Blog
The place to find our latest market insights, financial planning tips and media appearances.
3 Things to Consider in 2024
We look at 3 market topics to consider heading into 2024: small-caps, AI's affect on the markets, and US-China relations & semiconductors.
Read MoreRecent Commodities Action Not Providing a Very Clear Picture
As investors know, gold has ramped over the past few weeks – unexpected with inflation readings falling across the board.
Read MoreYear End Market Action
Lance Roberts (realinvestmentadvice.com) wrote this week to expect a pullback. I agree, at least for the Mega Caps and NASDAQ stars. However, in the reshuffling process, expect more troops to come on the field and take leadership from...
Read MoreGranite Wealth in the News: Bruce Zaro talks Microsoft Earnings, NASDAQ Outlook
By Sinéad Carew and Amruta Khandekar Microsoft rises as ousted OpenAI CEO set to join company Bristol Myers down as Bayer's anti-clotting drug trial fails Indexes up: Dow 0.55%, S&P 0.70%, Nasdaq 1.05% Nov 20...
Read MoreSeasonality. Amplified.
Seasonality, Amplified Against a global macro environment filled with things to worry about, the stock market has already ripped 10% from the October low. What could the market be telling us? Fundamentally, the consensus view seems to...
Read MoreShow All
The Market Has Ripped Higher for Nearly 2 Weeks. Now What?
Ultimately, today’s market is still in a strong uptrend that started over a year ago. Seasonal factors are with investors. The presidential cycle is with investors. And all key Point & Figure indicators are with investors.
Read MoreThe Bond Vigilantes Ride Again
Because interpretations of their forward guidance could be all over the board, an unclear statement will likely lead to more volatility in both stocks and bonds, albeit part of a bottoming process that should soon end for the stock market.
Read MoreInvestor Fear Impacts Trading After Big Tech Earnings
As growth stock managers we keep a close eye on earnings trends and, more importantly, the markets reactions to those reports. Here is a rundown of that action with a few Big Techs that have already reported. AMZN Beat significantly...
Read MoreSeasonal Factors are With the Market
Hard as it may feel with all that’s happening around us, a bullish posture remains the right side of the market at present – precisely in line with historical seasonality. Here's why.
Read MoreTrading Time for Money
Most of us have a memory or two of the brighter sides of childhood. Unending summer days with sun kissed cheeks from chasing a frisbee at the beach, sandy feet and salty hair. Unequaled freedom of time never seen during the school year...
Read MoreQ4 Market Outlook: Pause That Refreshes Due to End Soon
We wrote in July and September to expect a pause that refreshes. This view remains our base case as we believe the pause will be soon concluding.
Read MoreMake Your Money Work
In this article, we talk about personal finance as it relates to putting one's money to work for them, and how once it's earned, money can do 3 things: work for you, against you, or do nothing at all.
Read MoreGranite Wealth in the News: Bruce Zaro Talks Oil, Volatility with Reuters
"Investors have been focused on crude as a key inflation indicator. With crude falling, investors might feel it's time to crawl out of the bunker and make some commitments to stocks," said Bruce Zaro of Granite Wealth Management.
Read MoreThe Stock Market 'Pause That Refreshes' is Nearing its End
The stock market pause that refreshes, which we've written about throughout the 3rd quarter, is close to its end.
Read MoreCrude Oil at an Important Tipping Point Near $94
With the November print of $93 straight ahead, there exists some meaningful overhead resistance nearby for Crude, meaning a short-term pullback could be seen. If $94 is breached, a price objective all the way up to $115 area looks possible.
Read MoreInvestable Companies Still in Decline
The number of public companies continues to decline. The number peaked in the 1990’s with about eight thousand companies to invest in. As of March 2023, the NYSE had a combined total of 2385 listed domestic and international...
Read MoreApple - Own it
Apple runs into a wall near $200 August has not been especially kind to the stock after hitting an all-time high of $198.23 on July 19th. China has put limitations on government employees use of iPhone in a likely retaliatory move...
Read MoreAny September Weakness Likely a Healthy Pause that Refreshes
Yes, August was down – but the month-end rally meant it only fell 1.4%. And sure, September is a historically weak month. For now, I expect any short-term weakness will end up being viewed as standard consolidation when we look back on it.
Read MoreChina - How Will the Dominoes Fall?
We have recently written on the international markets and to what extent they should be featured in your stock portfolio. Today we focus on China.. It is widely known that China's problems center around its heavy...
Read MoreIs Warren Buffett Crazy for Putting Berkshire's Money into Homebuilders?
Warren Buffett recently initiated large positions in home builders DR Horton, Lennar and NVE through his Berkshire Hathaway holdings. Is this a typical Buffett contrarian bet for him? Is he bucking the trend and sentiment toward...
Read MoreThe 50 Day Moving Average: a Reliable Indicator?
The 50-Day Moving Average: A Reliable Indicator? A recent headline on MarketWatch blared: “S&P 500 flashes a warning that stocks are likely headed lower after breaking below its 50-day moving average.”So frightening!...
Read MoreTime In vs. Timing The Market
We discuss timing the market versus spending time invested in the market for the long term, and how they are not necessarily competing ideas, though can rather be used in conjunction for an optimized portfolio.
Read MoreView from the UK: What Does the Pound Say?
We don’t have to predict with certainty what comes next. Let’s wait and let the wisdom of the markets show us clearly whether the Pound is finally ready to fall the way so many are predicting.
Read MoreWhile Visiting Jolly Ol' England, a Quick Look at UK Markets
Speaking with as many locals as possible while visiting this week, things sound dreadful if you listen to the average Brit. Our country is losing its relevance, the political landscape has been in tatters, the economy is stagnant, etc.
Read MoreIn Focus: a Technical View of Key AI Names
A couple weeks ago, we discussed AI fundamentals. Last week, we examined the technical health of AI-related sectors. Today, we take a look at some of the most prominent names related to AI and how they shape up from a technical perspective.
Read MoreHow AI-Related Sectors Are Currently Positioned
Before we can look at individual names, however, we must first evaluate the health status of the sectors in which these stocks trade.
Read MoreChart Whisperer Podcast, Episoide 1: AI and the Stock Market
The video below is the first episode of my Chart Whisperer podcast. I'll be recording at irregular intervals at first but will perhaps make this a more permanent and regular endeavor going forward.The following conversation is one I...
Read MoreHead Fake on the 10-Year Yield?
The 10 Year Yield Index broke out rather decidedly in the last daysPlaceholder tnx chartA few prominent strategist are looking for PPI figures to be released on Thursday coming in soft, and allowing cover for the fed to proceed cautiously.
Read MoreQ3 Market Outlook: More Need for Precision, Short-Term, but Bulls Still in Control
As the third quarter begins, we will look at both short- and long-term broad market indicators and I’ll provide some thoughts regarding how to approach stocks today.
Read MoreMeasured Patience vs. Perpetual Indecisiveness
Waiting for the water to warm to the perfect temperature to finally enjoy those summer days can be just as restrictive as waiting for the "perfect" market environment to implement your investment plan. But you'd be missing out on a lot...
Read MoreThe Narrowness of this Rally is Overstated
To my eyes, the market's advance is broadening out.
Read MoreBullish Relative Strength Signal Suggests Don't Fret the Growth Names
In January, the end of last year’s brutal tax-loss selling allowed beaten down growth stocks to once again take over. Today as we approach mid-year, this one important indicator suggests that trend will be longer-lasting than most think.
Read MoreBackyard Barbeque Indicator
This is what it feels like to be an investment advisor. At times a GOAT...........other times just a plain goat.Our friends and partners at Dorsey Wright NASDAQ have run this piece from time to time over the years. A humorous twist on...
Read MoreThe Sky Isn't Falling
While news headlines are overwhelmingly negative, there are a lot of positive signals on display throughout the economy and stock market. From breakout price positions of the NASDAQ, to falling home sale numbers, we look at some positives.
Read MoreA Mixed Market Picture Suggests No Cause for Alarm
We see little cause for alarm in the market's technical picture overall, that picture is not nearly as clear today as it was at the October lows. Sometimes that is simply the case.
Read MoreSell in May and Go Away? Not Anymore
Remarkably, the returns of this "negative" timeframe are virtually identical to the supposedly favored period: the S&P has returned 137% while the Q's returned 272%, just like the positive months!
Read MoreCooler CPI Reading Means Higher Gold? Doubtful.
Yesterday's CPI print continues to portray a picture of moderating inflation and increasing calls for the Federal Reserve to pause, perhaps as early as next month’s meeting.Such a backdrop should be great for higher gold prices,...
Read MoreSports, Inflation, and Other Things We Can't Control
Unrelenting and uncontrollable anxiety. Drastic mood changes. Inability to focus. Peaks of bliss and valleys of anger and defeat. Boston sports fans know what comes with the role of watching their favorite team’s journey...
Read MoreSandbagging
We know the difficulty today of being in the Prediction Business, as economists and stock analysts are squarely in this business. The Prediction business is fraught with over-optimism and over-pessimism. Is it a tough job? YesWhen it...
Read MoreSlow and Steady Wins the Race
Being realistic in a world where everyone has an opinion, and everyone’s opinion is in your face (via social media) is an important skill.
Read More5% Pullback & Option Trading Myth Redux
As the anxiety from the Silicon Valley Bank crisis took hold in early March, that pullback started. What we've seen since is healthy market action and adds an important part of our chart analysis……. A higher bottom.
Read MoreCheck the (Fed's) Pressure Gauge
In the last 40 years, when the 2-year UST fell beneath the Fed Funds Rate by 50 basis points or more, the Fed has cut interest rates within 1 year.
Read MorePlaying the Piano with Both Hands
Those investors who followed the fundamental analysis alone alone (or worse, blindly followed the recommendations of Wall Street’s analysts) got a very nasty surprise. Good technical analysis could have alerted them something was wrong.
Read MoreThe 5% Pullback
We feel a 5% pullback during this in-between period resulting in an intermediate, higher bottom from October is increasingly likely.
Read MoreAfter-Hours Trading: Am I Missing Out?
We occasionally are asked about after-hours trading, which are hours outside of the normal stock exchange hours of 9:30am - 4:00pm EST for buying and selling securities. Long story short: there's no advantage vs. buy and hold.
Read MoreGW in the News: Stocks, Dollar Rally on Strong Data
NEW YORK, Feb 15 (Reuters) - The S&P 500 gave up earlier losses on Wednesday while the dollar was rising along with U.S. Treasury yields after data showed U.S. retail sales in January increased by the most in nearly two years,...
Read MoreU.S. Dollar: Headwinds or Tailwinds?
The action of the US dollar can have major implications on both a strategic level (the economy) and a tactical level (such as a “tactical” investment strategy). For this simple reason, we find it prudent to consider...
Read MoreHI-LO Index Highlight
Liz Ann Sonders from Charles Schwab recently pointed out, market breadth, or the number of stocks participating in this year recovery is broadening and increasing.What does the data say?Looking under the microscope we see an expanding...
Read MoreEat the Apple
An apple a day keeps the doctor away.This isn’t literally true, and the real lesson is in the strategic view of what happens over time. The apple represents something good for you. The day refers to the consistency of which the...
Read MoreGrowth vs. Value: Has the Baton Been Passed?
After a long stretch where growth investors were richly rewarded and value investors took their position in the rear, late 2021 saw a shift. In the market drawdown of 2022, value investors jumped ahead…..and saw much less decline...
Read MoreBeware this Options Trading Myth
A common stock market concept says that the week of monthly options expiration often sees increased volatility, and whichever way the market moves during expiration week will be unwound the following week. Is it true?
Read More2023 Update to the Santa Claus Rally & January Effect
We define the Santa Claus rally period of December 15th to January 15th. Traditionalists consider the Santa Rally Period December 15th to December 31st. In our blog post of December 14th ("Santa Claus Rally & The January Effect"), we...
Read MoreIf Not Now, When?
When the markets are piping hot, much like they were for the second half of 2020, investing feels like such an easy endeavor. When the markets cool to levels where growth is hard to find, investing seems much more bleak - and 2022...
Read MoreTrading Patterns I've Observed in 39 Years in the Business
We get asked quite a bit…..Is this the bottom or a bottom? Given the dreadful performance of all asset classes in 2022 it's a question investors are asking themselves.I felt confident in my call that the October 14th bottom would...
Read MoreDeath and Taxes... and Pessimism
JANUARY 4, 2023 BEHAVIORAL FINANCECOLLEGE PLANNINGGEN ZINVESTMENTINVESTMENT MANAGEMENTMILLENIALSMONEY MINDSETPERSONAL FINANCE“In this world nothing can be said to be certain, except death and taxes,” -Benjamin...
Read MoreSanta Claus Rally & The January Effect
DECEMBER 14, 2022 INSIGHTSINVESTMENTINVESTMENT MANAGEMENTMARKET HISTORYTECHNICAL INSIGHTSWe believe the rally will arrive this year, but with a caveat. Expect this to be more prominent for small caps.The period between...
Read MoreIs A Major Shift Coming in Asset Classes?
DECEMBER 8, 2022 INSIGHTSINVESTMENTTECHNICAL INSIGHTSWe have monthly Investment Policy Committee Meetings to discuss the changes that take place in the markets. Fundamental and technical factors are on the agenda. We want to...
Read MoreStocks' Reaction to Earnings
How has the earnings season gone? But, more importantly, how have stocks reacted to those earnings releases? Going into earnings, investors had great concerns about the 3rd quarter, as well as forward earnings visibility.Historically,...
Read MoreRetirement Contribution Eligibility & Guidelines for 2022
NOVEMBER 15, 2022 GEN ZINVESTMENTMILLENIALSPERSONAL FINANCERETIREMENT FUNDINGAs we approach the end of the calendar year, we want to remind you of the guidelines for contributing to your retirement account(s) for 2022.The...
Read MoreInvestment Strategies: Sector Rotation
NOVEMBER 10, 2022 INSIGHTSINVESTMENTINVESTMENT MANAGEMENTSector rotation is an investment strategy revolving around the movement of money between various industry categories of the markets, such as technology, financial...
Read MoreMidterm Elections: Does History Tell Us What's Next?
Today is election day, and that always comes paired with unrelenting news platforms blasting forecasts and results in your face for days leading up to the election, and weeks afterwards as well. What also comes along with midterm...
Read MoreThrough the Windshield, or the Rearview?
NOVEMBER 1, 2022 EARNINGS SEASONINSIGHTSINVESTMENTINVESTMENT MANAGEMENTMARKET HISTORYTECHNICAL INSIGHTSShort-term indicators are pointing investors to look through the windshield. We believe this is an early signal...
Read MoreYour Grass is Greener Than You Think
OCTOBER 28, 2022 BEHAVIORAL FINANCEINVESTMENTMONEY MINDSETPERSONAL FINANCERETIREMENT FUNDINGIt was 97 degrees and the humidity must have been sitting above 90% the entire week. It was the middle of North Carolina in the...
Read MoreNervous? Perfect - Time to Do Some Buying!
OCTOBER 19, 2022 INSIGHTSINVESTMENTINVESTMENT MANAGEMENTRaging inflation, war in Europe and an economy teetering on the brink of recession – what a beautiful time to look for a stock market bottom!We all know that we...
Read MoreEvery Storm Runs Out of Rain
OCTOBER 14, 2022 INSIGHTSINVESTMENTINVESTMENT MANAGEMENTRETIREMENT FUNDINGCertainly you’ve seen some of the aftermath of Hurricane Ian somewhere in the news. Astounding to see the damage caused, right? After hitting...
Read MoreThe Do's and Don'ts of Market Crashes - by Barry Ritholtz
Some advice is timeless. I'd argue the best advice in life is timeless. This blog post from January 2016 is a great reminder that while time changes, some things stay the same. Enjoy this piece from our friend at Ritholtz Wealth...
Read More2022 Contribution Limits
Preparing for retirement just got a little more financial wiggle room. The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) announced new contribution limits for 2022.Staying put for 2022 are traditional Individual Retirement Accounts (IRAs), with the...
Read MoreInvestment Strategy: Financial Market Basics
When it comes to investing, the common terminology says that you're investing in "the markets" or Wall Street. But what do these terms mean, and how are markets defined?Simply put, financial markets are where traders and investors buy...
Read MoreRisk Management: Modern Portfolio & Behavioral Finance Theory
Investing strategies consist of a few different types of financial theories. This article examines two popular theories you may have heard of: modern portfolio and behavioral finance theory.Modern Portfolio Theory (MPT)Modern portfolio...
Read MoreRetirement Strategy: Preparing to Retire Early
Do you dream of retiring before you turn 60? How about before you turn 50? If so, you might want to think twice before you make the move. If your heart is set on leaving work early, be sure you leave with the right mindset and the...
Read More8 Step Summer Financial Checkup
It seems like when summertime hits, time slows down. The hustle and bustle of the holiday season is over, the taxes are complete and the vacation days are scheduled. If you find yourself with a bit of extra time on your hands in the...
Read MoreDoes it Pay to Buy Travel Insurance for Your Summer Trip?
With summer quickly approaching, you could be asking yourself which expenses are worth the investment when planning ahead for your vacations. Especially when it comes to travel insurance, you want to make sure you’re not...
Read MoreSorry, No Crystal Ball Here...
We certainly could use a crystal ball right about now, but that’s not how this works. We aren’t in the business of predicting the future. We are, however, in the business of making the best decisions possible with the most...
Read More