A few minutes ago in my siblings account I added 100 shares of WMT and 100 shares of NVDA. I simply wanted to beef up both positions. This had nothing to do with the WMT earnings today or NVDA being down so far today. I made this decision last night and would have done the trades regardless of the market today.
COOL....we have now moved to a mixed market with the DOW green and the SP500 and NASDAQ moving more toward positive.
COOL.....we have now moved further into a mixed/positive market with the DOW AND SP500 now in the green.
Well...it had to end....but not by much. We have been on a KILLER run-up this week. I had a small loss today with three stocks in the green...MSFT, COST, and HD. I also got beat by the SP500 today by.....0.64%. Onward....to the final day of the week tomorrow.
Another day in the green. Maybe it will be a clean sweep for the week. We are closing in on being at the half way point for the year. We need to get it in gear and close out the last half. Of course in the grand scheme of things the daily and short term will not matter, let alone be remembered.
I like this little article......it is now hindsight (recent)....but...it puts the focus back where it should be for investors.....being long term in the greatest companies and funds in the world. Just as I Predicted, The Trade War Panic Is Coming to an End https://investorplace.com/market360...cted-the-trade-war-panic-is-coming-to-an-end/ (BOLD is my opinion OR what I consider important content) "On Monday, we woke up to news that the U.S. and China are suspending the reciprocal tariffs that had Wall Street – and the financial media – in a full-blown panic just weeks ago. Wall Street let out a collective sigh of relief and sent stocks surging. Investors poured back into the stock market, sending the NASDAQ up 4.4% on Monday, and the S&P 500 and Dow up 3.3% and 2.8%, respectively. So, in today’s Market 360, let’s review the U.S.-China trade truce – and why it’s such a big deal. Then I’ll show you how to position your portfolio for what’s coming next. The U.S. and China Call a Trade Truce “A very robust and productive discussion” is how Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent described the U.S.’s trade talks with China over the weekend, as the two countries covered fentanyl, more U.S. exports to China and tariff reductions. The U.S. and China ultimately agreed to a 90-day trade truce. While the two countries will continue negotiating over the next three months, both agreed to lower current tariffs. The U.S. lowered tariffs on Chinese goods from 145% to 30%, with the lower rates effective Wednesday, May 14. China dropped its tariffs on U.S. goods from 125% to 10%. The U.S.-China trade truce also comes on the heels of a new trade deal between the U.S. and the U.K. Last Thursday, the Trump administration announced a comprehensive trade deal with the U.K. that lowered tariffs on British imports to the 10% baseline tariff. The U.S. plans to export $5 billion in goods to the U.K., including agricultural products, ethanol and machinery, and the U.K. can export 100,000 cars to the U.S. at the 10% tariff rate. The U.S. also eliminated tariffs on steel. President Trump stated on Truth Social, “Because of our long-time history and allegiance together, it is a great honor to have the United Kingdom as our FIRST announcement. Many other deals, which are in serious stages of negotiation, to follow!” The U.K./U.S. trade deal is also meant to apply more pressure on the European Union (EU). The U.S. actually runs a trade surplus with the U.K., but it has a big trade deficit with the EU. The Trump administration is striving for the EU to onshore more production to the U.S., as well as lower its tariffs. But the EU is being difficult, with more retaliatory tariffs on U.S. goods if negotiations break down. The Panic That Never Should Have Happened Now, when the tariff war between the U.S. and China began in April, I predicted that President Trump was just using tariffs as a negotiation tactic to make a better deal for the U.S. However, many people thought the sky was falling. The headlines were nothing short of hysterical: “Trump’s trade shock hits the global economy” – Financial Times “Trump’s tariffs risk a global trade war” – CNBC “Trump trade war with China revives recession, bear market fears” – Reuters “Wall Street and the dollar plunge as investors worry about Trump’s trade war” – PBS NewsHour “The absurdity of Donald Trump’s trade war” – Financial Times But I wasn’t worried. In fact, I am on record as saying that most reciprocal tariffs would not go into effect, since most countries would lower their respective trade barriers and promise to buy U.S. goods. The primary target of the tariffs is China. What’s more, I said that the 10% “baseline” tariff would stick. That’s because we have a massive underground economy in the U.S. We need a way to close the gap with our runaway deficits and national debt. But enacting a Value Added Tax (VAT) is untenable, so this is the next best option. Moreover, I said that I think the dollar will eventually get strong enough that we won’t even see the effects of the 10% baseline tariff. Now, I have also said from the get-go that the reciprocal tariffs were intended to be a starting point for negotiations. The goal? To get other countries to drop their barriers or move their production to our shores. And if a country wasn’t willing to play “let’s make a deal,” then there would be consequences. The reality is that there is a legitimate beef to be had with some trade imbalances. For example, did you know that, as big as we are agriculturally in America, we have been a net importer of food for the last three years? Or take, for example, the fact that before all this began, the European Union charged a 10% tariff on American cars imported into Europe. The U.S., on the other hand, charges 2.5%. I find this fascinating, and I could go on. Yet you rarely hear anyone discussing this in the media. Why the European Media Got It So Wrong This brings me to another important point. One reason the negativity got so out of hand? The media. Specifically, the European media. During the “tit for tat” phase of the tariff saga, every week seemed to start the same way. The European media lined up to blame President Trump for all their problems. For example, my friend, economist Ed Yardeni, recently highlighted four covers of The Economist magazine – all negative on America. And I can tell you The Financial Times is no better. In my four decades in this business, these are the sort of contrary indicators that often signal that it’s time to buy, folks. I should add that both of these publications are based in Britain. Now, I’m sorry half the population over there can’t pay their utility bills without government subsidies. But that’s their problem – not ours. Just because they’re miserable doesn’t mean we should be miserable. Obviously, I realize that many folks are not fans of President Trump. And I will acknowledge that he can be a bit erratic. But the ultimate goal of all this is – and always was – to not only have free trade, but fairer trade. I’m very bullish on America, folks. We simply have a better model – no matter who we elect. We’re food and energy independent. The world economy is shrinking. Only America, Brazil and India are growing. And if you needed any more proof that the fear was overblown, just look at this morning’s Consumer Price Index (CPI) report. It showed consumer prices rose just 0.2% in April, and only 2.3% over the past year – the slowest pace since early 2021. This is more confirmation that the Federal Reserve is fighting a mythical inflation boogeyman that doesn’t exist. (I’ll have more to say about this in a Market 360 later this week, so stay tuned.) Now That the Panic Is Fading, Here’s What Really Matters Now that the tariffs are off the table, suddenly, the same folks who were calling for a global meltdown are nowhere to be found. This is why you shouldn’t allow yourself to get distracted by all of the noise or invest based on headlines. Just because the mainstream financial media says the sky is falling doesn’t mean it is. And the fact of the matter is they’ve been focusing on the wrong story altogether. Because it’s not tariffs that could send the U.S. economy spiraling, it’s something else entirely. You see, we are racing towards a moment in American history I call The Economic Singularity. This is when traditional human work becomes economically irrelevant. In its place will be AI, owned by a small group of tech companies and their investors. We’re approaching this moment faster than you think, so you need to understand this reality now, before it’s too late. Because those who own these tools will prosper. Everyone else risks getting left behind." MY COMMENT NOISE......ignore the noise. Even when it seems like everything is crumbling around you.....according to the "experts". Ignore it all and continue to invest and hold for the long term. If you can when stocks and funds are on sale....add some at bargain prices. In hindsight now.....there were some GREAT deals a few weeks ago for those that had funds to invest and had the GUTS to believe in the USA and our world wide business leading companies. My investment strategy is based on my belief that investing in the cream of the crop of USA business for the long term is the best way for a regular person to get ahead. I recently added 100 shares of WMT and NVDA in an account that I manage. How I wish those funds had been available 3-4 weeks ago....if they had I would have invested them at that point and I would have a quick short term gain on those shares of 10-20%. BUT......I am STILL happy to add those shares at recent prices since they are a.......long term investment.
The EARLY market today. Dow, S&P 500, Nasdaq edge higher as US stocks eye a weekly win https://finance.yahoo.com/news/live...-as-us-stocks-eye-a-weekly-win-133103712.html (BOLD is my opinion OR what I consider important content) "US stocks were little changed on Friday, poised for weekly wins after an easing in US-China trade tensions. Investors also eyed a looming vote on President Trump's sweeping tax and spending bill. The S&P 500 (^GSPC) moved up 0.1%, coming off a fourth straight day of gains for the broad benchmark. The Dow Jones Industrial Average (^DJI) gained 0.1%, while the tech-heavy Nasdaq Composite (IXIC) gained 0.2%. Wall Street is ending the week on a quietly positive note after the surprise US-China tariff rollback kicked it off with a bang and a rally in stocks. The S&P 500 is now on track for a five-day win streak, having erased all its 2025 losses as an air of normality returned to the market. Investors have jumped back into risky assets — though some wariness has replaced those high spirits in the wake of Walmart's (WMT) warning of tariff-fueled price hikes. Markets are staying vigilant for the next major development in Trump's trade push, with focus on fresh deals and hints of shifts in the thaw with China. The president said Friday that the US “will be sending letters out essentially telling" countries the tariff rate set for their imports within the coming weeks. His administration can't negotiate deals with all partners at once due to limited capacity. The University of Michigan's consumer sentiment reading for May came in at 50.8, the second lowest level on record. Pessimism over the inflation outlook soared again, as one-year inflation expectations jumped to 7.8%, the highest since 1981. Investors are turning their focus to the complex negotiations around Trump's giant tax bill, which promise big tax cuts seen as likely positive for the economy. It is set for debate in the House Budget Committee on Friday, which could deliver a setback to its progress." MY COMMENT I LOVE the consumer sentiment survey......the ultimate lagging indicator. Also the ultimate contrary indicator. It is basically worthless as a meaningful indicator for LONG investors. It is a hindsight indicator that reflects nothing more than where the screaming media was weeks ago. BUT......as i said.....I see it as a very positive contrary indicator at this moment.....for the markets.
Early in the last market day of the week I am looking pretty good....only two stocks in the red. MSFT and AAPL. BUT the big averages are pretty flat so far.....only MILD green. We will see if the BULL MARKET and recent positivity can push the markets to another good close today. The SP500 is on an epic run right now. AND....most earnings are in with many great BEATS. I still have a few to come in.....HD....next week, and the week after.....NVDA and COST.
A slow, dull, and boring open so far today. NICE....to get a little break from the nail-biting, edge of your seat, hair-raising fear and panic of a few weeks ago. Also a little break from....... and......some CONSOLIDATION of the recent big market BOOM. Fine with me......I will take it.
LOL.....I love it. The consumer Sentiment Survey data is leading as the news item of the day on the financial sites that I survey. It is funny to see that being used as the fear-mongering topic of the day. Unfortunately for the click collectors.....NO ONE CARES. I think regular investors are now pretty smart when it comes to this sort of.....BEAUTY PAGEANT......data. People....especially retail investors.....simply dont care about this sort of "stuff". It is totally irrelevant to the long term future and results in the markets. It is a snapshot......of number one...... what is being pushed in the media.....and number two....what was happening about 3-5 weeks ago. As such it is MEANINGLESS to retail investors who have......in fact..... been adding to their accounts for many months now during ANY and ALL dips.
Ok.....now that the ENTIRE country is awake and has been seeing the markets for awhile....we are back to GREEN. SORRY.....MR BILL. Still a very mild and slow day in the markets. The close....as a result...is very much up in the air. BUT....my prediction.....a nice GREEN close....since that would be in line with the continuing BULL MARKET and the recent market direction. By nice I do NOT mean BIG. I think the day will continue to be very mild to flat in the big averages. I am content with that sort of close today. I simply want to lock in the big gains that we were handed this week. One thing about the daily markets....it is ALL free entertainment and at times nothing but....PERFORMANCE ART. ALL the DRAMA, EXCITEMENT, PANIC, BOREDOM, the UNKNOWN, the GOOD, the BAD, and the UGLY....it all makes for daily FUN. MY word of the day.....RELAX. Nothing in the markets is the end of the world....even if everyone is saying so. if you are long term and properly invested according to your risk tolerance and understand what you are invested in......just RELAX. The long term is your friend. If you are properly invested just let the long term markets do the.....HEAVY LIFTING....for you.
Yes....it's been a long time for me. He would probably be banned today.....with all the horrible things they did to him. A classic and iconic character....but....mostly forgotten.
Just checked.....when I got home....still looking good with 1.5 hours left in the market week. I am red in two stocks.....MSFT and AMZN. Lets close out this....EPIC WEEK.....IN STYLE. Forget "style".....just bring on the money.
YEA......I ended the day and the week with a nice moderate gain. Only a single stock in the RED.....AAPL. got beat by the SP500 today....but who cares.....by 0.12%. What an amazing week in the markets and for the USA.
The.....AMAZING...week that was. DOW year to date +0.62% DOW five days +1.80% SP500 year to date +1.53% SP500 five days +2.60% NASDAQ 100 year to date +2.21% NASDAQ 100 five days +2.86% NASDAQ year to date (-0.36%) NASDAQ five days +2.87% RUSSELL year to date (-5.31%) RUSSELL five days +1.27% LOTS of plus signs above.......nice to see them back for now. BOOM......what an amazing week for my entire account. Last week at this time my account was at.....(-5.64%). NOW....drum roll please....my entire account is at....+2.35%. A TURN-AROUND of nearly +8% in a single week.
OK....my AWOL situation continues. I will miss at least half the day on Monday. We have an event in Dallas on Sunday afternoon and will stay the night in Dallas. So I will miss at least half the day on Monday....perhaps all day. On Thursday as usual.....I will be in the studio from about 11:00 till early evening.
I had no idea this was how it works. I heard on one of the Business Shows that the Consumer Survey is constructed so that about 40% of the respondents are Democrat and about 20% of the respondents are Republican. WTF......I find it simply CRAZY that this consumer poll is so heavily invested in political party of the survey participants. No wonder the current poll is what it is. I cant find anything saying if this is TRUE or NOT. Even AI will not tell me....when I google "percentage of respondents that are Democrat in the Michigan Consumer Sentiment poll"......the result says...."AI overview is not available for this search". Of course AI comes up on everything else that I Google. Changing it to "Republican" gave the same result. I note that in the actual poll results they do break many categories down by party. So I suspect it is TRUE. AND....I find the breakdown....40% versus 20%.....baffling. WELL....not really....considering how things work. BUT....NOT that I care anyway. The absolute last thing in the world that I care about as an investor is a consumer poll......or.....politics. TOTAL fantasy results.
