27 January 2021

Stocks and Precious Metals Charts - Better Call Powell - Bad Day for Stocks

 

“We may ignore, but we can nowhere evade, the presence of God.  The world is crowded with him. He walks everywhere incognito."

C. S. Lewis

 

"I am so resplendent in my creation that in order not to see me these poor people would have to be blind." 

Charles Péguy, Le Porche du Mystère de la Deuxième Vertu

 

"Our faith is stronger than death, our philosophy is firmer than flesh, and the spread of the Kingdom of God upon the earth is more sublime and more compelling.  

The greatest challenge of the day is: how to bring about a revolution of the heart, a revolution which has to start with each one of us?" 

Dorothy Day

 

Most stocks that have some connection to reality were hammered lower today. 

This is bubble action. when the selling starts in earnest, almost everything gets sold. 

And despite the elevated perception of risk, as clearly shown by the VIX, the mineres were sold heavily as well. 

Let's see how the rest of the week goes. 

Thanks to my friend Tony S for the 'Better Call Powell' idea.

Have a pleasant evening. 

 

26 January 2021

Stocks and Precious Metals Charts - Mania - Metals Option Expiration, Fed Meeting Decision Tomorrow

 

"Few things are more destructive to Christians than anger.  Anger causes us to lose our self-control and to say and do things we would otherwise never consider.  Anger, if allowed to remain, turns into bitterness that eats away at our hearts.

Anger does not bring about God’s redemptive work; far more often it hinders what God is working to accomplish.  If you feel that you have a righteous anger because of something that has happened, see if you are holding anger in your heart without sin.   Is your anger turning into bitterness?  Is your anger causing you to make excuses for your own ungodly behavior?  Is your anger preventing you from acting in a loving, redemptive, and Christlike way?" 

Henry Blackaby

 

"Those wishing abundant wealth are falling into temptation and a trap, and into many foolish and harmful passions which plunge them into ruin and destruction.  For the love of money is the root of all evil, and people in their desire for it have strayed from the faith and have pierced themselves with many pains.  But you people of God, avoid all this. Instead, pursue righteousness, devotion, faith, love, patience, and gentleness." 

1 Timothy 6:9-11

 

We are entering a speculative mania now.  Hysteria and passions are running high with greed and entitlement.

When the reckoning comes, the insiders and moneyed interests will be blaming the small speculators and 'Robin Hood' crowd.  They always do.  

Hate the game and not the players, right? 

But they are at the heart of it, urging on the speculation, and steadily weakening the safeguards and regulations at every turn so that they can extend their outsized misappropriation of the nation's wealth.

In the same manner that they foment political anger and social hatred and oppression and riots, with a towering pride and self-righteousness and self-delusion.

Know who it is that you serve.

Madness.

Do not be so concerned about your money, that you let go so easily of your self.

Have a pleasant evening. 

 

25 January 2021

Stocks and Precious Metals Charts - Volatility de Luxe

 

“Bull markets are born on pessimism, grow on skepticism, mature on optimism and die of euphoria.”

John Templeton

 

“When an investor focuses on short-term investments, he or she is observing the variability of the portfolio, not the returns – in short, being fooled by randomness."

Nassim Taleb

 

Stocks had quite a ride today from the lows to the highs. 

They did manage to go out on the positive.

There is a metals option expiration on the Comex for the February contract tomorrow. 

There will be a Fed rate decision on Wednesday. 

Have a pleasant evening. 

 

23 January 2021

Weekend Reading - Iron Sharpens Iron

 

Iron Sharpens Iron
Henry Blackaby

 

The Christian life is a pilgrimage.  At times the road is difficult, and we get lonely. Sometimes we may become discouraged and consider abandoning the journey.  It is at such times that God will place a friend alongside us.  One of God’s most precious gifts to us is friends who encourage us and lovingly challenge us to 'keep going.'

According to Scripture, a friend is one who challenges you to become all that God intends.  Jonathan could have succeeded his father to become the next king of Israel.  But he loved his friend David, and he encouraged him to follow God’s will, even though it meant Jonathan would forfeit his own claim to the throne (1 Sam. 19:1-7).

The mark of biblical friends is that their friendship draws you closer to Christ.  They 'sharpen' you and motivate you to do what is right.  True friends tell you the truth and even risk hurting your feelings because they love you and have your best interests at heart (Prov. 27:6).

Be careful in your choice of friends! Jesus chose His closest friends wisely.  He did not look for perfect friends, but friends whose hearts were set to follow God.  It is equally important to examine the kind of friend you are to others.  As a friend, it is your duty to put the needs of others first (Prov. 17:17). 

Strive to find godly friends who will challenge you to become the person God desires.  When you have found them, be receptive to the way God uses them to help you become spiritually mature.  Strive also to be the kind of friend that helps others become more like Christ.