It All Depends On
What & Who You Believe
It was a hell of a week. It should have been. October is a rough month historically. The Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur holidays are celebrated late this year, just like it was in 1929. The holidays were observed in late September in 1987 and 2008 as well.
I’m not one to historically look at this type of data, but remember, 1929 brought us the Great Depression. In a way, Israel is in charge of what’s next in the Middle East. They are a very well-trained population, fully aware of the problems that exist in their home country. They fought and won wars during the holidays, and expectations remain that keep history in the forefront.
The world is a dangerous place. Actions, or inactions as they are, have brought some of this danger to our homeland. Hurricanes, although not “predictable,” create havoc. Immigration, especially the unbridled entry of criminals and enemies of these United States, could have been prevented. One side believes trouble looms on the horizon due to their presence. The other side just opened the doors to their arrival. One side wants to make them citizens. The other side wants to deport them.
Your vote is important. Could you make sure to “think through” all scenarios before deciding what choice to make? Again, it is the lesser of two evils, but there is a choice. Hopefully, you will make the right one.
Look At All Those New Jobs
Wow, 254,000 new jobs were created, and the unemployment rate dropped to 4.1%. I see where some politicians are praising the success of Bidenomics. Hell, the “big guy” even showed up at the “daily briefing” to talk about it. Sure, he kind of “forgot” about the recent major revisions in the labor numbers. He forgot to talk about the disaster in the Southeast, but he’s “Joe.” Face it, he forgets everything except maybe his favorite flavor of ice cream and “which way to the beach.”
Come on folks, you are all smarter than that. I have not had much faith in “anything” our government tells us, more so since Edward Snowden lifted the veil on what they are truly watching. They don’t target Zuckerberg, but Musk remains a target. They’ll fact-check Republican candidates, but Democrats get a pass. Again, your vote matters, so make sure you listen to everything and cast your choice.
Volatility Is Here To Stay
Yes, it seems like investment volatility is becoming a long-term trend, driven by a wide range of factors. Some of the key contributors to ongoing market fluctuations include:
Global Economic Uncertainty: High inflation, fluctuating interest rates, and differing central bank policies across regions have created instability in global markets.
Geopolitical Tensions: Events like the war in Ukraine and the Middle East, trade disputes, and tensions between major world economies, like the U.S. and China, continue to drive uncertainty.
Technological Disruption: Rapid innovation in AI, energy, and other sectors creates volatility as investors weigh potential winners and losers. Technologies can disrupt established industries, driving rapid changes in stock prices.
Supply Chain Issues: Ongoing supply chain challenges, exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic, continue to affect production, prices, and profitability across multiple industries.
Investor Sentiment: Markets are increasingly driven by sentiment and news cycles, especially with the rise of social media and retail investor influence. This creates more short-term fluctuations.
Market Structure Changes: The growth of algorithmic trading, passive investing, and derivative markets has amplified price swings, particularly in times of stress.
While volatility can be challenging, it also presents opportunities for savvy investors who can manage risk and stay focused on long-term goals. Diversification, disciplined investing, and staying informed about trends can help mitigate some of these impacts. You are all fully aware of how I handle volatility. How are you currently managing this volatility in your investments?
I like Kid Rock. Not because he is supporting Trump, no. I like him because he is not afraid to speak his mind. He uses a few words in this video that may offend some, but in reality, he has a message to send. I do, too. Vote, and let your thoughts be heard. While, like always, we are choosing the lesser of two evils, we have to make choices in life. I’m a hedger at heart. If something is going to go wrong it probably will. So, take the time to sift through all that’s being thrown at you. We’ll all be better off if you do.