I seen this post the other day and some of the other companies that have been dealing with this in some form or another. I got to thinking about it. I don't believe there has ever been a time in my life where there has been more opportunity, programs designed to assist, "free rides", changes in employment/promotional practices, "work" schedule adjustments....etc etc, on and on. The popular saying of "getting ahead", "fair share", and so on. If somebody is "struggling" to move up, find opportunities, or even get a helping hand in today's times....maybe it's not the company....maybe it's you as an employee. COST doubling down on it and crowing about it at the same time is a dumb move on their part.
In the.....OLD DAYS.....we did not get any of this economic report....CRAP....as investors. About all we would get is a glossy annual report in the mail once a year as a shareholder. If you were hard core you might subscribe to the Wall Street Journal or pick one up when downtown for work. I remember my mom once in a while going in to the Library to read the annual reports on companies that she was interested in. AND....the WSJ was mostly just to check your stock quotes.......since there was no other way to do it......unless you had access to a stock ticker. Even up to about year 2000.......there was not much media stuff......for investors other than the WSJ and the "Investors Business Daily". The dominance of computers and cell phones starting about year 2000 caused an explosion in the financial media........and.....all the CRAP that we have to be told about today. Somehow we got along just fine not knowing any of the daily BS that constantly trashes the markets now. I dont know anyone that focuses on any of the daily BS.....as an investor.
About the only thing going on today. Treasury yields fall in shortened trading session https://www.cnbc.com/2025/01/09/us-treasury-yields-shortened-trading-session-.html
Of course, we start the day with nothing more than another "economic report." The trusted and often revered jobs report. It even comes out with the breaking news red ribbon splashed across your screen....because of its huge significance and accuracy. I could not help myself to do a little digging. Not the actual report, because I really don't care. I did come across a little article that gives guidance to journalist who may report on such things. The article was from a few years ago, but the guide remains the same. It is a rather long article, so here is a link...https://journalistsresource.org/economics/bls-monthly-jobs-report-key-facts/ In summary it list 7 things to know about the highly touted jobs reports. Here are some highlights if you don't want to read the whole thing. 1. These data are estimates because they are based on surveys, not counts. That’s an important thing to keep in mind. The data are not actual counts of the number of jobs added or the number of unemployed people. Two different surveys make up the monthly BLS report. There’s the Current Population Survey — also called the household survey — which surveys 60,000 households. And, there’s the Current Employment Statistics survey — also called the payroll survey — which surveys 142,000 businesses and government agencies. 2. Sampling error, confidence intervals and statistical significance can change how we interpret the monthly employment numbers. All surveys that sample a population come with sampling error. Again, BLS surveys are samples, not counts, of characteristics of the U.S. workforce. BLS aims to sample households and businesses that represent the variety of the general population, but a survey that is small compared to a total population will be less representative, have more error, and ultimately produce less precise estimates. 3. Some of the data are preliminary. 4. There are major and persistent differences in employment across racial and educational boundaries. 5. Wages aren’t rising at the rate they appear to be. (This was from 2019 I believe) 6. The unemployment rate doesn’t include people who are not part of the labor force, such as people who want to work but have given up looking. (This is for you Husker...LOL) Am I the only one that finds this statement....just dumb? Does it just depend on when you might survey a particular person and how they may feel at that particular time....one week it is to hell with it...maybe next week I have a chance?? 7. Alternative measures of unemployment are always higher than the official rate. Anyways....A little fun this morning. And as WXYZ usually says....a totally worthless report to base your decisions on.
The markets continue to visit.....CRAZY TOWN. It is ALL a media frenzy. AND as a result....all the short term micro-second-trading that focuses on the headlines and the news....drives the markets down. STUFF like this is fear-mongered in the media as important: US Consumer Inflation Expectations Jump to Highest Since 2008 https://finance.yahoo.com/news/us-consumer-inflation-expectations-jump-150000224.html Rational thinking and reason are out the window for a day. Does anyone really thing that a survey of consumers....has anything to do with anything. It is just a JOKE. I say.....if anything the jobs report below is a good thing. Unemployment is down.....People are working and finding jobs.....wages are up. AND...at the same time annual inflation is at the low end of the historic range at about 2.8%. (the historic range in a good economy being 3-4%) U.S. payrolls grew by 256,000 in December, much more than expected; unemployment rate falls to 4.1% https://www.cnbc.com/2025/01/10/jobs-report-december-2024.html If this data is accurate.....a "HUGE IF".....it shows a successful business environment, a growing and successful economy.....a good environment for business. When did a jobs report become a measure of inflation....anyway? I will tell you the largest factor that will impact inflation going forward.....ENERGY prices and costs. We know what the government policies are going to be for the next four years....drill baby drill. It is likely that energy supply will BOOM and as a result the cost for the consumer will drop. (there you go some economics). As a result....the future of inflation is probably stable if not lower. SOME....of us actually lived through and invested in an era of.....REAL INFLATION....the late 1970's and early to mid 1980's. What we are seeing now is nothing like out of control inflation. It is simply a view of a good booming economy and a good business environment. It is DIRECT evidence of this that EARNINGS....the real reflection of the business world and economy.....have been AMAZING for many many quarters now and will.....in all probability....continue to do so into the foreseeable future. I see......ZERO....indication of any sort of RECESSION in the near future. BUT.....we are now at the point where I believe the media would LOVE to see a recession.....or a bear market. It is a money maker for them......to drive clicks. BUT.....I may as well be talking into the wind...or talking to a wall. It does not matter.....we are now beyond the point where reality, rationality, truth, etc, etc, etc....matter, at least short term. SO....I will not waste more of the skin on my fingers typing anything else about this......"stuff". It is a waste of my time and a waste of time for any actual investor to give this stuff any thought or consideration.
Actually.....regarding the FED.....I am thinking that the best course is simply for them to DO NOTHING in 2025. NO....rate cuts.....NO....rate hikes. Just take themselves out of the picture and SHUT UP. I did not post this....but....if my memory is right there were.....FOUR....FED members out giving speeches in a single day this week. Lets not forget......these people are MORONS. Especially if they think they can control and guide the economy. Rates....especially the Ten Year.....do not concern me in the slightest. I have probably said it 100 times over this thread......the current Ten Year Rate is at the LOW END of the historic rate curve. BUT......when do facts or reality mean anything......when we have the modern media pushing the markets around like a 98 pound weakling.....kicking sand in the markets face....every day. (YES...I am old enough to remember these actual "weakling" adds on the back page of comic books)
Keep in mind.......the reason the jobs report is SHOCKING today is......the ECONOMISTS....put out predictions of what the report would show. WELL......if the data is right (I doubt that it is)......they.......the ECONOMISTS were shockingly WRONG. BUMMER....for us all.....since it is......GASP.......the ECONOMISTS......that are always WRONG....that are the people put in charge of trying to control our....economy. AND.....who puts them in charge......well POLITICIANS. OMG. Case in point.....Janet Yellen. if you have paid any attention to that woman and what she has said over the past 2-3 years...it is clear as the nose on your face.....that woman is an absolute MORON. And....I am trying to be charitable. She is a perfect example of what we get in the FED. God help us.
A few earnings today.... Delta Air Lines Announces December Quarter and Full Year 2024 Financial Results (DAL) Walgreens Boots Alliance Reports Fiscal 2025 First Quarter Results (WBA)
I guess I will go and do my little LATERAL Bitcoin trade......with my $1400 that I cashed in from my Coinbase account. LOL....I may as well go and buy some Bitcoiin......which is NOT a store of value in the slightest...is backed up by NOTHING.....Has ZERO inherent value......and is not an investment. It makes more sense for me today than the markets.
WTF. WHAT in the world is wrong with you today SMOKIE. How dare you post anything like earnings. It would be much more valuable if you posted a consumer sentiment survey of what the DELTA and WALGRENS earnings.....should be.
OK......I AM A BIG WEENIE. I WIMPED OUT. I went into my Schwab account to do my little Bitcoin lateral trade......and....I could not bring myself to do it. I could not waste $1400 into Bitcoin...... on a day when NVDA was on sale. SO....I put all the $1400 into......NVDA. AND....t top it off....I put the little bit that was left over after buying the shares of NVDA into the SP500 Index fund. I am such a weak willed person......I HATE MYSELF.
While I was there in Schwab.....I took a quick look at my primary account. VICTORY.......I have TWO stocks actually UP today. Good old HD and COST. My work is now done for the day......time to CELEBRATE.
Leave it to the MODERN stock markets, the media, and investors. Masters of........ snatching defeat from the jaws of victory. It will be good to be done with this FOOLISH week at the close today. We are one day closer to earnings....even if they are ignored. At least they represent REALITY. So......COURAGE.....ENDURE.......and.....IGNORE. I will meditate on that mantra for the rest of the day. Here is what AI told me: "In mantra meditation, the object of focus for producing a relaxation response is a repeated word or phrase called a mantra. If the chosen mantra has a deeply personal or spiritual meaning to you, it can even act as a touchpoint or spiritual anchor to assist you in your meditation."
Smokie did not say it above.....but DELTA (best financial year in history).....and.....WALGRENS (shares soar more than 20%).....HUGE earnings BEATS. NOT bad when the economy is....SPIRALING INTO THE ABYSS.
LOL....I hope no one reading here is thinking I am serious with some of the above......it is sarcasm...obviously. I say this for the benefit of any new or novice investors that may be newly reading this thread. I am just MOCKING what the markets are doing today.....for fun.....since it is a wasted/irrelevant/meaningless day for us long term investors.
I actually was thinking...."I wonder if he has considered just adding to one of the companies he already holds?"
Ok....it is COLDER than a witches T$T....here in Central Texas today. In the markets also.....but who cares. When we were our for lunch and to run our errands it was about 40 degrees.....with a strong very cold wind. We lost our nice weather that we had at Christmas when it was about 65 to 79 degrees. LUCKILY....it will be back into the mid 60's to low 70's in four or five days. We are getting just a touch of the big winter storm that is impacting half the USA right now.
Yeah Smokie. I was thinking...."lets see I have $1400 for Bitcoin". "If it goes up to $1MILLION....I will still only have $14,000......and.....how long is that going to take...about 10-20 years or more"? "So......what gives me the best odds for that small amount of money to actually turn it into something"? Of course considering the actual probability......I went with NVDA. Plus......I dont see bitcoin as an investment anyway. I have now probably GUARANTEED that bitcoin will take off like a rocket.....and....I will be sitting here kicking myself....just like when I could have bought 200 Bitcoin back in the day for about $200.....and I would now have $20MILLION. Hindsight is a bitch........but not very rational.
YOU have got to be kidding. December jobs reports has Wall Street starting to talk about rate hikes in 2025 https://finance.yahoo.com/news/dece...-talk-about-rate-hikes-in-2025-185530204.html BUT....I would put the odds at ZERO right now. The media loves to hype this stuff. PLUS.....why hike rates...the bond market traders are doing that for the FED right now. AND....concern for sticky inflation at 2.8%...you have got to be kidding. As to the BIG CAP stocks.......they ALL, as usual, have massive......Scrouge McDuck massive, hoards of money.....can anyone make the case that these stock should be so completely interest rate sensitive? I dont buy it. A nasty short term JOKE on the markets. BUT....I dont discount the ability of the FINANCIAL MEDIA, the AI TRADING MACHINES, and the POLITICIANS....to cause a recession. They all benefit in one way or another.
