Happy New Year! The first half of the 2020s is complete. We have officially entered the second quarter of this 21st century. Can you believe it? Time sure flies...

'Twas the Night before Christmas
And all throughout the block,
Not a creature was stirring
Not even on TikTok...

Price increases have slowed. Inflationary pressures are subsiding. The November Consumer Price Index (CPI) reported prices rose at a 2.7% rate compared to a year ago. That was cooler than the September report, which is the most recent. That came in at 3%. There was no October report due to the government shutdown. Core CPI, which strips out food and energy, was up just 2.6%. That gave a serious jolt to stocks. The rally is back on...

It wasn’t Nvidia that saved the rally in November. It was the Fed. What was looking like a remote chance of a December rate cut, with a mere 30% probability 4 weeks ago, the central bank switched gears and lowered borrowing costs again this week. There has been much debate about this within the Fed’s Open Market Committee. They’re the ones who vote. There are twelve of them. The Fed Chair has been cautious and reluctant to cut more, as prices remain elevated. But the rate of inflation has definitely declined. It’s evident in Energy prices, Dairy prices, Lumber and other agricultural crops. They’ve come down. All other prices are just going up at a slower rate than the past couple of years. At least for now...

There was a mega deal announced Friday which will have a profound impact on the future of business, far beyond the media and entertainment space. As a former Turner guy, having worked at both CNN and Turner Sports, I couldn’t pass up digging into this deal this week. Netflix is trying to buy Warner Bros...

America is on the go again. The FAA expects air travel this Thanksgiving week to be the busiest in 15 years. There was a flood of last-minute bookings this past week, as it was previously projected to have a 3% decline compared to last year. The government re-opening likely played a big role. In total, 82 Million Americans are expected to travel 50 miles or more this Thanksgiving. The Holiday Season is upon us...

Back in February of 2024, just 22 eventful months ago, the Stock Market was teetering. The 14-month rally was maturing and being tested. The AI-Trade was being questioned. Investor sentiment was sour. Things were looking bleak. The Market was in need of a spark. Earnings Season was coming to a close. However, there was one big hitter left. It was Nvidia’s turn at the plate. The company knocked it out of the park. Investors celebrated. The AI-trade was back on. Nvidia saved the rally...

Market volatility was definitely the theme this week. After reaching fresh all-time highs for months, the Bull Market hit the brakes. The AI-trade stalled. Friday was a wild one. Stocks gapped down at the open, building off Thursday’s decline. The Volatility Index spiked, reflecting newfound fear. Weak hands were dumping stocks. Those are the ones generally late to the party. Strong handed investors were tight gripped and dip buyers jumped back in. It’s said that corrections send stocks back to their rightful owners...