This week is the 3rd Quarter 2010 review and 4th Quarter preview.
If you go back and rewatch my July video (July Video) I stated I thought the 3rd quarter would be up and it definitely was.
Dow Jones + 10.27% for the 3rd Quarter and S&P + 10.72%. Of course, these are unmanaged indexes.
The markets were way down at the end of the last quarter, so this brings the indexes positive for the year +3.5% for the Dow and +2.3% for the S&P 500.
4th quarter? I think things will continue to be up, but the important thing is to ensure you have the right allocation to equities in case I’m wrong. I think the year will end positive for the equity markets.
Listen to my 4th quarter preview video for more analysis and 4th quarter action items.
Consistent with my video today (which I know you’ve all clicked on and listened to) I’m thinking October will be rocky with earning season and the election looming.
This week’s diatribe is about off-balance sheet accounting and alternative financing.
I’ve been approached multiple times in the past month or two about investment opportunities funding some activity outside of the normal funding channels (banks or equity financing).
This leads me to wonder how much lending is happening in our economy this way and if it’s under the radar. I don’t like the sound of it.
The reason I include this article is to reinforce my belief that Municipal Bonds are something to avoid.
State pensions are in a world of hurt, and you and I will be subsidizing them in the future. Do you think this will cause some slowdown in state revenues and resources? Of course.
Does the economy and the stock market go in sync? Is one a leading indicator for the other?
How do you value the stock market? Forward P/Es or Reported P/Es?
And how will our current deficits affect the answers to all these questions?
This is one of the best articles of the year, packed with information for you to fully understand our current situation. For your convenience, I’ve highlighted what I think is most important.