LIFE IS GOOD ON THANKSGIVING 2006
CHEAP OIL, LOW YIELDS PROPEL STOCKS TO NEW HIGHS
Billyblow IS NOT GETTING A VICTORIA’S SECRET BRA for his receptionist
The Dow gained 234 points last week to close at 12342.56. The S&P500 closed above 1400 for the first time in 6 years. Investors are betting on a soft landing for the economy. Inflationary pressures appear to be easing. Oil dropped 6.34% to $55.81. The dollar traded sideways closing at $1.2826/€ and ¥117.76/$. Housing starts plummeted 14.6% in October alone, which means the real estate adjustment will be drastic, but perhaps quick. The only question is how much of the stock run-up is due to low bond yields. The 10-year Treasury is at 4.609% which puts the real rate at about 1%. Not much if you are trying to save. On HedgeStreet, crude oil dominated the volume last week, followed by the euro.
ECONOMIC RELEASES THIS WEEK
Monday’s Expectations: Leading indicators at 0.2%, 5 declines and 5 gains this year, underscoring the economy at crossroads.
Wednesday’s Expectations: Claims at 310K, crude/gas inventories, and Michigan sentiment revision.
MILTON FRIEDMAN DIED
The champion of free markets, capitalism, voluntary army, school vouchers and low taxes died at 94. He believed that a socialist government cannot be truly democratic as it interferes in the lives of individuals. As an anti-Keynesian monetarist, he believed the Fed’s only job was to tackle inflation. We owe so many great ideas to one man.
NYMEX DEBUT...OIL NOT NEEDED...A $6.5 MILLION BRA...TOM-KAT & OPRAH
Shares of NYMEX doubled on the day of the IPO. The exchange’s trading floor is ridiculously obsolete, but the volume of non-equity futures and options is growing at a compound rate of 28%. Better lucky than smart...A WSJ headline read: “Oil falls to 17-month low, hurt...by warm temperatures”. Get it? Global warming = energy independence...Victoria’s Secret is offering a $6.5 million diamond-studded bra for Christmas. But if billyblow buy it for new receptionist, she is not going to want to take if off. What’s the point?...Tom-Kat did not invite Oprah to their wedding in Italy. They did not invite Dr. Phil either, and God knows they need him. |
