Here's a statement of the obvious: The opinions expressed here are those of the participants, not those of the Mutual Fund Observer. We cannot vouch for the accuracy or appropriateness of any of it, though we do encourage civility and good humor.
CNBC: "When asked whether the decision to pause tariffs on many products from Canada and Mexico for one month was due to the stock market, Trump said the decision had “nothing to do with the market. I’m not even looking at the market...."
Anyone b…
The market is in the red during Trump’s presidency in part because of the uncertainty the administration’s trade policy has caused. The Nasdaq has fallen more than 7% since Trump took office, and the S&P 500 is down more than 4%.
Fake news! Wron…
Businesses will do what they always do, they will adapt to the changing economic environment. The only thing that is constant IS change. Medium/large firms -- the ones typically engaged in cross-border movement of goods - have procurement dep…
@JD. In a previous life long long ago I was the sales manager of a dealership that sold German cars. When we were notified of price increases because of changes in currency the old price cars became full price cars. They were still cheaper at full…
There's always the Magic Sharpie(tm) and/or a forthcoming EO declaring the "total and unquestioned" use of 'alternative facts' as the basis for US policy....
If they start massaging economic numbers (like they allegedly will be for GDP) we will be…
How the hell can a business successfully plan or operate in this environment? In another 30 days they'll be right back here playing "will he or won't he" on tariffs.....this is insanity.
Politico on last night's speech (which I did not watch): "Trump also acknowledged his protectionism may create “a little disturbance” within the U.S. economy, but added: “We’re OK with that. It won't be much." Let’s see if those lines come back t…
Stock market drops like a rock, so of course he's going to backtrack. The stock market is his favorite indicator of 'popularity' remember....
https://www.bnnbloomberg.ca/business/2025/03/04/lutnick-says-trump-considering-some-mexico-canada-tariff-…
These tariffs are imposed on Mexico and Canada (allegedly) due to immigration and fentanyl.
So how can countries avoid tariffs due to immigration and fentanyl.? Per FOTUS, by "moving their companies to the USA."
That's like a patient asking thei…
+1 I knew it would work given enough time. :)
Tempted to do some buying today, but nothing looks that attractive at the moment.
Hah! Broken clocks sometimes being right come to mind here. :)
So much winning, I can't stand it. 'Sir', please stop all the winning for America!
I'm pretty much trimmed down my 'active' portfolio to stuff I plan to keep regardless, plus a few income positions. So I've got cash to buy into things as opportun…
For once, my portfolio hedge was timed well and working. Unfortunately, it's in nowhere enough quantities to offset the equity loses yesterday and this morning, but hey, at least there's some green in my account this morning...
Among other domestic uses, NOAA* helps reduce the chances of needing FEMA.
So of course, FOTUS is trying to kill them both, because winning!
* who also predicts & warns about the path of hurricanes that might, oh, I dunno, hit Palm Beach Cou…
A good thread that quickly went into the ground based on politics from the usual suspects.
That's the easiest thing to lead you doing the wrong action.
I never based my holdings on politics or predictions.
I have been collecting over the years many…
The Trump administration may exclude government spending from GDP, obscuring the impact of DOGE cuts
No problem when you can move the variables around when necessary.
Fiddling with the data will come back to bite them in the a** at some point, espe…
Matt Levine has been talking about this for a while now. He's also suggesting that we're being set up for a rerun of 2008.
This would not surprise me one bit. Wall Street can't help itself....
Thanks for the link. Dumb question….. Are these items what are broadly called “Securitized” in bond funds. Like 21.93 % in VBMFX? Or a whopping 49.40% of the highly regarded Dodgeand Cox Income Fund. I know I should not worry because the curren…
If the economy is driven by consumers and consumers start hugging their nuts because the hour by hour barrage of bad news scares them from all manner of discretionary spending, a slight correction could become something more serious. Or maybe just …
I too no longer do resting stops. I totally agree about whipsaws from stops. Too many times it just felt like someone had access to my stop limit information and grabbed my resting stop order. But I have mental stops and do not let my greed and…
I can accept buying as an idea but would keep somewhat tight stops so one does not get called on their bluff or bluff on bluffs. Part of my friction is that I can wager on risks but I can not wager on uncertainties. We are in a perfect environme…
It's amazing how backwards modern organizations can still be these days. And in VG's case, what Shostakovich describes is inexcusable!
I needed to request a vital record from a NY locality and they could only mail me the form via USPS. Other loca…
@Junkster,
Appreciate you visiting and posting in this forum.
@rforno,
I have given much thought to your question. US default (even a tactical default) does not rank in the top 10 problems that would precede why our investments (other than US …
@Junkster - would you be concerned that this regime or Congressional dysfunction makes the US default on its debt? If so, wouldn't that pretty much crash Treasuries and make folks reconsider them as a 'safe haven' for the forseeable future?
That …
Politics influences investing now more than others. And tbh in practically *every* forum and mailing list I'm on, politics has seeped into the discussion to varying degrees. Unless MFO wants to go full-on Bogleheaddy with iron-handed moderation, …
I keep waffling between opening up a TIAA brokerage window account for my 403(b) but not sure I want the hassle of dealing with yet another account and clearinghouse ... but having the ability to invest in other things would be nice/helpful and poss…
Maybe it's time to move to another brokerage? Some Brokerages will do most of the work for you & possible give you a bonus $$$
+1 if my only remaining full service broker pulled that on me or gave me that attitude (and like you, I don't trade …
LarryB, without going into details, with what i'm hearing from trusted sources about federal data, systems, and security these days, it's a wonder I'm getting any sleep. It's truly disturbing both as a citizen and investor....
Sold 1/3 of T-C for a tiny gain. The first call is next week, and while I doubt it'll be called (which would be fine by me) I'm doing some minor portfolio adjusting.
Might close out the entire position and reallocate into other preferreds and/or M…
One almost wonders if the Invisible Hand(tm) is guiding equities higher so that any tariff/trump nonsense that dramatically spooks things may just drop them to more sensible levels that are more like a reversion to the long-term mean versus a 'catas…
Oh, Donnie, still adhering to the 'power of positive thinking' personal improvement philosophy.
He doesn't care about rising prices b/c he and his cronies can easily afford it. The rest of us? And those rubes who bought into his campaign schtick a…
Since I moved to Schwab ahead of the TD process, I only have 1 form, but they say I'll have it by 2/28, so .... who knows? As long as I get it promptly I'm ok.
Officially out for everyone... might be a handy tool now and then if needed.
https://www.schwab.com/learn/story/what-to-know-about-245-trading-on-thinkorswim
