It almost becoming too predictable.
We hit a new high on the S&P 500 and then had a pullback.
Some point to the weak projection from Walmart and others thought the economy may be headed for trouble due to tariffs.
I think investors are taking money off the table to protect profits.
Most of the legacy news has been directed toward the administration cutting federal jobs and the legality of DOGE.
I am more on the side of less government, as the public sector has not proven to be that efficient or productive. Easy for me to say as I feel overtaxed and underserved, but I didn’t just lose my job either.
Aside from the noise, we will get the Fed’s preferred measure for inflation, with the release of
the Personal Consumption Expenditures.
PPI and CPI recently came in higher than expected, leading analysts to question if and when there might be a rate cut.
We will have GDP reports coming the week after next. The last big earnings report comes this week with Nvidia’s earnings report. Given that Nvidia provided about 20% of the S&P 500 growth last year, you can understand the interest.
It seems there is always something to be reported that gives the market concern.
I would point out that we hit record highs over the last several months and then pulled back.
At the end of the year, I was certain that it was profit taking.
Now I am beginning to feel that trust in this market is eroding.
I think we need to see how all of the actions enacted and proposed by the administration will work or fail.
The jury is far from a verdict.
I would like to see spending come down, but this administration is hanging its hat on a robust economy to raise the required tax dollars. They can ill afford any slowdown.
I think spending cuts are welcome, unless it is you that is being eliminated.
I would throw in that world events are taking no holiday and could be a huge factor for the administration to handle.
We are edging our way toward the hallowed tax date of April 15.
I am not sure which date causes more consternation, the federal or state tax bill.
I am grateful to be able to pay and I always hope for the best, but realize the reality.
The public sector provides many services and it is far too easy a target for concerns over efficiency. While it would be wonderful if that was the fact, I have lived where no money was spent.
That was great, but the bill came and it was large. Everyone should have to spend some time in the public sector.
Your publisher and I have served our communities and it is not a fun or easy task. Criticism is easy unless you have been there.
I am certain there can be improvements, but is almost outside the inherit design of the system.
