The consumer goods category has largely been the driver of U.S. GDP over the last year, from a consumption perspective. Many of the best brands that dominate these industries have shown incredible resilience during difficult times and their stocks have performed very well. At this point, though, the wild tailwinds are likely now turning to headwinds from a year-over-year comparisons perspective and from a valuation perspective.
What a difference a year can make. In 2020, natural gas prices declined to multi-year lows. According to BP's 2021 Statistical Review of World Energy, prices at U.S. Henry Hub averaged $1.99/mmBTU – the lowest since 1995. Asian LNG prices, meanwhile, declined to their lowest level on record ever.
What a difference a year can make. In 2020, natural gas prices declined to multi-year lows. According to BP's 2021 Statistical Review of World Energy, prices at U.S. Henry Hub averaged $1.99/mmBTU – the lowest since 1995. Asian LNG prices, meanwhile, declined to their lowest level on record ever.
After 40-years of economic erosion, there are still deficit deniers.
The belief that debt and deficits “don’t matter” primarily stems from the basis the economy hasn’t collapsed and become a historical equivalent of Weimer, Germany. However, the rather elementary view fails to distinguish that dropping a frog into boiling water or slowly bringing the water to a boil equates to the same outcome. That latter just takes longer to get there.
After 40-years of economic erosion, there are still deficit deniers.
The belief that debt and deficits “don’t matter” primarily stems from the basis the economy hasn’t collapsed and become a historical equivalent of Weimer, Germany. However, the rather elementary view fails to distinguish that dropping a frog into boiling water or slowly bringing the water to a boil equates to the same outcome. That latter just takes longer to get there.
For years environmental extremists have campaigned with increasing success for less investment in fossil fuels. The logic has been that as CO2-emitting sources of energy become harder to access and more expensive, the world would increasingly turn to renewables.
For years environmental extremists have campaigned with increasing success for less investment in fossil fuels. The logic has been that as CO2-emitting sources of energy become harder to access and more expensive, the world would increasingly turn to renewables.
As the third quarter slowly winds down, economic data announcements remain front page stories as the economy recalibrates amid the Delta variant. Even though labor markets and supply chains remain challenged with a less linear recovery and supply bottlenecks, the consumer price index (CPI), an inflation gauge, slowed its’ growth with the smallest gain in seven months as consumer prices increased only 0.3% (0.1% less than consensus).
For months, investors have been scaling what feels like an endless wall of worry. Each concern that gets resolved seems to spawn new uncertainties, yet the market has continued its relentless climb higher.
We’ve lived this movie before. Last August, AAII bullish sentiment struck a 52-week high right before the Fed launched its September rate cutting cycle.
Catalyst Funds
Rational Funds
Strategy Shares