stock market

“Grub first, then ethics.”

The Democratic Party lost the election because of deteriorating economic conditions. The majority of voters are not better off than they were four years ago.
The electorate understood that policies implemented by the previous administration were slowing growth and inflating the economy. Voters knew their personal economic prospects were deteriorating and that increased indebtedness, aggressive government spending, and the money printed to pay for it were the cause of their livelihoods’ destruction. They also knew that another four years of the same policies would inevitably result in higher taxation.

“Grub first, then ethics.” Read More »

“You cannot escape the responsibility of tomorrow by evading it today.”

The economy continues to expand and consistently exceed expectations across most data series. Yet confidence surveys continue to languish well below pre-pandemic levels; at the same time, investor bullishness has rarely been higher. This is unusual and should reconcile itself to some consistency. I would expect confidence to rise. Yet truthfully, it is fiscal dominance –¬ more so than monetary dominance ¬– that is the more significant issue. The debt ceiling is currently suspended. In January 2025, however, it will automatically come back into effect. This means that the U.S. Treasury will not be able to issue more debt until Congress raises or suspends the ceiling again. However, they still have spending obligations and are running structural deficits due to the policies Congress has implemented for decades. Thus, government spending could potentially be forced downward – depending on whether conservatives or liberals control Congress. If that happens, it would be a net positive for the economy.

“You cannot escape the responsibility of tomorrow by evading it today.” Read More »

“Mr. Biden and his party have been given the chance to avoid a dire fate for their country and the world. They should seize it.”

The S&P 500 once again touched an all-time high (5,523) but closed on a down note for two reasons. First, inflation remains persistent. The Fed’s preferred inflation gauge (PCE) showed prices are still rising substantially more than they were pre-pandemic (+2.6% vs +1.3%.) The key (outside-down-day) reversal lower insured that for the 9th. straight day, the U.S. equity index failed to close above the psychologically important 5,500 level. Second, Biden’s Presidential term is likely finished. The damaging and likely permanent fallout from the debate is devastating. More on that below.

“Mr. Biden and his party have been given the chance to avoid a dire fate for their country and the world. They should seize it.” Read More »

“There is an inevitable divergence, attributed to the imperfections of the human mind, between the world as it is and the world as men perceive it.”

Stimulus remains ample, and Mr. Powell was more dovish than even the most strident risk asset bulls anticipated. Government activism in the economy and capital market and economy remain and are accelerating.
The performance of the U.S. equity and credit markets is excellent, and they are aggressively testing the Fed, which doesn’t see the threat unless, of course, they see something that we don’t. Three cuts are still expected in 2024. Stocks should remain encouraged but for how long?

“There is an inevitable divergence, attributed to the imperfections of the human mind, between the world as it is and the world as men perceive it.” Read More »

“Never in the field of human conflict was so much owed by so many…”

75% of the Perry Capital Portfolio remains AAA-rated, very short maturity, and very liquid securities.
I remain underweight in the equity market because the valuation metrics of risk assets are not discounting for
persistent inflation, higher funding rates, and a slowing economy to the degree necessary to be attractive.

“Never in the field of human conflict was so much owed by so many…” Read More »