The US utilities sector is a safe place to hide when investors fear markets. As shown below in the correlation table for the trailing six months, the utilities sector ETF (XLU) has had very little correlation with both bond (AGG) and equity (SPY, IWM, QQQ, EEM) market ETFs. This should come as no real surprise, Read more ➝
Reading this week’s commentary from Joseph Quinlan, Head of CIO Market Strategy at JP Morgan seems more like a preliminary celebration of International Women’s Day than a market commentary. Basically, Mr. Quinlan’s bull case rests on women’s adoption of the mobile phone! Just read the concluding paragraphs from his fairy tale: “… the steady advancement of women, Read more ➝
Quick Notes on the US Markets
Author: Christopher Davies Posted in: Analytics, NewsTags: market review, market trendsTechnically, all major indexes sit around their 200dMA – which means nothing really, other than everyone is watching it. Therefore, this level becomes a psychologically important level. A retracement from these levels is basically a self-fulfilling prophecy as everyone expects a fall of some sorts from here. Investors Business Daily counts only 2 distribution days Read more ➝
Merrill Lynch’s CIO sees a positive US market environment underpinned by better valuations and loose monetary policy. Although political global uncertainty and potential volatility continue, a positive shift in the markets is underway. We would say that ML is looking in hindsight, and could miss the fact that February is usually the weakest of the Read more ➝
Give Me a 50, a 200, and a Death Cross!
Author: Christopher Davies Posted in: Analytics, News, Personal financeTags: bonds, market trends, usaToday, Citigroup reported earnings in line with analysts expectations, but warned of weakness in its fixed income business. This resonates with our own concerns for the US debt market. Both government bonds and corporate bond yields have been under pressure for months as we have seen an inversion of the yield curve in some U.S. Read more ➝
The case for a Midlife Check-Up
Author: Michael Barry Posted in: Personal financeTags: пенсия, финансовое планирование, финансовый консультант
Retirement is increasingly seen as a long journey to look forward to, not, as it once was, a relatively short period of life that spelt the end of the road. Today’s retirees are more busy, independent and curious than ever and have more time to settle into a life filled with endless possibilities. But at Read more ➝
Debt, More Debt and BAML sees Unicorns!
Author: Christopher Davies Posted in: News, Personal financeTags: bondsWalls needed, walls built As the old adage goes, “markets climb a wall of worry”, so in good fashion BAML tapped into its inner Trump in its weekly market review to make certain sure that investors have a wall! While the US Federal Reserve tries to atleast stabilize its debt to GDP ratio – something Read more ➝
DIVIDEND STOCKS: NEGATIVE MYTHS AND POSITIVE REALITY
Author: Christopher Davies Posted in: Analytics, Investing basics, Investment ideasTags: dividend
We all know that there is no such thing as the perfect investment, but I have one that comes pretty close. Working with the American Association of Individual Investors for many years, I have done research on dividend paying stocks. Investing in stocks that pay dividends offers a tantalizing triple play of 1) greater safety, Read more ➝
Who has the worst state pension of any major country
Author: Christopher Davies Posted in: Analytics
February 2018 Monthly Market Review
Author: Christopher Davies Posted in: AnalyticsTags: market review, market trends
All the major equity markets saw massive selling in the beginning of February. Correlation between all asset classes rose sharply, as usual during market corrections, making it difficult to find shelter from the retreat. Combined with the unwinding of the short volatility trade which was so popular for the last few years, interest rate fears Read more ➝