Morning Market Preview for September 24th, 2024

Good morning, Heroes!

Here’s your Morning Market Preview for September 11th, 2024
Read, or listen relaxingly for a few minutes – whichever you prefer!

Key Economic Reports

• Tomorrow’s market may react to new data regarding U.S. inflation, as investors await further insights into consumer price trends. The Consumer Price Index (CPI) and core CPI are set for release, key indicators used to measure inflation. These reports are critical as they will provide insight into how inflation is behaving and influence Fed decision-making.

Key Events & Earnings Reports Today

MIND Technology

• MIND Technology, Inc. specializes in providing advanced technology solutions primarily to the marine survey, defense, seismic, and security industries.
  
  

• Importance: The earnings report underscores MIND Technology's role not just as a company reporting financials but as a trendsetter in technology adoption, operational efficiency, and market expansion strategies. This makes their earnings not only a reflection of past performance but a predictor of future market trends and investor sentiment in the tech sector.
  
  
• Expectations: Investors and analysts are likely expecting MIND Technology to report on several key metrics including revenue, earnings per share (EPS), and possibly updates on gross margins, given the mention of 77% gross margins in recent discussions. There's an anticipation of continued or improved profitability, especially with hints of cost-cutting measures and operational efficiencies.

The Fed

• The Fed's next meeting is scheduled for the 17th and 18th. Expectations of whether they will continue or pause rate hikes will depend on tomorrow’s CPI report, which will provide clues on inflation’s trajectory.

Stocks

Year-to-Date Performance:

• Up Most: Utilities & Information Technology continue to lead the way at 20.32% and 19.27%, respectively.
  
  
• Down Most: Energy and Consumer Discretionary trail all other sectors still at 3.39% and 4.44%, respectively.

5 Day Moving Average: This is the percent of Large Cap stocks above their 5 day average

• Up Most: Real Estate is at 90% the last 5 days, and Utilities at 74%.
  
  

• Down Most: Energy is down to 14% the last 5 days and by far the biggest laggard.

Crypto

• Bitcoin: Up to about $57,101 at the open, and is up 36.93% this year.
  
  
• Ethereum: Also up, at about $2,351 at the open, and is up 3.62% this year.
  
  
• Top Gainers Recently: Luna and Zcash are both up a good bit recently at 4.18% and 3.7% respectively.

Bonds

• 2-Year Treasury Yield: Open at 3.59%, continuing its yield decline this year.
  
  
• 10-Year Treasury Yield: Open at 3.637%, also continuing its yield decline this year.

Gold

• Open Price: $2,504.85 per ounce, up again, now up 22.07% this year, driven by safe-haven buying amid economic uncertainties.

Real Estate

• 30-Year Fixed Mortgage Rate: Around 6.22%, down a bit more than 6% this year.
  
  
• Trends: A cooling market continues its shift towards more affordable housing options.

Geopolitical Aspects

• Global markets are being influenced by ongoing concerns surrounding U.S.-China relations, with trade and supply chain issues still in focus. Additionally, rising energy prices are a key global concern impacting market sentiment.

Worldwide Market News

• In global news, China’s economic slowdown continues to be a focal point for investors. Global supply chain disruptions and inflation concerns are still top of mind, influencing commodity prices and corporate earnings.

Built for The One in the Arena

Arena Investor is on a mission not only to help with financial planning, and investment management, but also with education. Keep reading, watching, following, and sharing great Arena Investor content. And as always if you want professional advice, we are glad to be your teammate – along a financial journey you can actually enjoy.

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P.S. Simple Explanations of Key Concepts to Level Up Your Financial Education

CPI: Measures inflation by tracking price changes in everyday goods. A higher CPI suggests rising inflation.

Earnings Reports: Companies release quarterly reports to show profits or losses. Investors look at these to predict future stock prices.

Treasury Yields: The interest rate the government pays to borrow money. Higher yields mean investors expect future inflation or higher interest rates.

Cryptocurrencies: Digital assets like Bitcoin are volatile but can provide high returns. Their value is influenced by market demand and adoption.

Real Estate: Higher mortgage rates make home buying more expensive, which can cool down the housing market.

Understanding these elements helps in navigating the financial markets, where each piece of information can be a puzzle piece in predicting market movements or making informed investment decisions.

You’re the Hero.
    We’re the Guide.

Total Term is a vital metric that compares your current net worth to your estimated annual spending. This guide will explain what Total Term means, its significance, and how working with an Arena Investor Advisor can optimize your financial strategy.

What is Total Term?

Total Term is a financial ratio that measures the longevity of your current net worth if you had to live on it without any additional income. It is calculated by dividing your current net worth by your estimated annual spending. This ratio helps you understand how many years you could sustain your current lifestyle solely based on your accumulated assets, making it an essential figure for retirement planning and financial stability assessments.

Importance of Understanding Your Total Term

1. Retirement Planning: One of the most critical uses of the Total Term is in retirement planning. It provides a clear estimate of how many years your current assets can fund your retirement, helping you make informed decisions about when you might afford to retire or how much more you need to save.

2. Financial Health Assessment: Total Term gives a snapshot of your financial health and independence. A longer Total Term suggests a strong financial cushion and stability, while a shorter Total Term might indicate the need for increased savings, investments, income adjustments, or spending changes.

3. Spending and Investment Strategies: Understanding your Total Term can influence both your spending habits and investment strategies. It helps in balancing between saving enough to extend your Total Term and investing wisely to grow your net worth.

Calculating Your Total Term

To calculate your Total Term, you need to first determine your net worth, which is the sum of all your assets minus any liabilities. Then, estimate your annual spending, which includes all regular expenses for the year. Finally, divide your net worth by your estimated annual spending. For example, if your net worth is $500,000 and your annual spending is $50,000, your Total Term is 10 years.

How an Arena Investor Advisor Can Help

1. Comprehensive Financial Review: An Arena Investor Advisor starts by assessing your entire financial landscape—assets, liabilities, income, and expenses—to accurately calculate your Total Term. This initial review lays the groundwork for all further advice.

2. Tailored Financial Planning: Depending on your Total Term and financial goals, your advisor might suggest specific strategies to improve your financial longevity. This could involve increasing your savings rate, adjusting your spending habits, or optimizing your investment portfolio for better growth and sustainability.

3. Regular Monitoring and Adjustments: As your financial situation evolves—due to changes in income, expenses, or life circumstances—your Total Term will need re-evaluation. An Arena Investor Advisor ensures that your financial plan stays aligned with your current needs and future goals.

4. Risk Management: Understanding and managing risks associated with investments, market fluctuations, and personal life changes are crucial. Your advisor helps you navigate these risks, ensuring that they minimally impact your Total Term.

5. Educational Support: The concepts of net worth, annual spending, and their relation to financial independence can be complex. Arena Investor Advisors are dedicated to educating you about these principles, empowering you with the knowledge to make confident financial decisions.

All In All

Total Term is a powerful metric for assessing how well-prepared you are to maintain your current lifestyle without additional income. It is particularly useful for retirement planning but is equally important for understanding your overall financial health. With the guidance of an Arena Investor Advisor, you can optimize your Total Term, ensuring financial security and peace of mind for the future. This strategic approach not only safeguards your immediate financial needs but also sets a solid foundation for achieving long-term financial independence and success.

Built for The One in the Arena

Arena Investor is on a mission not only to help with financial planning, and investment management, but also with education. Keep reading, watching, following, and sharing great Arena Investor content. And as always if you want professional advice, we are glad to be your teammate – along a financial journey you can actually enjoy.

You’re the Hero.
    We’re the Guide.

‍

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Good morning, Heroes!

Here’s your Morning Market Preview for September 20th, 2024
Read, or listen relaxingly for a few minutes – whichever you prefer!

Key Economic Reports

• None scheduled for Friday.

Key  Earnings Reports & Events Today

• No earnings reports scheduled for Friday either.
  
  
• Boeing’s strike continues, and the company has furloughed thousands of workers. The strike began after union members overwhelmingly rejected a proposed contract, leading to a work stoppage that is now becoming prolonged. The strike began on September 13th.

The Fed

• After the recent 50 basis points cut to 4.75-5.00%, the next meeting's outcomes will hinge on new data, potentially setting further rate adjustments.

Stocks

Year-to-Date Performance:

• Up Most: Tech was up 3.08% yesterday, now up 24.26% this year. Utilities is second-best on the year, up 23.03%.
  
  
• Down Most: Important to know, no sectors are negative on the year. The smallest gain has been in Energy, up 4.77% this year. Second-to-last is Materials, up 8.68%.

5 Day Moving Average: 

• Up Most: 95% of Energy Large Cap stocks are now above their 5 day average. Tech is second now with 88% of its Large Caps above their 5 day average.
  
  

• Down Most: Utilities are down, and only 16% of Large Caps are above their 5 day average. Next closest is Real Estate and Consumer Staples at 29%. 

Crypto

• Bitcoin: Up big recently, now about $62,992, which puts it at a staggering 49.89% gain on the year.
  
  
• Ethereum: It’s been a good couple of days for Ethereum again, and is up to about $2,465, which means a 7% gain on the year.
  
  
• Top Gainers Recently: Solana is up big again, about 9.82% in the last day. Ox and Bitcoin Cash are close on Solana’s heels though, both up about 9.25%.
  
  
• Important to note: Crypto markets are always open and prices change constantly.

Bonds

• 2-Year Treasury:  Yields continue to come down, now at 3.629%.
  
  
• 10-Year Treasury: Up a tick to 3.715%, but overall it’s had a decline this year too.
  
  
• The yield curve is no longer inverted, having un-inverted in late August, 2024.

Gold

• Price: Gold is flat in the last day, now about $2,587 per ounce, and up 25.4% on the year.

Real Estate

• 30-Year Fixed Mortgage Rate: Up just a bit, now to 6.17%. The mortgage rate has dropped about 7.5% this year.

Geopolitical Aspects

• Global markets are watching closely for economic data from China, which continues to show slower-than-expected growth.
  
  
• Meanwhile, European markets are grappling with high energy prices as winter approaches, which could lead to higher costs and increased inflation risks across the continent.
  
  
• Concerns include Middle East tensions affecting oil prices and global investment flows.

‍

Built for The One in the Arena

Arena Investor is on a mission not only to help with financial planning, and investment management, but also with education. Keep reading, watching, following, and sharing great Arena Investor content. And as always if you want professional advice, we are glad to be your teammate – along a financial journey you can actually enjoy.

You’re the Hero.
    We’re the Guide.

P.S.

Continue reading, if you would enjoy…

Some Simple Explanations of Key Concepts to Level Up Your Financial Education

Each of these elements interacts, creating the dynamic we call 'the market'.

Understanding these aspects of the investing arena can help investors in making informed investment decisions.

You’re the Hero.
    We’re the Guide.

• Economic Reports: Data like jobless claims help predict economic health. For instance, rising claims might suggest economic slowdown.
• Jobless Claims: These are weekly reports that show the number of people filing for unemployment benefits. Higher numbers can indicate a weakening labor market.
• Housing Starts: This measures the number of new residential construction projects and is a key indicator of real estate market health.
• The University of Michigan's Consumer Sentiment Index measures consumer confidence through surveys, reflecting optimism or pessimism about personal finances and business conditions.
• Federal Reserve Rate Decisions: The Fed adjusts interest rates to either stimulate the economy (by lowering rates) or control inflation (by raising rates). Rate cuts can make borrowing cheaper, while rate hikes aim to curb inflation.
• Treasury Yields: The return on U.S. government bonds, often used as a measure of investor sentiment about future inflation and economic growth.
• Stock Sectors: Different sectors thrive in different economic conditions. Tech might boom during innovation, while energy could struggle with green shifts.
• Bonds and Yields: Bonds are safer than stocks but yield reflects risk or inflation expectations. Higher yields could mean investors demand more return.
• Cryptocurrency: Digital currencies like Bitcoin and Ethereum have been volatile but offer significant returns in 2024.
• Gold: A traditional safe-haven investment that often rises during times of uncertainty or when inflation is high.
• Real Estate: Influenced by rates, economic health, and demographic trends. Lower rates can inflate home prices due to increased buying power.
• Mortgage Rates: Higher rates make borrowing more expensive, which can cool down housing demand and affect real estate prices.
• 1 Basis Point (BPS) equals 0.01%. It’s easier to say “5 bips” than it is to say “zero point zero five percent.”