny Ratliff, CFP, and Senior Risk Management Consultant, Chris Liebum, LUTCF, share insights and advice for successfully maneuvering through the financial aid maze associated...

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(3/9/22) Oil prices on Tuesday spiked on expectations of sanctions on Russian oil, and as it came to pass, oil futures dropped 2%. Oil had been over-sold by more than three standard deviations, so a pullback was not unexpected. An oil price correction back down to $100/bbl would not be surprising, as a re-test of the 50-DMA--and that could set oil prices to go even higher, still. But high prices are the cure for high prices, and that dynamic is...

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(3/9/22) The news moves markets, and as the Russian invasion of Ukraine remains in the headlines, COVID has been all but eliminated! After sanctions on Russian oil were put in place, oil futures shed 2%. NFIB Survey shows sentiment waning, wage expectations falling, and anticipated sales down. The Fed bet: raise rates or hold firm? Nickel trading suspended until Friday; what then? Manipulation of commodities markets--nothing new. Markets' next...

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(3/8/22) Markets sold off on Monday, breaking through support all the way back to October's levels. Markets are not yet on a sell-signal, and not really all that over-sold--meaning, there's still some downside risk with which to be reckoned. We will likely re-test the intra-day lows established when Russia invaded Ukraine. Sentiment remains negative--the CNN Fear & Greed gauge is in the "extreme fear" category. This would suggest we...

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(3/8/22) The cost of filling your tank just got real, and it's effectively pulling liquidity out of the market, and slowing down economic growth. Earnings Estimates are too optimistic with consumers having less to spend as a result of higher energy costs. This could bring on Recession before the end of the year. Just because NASDAQ has declined 20% does not make it a bear market--it's the trend that counts. We're primed for a reflexive rally. Do...

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(3/7/22) Why be invested now, with all the turmoil in the world? Controlling your emotions will help you avoid making mistakes with long-term disadvantages. While markets have started 2022 with a 10% decline (normal in any year), investor anchoring can skew your view: when compared to the all-time highs of October 2021, today's markets are only off by about 3%. The reality is that markets really haven't gone anywhere since last October. The...

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(3/7/22) It might take a short-term loan for your next fill-up: Crude Oil price inflation isn't over; are we seeing the death of ESG investing in the face of fiscal reality? The flaw in investor anchoring--and market perspective. Why high oil prices are essentially tightening money supply; the true cause of inflation, per Milton Friedman (it's Washington's fault); Word of the Day: "Slowbalization." There are two sides to every...

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