It’s been a good year for the US stock market. The 3rd quarter was the first slow patch the market has hit. While 3rd quarter earnings are reflecting that slowdown, the major indexes still managed to report out new all-time highs. That even though the small caps briefly moved into the negative for the year.. read more →

The first half of 2017 is in the books.  And perhaps the best performing half of the year is behind us.  Or, maybe not.  The Trump presidential win and the market’s belief that his healthcare, tax, and regulation reform would drive positive market conditions was the driving force for the first 6 months of 2017. .. read more →

The 4th quarter of 2016 saw the equity markets ride to new highs on the strength of the so-called Trump rally.  While the equity markets were moving ahead solely on the hopes of President Trump’s campaign promises the gold market was going into a fizzle.  The 1st quarter of this year was the exact opposite. .. read more →

The 4th quarter of 2016 is now solidly in the rear view mirror.  Thank goodness.  The presidential election exposed raw nerves among the electorate and played havoc with efforts to position portfolios in preparation for the vote outcome.  The day following the election saw an immediate jump in the DOW average and interest rates.  The.. read more →

The 3rd quarter was in many ways a continuation of the downward tilt to the U.S. economy.  It now appears that 2016 will be the worst year economically since the financial crisis.  The GDP is now edging closer to a 1% annual rate than the hoped for 2%.  The stock market itself has entered a.. read more →