Another shortened trading week with earnings reports coming fast and furious.
The Federal Reserve will publish the Beige Book reflecting what the economy has been doing.
Last week the big banks earnings were released and to a great extent they were positive.
Golman and Morgan Stanley will release earnings this week.
Higher interest rates are having an impact on the economy as you only have to look at the drop in house sales.
It is of note that there are more announced layoffs which should stem the tide of rising wages which is the one measure that
the Fed is watching very closely.
Companies that were given up for the dead like GE are finding there way back.
Bowing announced a significant order from United Airlines.
Gold has moved to a two year high while Bitcoin has climbed back above $17,000.
You can actually leave your money in savings and earn some interest.
Things are far from great with the conflict in Ukraine.
The economy in Europe is behind the US and we still have COVID to deal with.
On the positive side of the inflation ledger, energy prices continue to stay much lower than last year.
My fear of the pain of heating your home with natural gas has been abated due to seasonally warmer weather.
Natural Gas is over $5, but has dropped from the summer highs.
We have been able to move the S&P 500 stock-index up from 3800 to near 4000.
This is happening while analysts were still predicting that a recession would push the markets back down to the 3200 level.
So much for forecasting markets for a living.
I would just suggest that on take a look at their investments and possibly consider taking some profits off the table.
Some did that in late December squashing any Santa Claus rally.
You have been given another chance.
I am not saying liquidate but at least take some off the table.
This particularly works in your retirement account as you don’t have to pay the tax currently.
It is never really a profit till you take it.
Sort of starting the New Year on the right foot.
