As we navigate the economic landscape, there are clear indications that the market is taking a well-deserved breather, cautiously eyeing potential trouble spots.
In every aspect of our lives, when we see bargains in merchandise we love, we buy more. As consumers, we get excited to capture a sale, but as investors, we run from sales. Flip this narrative around and we become great investors.
Leading companies serving large end-markets will tend to outperform over time. On the rare occasions when they struggle, that’s usually a time to be adding to those companies.
I’ve always believed watching what the smartest investors in the world are doing, offers the average HNW investor a wonderful advantage. The largest alternative asset managers, including the private equity and private credit firms, have an information advantage over the typical individual investor.
Remember, our investment in stocks is a De facto vote of confidence on the economies in which we invest. Earnings, revenue, margins, free cash flow, and the growth of these important metrics is what drives stocks up or down over time.
The discretionary sector struggled as did all growth and quality-oriented areas of the market in 2022. That was a classic re-set and a raging opportunity to add exposure.
The Institute for Supply Management’s monthly survey of purchasing managers came in below expectations for August, while the Bureau of Labor Statistics jobs report indicated that nonfarm payrolls expanded by only 142,000 jobs during the month (against expectations of 161,000 jobs).