by Mahesh Kalbhor | Dec 31, 2021 | Weekly Update
Jobless claims (people who continue to collect unemployment) fell to a pandemic-era low of about 1.716 million — below the expected 1.875 million and the lowest since pre-lockdown March 2020.
It seems employers are working hard to hold onto what little workforce they have right now. Also it does indicate we’re not seeing a huge new surge of layoffs or quitting.
Omicron doesn’t seem to be that bad compared to previous variants. Signs of milder symptoms and fewer deaths alongside a plethora of treatments make it a cakewalk compared to the early days. Potential workers might be afraid to go find work amid the newest variant (Omicron). But in my opinion, it probably won’t be all that bad.
This does inspire confidence in the Fed to continue with their aggressive taper. They wanted their improved labor data, and they got it.
by Mahesh Kalbhor | Dec 31, 2021 | Weekly Update
Winners 2021
It has been a roller coaster ride for US stocks this year, which have been whipsawed by the meme stcocks, reopening rallies, supply-chain issues, and new coronavirus delta and Omicorn variants.
However, S&P 500 still has notched 69 record closes for 2021 and returned around 30% year to date, thanks to stellar corporate earnings and loose monetary policies.
Some of the biggest gainers were shale producers, which have benefited as oil prices surged more than 50%.
Here are the top 10 best-performing S&P 500 stocks of the past year as of Tuesday’s close, based on data by Koyfin.
1. Devon Energy
Ticker: DVN ; Market Cap: $30.22 billion;YTD Performance: +198%
- Marathon Oil
Ticker: MRO ;Market Cap: $12.92 billion;YTD Performance: +150%
- Fortinet
Ticker: FTNT ; Market Cap: $59.81 billion ;YTD Performance: +146%
- Signature Bank
Ticker: SBNY ; Market Cap: $19.69 billion ;YTD Performance: +141%
- Ford Motor
Ticker: F ; Market Cap: $82.93 billion; YTD Performance: +137%
- NVIDIA
Ticker: NVDA; Market Cap: $761.13 billion; YTD Performance: +132%
- Diamondback Energy
Ticker: FANG; Market Cap: $20.07 billion; YTD Performance: +132%
- Bath & Body Works
Ticker: BBWI; Market Cap: $17.77 billion; YTD Performance: +131%
- Moderna
Ticker: MRNA; Market Cap: $98.01 billion; YTD Performance: +130%
- Nucor
Ticker: NUE; Market Cap: $32.72 billion; YTD Performance: +118%
Losers 2021
Investors lost $201 Billion On These 7 Giant Losers This Year
by Mahesh Kalbhor | Dec 30, 2021 | Weekly Update
Take a look at the S&P 500 performance since 2013 with and without #FAANG + Microsoft 👇
#Facebook, #Amazon, #Apple, #Netflix, #Google, and #Microsoft significantly outperformed the S&P 500 over the last 6 years.
Without these tech giants, the index would be barely moving since 2013…
by Mahesh Kalbhor | Dec 29, 2021 | Weekly Update
2021 Option volume will top 9.8B contracts this year, a new record. A quick look at the leading products each month shows a consistent base of SPY, AAPL, QQQ, SPX, TSLA and IWM #retailparticipation
Around 39 million options contracts have changed hands on an average day this year, up 35% from last year and the highest level ever, according to Options Clearing Corp. data as of the end of November. Retail traders recently made up around one-quarter of all options activity.
More interesting read –
https://blog.publiccomps.com/rise-of-retail-investing/amp/
by Mahesh Kalbhor | Dec 24, 2021 | Weekly Update
Did you know that, for over ⅔ of Decembers since 1960, the markets have delivered net gains to investors?
Regardless of the reason, many have aptly dubbed December’s bullish sentiment as the “Santa Rally.”
Of course, things are a little different this year (or, at least, similar to last year, which wasn’t exactly normal).
Inflation has jacked up prices of everything.
Despite the Fed’s accelerated taper, things are getting more expensive by the day.
Related, supply chain issues have directly impacted the average consumer’s ability to buy the gifts they need. It’s made travel more expensive, too, thanks to rising energy prices.
You’d think new COVID variant Omicorn would weigh the market down. And it has for the past few weeks.
The Santa Rally – It’s actually the last 5 business days of December and the first 2 business days of the New Year…
Which means it should be starting right about now.
And here’s the good news…
The bulls have come out with full strength just in time. Yesterday (which was last trading day before Christmas 🎅🏻) the Dow, Nasdaq, Russell and S&P 500 all saw significant gains as virus concerns eased.
Also, new data shows that consumer spending rose last month, while unemployment claims stayed below pre-pandemic levels last week.
Looks like Santa could be leaving the gift of profits under the tree despite the chaos after all.
Trade safe ..!!
