The Resilience of the U.S. Economy At this writing, Q3 GDP economic growth, according to the Atlanta Fed, defies projections again with a 4.9% estimate. The impressive growth stands opposite of projections of near breakeven at the beginning of the quarter. Correspondingly optimistic, Yardeni Research projects S&P 500 operating profits to increase 20% by the end of 2025. Federal Reserve …

Q: What potential deflationary crisis is unfolding that is likely to change the Federal Reserve’s focus? A: According to Bloomberg, [Capitalization Rates] or “Cap Rates” on commercial real estate have moved from 6% to 8% decreasing values potentially by 25%. If Cap Rates moved to 10%, the decrease in value would be 40%. Bank solvency is endangered by loans that …

Q: What are some of the best and worst performing stocks of the last three years? A: Marathon Oil, Corp., Targa Resources, Corp., Devon Energy Corp. and Occidental Petroleum Corp. are up over 400% each over the past three years. PayPal Holdings, Inc. is down by 2/3rds. Match Group, Inc. and Warner Brothers Discovery, Inc. have both declined by over …

Q: What companies made all time new highs this past week? A: Those companies include Dell Computer, Eli Lilly, and Walmart! Q: How high have the estimates in the price of crude oil gotten in recent years? A: The range of price predictions have included $90 a barrel recently to up to $380 a barrel after the invasion of Ukraine. …

Q: What was some of the good news for investors this week? A: Wage push inflation is expected to decline with the Job Openings & Labor Turnover Survey (JOLTS) declining to 8.8 million down from a peak of 11.8 million and the lowest since March 2021. Positive money flows could indicate that the Federal Reserve will not raise interest rates …

Q: Why was the Federal Reserve meeting in Jackson Hole this week? A: It was held in a few different locations in the late 1970s, but Jackson Hole has been the location since 1981. The conference was placed there partly because Paul Volcker, the then-Federal Reserve Chairman, wanted to attend the great fly fishing in the area, which is held …

Q: What did Janet Yellen do during her visit to China? A: At an arranged dinner she was unknowingly served a dish featuring mushrooms known for their psychedelic effects. Q: What is a likely explanation for the 55 basis point spike in long US Treasury yields in less than a month? A: Atlanta Fed estimated current economic growth this week …

A Melt Up? Q: Who were the Top 10 Blue Chip performers over the last 90 Days? A: Tune in to today’s broadcast and follow along as Alex Tollen, Chief Operating Officer, guides investors through the research below. Q: Who were the worst Blue Chip performers over the last 90 Days? A: Tune in to today’s broadcast and follow along …

Q: What were some of the impacts on the global financial markets from the Fitch downgrade of U.S. Treasury bonds from AAA to AA+? A: Large institutional selling of long U.S. Treasury bonds began immediately pushing yields up by nearly 25 basis points and the Dow Jones Industrial Average (Dow) fell over 300 points the day of the downgrade was …

Q: What was the equity market reaction to this week’s Federal Funds Rate increase? A: The Dow Jones Industrial Average spiked 170 points as Federal Reserve Chairman, Jerome Powell, indicated the tightening cycle is likely over. “It’s possible that we would choose to hold steady . . .” Q: What is a “Soft Landing?” A: Investopedia.com: “A soft landing, in …