Paper Chase: Who Run The World? (Girls)
217,000 jobs were created last month as the unemployment rate remained at 6.3% marking a return to pre recession levels for total employment meaning we have recovered 8.7 million jobs. The report is roughly what economists expected.
The Fed’s beige book showed stronger economic growth especially in manufacturing. Finally, Americans are the richest they’ve ever been with household net worth climbing 2% to 81.8 trillion dollars on the strength of the stock and housing markets.
Love and Hate
There is about as much doubt to the fact the economy is slowly and steadily improving as there is we have put a lot of money into improving the economy. More importantly, the fed’s actions have been fantastic for the stock market.
Job growth continues to be positive. We are moving in the 2% range which would be below expectations, considering where we’ve been, I’ll take it.
Correction?
When? It hasn’t happened yet and we’ve all been waiting for quite some time now. Profit margins and the Shiller Ratio suggest stocks are expensive, but stocks were expensive in 1997, and got more expensive in 1998. You can’t really time a market like this. 32% last year makes people a lot of money and we are more expensive now. Everyone is waiting for the pullback that never was. When will Lucy not hold the football? I mean the market is gaining a full percent a week like it’s nothing.
You Have No Excuse
You should get into the market now. You should get into the market as soon as possible for you should already be in the market. The Fed is doing what it is doing, providing liquidity and encouraging the economy. Earnings are growing and it could be argued stock valuations are actually modest when looking at forward numbers. People looking at backward arcane numbers should realize we are in a new world. U.S. corporations are profitable not because of the economic cycle which is still in front of us, but because they run themselves better and have better technology.
Companies are also profitable because wage inflation are at 1997 level lows while margins are at all time highs. This would lead one to think current stock prices are indeed high.
I think we can expect profits to be even higher because we are still early in the economic cycle. I don’t see a strong economy yet though I do think it is recovering. At these margins, we have a much stronger economy than we had though it is due to a shift upwards in our economy due to technology and not because of growth.
What I’m Doing
I like cyclicals, industrials which are well priced, technology stocks which are just cheap, and you can even venture into energy though not necessarily for higher prices as more for better volumes and infrastructure buildup. Health care saw a lot of jobs additions and we may see an expansion there. Those stocks are still under some pressure because of the health care law, but the greatest risk is not owning stocks now. Get back into the market or get investing again as the market works out over time.
Who Run The World? (Girls)
Women are a more powerful emerging market than China. I mean there are a lot of women out there, and in addition to making more money; and thus, more purchasing decisions and investments, they are poised to be the majority of millionaires in the near future as they are graduating from college and graduate schools, purchasing first homes, and starting businesses as higher rates than men.
Believe It
Women create and influence 27% of global wealth which is approximately 20 trillion dollars. U.S. women exercise control of 39% of the nation’s investable assets. 62% of women globally identify themselves as the source of household assets, and 53% of women globally do not have financial advisors.
Women are an emerging investor class yet are still referred to as niche. This is because, historically and traditionally, men are responsible for finances in the household. Today, 90% of women manage their money on their own at some point in their lives. Many still think it is 1954 when in fact it is 2014.
Kumbaya and Cash
Women investing in themselves and other women is good not only for diversity, but also as an overall investment. The economy is 9 percent larger when women are economically engaged. Women working with men in diverse teams at the top of company have higher returns on capital, lower risk, and better client and long-term focus. Diverse teams actually outperform smarter teams (higher iqs). Boards with women outperformed all male boards in 4 out of 5 years on average by 60% in return on invested capital, 84% in return on sales, and 46% in return on equity. This fund invests in the highest rated companies for advancing women. Women must account for at least 31% of board seats and 24% of senior management positions to be included. The minimum investment is $1000 and it is open to anyone. Surprisingly (or maybe not), the list of companies include GE, Proctor & Gamble, Avon, Xerox and Pepsico. Who would’ve thought top quality global companies valued diversity so highly? New Job? You may want to roll money from your old 401k into IRA. The reasons to roll over are more control and convenience (more investment choices), better access to advice (financial advisor expertise), less burdensome tax rules (required minimum distributions from all retirement accounts at 70). The reasons not to rollover are it my be safer from creditors than IRA (if you are involved in litigation), withdrawals possible at age 55, you can take a loan from it(not advisable)
Left Behind?
Disclaimer: Killing The Breeze is not a registered investment advisor or advisory service. It does not tell or suggest which securities or currencies should be bought or sold. The employees or affiliates of Killing The Breeze may hold positions in the stocks, currencies or industries discussed here. There is a very high degree of risk involved in the market. Killing The Breeze assumes no responsibility or liability for any trading or investment results. All content posted is for educational purposes only and independent advice should be sought from a professional to confirm validity and accuracy of any claim made.
The information should only be a starting point for doing additional independent research in order to allow you to form your own opinion regarding trading decisions. You should ask the firm with which you deal about the terms and conditions of the specific securities which you are trading and associated obligations. You should always check with your licensed financial advisor and tax advisor to determine the suitability of any investment.
Comments
