Understanding Debt: The Good, the Bad, and the Misused

2024-10-03

A preview of tomorrow”s employment report an the phenomenon of "labor hoarding;" a weaker jobs report will not necessarily be recessionary. Markest are retesting support, and if it cannot hold, will trigger a sell signal. Lance’s FEMA rant & JOLTS preview w Michael Lebowitz; the labor market is behaving like the housing market: no one is doing anything. What will the Fed do in response to poor jobs numbers? Interestingly, QT is conspicuously absent from latest Fed discussion notes. Market Breadth continues to soar. You can’t make this up: Hurricane (James T.) Kirk: this wlll be comedy gold! Market breadth in an everything market: Too much money chasing too few stocks. lance & Michael discuss the problem of asset selection vs ETF’s.

3:06 – Why a Weaker Jobs Report is Not Recessionary

2024-09-30

The last day of September brings the end of the month, end of the quarter, and a preview of the next round of corporate earnings. So far, no evidence of recession is appearing. Regardless of your investment thesis, money flow still matters most, and there’s lots of money flowing into markets. China is most over-bought in years, thanks to Chinese government stimulus. Earnings outlooks will matter going forward. Oil prices are getting thrashed, with lots of short-selling over the last five weeks. Lance shares dog tales of Gunner & Sniper. With massive money inflows, liquidity is primary market driver. Lance discusses the components of our Greed/Fear Index; markets’ pricing is based on earnings. The two measures of consumer confidence; The Conference Board and U. of Michigan; Consumer

2024-09-26

Plenty of things to move markets this week, including economic numbers and multiple Fed members’ commentaries on why they did what they did last week. Are there more cuts to come? Millennial Earnings Season and no buy backs will impact markets soon. Is the AI trade dead? Don’t count on it. Micron turned in a strong earnings report, and the CIA’s own AI investments(?) are doing verrry well. Markets’ short term Cup & Handle formation confirmed Wednesday; this is now the second-biggest year for equities inflows since 2014. However, there are negative divergences from market trends indicating the current upward trajectory may be nearing an end. The Fed’s rate cut was a "normalization" cut; there are disturbing signs in the labor market. Just like real estate’s "location, location,

2024-09-25

Could the S&P hit 6,000 by the end of the year? Some prognosticators are saying so, hyped on exuberance, but consumer confidence is suggesting otherwise, and the foreshadowing is not great for the White House incumbent. Consumer spending & sentiment is incongruent with market expectations. Markets remain bullish, and another "Cup & Handle" formation has appeared, suggesting higher market prices in 2025. Markets, however, are extremely deviated, which is unsustainable, and correction is inevitable. Lance reviews "peak attractiveness" among the sexes and adult dating. The Fed’s rate cut occur amid economic dichotomy; markets so SO exuberant, yet Conference Board confidence surveys reflect a different mood, with a drop in the Present Situation Index. Lance relates a "drive-by" hello on the

2024-09-23

We’re entering the last-half of September, which is typically the weaker period of an already, traditionally weak month in the markets. Earnings seasons is about to beging, and Q3 estimates have already been slashed; this isn’t 1995, though: Is the Fed’s rationaled for cutting raates going to be validated by this week’s economic data? Markets ended slightly lower on Friday, but still holding onto breakout level. Lance relate’s Mrs. Robert’s most recent holiday decor disappointment, and announces news substack channel, @lanceroberts. Shocker: The Washington Post debunks climate change data. Lance’s daughter turns 18, wants to be a veterinarian; he can taste a rate cut coming. What’s the Fed’s rationale for it’s rate cut? Charts & a history of rate cuts and reacitons. This time is NOT like

2024-07-30

Earnings season continues with 39% of S&P reporting this week; by week’s end, 79% of companies will have shared results…and the buy back window opens anew. The Fed meeting begins today, with a slim chance for a surprise rate cut; a more dovish tone will encourage markets, however, and anticipate rate cut by September. Commentary on markets’ 3% correction & Japanese Yen carry trade effects. Addressing the correct response to correction: Average returns are not the norm; risk on/off behaviors. Anchoring life events: What’s the best anchoring for portfolios? Lance and Jon discuss a common mistake investors make when evaluating their portfolio performance, and explains why comparing your returns to the overall market is not always the best approach: The worst thing investors do is compare

2024-07-26

Rich & Danny recap Danny’s recent accident; Rich’s market summary includes a preview of today’s PCE release. Markets are awaiting confirmation of a trend. Dealing with the election fallout on your money; markets have already priced-in everything you know. PCE will move markets today; there is still $500-billion in unspent government funds from the Inflation Reduction Act. Dealing with data breaches. Retirees’ biggest worry is about income: What is the biggest source of income for most Americans? Their house & home equity…and SS, a forced pension. Benefits of a HELOC–get one early, and don’t touch it. The best use of "buffer assets." Thinking of HELOC’s and reverse mortgages as "unfreezing" liquidity in the frozen asset of your home. Retiremnent is about depleting assets; you’re no

2024-07-22

Lance discusses the markets’ potential reaction to Biden’s exit from Presidential race, and whether markets’ rotation out of mega-cap stocks is sustainable; a rewind to February market conditions compared to now: A correction is expected before the election. Commentary on keeping market corrections into context; the mega-cap rotation and fewer medium- and small-cap companies from which to choose: 40% of these are unprofitable companies. As companies complete their quarterly reports, buy back will again be enabled, and that activity will add to market volume. Lance explores the potential impact of a Kamala Harris presidency. What sectors could benefit from her leadership and policies? An overview of Harris’s potential presidency and expected policy focus areas; implications for clean