Market Trends & Outlook

The Fed has a credibility problem.

Volatility experts, financial advisors Brian Stutland and Joe Tigay break down last weeks federal reserves statement coupled with Jerome Powel's interview on 60 minutes. Brian has an earnings trade on Palantir. Joe explains long call spreads in options 101.

Q4 Earnings Season Gets Underway With Low Expectations

As we get ready to review the Q4 earnings report, stocks have rallied sharply over the last two months. As we have discussed previously, it will be unsurprising that we will see a high percentage of companies “beat” Wall Street estimates. Of course, the high beat rate is always the case due to the sharp downward revisions in analysts’ estimates as the reporting period begins. The chart below shows the changes for the Q4 earnings period from when analysts provided their first estimates.

Consumer Stocks: The Mean Reversion Opportunity

In theory, a group of leading companies serving a very large and growing market should also be a solid investment opportunity. Testing this theory using a look-back of the actual performance of a basket of leading Consumer Discretionary brands offers some proof to this thesis.

Full-Time Jobs Suggest Recession Risks Higher Than Thought

In the most recent BLS employment report, the percentage of full-time jobs relative to the population dropped sharply. The robust headline number of 216,000 led most media commentators to suggest a “soft landing” is at hand. However, the decline in full-time employment suggests recession risks are higher than thought.

Full-Time Jobs Suggest Recession Risks Higher Than Thought

In the most recent BLS employment report, the percentage of full-time jobs relative to the population dropped sharply. The robust headline number of 216,000 led most media commentators to suggest a “soft landing” is at hand. However, the decline in full-time employment suggests recession risks are higher than thought.

Consensus Views for 2024: Where are the Opportunities?

Investors are still neutral on opportunities for risk taking in 2024.

Consensus Views for 2024: Where are the Opportunities?

Investors are still neutral on opportunities for risk taking in 2024.

Abrams: PPI Data Shows Continued Disinflation; Rate Cuts Could Be On Deck

January 12, 2024 - Today’s Producer Price Index report supports the notion that inflation has essentially been defeated.  PPI fell to negative headline MoM, 0% core MoM, 1.8% YoY core change, and 1.0% YoY headline change.

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