Stocks

[Scott P]

haven't got an updated draft of Presidential comparisons, lately, update would be

This one? People were complaining about it, so I stopped posting.

[basilone0331]

I have index funds as well, but that's really pushing the definition of "managing stocks on your own".

Exactly my point, I am not one to be picking (guessing) which stocks will be the winners, so I am happy with the S&P 500 results. I just keep a portion as bonds as I get older my willingness to take a big loss with the markets decreases. I generally follow the Bogle method.

[accadacca]

So what the heck happened?

[oldno7]

So what the heck happened?

A buying opportunity.

This was driven by the release of the memo, Wall street hates uncertainty.

Wouldn't be surprised to see a new high by the end of Feb.

[oldno7]

Was also driven by the wage increase report.

Higher wages help create inflation, which devalues bonds, bonds started selling off and stocks followed.

And here we all thought a wage increase was a good thing.

It is for us working folks but bad for the fed which tries to control inflation.

20 trillion has to catch up to us eventually, as well.

[Brian in SLC]

A buying opportunity.

This was driven by the release of the memo, Wall street hates uncertainty.

Wouldn't be surprised to see a new high by the end of Feb.

Had nothing to do with release of "the memo".

Jobs, rise in wages, inflation and a scheduled increase in inflation.

Several big companies bought back huge amounts of their own stock.

I think one of the reasons the market "corrected" (tanked...ugh). is that I moved my portfolio around. Its happened before. My timing is brilliant.

Ha ha.

Yeah, lets hope for steady growth for the rest of the month.

I need to quit watching and worrying day-to-day I suppose.

Where's my darn crystal ball...

[Iceaxe]

Brian singlehandedly tanked the entire US stock market.... LOL

Somehow it gets overlooked that stocks are up 28% for the year, even after the correction. I don't think this correction surprised anyone.

[Scott P]

Another way to look at it is that the current DOW value would have been the record high on January 10 2018. Three and a half weeks ago, this would have been considered a record on the high end.

It's a really minor correction in the grand scheme of things.

[oldno7]

Had nothing to do with release of "the memo".


.

You should certainly have others manage your money.

I forecast prior to the day that it could easily be a -500pt day, it was 665.

This was an easy call and great opportunity to buy discounted stocks and/or funds.

Just because you didn't see it ahead of time and made bad decisions, doesn't mean it's not true.

[Iceaxe]

You should certainly have others manage your money.

I forecast prior to the day that it could easily be a -500pt day, it was 665.

This was an easy call and great opportunity to buy discounted stocks and/or funds.

Just because you didn't see it ahead of time and made bad decisions, doesn't mean it's not true.

I'm with Brian, the memo had a negotiable impact on stocks. It was the wage report that caused the chaos. There was nothing new in the memo that most didn't already suspect.

[Brian in SLC]

Short of impeachment proceedings (doubtful in the short term, and, not likely in the long term), I'm not sure the politics of the country can really rock the financial boat.

The fed raising interest rates. Change in monetary policy. New or changing regulations.

This tax change will be interesting to watch. Will certainly stimulate at least sectors of the economy. Hard to say what it will do more globally. Maybe uninformed, but, given the lack of knowledge about the impact, I wonder if foreign investments aren't as good a bet?

As far as having someone manage one's money...in a sense, if you stick with large mutual funds, then essentially it is being managed.

Hopefully by the end of Feb we'll have better news...no reason not to that I can see.

If folks have short term predictions, post up.

[oldno7]

I'm with Brian, the memo had a negotiable impact on stocks. It was the wage report that caused the chaos. There was nothing new in the memo that most didn't already suspect.

I follow markets very closely, I trade them daily.(by myself, with only my own analysis, mostly technical but some fundamental)

The wages increase/inflation issue was real, it was also a 2-300 pt correction issue.

Uncertainty with the memo, was the balance of the decline.IMO

[oldno7]

Short of impeachment proceedings (doubtful in the short term, and, not likely in the long term), I'm not sure the politics of the country can really rock the financial boat.

The fed raising interest rates. Change in monetary policy. New or changing regulations.

This tax change will be interesting to watch. Will certainly stimulate at least sectors of the economy. Hard to say what it will do more globally. Maybe uninformed, but, given the lack of knowledge about the impact, I wonder if foreign investments aren't as good a bet?

.

Global economy(IMO) is well worth watching.
I've invested a great deal in emerging markets as I think they all lag the US economy and have more room for growth.
As goes the US economy--goes the world economy.

[oldno7]

Short of impeachment proceedings (doubtful in the short term, and, not likely in the long term), I'm not sure the politics of the country can really rock the financial boat.

Honest--not trying to pick on you here but this statement is incredibly naive and/or ignorant.(the second half, first has zero chance)

[Brian in SLC]

Uncertainty with the memo, was the balance of the decline.IMO

The post analysis of the decline has been an interesting read. Marketwatch, Bloomberg, WSJ, Benzinga....none mention the memo as even a partial cause.

And, given the memo was a bit of a big nothing burger...no surprise there.

By all count, was an orderly sell off and not chaotic.

The whole market thing is interesting. I have friends who are in the financial sector, and, friends who dabble in the hobby of it (day trading, etc). Its kinda crazy.

I'm convinced that the folks who create immense amounts of wealth for themselves in the markets all have...information...that the rest of us aren't privy to. Lets just say everyone I know with a Harvard or Wharton MBA does pretty well... Its an insiders club.

That doesn't mean the table scraps aren't worth pickin' through.

Here's to fat returns to the next 2-3 years!

[oldno7]

The post analysis of the decline has been an interesting read. Marketwatch, Bloomberg, WSJ, Benzinga....none mention the memo as even a partial cause.

And, given the memo was a bit of a big nothing burger...no surprise there.

By all count, was an orderly sell off and not chaotic.

The whole market thing is interesting. I have friends who are in the financial sector, and, friends who dabble in the hobby of it (day trading, etc). Its kinda crazy.

I'm convinced that the folks who create immense amounts of wealth for themselves in the markets all have...information...that the rest of us aren't privy to. Lets just say everyone I know with a Harvard or Wharton MBA does pretty well... Its an insiders club.

That doesn't mean the table scraps aren't worth pickin' through.

Here's to fat returns to the next 2-3 years!

Ahh--so it's ignorance, I stand corrected, carry on..

[Brian in SLC]

Honest--not trying to pick on you here but this statement is incredibly naive and/or ignorant.(the second half, first has zero chance)

Humor me, then.

As an example....Bill Clinton was impeached by the house. The dow gains during his presidency? Second highest in history?

I think the market, driven by either a strong or weak economy, certainly is influenced especially at the consumer spending and confidence level, by the politics of the day. But, I don't think that influence is significant.

Now, if politics result in policy and regulations change...absolutely. A hike or cut in interest rates? Government bonds? Cutting entitlements? Raising the debt ceiling?

Sure.

Doesn't it seem when congress is in turmoil...that the market fairs well?

Shine some of your light on this, sensei.

[oldno7]

Ever hear of :

The new deal(had a positive affect on markets, just after the crash of 29)
Bay of pigs
Cuban missile crisis
Beginning of medicare
Vietnam
Watergate
Remember the crash of 87? (Iraq)
Subprime mortgage

[oldno7]

I'm not sure the politics of the country can really rock the financial boat.

.

This is ignorance and the above is a small representation of why.

[oldno7]

And---the short list is of those events that had a negative effect, you can google political events that had a positive one.

I'll even help you with something recently---Trump tax reform...

I'm guessing you were on the boat of "Trump will crash the market"