EARLY NOTES

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Since October 3 when it was leaked the potential for some QE and then the October 8 confirmation, you know what markets have done. Powell figured it out. Easier money on any and every correction. Amazingly, it still works after over 10 years. Yup…word leaked out around October 3rd that there was consideration for some sort of QE. Markets bottomed that day. Not kidding…and on October 8th, not with an announcement but at an interview at some sort of economic’s club, Powell confirmed QE BUT DON’T CALL IT QE. It wasn’t any ordinary QE but as of this writing, Powell is on a run rate of over $1.5 trillion of printed money for the next year. This is more than Bernanke’s ($1 trillion) QE at its most. Just keep in mind, Bernanke printed money when unemployment was in the high single digits and when we still did not know if our financial system was stable. What is Powell’s excuse doing this at 3.6% unemployment and with markets near highs? It’s called NOTHING IS BAD AS LONG AS MARKETS GO UP. It just took Powell time to figure it out.

 

As long as the major indices do not tuck their head in like a frightened turtle and fail this move out above range, all is well. The good news is that growth is acting better. The good news is that the all-important SEMIS and FINANCIALS continue to lead. For sure, it is not a dart throwing market as by our count, only about 60% of the market is working but whatever is working is nothing to sneeze at. For sure, sentiment is off the charts too bullish here but so far, we cannot even get a 1% pullback. Markets love QE…BUT DON’T CALL IT QE.

RANDOM STUFF

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While you are watching these impeachment hearings, just remember that those that are asking questions from both sides of the aisle are all culpable in taking us to $23 trillion of debt and $1 trillion yearly deficits. The first $500 billion of OUR tax dollars are going towards interest this year on all that debt they have created but don’t worry because economists say it is the percent of debt to GDP that matters. Yup!

Bet you haven’t heard much about the MILLIONAIRES SURTAX ACT. Last week, Maryland senator Chris Van Hollen and Virginia Congressman Don Beyer unveiled it. The bill puts an extra 10% tax on individual income above $1 million or $2 million for married couples. This tax would apply to all income, including long term capital gains. Right now, no chance of passing but important to remember where they will go if they gain full power. This is just a shot across the bow. Looks like $4.5 trillion of spending is just not enough.

For the past week, we have told you that all our sentiment indicators are bright red bullish. This usually leads to some downside corrective work because the masses were all in on a near-term basis. Keep in mind, this will not turn a bull into a bear but corrections serve to work off near term excitement and frothiness. Putting doubt back in the market is not a bad thing. We think there is a shot we are now getting some of that stalling action that could lead to some near-term weakness. Leading groups, FINANCIALS and SEMICONDUCTORS are quite extended and could use some pulling in. Again, we think any pullback at this juncture would be just that. But…

Keep in mind, Ben Bernanke, we mean Jay Powell, is providing more liquidity to the system than Bernanke did when we were at 9% unemployment and the economy was in the crapper. Of course, it is QE but not QE. This kind of liquidity has been great for markets both here and around the globe since the lows of 09. We laugh when we hear fedheads talk about sitting pat on lowering rates again when what they are doing is easy money on steroids.

With 90% of S&P companies reporting, earnings are down nearly 4% year over year but hey, a good percentage of companies beat the number. We are seeing a good number of companies see their stock skyrocket even though earnings, sales and future guidance is down. CATERPILLAR (CAT) looks to be a good poster child on this.
Go look up what the new district attorney of San Francisco, Chesa Boudin is doing for that great city. Actually, doing TO that great city.
BEYOND MEAT (BYND)…Remember what we told you when it had a larger market cap than Conagra (CAG) even though Conagra owns a ton of major brands, does a ton more sales and actually makes a ton of money. Beyond Meat loses money. The stock has now dropped from a high of  $240 TO $78 AND still has a $4.8 billion market cap.
The Knicks…ok stop. The Giants…ok stop.
The 17th Annual Kaltbaum Family Blessings Banquet will be held Wednesday November 20th here in Orlando, Fla. We will be serving 400 great kids from the Boys and Girl’s Clubs of Central Florida a great Thanksgiving dinner. Through the years, over 5,000 meals have been served. World renowned magician Kostya Kimlet and others will be performing. If you would like to volunteer, email us at gkaltbaum@kaltbaum.net.