The S&P 500 touched yet another all-time high Friday at $5,505. It was up +0.6% on the week. The NASDAQ also hit another all-time high ($17,936) but could not break the big round number of $18,000 in two attempts. It was flat on the week. Friday was “Triple Witching” Options expiration – over $5t in options expired.
“If you do not know what port you sail to, no wind is favorable.” Read More »
Economic data continues to surprise to the upside; the Citi surprise index was up again from last week (44.10 vs 39.0) and the January lows (0). It is above pre-pandemic levels, and the labor market is stronger, too. Unemployment is 3.7%, with claims falling and the number of available jobs rising.
The story of the year for investors was the unprecedented surge in liquidity, which drove high-beta risk assets back up to the 2022 highs.
Lower Inflation and its influence on interest rates and the stock market was enormously impactful.
Here is what happened last year… Here is what will happen this year. Read More »
Markets need to figure out a normalized level of interest rates appropriate to this volatile new era of De-globalization, rising military engagement, heightened Geopolitical tensions, excessive indebtedness, and the irrational rise in deficit spending.
Markets need to figure out a normalized level of interest rates appropriate to this volatile new era of De-globalization, rising military engagement, heightened Geopolitical tensions, excessive indebtedness, and the irrational rise in deficit spending.
75% of the Perry Capital Portfolio remains in AAA-rated, very short maturity, and very liquid securities.
I remain underweight the equity market because the valuation metrics of risk assets are not discounting for
persistent inflation and a slowing economy to the degree necessary to be attractive. I would rather watch from
the sidelines at 5% until the strategic risk/reward is in my favor. I must say, though, that the Nasdaq 100 (QQQ)
performance y-t-d is impressive. Perhaps A.I. is a paradigm shift as impactful as the internet.
“The problem with leverage is that you have to pay it back.” Read More »
75% of the Perry Capital Portfolio remains in AAA-rated, very short maturity, and very liquid securities.
I remain underweight the equity market because the valuation metrics of risk assets are not discounting for
persistent inflation and a slowing economy to the degree necessary to be attractive. I would rather watch from the sidelines at 5% until the strategic risk/reward is in my favor.
“Politicians are like bad horsemen who are so preoccupied with staying in the saddle…” Read More »
