Monthly Archives: December 2016

The Fed Hikes Rates

December 16, 20162016, Economy, Federal Reserve, History, Investing, Politics, Stock Market, TrumpBonds, Christmas, Donald Trump, Elvis Christmas Music, Elvis Presley, Federal Reserve, Finance, Financial Markets, Hoildays, Holiday Cheer, Interest Rates, Janet Yellen, Stocks, The FedRay Higgins

The Economy: Holiday Cheer continues for the 6th week with global financial markets hitting levels of euphoria not seen in years. Donald Trump’s election was supposed to unleash Forces of Darkness that would obliterate life as we know it. Instead, optimism and euphoria have taken hold of financial markets around the world. Even oil markets are screaming higher on production agreements that ignore the OPEC’s history. The Fed ended its meeting and raised interest rates ¼% as expected. The call is that the Age of Central Bankers is drawing to a close with Trump’s fiscal spending to take the lead in pumping up the economy. Global markets have priced-in immediate results for the Trump agenda. As the post-election rally continues to hit new all-time highs, the Shiller cyclically adjusted P/E (CAPE) ratio now stands at 27. This reading is only exceeded by 1929 and 2000. Stocks are getting expensive.

Food for Thought: The Fed tightening unleashed a selloff in financial markets. Stocks tanked; Mortgage rates jumped to the highest in 2 ½ years. In her press conference Fed Chair Yellen indicated that 3 rate hikes were in store for 2017. Markets were expecting 2. Higher mortgage rates will eventually put a damper on real estate. Higher treasury yields will eventually begin to compete with stocks. But one day does not a market make. The Trump rally took taken a breather today but it may continue upwards till the inauguration on January 20, 2017.

Music of the Week: Elvis Presley “Elvis Christmas Album”

Stock Market Euphoria

December 8, 20162016, Economy, Federal Reserve, History, Investing, Politics, Real Estate, Retirement Strategies, San Diego Real Estate, Stock Market, The Presidential Election, TrumpBrexit, Christmas, Consumer Confidence, Defense, Education, Electoral College, Financial Markets, Foreign Policy, Holiday Cheer, Home Prices, Immigration, Italian Election, Obama Care, Real Estate, Santa Claus, Stock Markets, Tax Code, Trade, Trump, US EconomyRay Higgins

The Economy: The Holiday Cheer keeps coming. Last week it was Happy Holidays! It’s all good: Home prices up 5% year over year. The U.S. economy expanding at the fastest pace in 3-years. Consumer confidence far above expectations. This week it’s Happy Holidays Again!! It’s all good again: ISM non-manufacturing index rose to 57.2 in November; above consensus. October factory orders rose 2.7% also above expectations. Durable goods posted a 4.6% increase once again above expectations. JOLTS revised higher. The incoming administration has a Santa Bag full of action items to move the US in new directions: Obama Care, immigration, deregulation tax code, infrastructure, trade, education, defense, foreign policy. Financial markets have priced in immediate passage and implementation of every utterance. What comes out of the sausage making we call the legislative process, is anyone’s guess.

Food for Thought: Rock On! Markets have been on a roll since the Trump election. This has the feel of a Triple: Post election relief rally, Year-end performance chasing and the traditional Santa Clause rally. Trump supporters have the stage as they advocate a sea change. Hillary fans continue the fight with promises of disruptions in the Electoral College. I’m all for Dedication to The Cause but that’s why we call tilting at windmills Quixotic. After 2-years of flat returns, stocks have jumped to new highs in the past 4-weeks. The markets took 3-days to shake off-Brexit, 3-hours to shake-off the Trump election and 3-minutes to shake-off the Italian election. We’re on track for the next event to have 30-seconds of impact. Complacency Rules so remember Icarus and don’t fly to close to the sun. Have a Great Holiday!

Music of the Week: Dean Martin’s “A Winter Romance”

U.S. Economy Powers Ahead

December 1, 20162016, Brexit, Economy, EU, Europe, Federal Reserve, Politics, Super Bowl, The Presidential Election, TrumpAustria, Christmas, Christmas Music, Electoral College, Federal Reserve, Happy Holidays, Home Prices, Interest Rates, Italy, Jazz, Obama, Post Election, Rate Hikes, The Circus, The EU, The Fed, The Hill, The Wild West, US Economy, Washington DC, We Quarterbac, We Quarterback Money®Ray Higgins

The Economy: Happy Holidays! It’s all good. Home prices up 5% year over year. The U.S. economy expanding at the fastest pace in 3-years. Consumer confidence far above expectations. On the near horizon: Votes in Italy and Austria that may see more exits from the EU. Expectations that the Electoral College will confirm the U.S. Presidential Election. Anticipation of a ¼% Fed interest rate hike in mid-December. Prospects that we’re on the verge of another leg up in equities.

Food for Thought: Holiday joy is offset by the aftermath of the election. Partisans on both sides have sharpened their knives and created their lists. Though Republicans have The Hill and the White House, no one is calling it a mandate with the popular vote having eluded them. However, Trump is a man of a different color; arguably the first Man on Horseback since Teddy Roosevelt. Obama has established the precedent of rule by Executive Order; bypassing the Constitution, Congress and the Courts. Expect this to continue; first with the unwinding of the Obama agenda and then with its replacement. As The Circus leaves town, it looks to be replaced by The Wild West Show.

Music of the Week: Elwood Brothers “Jazz Tannenbaum”