Home About Archives RSS Feed

@theMarket: 707 Days

Bill Schmick

It's official: the S&P 500 Index is now up 100 percent from its low of 666.79 back in March 2009. It was the fastest double in stock prices since 1936. And it is not over.

I have suggested several times in past columns past that a big move in stocks would come when individual investors sold their bond holdings, gathered their courage, and returned to the stock market. That time may be upon us.

Consider that this is the fifth week in a row that inflows into domestic stock funds have increased. A total of $21.3 billion moved into equity mutual funds in January. The first week in February saw an additional $5.85 billion and last week another $9.3 billion flowed into equities.

The money is coming out of bond funds (mainly funds invested in U.S. Treasuries and Munis). As expected, the stock markets' five-month winning streak and low rates of return in the government bond markets and money markets are forcing investors back into equities. This has been my premise for well over a year.

Corporate profits are approaching record levels. The economy is gaining steam, inflation forecasts remain subdued (2-3 percent/year) and interest rates are historically low. That is what I call a "sweet spot" for making money in stocks. But the market's steady rise since the beginning of the year, with little to no corrections, has also confounded veteran market watchers. Some respected technical analysts I know have actually given up trying to predict the timing of a pullback. The truth is that a correction can happen at anytime, but so what. Buy the dip.

Consider that the U.S. market continues to rise in the face of tensions in the Middle East, soaring global commodity prices, declining stock markets in the high growth emerging markets and continued financial concerns in Europe. In the past, any one of the above circumstances has had the power to take our market down 5 percent in a blink of the eye. But thanks to "Bennie and the Fed," investors own a "put" on our market. Back in November in my column "Don't Fight the Fed" had the following explanation for why the market would continue to rise:

"The Fed is clearly telegraphing to investors that they want a higher stock market, and like unemployment and the economy, they will do what it takes to accomplish that goal. This message is behind the jump in the stock market this week. My advice to you is don’t fight the Fed. Buy stocks.”

I stand by that advice.

On another note, have you been watching the price of gold and silver? A few weeks ago I suggested that the price correction in both these precious metals was just about over. Since then both gold and especially silver have roared back to life. Silver is above $32 an ounce. It is getting closer to my target of $36-$37 an ounce, so be ready to take some profits when we reach that price level. Gold has lagged silver so far, but I believe it will ultimately narrow the lead. Nonetheless, both metals performance have been far from shabby.

Bill Schmick is an independent investor with Berkshire Money Management. (See "About" for more information.) None of the information presented in any of these articles is intended to be and should not be construed as an endorsement of BMM or a solicitation to become a client of BMM. The reader should not assume that any strategies, or specific investments discussed are employed, bought, sold or held by BMM. Direct your inquiries to Bill at 1-888-232-6072 (toll free) or e-mail him at wschmick@fairpoint.net. Visit www.afewdollarsmore.com for more of Bill's insights.

Tags: metals, growth, stocks, bonds      

Support Local News

We show up at hurricanes, budget meetings, high school games, accidents, fires and community events. We show up at celebrations and tragedies and everything in between. We show up so our readers can learn about pivotal events that affect their communities and their lives.

How important is local news to you? You can support independent, unbiased journalism and help iBerkshires grow for as a little as the cost of a cup of coffee a week.

News Headlines
Elder Services Marks 50 Years of Service to Aging Population
Drury Senior Writes Song About Overcoming Challenges
Simon's Rock Family Weekend to Begin Friday
Morris Students Celebrate International Walk, Bike, and Roll to School Day
MCLA Launches 'Politics of the Visual' Lecture Series
Just for Kicks Soccer Tournament Dedicates Trophy to Founder
CHP Berkshires Completes Dental Expansion
Clark Art Presents Gallery Talk With Emerging Art Historians
Williamstown Select Board Talks Policy on Plowing Private Ways
USDA Funds May Aid Lanesborough Public Safety Proposal
 
 


Categories:
@theMarket (504)
Independent Investor (452)
Retired Investor (211)
Archives:
October 2024 (4)
October 2023 (4)
September 2024 (7)
August 2024 (9)
July 2024 (8)
June 2024 (7)
May 2024 (10)
April 2024 (6)
March 2024 (7)
February 2024 (8)
January 2024 (8)
December 2023 (9)
November 2023 (5)
Tags:
Jobs Stocks Congress Crisis Retirement Taxes Pullback Euro Oil Economy Debt Ceiling Federal Reserve Election Selloff Rally Debt Europe Greece Interest Rates Fiscal Cliff Deficit Japan President Bailout Recession Unemployment Commodities Qeii Banks Metals Currency Stock Market Energy Markets Stimulus
Popular Entries:
The Independent Investor: Don't Fight the Fed
Independent Investor: Europe's Banking Crisis
@theMarket: Let the Good Times Roll
The Independent Investor: Japan — The Sun Is Beginning to Rise
Independent Investor: Enough Already!
@theMarket: Let Silver Be A Lesson
Independent Investor: What To Expect After a Waterfall Decline
@theMarket: One Down, One to Go
@theMarket: 707 Days
The Independent Investor: And Now For That Deficit
Recent Entries:
@theMarket: Stocks Make Record Highs Despite a Wall of Worry
The Retired Investor: Back to the Future in Nuclear Energy
@theMarket: A Week to Remember
The Retired Investor: Economic Storm Clouds Could Be Just Around the Corner
@theMarket: China Stimulus Boosts World Markets
The Retired Investor: My Economic Outlook into 2025
@theMarket: Fed's Half-Point Rate Cut Surprised Markets
The Retired Investor: Deals Coming Back in Some Consumer Areas
@theMarket: Fed Expected to Begin Interest Rate Cuts Next Week
The Retired Investor: Fewer Babies Threaten Future U.S. Economic Growth.