Market Thoughts

The market continues to advance as we wait for news from Ben Bernanke on what the heck is going to happen with the QE program.  

My guess is that there is very little if any change at all.  The economic numbers haven't been that great.  My fear is that all the QE has inflated real estate and stock prices more than it has helped most Americans.  (Except for those of us who own homes and stocks, right?)

Anyway, it's past mid-September and I'm still in cash.  Sell in May and miss the Summer rally!

Gasoline Prices

Gasoline has been over $3 a gallon for 1000 days.  That used to be a big deal, as the more money spent at the gas station means less money spent at the malls and restaurants.  I think we've gotten used to it.  We've changed our spending habits or our salaries have increased enough that we're numb to prices at these levels.  I think it would take a push to $5 a gallon before folks felt it and had to cut back.

AAPL - Apple Stock and Event Dates

It's amazing to watch AAPL - Apple stock whenever the company has a big news event.  Whether it is an earnings report or a product announcement, the stock seems to move in the opposite direction of the recent trend.  

I didn't fact check this, but doesn't it seem like if the stock has been moving up, the stock is sold off after the big event?   That's what happened this week after the iPhone 5S and 5C news. 

I think the new iPhones are offering some interesting new features that will be popular.  I would expect to see the next version of the new iPad to feature those as well. 

I don't own the stock.  And I do own iPads and iPhones. But I'm also watching for the next version of the Microsoft Surface Pro to see what it will offer. Sept 23 for MSFT news...

Saturday Market Thoughts

• Another Saturday of being invested in cash and watching college football. 
• Bad employment data and previous months revised downward?  No problemo.  Stocks rally because it means the Fed may not taper.
• Or maybe the Fed will taper.
• I think it's a mistake if the US launches a missle barrage on Syria.  No, not because of what Russia's Puten said or England opting out.  No, not because President Obama and John Kerry look like complete idiots everytime they have the opportunity.  But...  Haven't we learned our lesson(s) with wars in the Middle East?  Yes, it is tragic that so many people are dying horrible deaths.  But do we have the ability to stop it?  And lets be blunt, aren't the Western nations better off if the radicals are shooting at each other, rather than at us?
• Or maybe the Fed won't taper.
• So, the stock market seemed to gyrate on whatever Syria news hit the tape yesterday.  Up and down.  Down and up.  Plus the labor news, where the unemployment rate is falling, but the labor participation percentage is falling.
• Emerging markets doing well, huh?
• Or maybe the Fed will taper.
• I remain in cash.  I anticipate a buy decision is coming at some point within a month or two, though.  The sell in May thing doesn't last forever.  
• Watching the moving averages and black box.  Not doing anything yet.
• OK... Notre Dame at Michigan...

Blame it on Syria and Microsoft and September

Blame today's market fade on Syria and $MSFT - Microsoft.  At least that's what the headlines say.  The market gapped up but then sold down as Congress indicated they will back Obama's call for military action in Iraq.  Oh, and then there's the Microsoft and Nokia deal.

Plus it's September.  The finance channels wasted no time telling us that September is historically a bad month for the stock market.

Anyway, I'm still sitting in cash.  I wonder if any military action would actually cause the market to go up?  Sell the rumor - buy the news?  Just thinking out loud!

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Closing Bell: Syria Fears and Iffy Mergers Keep Gains in Check
DAILYFINANCE.COM | SEPTEMBER 3, 2013
http://pulse.me/s/pVov8


Filed under: Technology, Market News, International Trade, U.S. Government, Telecommunications Spencer Platt, Getty Images An early stock market ral... Read more

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Saturday Randomosity

• I don't think going to war with Syria will have a long-lasting effect on the market. 
• I'm still in cash, and waiting patiently.  
• College football Saturday!  I've been watching a lot of games... since Thursday!  Friday night's North Dakota State win over Kansas State was very fun to watch!
• Not that I'm in favor of going to war with Syria.   Haven't we learned our lesson(s) with wars in the Middle East?
• So, Same-sex couples to get federal tax breaks. Hey, what about the marriage penalty?  Aren't taxes higher when incomes of two wage earners are combined? 
• President Obama said he was going to ask Congress if it was okay to bomb Syria.  Really?  I think he's looking for the do-nothing Congress that opposes him on everything to tell him NO, and that's his out.  Right?  Then, back to working on his golf handicap.
• They say consumer spending tapered off in July as folks held on tight to their wallets. I wonder how rising interest rates and rising gasoline prices are contributing to this.  Oh... and the higher payroll tax, too.
• Sarah Palin said on Syria, "Let Allah sort it out.'"  Agreed!

The Summer Market Correction

Looks like the summer market sell off finally appeared.  There is always some reason du jour.  Is it really Syria?  Is it earnings or economic numbers?  The Fed easing its QE - the taper?

Whatever it is, folks are selling.  And some of the bears are being paraded around on TV with dire forecasts.   

I remain in cash and looking for an entry point probably Sept-Oct time frame.