As we approach the end of the summer, Covid-19 health risks remain prevalent. The new delta variant continues to shed uncertainty around a robust economic recovery. Amid the new variant’s increasing infection rates (even in vaccinated individuals), the Federal Reserve announced that the in-person plans for the Jackson Hole symposium would be replaced with a virtual event on August 27, 2021.
The most recent CPI report was a little better than expected – all-items less food and energy was up 4.3% year-on-year. Used car prices had boosted prior inflation figures but were up just 0.2% in July.
On Monday, July 19, 2021, the Dow’s worst day of 2021 unfolded. Virus-sensitive assets (energy and travel sectors) sold off as less optimistic growth outlooks emerged from concerns of the increasing delta variant cases. Delta variant concerns coupled with skepticism of transitory inflation, decreasing bond yields, and incomplete economic recovery create a perplexing cocktail of potential economic outcomes.
As a stock, Apple continues to be under-appreciated and under-owned by asset managers and individuals. It’s not a hyper growth stock that typical growth investors love to buy and it’s not a classic value stock that a deep value manager gets intrigued by.
Stocks marched higher during the past three months, marking the fifth consecutive quarterly advance since the pandemic-induced crash last year. Value stocks continued their upward momentum but did give up some of their gains relative to growth stocks in June.
Debates continue to run rampant during the last six months of the London Interbank Offered Rate (LIBOR) benchmark. Some think the Secured Overnight Financing Rate (SOFR) benchmark is the perfect unitary solution. Meanwhile, others believe that a multi-benchmark environment is best. As a result, uncertainty, confusion, and opinions have started to muddle the path of “Life after the LIBOR”.