Best read of the week:. Putin will crap on Russia’s capital markets with his tough-guy display in Ukraine. May not seem like much, but the enduring legacy of Ronald Reagan is that the US showed the rest of the world, the complete failure of socialism and communism, as an economic, social and political model. Some capitalism has taken root in Russia over the last 20 years, and wealth has been created by capital markets in that country. Ultimately those capitalists and wealth fleeing the country (if it hasn’t already) should be far more persuasive to Putin than President Obama / John Kerry diplomacy.
Todd Salamone of Schaeffer’s sees some signs of concern for equity traders in last week’s action.
Ryan Detrick, also of Schaeffer’s and one of the best prognosticators of the markets I know, sees something similarly with this excellent post here. My only contribution to this discussion is that Facebook (FB) and Tesla (TSLA) didn’t make new highs as the SP 500 did on Thursday and Friday. Market could be fading a little. Biotech’s had a tough day on Friday, March 7th: Biogen (BIIB) was down 3.50% on the day and the week, and the BBH (HLDRS Biotech ETF) fell 2.37% on the week as well. (Long FB and TSLA. FB closed below its previous high of $71.44 on Friday, but its was still up almost 2% on the week.)
When leadership groups start to fade, it may be time for us to raise a little cash for clients.
Huge passion of mine, that am taking more time to do. Nothing better than fishing structure for largemouth bass.
JC Parets chart on relative sector performance since the SP 500’s bottom in March, 2009;
Fascinating article by Blackrock on the standard 60% / 40% asset allocation mix in retail clients portfolios. I have this discussion with client all the time. Currently we have clients tilted closer to 70% / 30% than 60% / 40%. It isn’t so much that the SP 500 is overvalued today as it is that inflation is very low and thus Treasuries and corporate bonds are thought to be overvalued.
Thanks for reading. More to do before the weekend is over.
Trinity Asset Management, Inc. by:
Brian Gilmartin, CFA
Portfolio manager