US Federal Reserve

Submitted by Kevin Muir via TheMacroTourist.com,

Last year at this time markets were grappling with the Fed’s first rate hike in almost a decade. Although many optimists were confident the economy was plenty strong enough to handle the increase in rates, within days it was obvious they were sorely mistaken.

Fast forward to today. With the election of Trump, there is even more optimism filling the air.

Don’t get me wrong, I understand all the reasons to be bullish.

Submitted by Lance Roberts via RealInvestmentAdvice.com,

Dow 20,000

Last week, I noted the market’s push toward the market milestone of 20,000. To wit:

“The Dow broke above 19700 and is within striking distance of the ‘psychological’ summit of 20,000. With just 250 points to go, it is extremely likely traders will try and push stocks to that level by Christmas. Woo Hoo!”

Barron's Asia: When you look ahead to 2017, what keeps you awake at night?

 

Amando Tetangco: Short term, the Fed rate hikes -- the timing and the magnitude. Of course, this would be related to the policies that the new U.S. administration will adopt. Medium-to-long term, the retreat from multi-lateralism. That is related to the performance of the global economy - the major and various economies, and emerging markets like China.

 

Submitted by Lance Roberts via RealInvestmentAdvice.com,

Over the last few week’s I have discussed the post-election surge in the market based on rather optimistic outlooks as opposed to the technical underpinnings that currently exists. As I specially stated in last weekend’s newsletter entitle “Dow 20,000”:

Submitted by MN Gordon via EconomicPrism.com,

Stimulus, in a general sense, is something that causes an action or response.  A ringing alarm clock may prompt someone to exit their slumber.  Or a fist to the gut may force someone to gasp for breath.

Stimulus can come in many forms and varieties.  It can come in the form of a stick; do this and you won’t get whacked over the head.  So, too, it can come in the form of a carrot; do that and you’ll get a reward.