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April 2015 Commentary

Quarter Review

The volatility we saw in the 4th quarter of 2014 continued throughout the first quarter of 2015. The primary driver of the volatility was an increased expectation amongst economists that the U.S. Federal Reserve would raise interest rates as early as June. A second factor was sub-par earnings reports that produced a perceived slowdown in US production.

For the quarter, the S&P 500 squeezed out a slight gain of less than one percent. Conversely, the international markets (EAFE Index) produced a gain of over 5%. The shift signaled a belief that the similar European and Japanese monetary policies, which helped US markets for the last few years, are beginning to have the same positive effects across seas. Continue reading “April 2015 Commentary”

November 2013 Commentary

Our June commentary happened to be timely and fortuitous when I suggested the 5% pullback in the US markets sparked by the Federal Reserve hinting of a bond buying taper was “unwarranted” and an “overreaction” and would be “short-lived” and create a “buying opportunity”. Since then the S&P 500 has risen almost 13% to an all-time high of around 1800. Continue reading “November 2013 Commentary”

November 22nd Commentary

As we move into the holiday season, the stock market’s attention has drifted away from economic data and earnings reports. The focus is squarely on the travesty that is the world’s politicians and leadership. Daily volatility is driven by reports of the European Union’s inability to come to an agreement on austerity measures for troubled European countries. More recently, the spotlight is on the failures of the congressional “super-committee” to agree to deficit reductions. The disconnect between politicians and reality has always intrigued me, but it is now taking on a life of its own. What does it say for us as a country when our elected politicians cannot agree on $1.2 trillion of deficit cuts when in reality it is $5 to $6 trillion needed to make a difference? I fear that even if we elected new officials to lead our great nation, the results would be the same. I long for the day the markets react on earnings and economic data and not the spectacle that is political sitcom.

As always, I stress that in this ever-changing political and economic environment, sensible diversification is the key to weathering any market
uncertainties.

Jason M. Vavra, CPA, PFS

jvavra@vavracapital.com

Disclaimer

The information contained herein is not considered an offer to buy or sell any securities referred to herein. Opinions expressed are subject to change without notice and do not take into account the particular investment objectives, financial situation, or needs of individual
investors. There is no guarantee that the figures or opinions forecasted in this report will be realized or achieved. Past performance is no guarantee of future results.

August 15 2011 Commentary

This is a quick note on some significant events today.

Most of the people who I have been speaking with recently know that I have been looking for some merger and acquisition activity to add some calm to the market. My thoughts have been that corporate balance sheets are in much better shape than the 2008 financial crisis and comparisons made to that timeframe are unwarranted.

I felt that a few merger and acquisitions would show investors that companies are confident about their own business prospects and do not feel as inclined to hoard the record amounts of cash sitting on corporate balance sheets. The result would be a reduction of the volatile markets we have seen lately and a return to stability.

Today, there were four notable acquisitions made by Google, Cargill, Time Warner Cable and Transocean. Hopefully this is the beginning to the end of the violent swings we have seen daily for the last week and a return to a more fundamental approach to the market.

As always, I stress that in this ever-changing political and economic environment, sensible diversification is the key to weathering any market uncertainties.

Jason M. Vavra, CPA, PFS

jvavra@vavracapital.com

Disclaimer

The information contained herein is not considered an offer to buy or sell any securities referred to herein. Opinions expressed are subject to change without notice and do not take into account the particular investment objectives, financial situation, or needs of individual investors. There is no guarantee that the figures or opinions forecasted in this report will be realized or achieved. Past performance is no guarantee of
future results.

March 10th 2011 Commentary

Which Way are We Headed?

Looking for areas of the market that are showing consistent strength has been difficult over the last few weeks. Money inflows have varied based on headlines highlighting the situation in Libya, economic data and corporate earnings.  Almost daily, we are seeing investor’s favoritism rotate between equities, bonds and commodities with no sector showing consistent leadership patterns.

Continue reading “March 10th 2011 Commentary”