We’re officially two weeks away from the premiere of “Star Wars: The Force Awakens”.
In keeping with the spirit, here is an infographic for Star War fans to navigate the galaxy of investments. Click it to see a bigger version.
An infographic by the team at RCM Alternatives.
May the Force be with you.
Hope you had a Happy Thanksgiving weekend. Times may change, but human nature doesn't. There is a lot to be thankful for anyway!
Here are some of the posts that caught my eye. Hope you find something interesting.
The S&P 500 Index is coming into resistance (which is looming large) near all-time highs.
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via StockCharts.com.
On the other hand, the Index is nicely above support, and back above its 200-day moving average.
Meanwhile, a growing number of issues are back above their 200-day moving averages. Click here to see a live chart of that.
This is a seasonally good time of year for a breakout move like that to happen.
Worth watching.
Last week, I spent some time in San Francisco for meetings.
At lunch, I saw something new. They're adding a 5% surcharge to offset "the cost of doing business in San Francisco."
They didn't simply raise the prices. The prices are the prices ... Then they add a surcharge.
Pretty Bold!
Don't ask how I know, but, never laugh at your wife's choices. Remember, you are one of them.
Here are some of the posts that caught my eye. Hope you find something interesting.
After the financial crisis, the Federal Reserve created $3 trillion dollars. The goal was to try and keep the economy from collapsing. Now, as the economy recovers, the Fed is trying to figure out the best way to make that money vanish.
The Fed can usually just change the numbers in their system ... and, "Poof," the money is gone.
This time, they’ll need a new trick.
via ValueWalk.
Here is how the Fed plans to make trillions of dollars disappear.
Apple reported its earnings this week. Over the past 12 months, they made a net profit of more than $53 billion.
That is significant, not just because it is a lot ... It also is more than any other company has ever made in a single year.
The previous record of $45.2 billion was set by ExxonMobil in 2008.
As the chart illustrates, the company’s profits have increased more than 40-fold since 2005, helping Apple to become the biggest brand and the most valuable company on the planet.
via Statista.
Talk about compounding edges!
By the way, recently, Steve Ballmer said: Saving Apple in 1997 was the 'Craziest Thing' Microsoft ever did.
It isn't hard to predict the number of 18-year-olds in 2030. You start by counting the 3-year-olds today.
Likewise, certain huge macro-economic forces are easy to see.
The chart below shows the aging of the World's population. The small image at the top shows the current snapshot. The larger image shows the world in 2050.
via BofAML.
Countries with a low birth to death ratio will continue to get older and suffer the consequences of attempting to pay for the care of the many through the efforts of the few.
Based on this, you can start to get a sense of where the more promising emerging markets will come from.
As we close the books on September, it's a good time to review some weekly charts.
The VIX is regarded as the "Fear Index" by many. Recently, it screamed "Fear" (jumping to levels not seen since the 2008 crash.
However, the alert was short-lived. Things have calmed down quickly (too quickly?).
via stockcharts.com.
Given where we are, perhaps the lack of fear is a sign of potential danger?
The market has been in the midst of a solid correction for the past six weeks; but, so far, the broad stock market indices are testing and holding key levels.
On the other hand, it won't take much to push things over the line -- and trigger a lot of selling.
Take a look at the S&P 500 weekly chart, below, which is currently holding at the bullish up-trend support line. Many traders will identify this area as a dividing line between a correction within a continuing bull market and a bear market.
Chart via The Informed Trader, courtesy of Stockcharts.com.
Viewed another way, this is where Bulls will likely try to defend the up-trend.
So, will the market attract buyers ... or sellers?
Personally, I expect volatility.
Why?
Because markets exist to trade. And it tends to generate those trades by 'shaking' the weak holders.
A big move up, here, will trigger a lot of buying (and short-covering by weak bears).
While a big move down will trigger a lot of selling (as Bulls fear the long-anticipated next leg down).
With the election in front of us, this is likely the line-in-the-sand to watch.
It wouldn't be surprising if the battle raged here (for a bit) before resolving.
Here Are Some Links for Your Weekend Reading
Just like Ben Carson theorized ...
via Bizarro.com.
Here are some of the posts that caught my eye. Hope you find something interesting.
Lighter Links:
Trading Links:
Posted at 01:36 PM in Business, Current Affairs, Ideas, Market Commentary, Trading, Trading Tools, Web/Tech | Permalink | Comments (0)
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