The very extended markets became more extended last week. The Dow advanced nearly 2% and the S&P 500 rallied 2.71%. Gold, silver, and US Treasuries also rallied although the US Treasury rally was not significant.
“It was self-serving politicians who convinced recent generations of Americans that we could all stand in a circle with our hands in each other’s pockets and somehow get rich.”
-Paul Harvey
Stocks remain in an uptrend although the NASDAQ and emerging market stocks gave us a bearish signal this month. Short-term bear market trends in US Treasuries, gold, and the volatility index are extended meaning a reversal in these trends could occur at any time.
Good news for procrastinators last week from the Internal Revenue Service. You now have an extra month to get your taxes filed. The US Department of the Treasury and the IRS have extended the filing deadline until May 17.
Stocks had another big rally week. The major indices have now gained nearly 6% over the past two weeks. A pullback in price after such a big up move would be typical.
To sum up last week’s market action in a word, markets were absolutely ‘crazy’ last week.
With only the exception of the US Dollar, every market we analyze here in “Portfolio Watch” was negative last week.
While it’s entirely possible that this profligate money creation continues for a period of time, history teaches us that the ultimate destination at which we will arrive as a result of this policy is known. Inflation followed by deflation is now an almost certain outcome.
Is this the “Everything Bubble”?
Past radio program guest, Mr. John Rubino, made a great case that we are now experiencing a bubble, unlike any bubble we’ve experienced historically.
I have long been stating the same thing, pointing at stocks, bonds, and real estate in particular.
To say there is a lot going on in the world of finance, investing and economics would be a severe understatement.