Pat Vitucci

Markets March On. Are You Nervous?

Pat — Wed, 22 May 2013 19:51:21 +0000

Does all the positive movement in the DOW, S&P 500 and Nasdaq so far in 2013 make you a little nervous? Just a little? Are you thinking this could be a “sugar high”…or can we just keep on going?

History says that markets can’t keep this pace up forever. Yet all that being said it certainly seems much easier to find good news in the economic world than it is to find bad news right now.

As an investor, you may have to ask yourself if you are satisfied with how things have performed lately…so should you pull back and lower your risk level so you won’t be hurt as badly if and when the market fall? Or should you just let it ride and roll the dice a bit?

One size does not fit all in making those decisions.

Economy Drives Rally Forward

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Will Equity Markets Have Slower Growth?; Economic Indicators Mixed

Pat — Tue, 30 Apr 2013 22:57:29 +0000

Just when you think that equity markets like the S & P 500 and the Dow are going to slide down…they go up. And visa versa.

Analysts can come up with many reasons that can indicate a prediction which way the markets will head. Can markets just keep on going and blow past 15,000 on the Dow, for example?

I suppose we should be a bit conservative and say there will be a “correction” at some point…but who really knows exactly what that means. There are so many factors.

If you are one who likes to watch the daily news and see the markets going up and down on a minute by minute basis, you can really drive yourself crazy. Sometimes it is less stressful to take a “vacation’…literally or make believe…and check in every couple of weeks.

Slower Growth Ahead?

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Equity Markets Reach New Highs; Economic Indicators Mixed

Pat — Wed, 17 Apr 2013 18:29:37 +0000

Lately the equity markets seem to just keep on going despite the fact that we continue to have worldwide good news and bad news.

Is this all a “sugar high” as some analysts like to say or will the markets just keep on marching upward? Will we crack the 15,000 Dow Jones mark and keep on going from there or will we have a “correction” (interesting word)…dropping to some lower level? Remember 6500? Not that long ago.

The truth is we simply don’t know and predictions are just that-predictions. Surely someone will be close to guessing correctly. Analysts keep analyzing all sorts of “indicators”: jobs, consumer sentiment, housing, Europe, North Korea, earnings reports, retail sales…to name a few.

We must remember that for most investors and savers this is a marathon not a sprint and we shouldn’t worry so much about next week or next month.

What is really important is individual investment strategies over time.

New Highs Despite Mixed Economic Data

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Equity Markets Booming; Will That Continue?

Pat — Wed, 03 Apr 2013 17:31:02 +0000

Equity Markets Booming; Will That Continue?

It’s almost hard to believe how strong equity markets were in the first quarter of this year. Equity markets are always a “what have you done for me lately” proposition…but the glass certainly has been half full lately.

Can we keep this up? At this pace we could have a significant growth in equity markets this year! But that is a big “if”.

One can argue this subject in either direction. On the positive side: the Federal Reserve Stimulus Policy; the U.S. economy seems to be doing OK; the housing market has been a big factor; the overall job situation seems a bit better.

On the negative side: money concerns in Europe still exist, but all of that is hard for the average American to understand…and , of course, Congress can’t seem to get out of its own way.

Analysts offer various opinions, but no one really knows for sure where it all leads.

Right now…we like it.

Stay tuned.

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Cyprus Bailout; U.S. Government Funded- 2013 March 25, 2013

Pat — Wed, 27 Mar 2013 17:49:52 +0000

From Cyprus to Congress

Why does a tiny area like Cyprus seem to have so much economic interest here in the United States as well as Europe?

The biggest threat may be if Cyprus has a big economic problem…could that spread to other European countries which could have a bigger impact in the Eurozone and consequently here in the U.S.?

So solving a would be “crisis” in Cyprus in the early stages takes off much of the pressure.

Here in the United States, Congress (remember that group?) has come up with a bill that will fund the government through the end of this year. Did anyone think there would actually be a government shutdown…and would that mean that folks in Congress would not be paid?

And in other news, the House seems to have one budget idea and the Senate another. Here comes another debate!

Stay tuned.

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Video: Financial Update March 2013

Pat — Tue, 26 Mar 2013 19:07:01 +0000

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Pat’s Weekly Commentary March 18, 2013

Pat — Tue, 19 Mar 2013 19:58:06 +0000

“Best Streak Since ’96“…So through all the wild upswings in the markets we have our elected “representatives” in Washington unable to come to some conclusion to cut into our 16+ trillion dollar deficit. Basically one side says stop spending so much and the other side says keep taxing because we are spending so much. I’m sure it is more complex than that, but those are the basics.

And so it goes. On and on. And on. And whatever agreement is made (if there ever is one), it will probably be changed anyway.

How does all of this affect the average person trying to survive present day and plan for future retirement? There is no simple answer for that. Asset allocation is a critical and that should be done with little or no emotion involved.

If you are not confident enough to take on that task completely by yourself…then maybe it is time to sit down with financial adviser…even if that is a shameless plug!

Stay tuned.

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Pat’s Weekly Commentary March 11, 2013

Pat — Wed, 13 Mar 2013 18:35:24 +0000

“The Bull Charges; For Now“…So with all the positive economic news happening, will someone or something at some point rain on our parade?

Unemployment/job reports news is positive, although the number crunchers can make this look good or bad. The housing market continues in a positive mode and that affects a lot of things. And we also seem to have a little more money to spend which can help the fact that Uncle Sam will be reaching further into our pockets.

No one seems to care about the fiscal cliff. What was that again? It is amazing how much discussion that ‘ol cliff caused and now some folks can’t even remember what that was.

See that glass of water over there on the table? Is it half full… or half empty?

Time will tell.

Stay tuned.

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Pat’s Weekly Commentary March 4, 2013

Pat — Wed, 06 Mar 2013 18:51:14 +0000

“Resilient Markets Shrug Off Concerns“… Are people just tired of hearing the sky is falling? Perhaps. The sequestration came and went and did the general public care? Some news stories actually determined that many people don’t even know what that is.

Congress can’t seem to agree on anything and the general public doesn’t seem to have a very high opinion of that group. The big question is…does Congress really have the country’s best interest in mind with all the posturing or are they simply pointing fingers at each other and jockeying to be re-elected?

Can that group in Washington really figure out where to actually cut spending without all the politicking?

Time will tell.

Stay tuned.

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Pat’s Weekly Commentary February 11, 2013

Pat — Thu, 14 Feb 2013 05:28:36 +0000

“A Rally With Less Gusto“…I wonder what would happen to our markets if we got some “fantastic” news on the economic front? News like Europe turning things around, China doing great, unemployment rates drop like a rock, consumer confidence and spending way up, retail sales up, etc, etc.

Our markets seem to being doing pretty well with just a few hints of good news. (OK, the housing market has been very good news recently). January was a terrific month with the DOW up near or over 14,000. Who would have thought that? Remember when it was around 6500? Wow!

Right now the elephant in the room is the housing market. The good news in that sector drives good news in other sectors such as buying in general because many items are home or home improvement related. And obviously construction and construction related spending are directly related to the housing market. Stay tuned.

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