Market insights and analysis

Jerry Wagner, Flexible Plan Investments’ (FPI’s) founder and president, offered this piece of advice to financial advisers and investors in a recent article: “Have a plan and stick to it. As I’ve written many times, whether it is trying to invest by following headlines, financial talking heads, so-called market experts, or political predictions, none of these sources are likely to lead investors to long-term profits.

Last week, the gold spot price was down 0.43% and the U.S. Dollar Index was up 0.38%.

U.S. equity markets posted losses in all three indexes last week. The Dow Jones Industrial Average lost 3.27%, the S&P 500 lost 3.31%, and the NASDAQ Composite lost 3.49%. All 11 sectors were down last week; Real Estate, which posted the smallest loss, was down 0.15%.

Gold prices continued to consolidate last week, as the 50-day and 200-day averages converged.

The major stock market indexes finished higher last week. The Dow Jones Industrial Average gained 0.6%, the S&P 500 Index rose 1.9%, the NASDAQ Composite climbed 4.2%, and the Russell 2000 small-capitalization index increased 2.2%. The 10-year Treasury bond yield and its price ended the week essentially flat. Last week, spot gold closed at $1,855.61, up $27.16 per ounce, or 1.5%.

Watching the NFL playoff games this past weekend, I noticed the winning teams’ quarterbacks got much of the credit and much of the press. But there are 53 players on each team’s roster and many more behind them contributing to each team’s success.

U.S. equity markets posted gains in all three indexes last week. The NASDAQ Composite gained 4.19%, the S&P 500 gained 1.94%, and the Dow Jones Industrial Average gained 0.59%.

Last week, the gold spot price was up 1.49% and the U.S. Dollar Index was down 0.59%.

Gold prices ended last week at $1,856.20 per ounce and remained above the 200-day moving average on the daily chart.

Last week, the gold spot price was down 1.11% and the U.S. Dollar Index was up 0.75%. The Gold Bullion Strategy Fund (QGLDX) lost 1.22% for the week. The value of the COMEX gold futures, which closes early at 1:30 p.m., was down 0.30% for the week. The short-duration fixed-income ETF holdings within QGLDX were up for the week, averaging about a 0.03% gain.

U.S. equity markets posted losses in all three indexes last week. The Dow Jones Industrial Average lost 0.91%, the S&P 500 lost 1.48%, and the NASDAQ Composite lost 1.54%. Four of 11 sectors were up last week; Energy, which posted the largest gain, was up 3.13%. Two of the eight Quantified Funds were up last week: The Quantified Market Leaders Fund (QMLFX) was up 2.42%, the Quantified Common Ground Fund (QCGDX) gained 0.67%, the Quantified Managed Income Fund (QBDSX) remained neutral, the Quantified Tactical Fixed Income Fund (QFITX) was down 0.19%, the Quantified Pattern Recognition Fund (QSPMX) lost 0.27%, the Quantified Alternative Investment Fund (QALTX) was down 1.24%, the Quantified Evolution Plus Fund (QEVOX) was down 2.05%, and the Quantified STF Fund (QSTFX) was down 4.49%.

Equities were up significantly in the fourth quarter despite a dip in October. Domestic large-cap stocks were the worst performers, but the S&P 500 Index still gained more than 11%. The Russell 2000 small-capitalization index led the pack, gaining more than 30% for the quarter. Value stocks outperformed Growth for the quarter. Emerging markets gained over 18% for the quarter, and international developed stocks rose 15.7%.

One of my favorite gifts for Christmas was Haley Reinhart’s album “What’s That Sound?” Reinhart was a finalist on “American Idol” in 2011. I was repeatedly surprised while watching the show by the range and emotive power of her singing voice, and I have followed her career ever since. In recent years, she has been one of the stars of Scott Bradlee’s popular Postmodern Jukebox shows.

Gold prices consolidated last week, remaining above the 50-day moving average on the weekly chart and closing the week at $1,829.90 per ounce.

It has been an unprecedented and news-packed start to the new year. Developments last week in Washington, new COVID-related challenges, the complex and ongoing vaccine rollout, Georgia’s Senate races, the realities of implementing the Brexit deal, and the state of the U.S. jobs market and manufacturing sector are just some of the major headlines since January 1.

The new year brought new highs, with all major U.S. indexes trading at record levels last week. The Russell 2000 small-capitalization index rose 5.92%, the NASDAQ Composite was up 2.43%, the S&P 500 increased by 1.83%, and the Dow Jones Industrial Average gained 1.61%. The 10-year Treasury bond yield rose 20 basis points to 1.12%, as Treasury bonds fell for the week. Last week, spot gold closed at $1,849.01, down 2.60%.

December ETF Deathwatch contains 348 zombie ETFs and ETNs.

U.S. equity markets posted gains in all three indexes last week. The NASDAQ Composite gained 2.43%, the S&P 500 gained 1.83%, and the Dow Jones Industrial Average gained 1.61%.

Last week, the gold spot price was down 2.60% and the U.S. Dollar Index was up 0.18%.

Gold sold off on Friday (1/8), closing just below the 200-day moving average at $1,835.40 per ounce.

The major stock market indexes finished mixed last week. The Dow Jones Industrial Average gained 1.4%, the S&P 500 Index rose 1.4%, and the NASDAQ Composite increased 0.7%. In contrast, the Russell 2000 small-capitalization index lost 1.5%. The 10-year Treasury bond yield and its price ended the week essentially flat. Last week, spot gold closed at $1,898.02, up $14.59 per ounce, or 0.8%.

Last week, the gold spot price was up 0.79% and the U.S. Dollar Index was down 0.43%.

U.S. equity markets posted gains in all three indexes last week. The S&P 500 gained 1.43%, the Dow Jones Industrial Average gained 1.35%, and the NASDAQ Composite gained 0.65%.

A short fragment of poetry over 2,600 years old set the academic world ablaze when it was cited in 1951. Attributed to one of the greatest Greek poets, Archilochus of the Greek island of Paros, was this simple phrase: “Πόλλ᾽ οἶδ᾽ ἀλώπηξ, ἀλλ’ ἐχῖνος ἕν μέγα.” The fox knows many things, but the hedgehog knows one big thing.

Gold prices started the new year by hitting $1,900 per ounce and closed the week at $1,889.10 per ounce.

The markets saw some selling pressure last week as traders looked to lighten their exposure over the long holiday weekend. That combined with the doubt surrounding the passage of a COVID relief bill resulted in mixed equity markets last week: The S&P 500 fell 0.17%, the Dow Jones Industrial Average gained 0.07%, the NASDAQ Composite gained 0.38%, and the Russell 2000 led performance with a 1.72% gain. The 10-year Treasury bond yield fell 2 basis points to 0.93%, as Treasury bonds rose slightly for the week. Spot gold closed at $1,883.43, up 0.11%.

U.S. equity markets posted gains in two of the three indexes last week. The NASDAQ Composite gained 0.38%, the Dow Jones Industrial Average gained 0.07%, and the S&P 500 lost 0.17%.

Last week, the gold spot price was up 0.11% and the U.S. Dollar Index was up 0.34%.

Over the years I have written about “Plan B Investing” and “Just-In-Case Investing.” Both of these are similar but different.

Gold prices remained above the 50-day moving average, closing the week at $1,883.90 per ounce.

Stocks traveled north last week, with all major U.S. indexes trading at all-time highs. The NASDAQ Composite was up 3.05%, the Russell 2000 small-capitalization index also rose 3.05%, the S&P 500 increased by 1.25%, and the Dow Jones Industrial Average gained 0.44%. The 10-year Treasury bond yield rose 5 basis points to 0.95%, as Treasury bonds fell for the week. Last week, spot gold closed at $1,881.31, up 2.26%.

This week I was listening to an expert on investor psychology who stated, “Investors feel comfortable investing when markets are behaving as they expect.” That made me think about the piece I recently wrote about the emotions of fear, uncertainty, and doubt (FUD) and their often negative influence on investors’ decisions.

Last week, the gold spot price was up 2.26% and the U.S. Dollar Index was down 1.06%.

U.S. equity markets posted gains in all three indexes last week. The NASDAQ Composite gained 3.05%, the S&P 500 gained 1.25%, and the Dow Jones Industrial Average gained 0.44%.

Gold prices resumed their upward trend last week, breaking above the 50-day moving average.

The major stock market indexes finished mostly lower last week. The Dow Jones Industrial Average lost 0.6%, the S&P 500 Index fell 1.0%, and the NASDAQ Composite declined 0.7%. In contrast, the Russell 2000 small-capitalization index advanced 1.0%. The 10-year Treasury bond yield fell 7 basis points, and bond prices were up slightly. Last week, spot gold closed at $1,862.73, up $23.87 per ounce, or 1.3%.

I wrote an article before Thanksgiving that, in part, praised the efforts of frontline medical workers, first responders, teachers, and others for their efforts during the 2020 pandemic. We all remain thankful for their outstanding efforts this year. Additionally, our thoughts go out to all who have had medical, employment, or financial issues during this crisis, especially as we come up to the holiday season.

U.S. equity markets posted losses in all three indexes last week. The Dow Jones Industrial Average lost 0.57%, the NASDAQ Composite lost 0.69%, and the S&P 500 lost 0.96%.

Last week, the gold spot price was up 0.05% and the U.S. Dollar Index was up 0.30%.

Gold continued to trend above the 200-day moving average, closing the week at $1,840.00 per ounce.

I guess it is becoming increasingly common to have someone say, “I caught the virus.” Well, I tested positive on November 28. But I don’t feel like I caught the virus. I feel like it caught me. After all, I didn’t run after the virus—I tried to evade it.

The major stock market indexes were up last week, with the Dow and S&P hitting all-time highs. The NASDAQ composite led with a gain of 2.1%, the Dow Jones Industrial Average gained 1.0%, the S&P 500 Index rose 1.7%, and the Russell 2000 gained 2.0%. The 10-year Treasury bond yield rose about 13 basis points, as Treasury bonds fell for the week. Spot gold gained 2.7%. International developed rose 1.2% and emerging markets rose 1.6%, showing a bit more strength.

Last week, the gold spot price was up 2.86% and the U.S. Dollar Index was down 1.19%.

U.S. equity markets posted gains in all three indexes last week. The NASDAQ Composite gained 2.12%, the S&P 500 gained 1.67%, and the Dow Jones Industrial Average gained 1.03%.

Gold prices bounced back last week after finding support at the 200-day moving average.

November ETF Deathwatch contains 351 zombie ETFs and ETNs.

As pointed out in last week’s Market Update, Thanksgiving week is normally very bullish for the markets. The shortened holiday week followed history in a big way. Each index was up over 2%, and for the first time, the Dow Jones Industrial Average crossed above 30,000!

The invitation to our holiday party a few years read “Dress: Cocktail.” One of our guests, John Zilli, wondered, “What exactly does that mean?” He Googled it.

Last week, the gold spot price was down 4.45% and the U.S. Dollar Index was down 0.65%.

U.S. equity markets posted gains in all three indexes last week. The NASDAQ Composite gained 2.96%, the S&P 500 gained 2.27%, and the Dow Jones Industrial Average gained 2.21%. Ten of 11 sectors were up last week; Energy, which posted the largest gain, was up by 8.51%.