Daybreak with Anton
The start of new construction housing increased 10.7% to 1.521 million units month-over-month to an annualized rate in February after falling 12.3% in January. The February increase was well above the consensus of 1.449 million units in the Econoday’s survey of forecasters. Read in this Weekly Brief our analysis of the improving housing market and whether it is a precursor to the future of the stock market.
info_outline #88 - When Will Small Businesses Join the Party?Daybreak with Anton
Although many companies are experiencing record sales with the stocks hitting all-time highs, the small business sector seems to be missing the party all together. For several years we have been writing about the lagging S&P 600 Small Cap Index to its peers of the S&P 500, NASDAQ, and S&P 400 Mid Cap Indices. Today we review the National Federation of Independent Business (NFIB) release yesterday that indicated the 26th consecutive month the small business optimism index is below its 50-year average. Listen in this issue why small business owners have not been this...
info_outline #87 - Will It Be Another Deja Vu Wild Ride of Hyper Inflation and Interest RatesDaybreak with Anton
A January 2024 Gallup Poll indicated that Americans mentioning the economy as a key issue has risen almost three-fold since 2019. In the category of Economic Problems, 76.7% was attributed to “Economy in General” and “High Cost of Living/Inflation”. In this Weekly Brief we review events of the 1960’s that led to historic hyperinflation of the 1970’s and what we can learn from this era. Most importantly, what were the risks and opportunities during the wild rides of these decades.
info_outline #86 - Consumer Confidence ImprovingDaybreak with Anton
Today the University of Michigan Consumer Sentiment Index was released for February 2024. We need to monitor this economic indicator on consumers and their views of the economy as it provides us potential insight to the future of consumer spending which represents 66% of the nation’s financial activity as referenced by the Gross Domestic Product (GDP). Listen in this Weekly Brief what this means and our view of the stock market.
info_outline #85 - What Happen to the Recession?Daybreak with Anton
This week's podcast dives into the disconnect between media-driven recession fears and the actual economic growth seen despite the Federal Reserve's rate hikes. Contrary to dire predictions, the economy expanded, with significant stock market rallies and low unemployment rates defying expectations. We'll discuss the repercussions of basing investment strategies on speculative media narratives and highlight the stability and growth in consumer-focused economic indicators. The episode concludes with our optimistic outlook for 2024, adjusting investment strategies while reflecting on...
info_outline #84 - The Changing American PopulationDaybreak with Anton
This year there are more people turning 65-year-old in America than in any other time in history. Baby Boomers, those born between 1946 and 1964, are now between the ages of 60 and 78 and they are turning the age of 65 at a rate of 11,300 per day. Listen in this Weekly Brief what this means for the American society and economy?
info_outline #83 - Hot Labor MarketDaybreak with Anton
In last week's episode, we dove deep into the seismic news that shook Wall Street to its core – the latest January US Bureau of Labor Statistics job report. With analysts initially predicting a modest increase of 180,000 new jobs, the actual figures left us astounded as the economy surged with an additional 353,000 positions. This significant uptick isn't just a number; it's a beacon of bustling activity, signaling more paychecks, bolstered households, and invigorated consumer spending. Join us on "Wall Street Wake-Up" as we dissect the labor market's latest trends, providing you with...
info_outline #82 - Santa Claus PredictorDaybreak with Anton
Explore the 'Santa Claus Predictor' in our latest podcast episode. Learn how the S&P 500's performance during key December and January dates can signal its yearly direction. With mixed signals for 2024, we also delve into the robust end-of-year market rally in 2023 and discuss the promising economic outlook for the year ahead. Tune in for a concise and insightful analysis of market trends and predictions!
info_outline #81 - Americans Feeling Good!Daybreak with Anton
The American consumer sentiment, heavily affected by the COVID-19 pandemic and subsequent Federal Reserve rate hikes in 2022, has been recovering since hitting a low in July 2022, reaching a two-year high in January. Despite ongoing concerns like international conflicts and inflation, household financial conditions are strong, with low unemployment and favorable mortgage rates. This improvement in sentiment is critical as consumer spending drives 66% of the US GDP, and while holiday sales were robust, economic conditions remain dynamic and require continuous monitoring to anticipate future...
info_outline #80 - A Look Back at 2023 and Forward to 2024Daybreak with Anton
In 2023, the stock market, led by major tech companies, saw significant gains with the S&P 500 up by 26%, while the fixed income market experienced unexpected fluctuations in interest rates. Looking ahead to 2024, the stock market is considered more expensive, with expectations of continued growth and margin expansion, especially in tech sectors influenced by AI, while the fixed income market faces challenges with debt rollovers and potential for strong yields in high-rated areas. The U.S. economy remains resilient with steady growth and moderating inflation.
info_outlineIn this week's episode, Anton shares some stories in his recent months and reasons he is thankful - also, why you might be too!