The Long Term Investor

HERE is the market today. Looking good so far.

Stocks rise after Apple earnings, December inflation data

https://www.cnbc.com/2025/01/30/stock-market-today-live-updates.html

(BOLD is my opinion OR what I consider important content)

"Stocks moved higher Friday as investors analyzed earnings reports from Apple and other well-known companies, alongside the release of a closely followed inflation report.

The S&P 500 climbed 0.5%, and the Nasdaq Composite advanced 1.1%. The Dow Jones Industrial Average
rose 20 points, or less than 0.1%.

Investors honed in on Apple, which saw shares rise 3% after the company exceeded fiscal first-quarter expectations. While Apple reported disappointing sales tied to the iPhone, services revenue appeared to take the spotlight.

The December data for the personal consumption expenditures price index — the Federal Reserve’s preferred inflation gauge — showed an increase of 0.3% from November and a 2.6% annual rate. While this yearly advance was in line with economists’ expectations, it marked an acceleration from the prior month’s rate of 2.4% — raising some concerns that inflation remains sticky. Excluding food and energy, core PCE also increased 0.2% monthly and 2.8% on an annual basis.

Friday’s action follows a winning — but volatile — trading session for the three major indexes. Technology has been a major focus of investors this week given Monday’s big sell-off sparked by developments out of China’s DeepSeek artificial intelligence startup and earnings reports from key players over recent days.

Despite those advances, only the Dow is on track to finish the week higher. While the blue-chip index has risen about 1%, the S&P 500 and Nasdaq Composite are poised to finish down by 0.1% and 0.5%, respectively.

Friday also marks the last day of what has been a rocky January for traders. Nevertheless, the three major averages are on pace for monthly gains, with the S&P 500 up 3.6% and the Nasdaq on pace for a 2.7% advance. The Dow outperformed in the period, on track for a 5.7% jump.

“We still do have a fair amount of earnings,” said Jay Hatfield, CEO of Infrastructure Capital Advisors. “Usually, it pays to be long during earnings, so we would continue to be bullish into February.”"

MY COMMENT

It has actually been a extremely good month for the markets this month. SP500 going to hit at least +3.6%.........NASDAQ, +2.7%......and the DOW +5.7%. These are very large gains for a single month. AND....it looks like they are going to grow even more today.

Do this every month.....(not going to happen)......and, we will be looking at another year of +25% to 35% total return for investors. Unfortunately projecting the markets does not work that way.

You would never know that we have been having such a good month if you just focus on the day to day opinion/media coverage.

 

Looking like a very good day so far since the ticker is telling me that I have eight of nine stocks in the green right now. My lone loser....my micro-position CMG. Of course I am very forgiving of that stock and am giving it a long time to show me what it can do.

I have now finished scanning all my usual sources and not much is really happening today. With the AAPL earnings and the decent inflation data....it is a nice NORMAL day in the markets....no drama....no BS.

In spite of all the turmoil......we are going to end the month with some hefty gains in the big averages. The BIG TECH has had a tough month with the constant media fear-mongering and attacks from China. So what......this is the norm for the tech area of the markets. To be in these stocks you have to be able to....take the heat.....to get the gains.

YES.....we are still in a BULL MARKET. YES.....policies of the new government will "probably" lead to a much better business environment. YES......we are still the world leader in TECH....by far. YES.....there is still no better place to invest than BIG CAP American companies that are the cream of the crop around the world. AND:

YES......I continue to be fully invested for the long term as usual.

 

I hope EMMETT is ok.

It has been a long time since he has posted anything...even a simply hello. If you read this Emmett.....just pop in and let us know that you are doing ok.

 

Since the markets are doing well on their own today....I will continue to put the......ALTERNATIVE INFO.....out there on DeepFake. Someone has to do it.

Deepseek is ‘IP theft’: US officials raise alarm; Microsoft had alerted OpenAI

https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com...-had-alerted-openai/articleshow/117683876.cms

Unprotected DeepSeek Database Exposed Chats, Other Sensitive Information
An unprotected database belonging to Chinese AI company DeepSeek exposed highly sensitive information, including chat history, secret keys, and backend data.

https://www.securityweek.com/unprotected-deepseek-database-leaked-highly-sensitive-information/

DeepSeek’s AI restricted by ‘hundreds’ of companies within days
Anxieties around DeepSeek have mounted since praise from high-profile tech executives propelled it to the top of the Apple Store

https://financialpost.com/news/deepseek-ai-restricted-hundreds-companies

MY COMMENT

For more info see my post on the prior page that outlines how the Chinese government helped orchestrate the Weekend and particularly Sunday evening....media frenzy on DeepSeek.

 

I note that one of my holdings.....PLTR....basically hit a new ALL TIME HIGH today. it is now just below at $84.65....or....+4.22%.

https://www.investing.com/news/comp...time-high-of-848-amid-tech-rally-93CH-3843066

Of course this article and many stock pickers..... continue to claim that the stock is over-valued. it may be....but....this is a very young company that is just starting out. We often see this sort of "overvalued claim" with young growth stocks. It will be interesting to see what they report when their earnings come out NEXT WEEK.

They have had an epic run-up. And as far as I can see they continue to rack up the government and private contracts. This will be the key when earnings are reported.

 

A very nice day so far. I hope we can avoid the dreaded....late day fade.

PLTR is on fire today......hitting multiple ALL TIME HIGHS. a moment ago I saw that is was at $85.22 per share. AMAZING action in this stock recently.