The Dividend Cafe

Today's Post - https://bahnsen.co/4afqiVW

As I finish up this writing Friday morning the Dow is tracking for its eight consecutive day in positive territory (I have little doubt that my mere typing of that sentence likely jinxed it). The market reversal from April into May can be credited to a combination of:

Renewed acknowledgment that regardless of when the Fed begins cutting rates they have made it reasonably clear they are done hiking rates, and

Marginally improved financial markets liquidity in the present tense and with a vision to the future around the tapering of quantitative tightening, and

A good fundamental backdrop for corporate profits with another earnings season in the books reflective of enduring margins, reasonable forward guidance, and revenue growth in line with expectations

It is a bad time to be a market timer. But I don’t think anyone can even time when it is a good time to be a market timer, so maybe I am just repeating myself over and over. Anyways, we know what time it is at The Bahnsen Group …

… and it is time to jump into the Dividend Cafe.

Links mentioned in this episode: DividendCafe.com TheBahnsenGroup.com

Links mentioned in this episode: DividendCafe.com TheBahnsenGroup.com

A daily summary of key market data and economic nuggets.  Reach out with questions anytime!

Links mentioned in this episode: DividendCafe.com TheBahnsenGroup.com

A daily summary of key market data and economic nuggets.  Reach out with questions anytime!

Links mentioned in this episode: DividendCafe.com TheBahnsenGroup.com

Today's Post - https://bahnsen.co/44ut20E

The jobs report Friday was the talk of the town, with 175,000 new jobs being created in April, well below the 240,000 estimate. It was the government sector that most missed expectations, with the private sector representing 167,000 of the new jobs. The unemployment rate ticked up to 3.9%.

Wages were only up +0.1% on the month and are now up +3.9% year-over-year. There is a real irony in how this gets digested, because some say, “oh no, wage growth lower than we want is bad” and others say “yay, too much wage growth creates a wage-price inflation spiral so this is good to see as a disinflationary sign. I think both camps have it wrong.

29 million of the roughly 158 million people employed in the United States works for a S&P 500 company (18% or so). Some I have shared this with expressed surprise it wasn’t higher, and some were shocked it was so high. Data is in the eye of the beholder, I guess.

The bottom 50% of health care spenders account for a grand total of 3% of total health care costs (less than $390 per year). The top 5%, on the other hand, account for 51% of all health care spending.

Links mentioned in this episode: DividendCafe.com TheBahnsenGroup.com

Today's Post - https://bahnsen.co/4bjQ9x6

“Sell in May and go away” became an adage some people love to say in our business, and I really have no idea where it came from. Whenever people ask me if we follow that adage I reply the same as I do about any other “adage” – things that are made up to offer a cute rhyme may not necessarily be the best way to formulate an investment policy.

Some months markets go down. Some months really good investment plans see the holdings in a portfolio increase in price, and other times decrease in price, The investment plan is not better or worse in some months than the others – it is all part of the plan presumably put together.

Various calendar correlations, almanac tidbits, and nursery rhyme poetry are not investment strategies. They are actually not even good at understanding correlations, let alone causations, as most of these things on their own merits and claims are merely 50/50 propositions.

But what is a real investable philosophy is what you can find in the pages of Dividend Cafe. And for a discussion of all those things and more, we start … now …

Links mentioned in this episode: DividendCafe.com TheBahnsenGroup.com

Links mentioned in this episode: DividendCafe.com TheBahnsenGroup.com

Links mentioned in this episode: DividendCafe.com TheBahnsenGroup.com

Links mentioned in this episode: DividendCafe.com TheBahnsenGroup.com

Today's Post - https://bahnsen.co/4dd0xsl

Economic Front The big economic news last week was the 1.6% annualized real GDP growth for Q1 when +2.5% had been expected. The 3.4% of Q4 (again, all these numbers are annualized, which is just how they get discussed) was not going to repeat itself, but 1.6% vs. 2.5% projected and 2.7% in the Atlanta Fed’s GDPNow model was a big step down. The positive side is that manufacturing appears to be picking up, New Orders are on the rise, and low inventories now mean more manufacturing later.

Net exports were the biggest drag (-0.9%), and, as is almost always the case, consumption was the largest contributor (+1.7%). Capex contributed just +0.4%.

The Personal Consumption Expenditures (PCE) was up +2.7% year-over-year last month, matching expectations. Personal Income rose +0.5% in March, in line with expectations.

54% of people worked at firms with less than 500 employees in 1980. That number is just over 46% now. The fertility rate in the U.S. dropped to 1.62 last year, the lowest on record. Our fertility rate has been below the 2.1 replacement level for 17 years now.

Links mentioned in this episode: DividendCafe.com TheBahnsenGroup.com

Today's Post - https://bahnsen.co/49UmDwH

The first thing I will say is that by popular demand, we will be adding back the “What’s on David’s Mind” to the Tuesday/Wednesday/Thursday email blasts starting next week for Dividend Cafe subscribers (and on some days, “What’s on Brian’s Mind”). By and large, the feedback to the newly revamped Dividend Cafe has been overwhelmingly positive, and a few knobs turned on the daily programming will continue to fine-tune. Thank you all for your feedback; we are very excited to have one property, one brand, and one medium to deliver the TBG thought leadership to you.

This week we are going to look at the history of yields from the market today, the history of market drawdowns, the state of commodities, the future of national debt, some global debt to avoid, expectations for Chinese economic growth, the energy sector, and finally, some Presidential conspiracy theories. That’s a lot to pack into one Friday. No one said this would be easy; we only said it would be fun.

Links mentioned in this episode: DividendCafe.com TheBahnsenGroup.com

Links mentioned in this episode: DividendCafe.com TheBahnsenGroup.com

Links mentioned in this episode: DividendCafe.com TheBahnsenGroup.com

A daily summary of key market data and economic nuggets. Reach out with questions anytime!

Links mentioned in this episode: DividendCafe.com TheBahnsenGroup.com

Today's Post - https://bahnsen.co/3wbacib

Welcome to the new and improved Dividend Cafe. What you see today will be a weekly Dividend Cafe each and every Monday from yours truly, complete with a podcast and video. It has come for years now on Monday, once under the umbrella of “COVID & Markets” and after that under “The DC Today.” We are simply incubating it under Dividend Cafe, so there is just one list, one website, and one brand behind it all. You will note on the home page of Dividend Cafe that we are running a daily market recap that will include closing data every day along with key economic indicators. Additionally, we will be running an Ask TBG on that home page, where questions will be answered every day. Every Tuesday, Wednesday, and Friday, that market recap with the podcast and an Ask TBG will be emailed to subscribers., And then Friday, the same weekly Dividend Cafe article we have always done (see next paragraph) will go, per usual. So check out the new Dividend Cafe, all its bells and whistles, and share feedback with us any time!

The Friday Dividend Cafe looked at the subject of contrarian investing, the state of the dollar, and a few thoughts on oil and politics, and the comedy of bitcoin as a “flight to safety” this last Friday. The written version is here (my favorite), the video is here, and the podcast is here.

Into the second quarter of 2024, it may be a good time to review our outlook entering 2024 and major themes as we continue through the year.

Off we go …

Links mentioned in this episode: DividendCafe.com TheBahnsenGroup.com

Today's Post - https://bahnsen.co/3JLnpSl

It has been an interesting week in the market, but as you will see in the first paragraph below it may seem like nothing happened whatsoever. That is more common than people think. Today we visit the state of the U.S. dollar, the “safe haven” of bitcoin, the politics of oil, the nature of contrarian investing, and more. Just a lot of easy-bite tidbits to edify you this beautiful spring weekend.

And before I remind you that a new and improved Dividend Cafe is coming any day, jump on in, to this Dividend Cafe!

Links mentioned in this episode: TheDCToday.com DividendCafe.com TheBahnsenGroup.com

Today's Post - https://bahnsen.co/3w8tK6R

Somewhat of a repeat of yesterdays market action with a positive morning failing to hold momentum and falling off into the close in more consolidation in markets around rates. We did eek out a small gain on the Dow, but the SP500 closed slightly lower for the fifth session in a row. The 2-YR Treasury is back to YTD highs at just under 5% and 10-YR was up 5 bps today to 4.63%. For what was on the docket today in the economic calendar, mostly good news. Jobless claims, existing home sales and manufacturing data all modestly ahead of expectations, but it just wasn’t enough to keep the momentum on the day. There isn’t a lot of economic news for the remainder of this week, and most eyes will be on the PCE figures out next Friday.

Links mentioned in this episode: TheDCToday.com DividendCafe.com TheBahnsenGroup.com

Today's Post - https://bahnsen.co/3TX5X1I

What started off as a positive trading morning, slid negative as the day progressed. Powell’s comments yesterday were debated as to whether he took his ‘Pivot’ from October back. Not to worry, because first, I don’t think he did take it back and two rate cuts are still priced in to Fed futures, and second, as I mentioned yesterday there is enough in the economy that is good at this time to withstand a delayed move lower in rates by a few months. The Fed’s beige book out today supported that general positive undertone in the economy which helped us off the lows of the day a few hours before closing as well.

Seeing as we all made our tax payments this week, yesterday we saw the US Government take in the most it ever has in tax collections from corporations and non withheld amounts at $155B. The previous high water mark was back in 2022 following a big year prior and reopening after the pandemic when the same April figure was $121B. The Congressional Budget Office (CBO) is expecting total tax receipts for the full year 2024 to come in right near that record level in 2022 at roughly $4.93T. This is good news for the budget deficit and the growth rate of Treasury bill issuance which is set to decline for the first time in two years, although still won’t put us any where near an actual budget surplus when we are talking about chipping away at a $2T deficit.

Links mentioned in this episode: TheDCToday.com DividendCafe.com TheBahnsenGroup.com

Today's Post - https://bahnsen.co/3Q5001u

A mixed day of trading between positive and negative all morning and right into the market close with the Dow slightly higher and both the S&P 500 and Nasdaq just below fair value. Rates continue their move higher, with the 10-year up 4 bps and now at the 4.66% level. So aside from what so far has been a tougher start to the second quarter, a few things to keep in mind:

Rates and Fed futures have reset higher based just as much on stronger-than-expected good things in the economy, such as earnings growth, GDP, and employment, as they have on inflation expectations.

We are still only 4% from all-time highs in the S&P 500 when the historical intra-year drawdown is more like 14% on average. So, yes, markets are down a little here, and volatility is up with higher rates, but keep in mind this is pretty run-of-the-mill market consolidation at most at this point.

Links mentioned in this episode: TheDCToday.com DividendCafe.com TheBahnsenGroup.com

Today's Post - https://bahnsen.co/3Q2J5g8

Against Doomsdayism

Where this Iran-Israel atrocity goes from here, what should and should not have been done, what and should not be done, what it will mean for markets and oil prices – all these things notwithstanding, the winner of the weekend appears to be anti-missile defense systems, first pursued by the Reagan administration in the 1980’s. The ability for this technology across multiple mediums to bat nearly a thousand in putting down missiles and drones coming in hot to do unspeakable damage is, well, vindicating. The specifics of the various technologies and strategies are fascinating, but for now, we celebrate those whose vision was to shoot down missiles and missiles, from ground and from air. Such military investment saves lives, and deserves our celebration.

Links mentioned in this episode: TheDCToday.com DividendCafe.com TheBahnsenGroup.com

Today's Post - https://bahnsen.co/3JfyXwQ

I cannot tell you how much fun it is for me to spend three hours on a Friday morning reading research. Reading when it is dark outside is the single activity that brings me the most joy, and I love the inspiration it fostered for today's Dividend Cafe

Links mentioned in this episode: TheDCToday.com DividendCafe.com TheBahnsenGroup.com

Today's Post - https://bahnsen.co/3JfyXwQ

A modestly positive day in markets overall today on some better-than-expected PPI numbers following yesterday’s selloff on CPI. So what one-day taketh, another giveth back (well, not quite). The Producer Price Index numbers showed a gain of just .2% for the month on headline when .3% was expected, and the Core PPI only gained .1% for the month. The takeaway is PPI is just not confirming a reacceleration in inflation on the wholesale side, which is a positive.

We unpacked yesterday’s CPI numbers pretty well, I thought, but I am sharing this chart from our friends at Strategas with you below to show you where rate expectations have now moved since. My point here is that while they have moved meaningfully higher, I do believe this to be a good thing, contrary to what some may say. The economy, employment, and the markets have all digested these higher rate expectations and it’s simply far healthier for markets to focus and trade on the actual fundamentals of the economy and earnings versus solely on the hopes of looser monetary policy. Shown below, we came into the year expecting Fed funds at 3.5% by Christmas and have now priced in just two rate cuts and ending this year closer to 4.75%. The bar of Fed expectations has been reset to a level high enough that it is now more supportive for markets than the opposite at this point.

Links mentioned in this episode: TheDCToday.com DividendCafe.com TheBahnsenGroup.com

Today's Post - https://bahnsen.co/3PWoA4P

A down day in both stocks and bonds today following a disappointment on CPI numbers by one tenth on both Headline and Core, that sent the Dow down XXX points and the 10-year bond yield up .18XXbps. We expected .3% on both and got .4% instead to cause todays action, so on one hand a risk off day as higher rates were priced in on yields, and on the other, the difference of a tenth is far from dramatic in and of itself.

I do believe the Federal Reserve is an independent institution adhering to its employment and price stability mandates. I also believe they are aware of the Fiscal paradigm as well however (not driven by, but aware). Do I think a $2T budget deficit when we are at full employment with interest expense now accounting for 17% of tax revenue when our average termed government debt interest rate is only at 3.3% is on their radar in terms of Quantitative Tightening, yes I do. They can’t go until inflation gives them the OK sign (or gets close enough), but they are ready to reduce rates later this year as they’ve telegraphed, and from the Fed minutes released just today my point on reducing QT will come in to play sooner than later.

Links mentioned in this episode: TheDCToday.com DividendCafe.com TheBahnsenGroup.com

Today's Post - https://bahnsen.co/4aKgDaL

We traded mostly lower the entire day today but then rallied back to fair value the last hour or so of trading. Tomorrow we have CPI out, and with a lack of other meaningful economic data today and right before earnings season heats up later this week, markets were mixed in anticipation. Bonds did rally across the curve giving back some of the back up in rates we have seen the past few sessions with the 10-year down 6bps.

With earnings season set to start this Friday, a quick recap of where expectations lie: 3% revenue growth, 5% earnings growth on the quarter with a big up tick in Utility (believe it or not) earnings growth up 18%. For the year we are still looking at roughly $243 per share on the SP500 or about 10% growth from the previous year. Sectors where the bar on expectations is set fairly high at this point are in technology and communications, with Energy and Materials the opposite so it will be interesting to see where markets price the actual results in comparison.

Links mentioned in this episode: TheDCToday.com DividendCafe.com TheBahnsenGroup.com

Today's Post - https://bahnsen.co/4aMHEug

Economic Front

The primary news of the weekend was the 303k new jobs created in March, up by 89k over expectations. A full 232k of that came from the private sector. The two prior months were revised upwards by 22k. The household survey was up huge, as well. The unemployment rate fell to 3.8%.

Construction was solid (39k new j obs), and leisure and hospitality led the way, with private education and health care strong as well. The annual gain in wages is +4.1%, and the average hours worked went up to 34.4 (had been 34.3).

Links mentioned in this episode: TheDCToday.com DividendCafe.com TheBahnsenGroup.com

Today's Post -

The stock market dropped this week and it has given me a chance to write a Dividend Cafe about one of my favorite topics – the crucial importance of predicting the future, reading the tea leaves, and all that good stuff. I have strong opinions about people’s talent in such projections and the relevance of such to one’s long-term financial success. So today we are going to just have at it and talk about this week’s market volatility and what it means to you.

Some of you are going to be really, really disappointed (if I did my job right).

Jump on in, to the Dividend Cafe.

Links mentioned in this episode: TheDCToday.com DividendCafe.com TheBahnsenGroup.com

Today's Post -

Our morning rally in stocks turned decisively negative midday. There was geo-political tension with Iran threatening action after Israel’s strike on Syria and then some mixed messaging from different Fed presidents today that seemed to both contribute to today’s decline. That said, there really wasn’t a whole lot to warrant such a large 750-point swing from top to bottom on the day, so some strange market action with volatility picking up.

While the overall labor force participation rate has come up recently, it’s still on the lower end of the historical norm at about 62.5%. It’s interesting to see the bifurcation of what’s driving it. The participation rate amongst the largest cohort of working 25-54 year olds is actually the highest it has ever been in this country at 83.5%, while the 54+ is basically at the lowest level it has ever been at about 38.5%. Read into that what you will, but the charts seem to shift just following the pandemic with a greater gap between the two cohorts. Younger folks with fewer assets had less wealth effects from rising prices, while the opposite was more prevalent in the older is my take.

Links mentioned in this episode: TheDCToday.com DividendCafe.com TheBahnsenGroup.com

Today's Post - https://bahnsen.co/3U2mBhF

A modestly positive trading day today in markets with both stocks a little higher and the VIX lower following a few down days. ADP payroll numbers for March came in quite strong at 184k, although the actual employment report this Friday will get more attention. Powell had comments out today that reiterated their patient approach on lowering rates which is really just more of the same with Fed futures unchanged. Sort of a quiet day really all around.

As the office REIT space recovers, earnings revisions for next year have brought the average estimate from -1.8% to now 12.2% for 2025. Healthcare REIT’s have also seen a huge revision from -17.2% to now 6.9% for next year EPS estimates. In fact of all 10 industries in the SP500 with upward revisions for next year, 6 of them are in the REIT space overall. Now, I imagine if interest rates don’t move lower as much as expected the shine may wear off for these analysts, but interesting nonetheless.

Links mentioned in this episode: TheDCToday.com DividendCafe.com TheBahnsenGroup.com

Today's Post - https://bahnsen.co/3JnoIqp

Although off the lows for the day, stocks closed down for a second day to start off the new quarter. 10-Year yields have now moved back towards the high end of their four-month range at 4.35%, which is about the level where we have seen markets start to pay more attention which is what today was about. Fed futures are still at 50/50 for a June cut and roughly 70% for July, and what’s being repriced into markets is rates that may stay a little higher this year.

Links mentioned in this episode: TheDCToday.com DividendCafe.com TheBahnsenGroup.com

Today's Post - https://bahnsen.co/4cDHCqg

There is a lot of good stuff in the podcast today and, as always, we welcome your questions and curiosities.

Dividend Cafe looked at a number of things around the Fed, market valuation, inflation, and more on Friday.

We have some very exciting things in the works about our plans for daily and weekly content delivery, with even more additions and refinements coming. Meetings are underway and nothing will be ready to announce imminently but we are excited to bring what we are doing to another level.

Links mentioned in this episode: TheDCToday.com DividendCafe.com TheBahnsenGroup.com

Today's Post - https://bahnsen.co/4cDi2Sq

The first quarter of 2024 is in the history books (both because it is done, so therefore now history – and because it was a big quarter with a lot of surprises for market pundits). As you go into your Easter Weekend and enjoy the market holiday that is Good Friday, take a trip around the horn as we look at history, market valuations, passive investing, credit, money supply, financial conditions, and more.

Jump on in to the Dividend Cafe …

Links mentioned in this episode: TheDCToday.com DividendCafe.com TheBahnsenGroup.com

Today's Post - https://bahnsen.co/3TT4Scl

Another generally positive day in markets with today marking the 99th consecutive trading day that the SP500 closed above its 50 day moving average. This has happened many times in history believe it or not, and certainly isn’t even half way to 1995’s run of 257 (back when I was graduating high school), but its impressive none the less.

Links mentioned in this episode: TheDCToday.com DividendCafe.com TheBahnsenGroup.com

Today's Post - https://bahnsen.co/3TTReFO

Markets traded positively for most of the day, although ended up closing slightly down by 31 points. This is the 10th time since 1950 that the SP500 has been up for 5 months in a row, so it certainly has happened enough before, but interesting that when I looked at those time periods 12 months following, they were also all in positive territory as well. All that said, earnings and fundamentals are going to have to pull their weight for that to happen an 11th time from these valuations (see David’s comments below).

Historically speaking, it’s also rare to see markets top when there is such broad participation in new 52-week highs. Typically, that internal breadth starts to show cracks before the overall market reaches its cycle peak and turns lower, and that is not what we are seeing today. Energy, by the way, has reaccelerated, with now 80% of the sector at 3-month highs, as that market rotation and broadening of sector returns continues.

Links mentioned in this episode: TheDCToday.com DividendCafe.com TheBahnsenGroup.com

Today's Post - https://bahnsen.co/49cizrs

Greetings from Dallas, Texas where I am the next two days before then getting to Houston on Wednesday and then to the TBG offices in Austin and doing three events there for a couple of days before returning to NYC on Friday. Today’s DCT is housing-heavy with plenty else in the mix to make it worth your time.

Dividend Cafe looked further into the time-tested wisdom of dividend growth investing, the historical factors that involved over the past few decades, and the lay of the land in the years ahead.

Links mentioned in this episode: TheDCToday.com DividendCafe.com TheBahnsenGroup.com

Today's Post - https://bahnsen.co/4924jl3

Predictions are fun. They are not, though, at the heart of the investment business. They can be very important in the methodology and process of some speculators, and they can even be marginally additive for some investors. But “predictions” are not quite the same as “calculations,” and they are categorically different from “belief systems.” At the core of all good investors lies a philosophy. I find it an unimprovable joy in life to study the investing philosophies of great investors. I never, ever, ever find one who relies on “feel” or “just has that Midas touch.” That very thinking is for simpletons and know-nothings. Great investors execute well off of a cogent philosophy. Bad investors either fail to execute or have an improperly formed philosophy (or, worst of all, options; they have no discernable philosophy at all).

The Bahnsen Group embraces being defined by our investment philosophy, and we embrace being known by the role dividend growth plays within that philosophy. Dividend growth is not new. In fact, what is [relatively] new is NOT viewing the receipt of cash flow from the risk investments you make as a key objective in your investing and a significant part of your anticipated return. In today’s Dividend Cafe, we address the history of investor distraction from dividend monetization and the reorientation that we believe is about to shift the focus back to where it belongs. We are not talking a “new normal” but rather a “return to normal normal.”

So jump on in to a very normal Dividend Cafe …

Links mentioned in this episode: TheDCToday.com DividendCafe.com TheBahnsenGroup.com

Today's Post - https://bahnsen.co/3vpQejx

Markets built on yesterdays rally today closing higher for a third straight session. For the markets, the porridge-is-just-right narrative around the balance of strong economic and employment backdrop combined with disinflation and a Fed that is now talking about slowing QT and accepting PCE at 2.6% this year (vs 2%) before they would begin cutting interest rates. Today we also had jobless claims and existing home sales both positive and supportive of that narrative as well. Keep in mind please, that markets are a forward looking pricing mechanism, and a lot of soft-landing narrative at this point is fully baked in. The question will be on fundamentals keeping up with those higher valuations names from here, and I still suspect there will be the haves vs. have-nots in that regard and the time for being selective here is very important.

Links mentioned in this episode: TheDCToday.com DividendCafe.com TheBahnsenGroup.com

Today's Post - https://bahnsen.co/43pRAau

Generally, a pretty market-friendly statement from the Fed, with some upgrading on the economy with GDP estimates moving up from 1.4% to 2.0%, they lowered their unemployment rate forecasts from 4.1% to 4% and raised the Core PCE forecasts by two-tenths to 2.6% for the year (and we are already at 2.8% now mind you).

Links mentioned in this episode: TheDCToday.com DividendCafe.com TheBahnsenGroup.com

Today's Post - https://bahnsen.co/3ViQThg

Markets built on gains quite nicely throughout the day today, with the Dow up 320 points, on an uncharacteristically consistent trading day heading into tomorrow’s FOMC decision and statement. The back up in rates we have seen the past two weeks eased a little today as well, with 10s down three basis points, which also supported our generally positive day. We are still in the range I mentioned on the 10-year, just at the higher end of it with 4.35%, the high watermark on the year so far.

Links mentioned in this episode: TheDCToday.com DividendCafe.com TheBahnsenGroup.com

Today's Post - https://bahnsen.co/3x6BWVi

Ask David “Are tech stocks likely not going to be good dividend growth stocks for the foreseeable future? Given their reliance on good and expensive R&D to keep market share? Seems to be a no-brainer to me. Dividends and more meaningful dividend growth is seemingly better in other sectors. Or am I just underestimating the time it takes for dividends to grow?

What will happen to tech stocks if they have poor dividends and stock price growth flattens out? Where would the value for shareholders come from? Or am I missing something or am I just worrying unnecessarily?”

~ Nathan

Some tech companies will not pay a dividend, some will, some will grow it, and some will not. Technology is way too broad of a sector to answer in the context of monolithic treatment of dividends. What is constant where there are technology companies that pay consistent and growing dividends is that the company is mature, has recurring cash flows, and management that has exited the ego phase of corporate oversight. Value does not come from dividends – it comes from profits. The value of those profits is realized in dividends. If profits are not returned to shareholders but used to create more profits, that is where value creation could come from. Or, that is where value could be destroyed.

Links mentioned in this episode: TheDCToday.com DividendCafe.com TheBahnsenGroup.com

Today's Post - https://bahnsen.co/3IEE4WR

Dividend growth investing is counter-cultural. It goes against the grain of “hot dots” and “shiny objects.” It functions outside the fads and fashions of the moment. And it insists that ancient ideas like “cash flow matters” are still relevant today (amongst many other ideas). It seeks performance and productivity but not popularity. It flows from a belief system and not a crowd. It is, indeed, counter-cultural.

It also is not always understood correctly. Several misnomers persist that, if better understood, could jeopardize its counter-cultural status. One of my great fears in life is that dividend growth investing recaptures its status as “the known best way to do equity investing.” All things being equal, if dividend growth investing became a consensus understanding of the masses, I still wouldn’t change my belief system one iota, but I prefer running a portfolio at 15.2x forward earnings when the market is trading at 21x … the “non-shininess” of the strategy adds value.

Nevertheless, when it comes to the Dividend Cafe, it is my sworn duty to inform, educate, equip, and edify, so clearing up misnomers is not just allowed but required. If enough people read and adopt the truth, I may have to sacrifice the counter-cultural status of dividend growth, but I’ll know I did the world some good. So today, we shall clear up a couple of things and even dig into some recent history.

And as is always the case with financial markets, the more you understand the past, the better prepared you will be for the future! Jump on into the Dividend Cafe …

Links mentioned in this episode: TheDCToday.com DividendCafe.com TheBahnsenGroup.com

Today's Post - https://bahnsen.co/4cjgL2o

Markets were lower on the day with some higher than expected Producer Price Index numbers for the month of February that were up .6% versus .3% expected. Keep in mind, the year over year number on that same headline gauge is only at 1.6%, albeit up from the 1% read the month prior. If we annualize the last three months that included some of the higher figures, we get to around 3% year over year. This may not be exactly where we want to be at this point, but as I have mentioned, the path towards our target was just never going to happen in a straight line either.

Commercial real estate values have begun to show some recovery in the past few months. The chart below shows both the decline in values we just went through and the beginning of recovery, but more importantly, the 20%+ run up that preceded it. The protective equity during the recent decline in values was hugely inflated leading into it, so when we hear about a looming crisis in something like commercial office loans, from an LTV perspective there was already a larger cushion, and borrows make payments when there is equity. I am not saying there isn’t stress in non class-A office, but if prices are leveling I am not sure it will materialize into more at this point.

Links mentioned in this episode: TheDCToday.com DividendCafe.com TheBahnsenGroup.com

Today's Post - https://bahnsen.co/3wTpet0

The Dow eked out a small gain, with both the SP500 and Nasdaq closing modestly lower. Yields drifted a little higher today

Links mentioned in this episode: TheDCToday.com DividendCafe.com TheBahnsenGroup.com

Today's Post - https://bahnsen.co/3wT2REd

A positive trading day in stocks with a fresh new read on CPI that was largely in line with expectations, with both Headline and Core up .4% for the month of February. While these are close to the same print we got in January that caused our 1.5% selloff, February’s read was priced in at this point, and if anything, more reaffirmed that the prior month ticking higher was more a one-off than a new longer-term trend. Yields were modestly higher across the curve, and Fed futures are at 60% for a June rate cut at this point. There is plenty of data from now until then, but all things being equal, our disinflation narrative remains intact.

A quick state of the US labor force:

The overall participation rate is still historically low at 62% (67%+ would be cooking with grease). Demographically however, with still positive population growth in the US, compared to declining population numbers in some other parts of the world (i.e. Europe, Japan, China), there is an advantage.

Links mentioned in this episode: TheDCToday.com DividendCafe.com TheBahnsenGroup.com

Today's Post - https://bahnsen.co/43bfaYw

Links mentioned in this episode: TheDCToday.com DividendCafe.com TheBahnsenGroup.com

Today's Post - https://bahnsen.co/49VU9Du

It's been a weird week to pick a topic for the Dividend Cafe.  I have about six topics mapped out for future Dividend Cafes, yet none of them grabbed me to do this week.  I took an Acela to DC from New York on Wednesday late afternoon and felt pretty inspired about one topic, and then felt inspired about another as I took the train back to NYC 24 hours later.  I did a panel with David Malpass, recent president of the World Bank and Treasury Department Deputy Secretary for three Presidents, at the Library of Congress yesterday, and when I came off that stage, I had a whole new inspiration for today's Dividend Cafe.  I did a podcast with John Mauldin earlier in the week that put many ideas on the table (as all my talks with John always do).  We had a State of the Union address last night and experienced "Super Tuesday" just a few days ago.  The White House announced plans for credit card fee restrictions this week.  And the Fed announced a reversal of plans for onerous new "Basel 3" capital requirements on banks.

Do you see what I am saying?  I have had one idea, inspiration, or fodder after another for this Dividend Cafe all week, and when it comes time to put pen to paper, the only choice I have is to do …. All of the Above!

Jump on into the Dividend Cafe.  We have a lot to talk about!

Links mentioned in this episode: TheDCToday.com DividendCafe.com TheBahnsenGroup.com

Today's Post - https://bahnsen.co/3T43

A second positive day in markets and one with a little more conviction than yesterday, with the SP500 notching a new high. Powell gave his second day of testimony to Congress. Lagarde at the ECB held rates unchanged at 4%, although he did tilt the scales more toward assuredness that inflation was lower and June was the base case on when rates start to move lower. I have more conviction in the US waiting until June with growth forecasts in the mid-2 % range than I do the ECB, given GDP forecasts in Germany are a tenth of that at .25%, but we shall see. Higher debt levels lead to lower growth, lead to lower rates – rinse, wash, and repeat.

Links mentioned in this episode: TheDCToday.com DividendCafe.com TheBahnsenGroup.com

Today's Post - https://bahnsen.co/3P9T82G

After two down days to start the week, we closed higher on the day after Powell’s comments to Congress. He reiterated a peak in rates and a plan to lower rates once he has more data to confirm that 2% path beforehand. We have a more chart-heavy DC Today for you (my favorite), as the information pictorially is too good to pass up.

Today, we got ADP payroll numbers largely in line with expectations, and there are reasons employment and, frankly, this market has defied all that doubted it in the wake of this meteoric rise in interest rates. Rising markets, tightening credit spreads, low jobless claims, fiscal deficits at 6% of GDP, and infrastructure spending have all eased financial conditions to become EASIER than where they were BEFORE the Fed began raising interest rates from the zero bound.

We have spoken about both consumers’ and corporations’ resilience from rising rates as they locked in lower rates before this cycle, but the financial conditions in green in the chart below show the backdrop of the market’s resilience in light of rates as well.

Links mentioned in this episode: TheDCToday.com DividendCafe.com TheBahnsenGroup.com

Today's Post - https://bahnsen.co/3T7Ki6D

Markets opened lower and traded that way the remainder of the day in stocks, with bonds catching a bid and rates falling across the curve. We actually had good numbers on both services ISM and PMI numbers, although there may have been some market angst over Powell potentially sounding hawkish tomorrow in front of Congress, and we just gave a little back on the day. Q4 earnings season is basically a wrap at this point, and while the quarter came in great at 9.8%, the earnings per share growth on the entire year was just .5%. Q4 acceleration is expected to last for most of 2024 with earnings expected to be up another 10% and then somewhere closer to 13% in 2025. Margins have also advanced recently up to 16.8%, and while all of these things are of course generally good, this move up we’ve seen the first two months of the year seems to already have taken note.

Links mentioned in this episode: TheDCToday.com DividendCafe.com TheBahnsenGroup.com

Today's Post - https://bahnsen.co/4c33Ql2

Manufacturing contracted in February again, coming in at 47.8 in the latest ISM measurement (below 50 is contraction, above 50 expansion). Manufacturing has contracted every month since November 2022.

Export orders picked up a bit but the other categories were all negative. However, 8 out of 18 sectors saw expansion this month where last month is was only four.

For what it is worth, the states with the highest population growth since 2019 (by %) are Idaho (+10%), Utah (+7%), Montana (+6%), Texas (+5%), and Florida (+5%). Right behind those leaders all tied at +4% is Tennessee, Alabama, Georgia, and South Carolina. The only states to have negative population growth are California (-1%), West Virginia, Louisiana, and Mississippi.

Services remain below their pre-COVID share of total consumer spending.

Links mentioned in this episode: TheDCToday.com DividendCafe.com TheBahnsenGroup.com

Today's Post - https://bahnsen.co/4cbq1G7

This last week appears to (as of Friday morning’s press time) not been a particularly active one in equity markets. The Fed had no big announcements. Bond yields barely budged. Earnings season is very close to complete, and companies doing reporting of results have become few and far between. We are in a market news cycle lull, which is the perfect time to talk about alternative investments. “Huh?,” you ask. “What does the news cycle have to do with alternative investments like private credit?”

All will be revealed. But in the meantime, I guess I should clarify that I never believe Dividend Cafe should be tied to a particular headline or market event. I may choose to do so here and there. But even then, those “ad hoc” news events become relevant to the Dividend Cafe only to the extent the lesson or message itself is a permanently relevant message. Some may be delivered in a more “timely” context than others, but what I want every week’s Dividend Cafe to be is something that can be read any time past, present, or future, and stand up. Day-to-day market reporting and analysis has its place (barely), but the Dividend Cafe is my baby for macro, evergreen truth and perspective. It will be the last thing I ever give up in this full-time endeavor, and by give up, I mean something rather morbid.

So I write in today’s Dividend Cafe about something unrelated to the news cycle, the headlines, and big market noise, not merely because it was a quiet week on the western front but because every week should be a topic divorced from noise and focused on substance. Noise is the enemy of investor success. Links mentioned in this episode: TheDCToday.com DividendCafe.com TheBahnsenGroup.com

Today's Post - https://bahnsen.co/3uKcswq

A positive day in markets this Leap Year Thursday centered around PCE data that was inline with estimates for the month of January with December being revised lower. Headline year over year PCE rose 2.4%, and removing food and energy, Core PCE increased 2.8% from a year earlier. The dichotomy for 2023 was between goods price deflation of -.5% and services price inflation of 3.9%. So where does this all leave us? T

his was the last major inflation data point prior to the FOMC meeting on 3/20, so the Fed is leaving rates unchanged in March, most likely the same (as of now) in May, with about a 50/50 chance for a rate cut in June. The bond market, fed futures, and the Fed’s own dot plots are estimating 75 bps of rate cuts by the end of the year.

Links mentioned in this episode: TheDCToday.com DividendCafe.com TheBahnsenGroup.com

Today's Post - https://bahnsen.co/3SZYlea

The sectors that have historically performed the best following a rising Real Fed Funds rate in the past have been defensives like Staples, Utilities and Energy. The latter is obviously subject to commodity volatility in WTI, but its worth noting the strong out performance in Q4 results in Staples. We have exposure based on the bottom up fundamentals we like, but if there were also a part of the market to be watched with a contrarian lens as breadth shifts from tech elsewhere, these are on my list.

Links mentioned in this episode: TheDCToday.com DividendCafe.com TheBahnsenGroup.com

Today's Post - https://bahnsen.co/3TeiRcu

A bit of a mixed day in markets with the Dow closing off its lows for the day down 96 points. The treasury raised $46B in seven year paper with a bid to cover ratio in the mid fifteens versus the thirteens where it has been (meaning there more buyers).

I suppose if the big news in Asia today was a ‘hotter’ inflation read at 2% in Japan with 10 year government bonds rising to their highest yield since 2011 at an eye popping .165%, its no wonder this auction near 4.32% cleared with more demand. Capital will always flow around the world where it is most rewarded and with attractive economic fundamentals and positive real yields, its why the US Dollar is nearing its 2020 pandemic apex and trading 17% above its historical average versus trading peers. Short term, this can make US exports more expensive which can slow growth, and also further trade imbalance as we already import more things then we export, but its a net positive long term. Tomorrows trade balance figures may reveal more there

Links mentioned in this episode: TheDCToday.com DividendCafe.com TheBahnsenGroup.com

Today's Post - https://bahnsen.co/3Iya6nH

Financial markets have absorbed the $1.5 trillion (or so) of quantitative tightening thus far quite well, but reverse repos were at high levels, and bank reserves (and money market liquidity) were not challenged. Will the Fed press more QT when RRP’s hit zero? Color me skeptical.

Links mentioned in this episode: TheDCToday.com DividendCafe.com TheBahnsenGroup.com

Today's Post - https://bahnsen.co/3uNB8E7

History was made this week, and no, I am not talking about DA Jack McCoy retiring after 400 episodes on Law & Order, but rather the Japanese Nikkei closing at 39,098 on Wednesday night, its highest close in history, surpassing the previous closing high … which was (wait for it) … December 29, 1989. Yes, almost 35 years ago the Nikkei closed at 38,916, and finally re-reached and exceeded that level this week. It gives new meaning to the expression “buy and hold.”

But beyond the statistical and numerical takeaways of what may seem like a distant story unrelated to the plight of American investors, the tale of modern finance embedded in the last four decades of Japanese economic life is one for the ages. It has been a mild obsession of mine for many years, and I fully intend to finish a deeper white paper on the entire saga in the years to come. But today is not that white paper, as exciting for your insomnia as that prospect may be. Rather, I want to provide a succinct look at the history of what happened and what a key, if not the key, takeaway of the whole thing is for American investors.

Jump on in to the Dividend Cafe, and let’s pretend we left off in the mid-1980’s, in a very different time than we find ourselves today, Yet in many ways, perhaps not that different at all.

Links mentioned in this episode: TheDCToday.com DividendCafe.com TheBahnsenGroup.com

Today's Post - https://bahnsen.co/3OUiHEJ

A big rally day today across the board, but particularly in technology stocks primarily fueled by AI euphoria. I honestly, can’t remember a time when the point move in the Nasdaq was almost on par with that of the Dow, up X and X respectively in what is more and more feeling like 1999. Japan however, is feeling more and more like 1989, closing at an all time high today surpassing its market peak of 12/12/1989, about a month after the fall of the Berlin wall when instead of trading stocks I was trading baseball cards. You read that right, it has taken the Nikkei 34 years to regain a new height following of the largest asset bubbles in the modern era. Do valuations matter? Yes, indeed they do.

Links mentioned in this episode: TheDCToday.com DividendCafe.com TheBahnsenGroup.com

Today's Post - https://bahnsen.co/3T6zpmI

We began the day positive at least for the few hours and lost momentum mid day. The Fed minutes released today showed broad agreement in the need for more confidence for inflation moving to a sustained 2% target before decreasing rates. While this wasn’t new information and followed what Powell already revealed in statement and his press conference following the meeting, the minutes showed more Fed constituents citing inflation risks with as their primary concern then overly restrictive rate policy, and that is what saw rates move a little higher this afternoon and stocks lower.

Links mentioned in this episode: TheDCToday.com DividendCafe.com TheBahnsenGroup.com

Today's Post - https://bahnsen.co/48o28b5

I love this long-form DC Today and I love writing all the things that go into it. A Monday holiday weekend just gives me even more time and space so hopefully all the things today fill your cup.

Dividend Cafe went into the mailbag and provided some key economic definitions, some commentary on the Fed, a better understanding of capital spending, alternative investments, and even a reference to Steve Martin. Lots of great questions with succinct, understandable answers!

Links mentioned in this episode: TheDCToday.com DividendCafe.com TheBahnsenGroup.com

Today's Post - https://bahnsen.co/42K4tM5

Greetings from beautiful Palm Beach, Florida, where by the time you are getting this, I will have left my fourth Floridian city in five days and returned to New York City. It has been a whirlwind of a week in markets, in the data, in the political scene, in the weather, and in Florida speaking. But this week we took a whirlwind of questions covering a lot of topics and did a special “mailbag” Dividend Cafe. As always, the questions cover a lot of topics, and as always, the answers are meant to be succinct, direct, and clear. I love corresponding with your questions and I hope the wide audience of Dividend Cafe finds these questions (and answers) useful.

This week we cover some inflation/deflation vocabulary, even bringing back vital words like velocity and Japanification. We evaluate the way the BLS covers the hilarity of social media “influencers.” We look at what the Fed should be doing in the world they have created. And really, so much more!

Always feel free to reach out with questions of your own, and in the meantime, jump on into the Dividend Cafe.

Links mentioned in this episode: TheDCToday.com DividendCafe.com TheBahnsenGroup.com

Today's Post - https://bahnsen.co/4bySeX3

A consistently positive trading day in markets from start to finish, with the Dow closing at the highs for the day up 348 points. Yields have also settled in the last few sessions, which, as Tuesday’s knee-jerk move higher, gets normalized. Both the Empire and Philadelphia manufacturing index numbers came in meaningfully above expectations, and jobless claims also beat, so a few good data points in economic fundamentals.

We did get a second quarter of contracting GDP for Q4 out for both the UK and Japan, indicating recessions in both countries. Japan has now lost its third-place spot on the global GDP stage to Germany, falling to fourth. I mentioned this a few quarters ago, but it will be very difficult for central banks to stick to higher interest rates in slower-growth areas of the world. Stagflation will be something to watch in some of these areas if unemployment rises faster than inflation falls, but either way, rate cuts are soon to follow.

Links mentioned in this episode: TheDCToday.com DividendCafe.com TheBahnsenGroup.com

Today's Post - https://bahnsen.co/49ia3bk

A more productive day in markets today following yesterdays sell off with with the SP500 regaining the 5,000 level and bond yields giving back some of yesterdays back up in rates. As expected, internals yesterday were quite negative at -13 to 1 on the advance/decline ratio, but without credit spreads even budging, we move on. For what its worth, in a meeting with House members following the inflation release yesterday, Powell mentioned that the CPI data was consistent with what they had expected.

Moving back to actual fundamentals that matter more to me, with over two thirds of Q4 earnings season completed we are tracking a 9% growth rate for the SP500 on the year, with a few more percentage points to the upside by the time its all said and done. Hard to see issues in that, and margins are holding in nicely at 16.7% with another 10% of earnings growth expected for 2024. I do think the latter ends up getting revised lower, but it remains a positive backdrop nonetheless.

Links mentioned in this episode: TheDCToday.com DividendCafe.com TheBahnsenGroup.com

Today's Post -https://bahnsen.co/49ze1fb

The big news today and cause for the market volatility was the latest read on inflation, with both Headline and Core CPI coming in one-tenth higher than expected (you read that right, above expectations by just one-tenth for the month). There were words thrown around like ‘hot’ inflation and a ‘spike’ in treasury yields circulated around the media to sensationalize it, and I am not at all making light of a down 524 point market day, but truth be told, while we are seeing a continued path of disinflation in this country, that path was never going to be a straight line. Keep in mind here as well that we came into today with 14 of the last 15 weeks to the upside by roughly 20% in stocks and a five-handle S&P 500 starting point. That long streak has only happened five times in history since 1928, with the last time being some 52 years ago.

Suffice it today, with a complacent VIX coming into today’s number, we were also frankly due for some of this sell-off. As one would have expected, yields moved higher across the curve on the day, with the 10YR closing up 15bps at 4.32%. We did come off the intra-day lows heading into the close, but a lot of this move felt overdone to me (both in yields and stocks.

Links mentioned in this episode: TheDCToday.com DividendCafe.com TheBahnsenGroup.com

Today's Post - https://bahnsen.co/42ztxFL

Greetings from the sunshine state of Florida, where I will be all week (different cities each day of the week) seeing clients, talking about the new book, and speaking to a very large symposium of fellow financial advisors. And thank you to all of you who gave such helpful feedback and encouragement on the DC Today weekly program! Brian and I both really appreciate it!

The Dividend Cafe on Friday looked at the relevance of work to our understanding of economics. It mixed in an updated thought on modern portfolio theory, and it concluded with a comparison of 2024 to 1999.

Links mentioned in this episode: TheDCToday.com DividendCafe.com TheBahnsenGroup.com

Today's Post - https://bahnsen.co/42BoynY

It’s been a whirlwind of a week, and today is going to be a whirlwind of a Dividend Cafe. I came into my writing this morning with two or three topics to choose between, and I settled on “all of the above, plus several more.” I’ll leave the introduction short so we can get right into it. Between earnings season, a certain crux in the geopolitical moment, potential (likely?) new tax legislation, a modest market re-pricing of revised Fed expectations, some company considerations in our own portfolio management, and a pleading of the case for a “full-time” work mentality, there has been a lot going on at Team Bahnsen, and there is a lot in today’s Dividend Cafe … Let’s jump in!

Links mentioned in this episode: TheDCToday.com DividendCafe.com TheBahnsenGroup.com

Today's Post - https://bahnsen.co/42FOvmj

Stocks rose modestly again today as we flirted with a five handle milestone on the SP500 intra day but closed just two points below. We are up 13 of the last 14 weeks, which is technically the longest streak since 1986. Good thing there wasn’t volatility the following October (joking aside 87’ still closed higher on the year believe it or not). All said, earnings have been quite good, the Fed is on hold for now with the next move lower rather than higher, employment and GDP are quite good, and inflation is subsiding, so the path of least resistance has been higher.

Elsewhere, with year over year decline in CPI out today the slowdown in China post pandemic has been one that few, if any, predicted. After decades of record economic growth aided by a rapidly expanding population and industrialization, growth has been slowing. There isn’t anything different about this playing out in China as it did in Europe and then the US mind you, it just happened faster because of technology and productivity being more advanced than in previous periods. Demographics in the country have also begun to shift. Today, 18% of the population is over the age of 60, and by the year 2032 over 32% will be, which will surpass that of the US. This isn’t to say there isn’t growth in China, it still grew GDP by 5.2% last year, but would you like to guess what the 30 year annual compounded return in the market has been there? -2.1% per year or about zero including dividends.

Links mentioned in this episode: TheDCToday.com DividendCafe.com TheBahnsenGroup.com

Today's Post - https://bahnsen.co/42zrukM

A consistently positive trading day in markets today without a lot of new economic data out, but I suppose no news is good news, so we’ll take it. We did have a widening trade deficit data released today roughly in line with expectations but I am intentionally keeping this intro short and sweet today to tee up the more meaty sections in the this podcast.

Links mentioned in this episode: TheDCToday.com DividendCafe.com TheBahnsenGroup.com

Today's Post - https://bahnsen.co/4bqijHA

Markets traded modestly higher following global markets, particularly China, where broad indices closed higher by over 3%. Markets in China have given up over $7T in market value since peaking in March of 2021, and last night’s move had less to do with actual news than I think it just did with an oversold bounce on potential stimulus. I do suspect there will be more from the government there to stimulate the economy and a severely over-levered real estate market sooner rather than later.

Slower growth in China, means less Yuan to recycle back in US Treasuries, as that share of ownership continues to decline. There are still plenty of long-dated liabilities that need to be funded domestically with pensions and insurance companies and the like, but the supply this year will be massive with $8.9T in maturing Treasuries. Add on another $1T or more in deficits, and we will need to see over $10T absorbed in markets this year. This, along with the fact that government interest payments have already doubled from $350B in 2021 to now $700B, just has me skeptical that the Fed will continue to sell $60B a month with QT for a whole lot longer.

It was less of a data-driven market day, other than a host of Fed President comments, which I will sum up to effectively ‘…yeah, what he said…’ reiterating Powell’s Fed policy comments last week about more time needed with rates.

Links mentioned in this episode: TheDCToday.com DividendCafe.com TheBahnsenGroup.com

Today's Post - https://bahnsen.co/3HOoQy5

I am very excited to announce a few things going on with the DC Today …

First, we’ll start with the changes coming to the Monday edition of DC Today: None. I will continue writing and recording the Monday DC Today every week and will continue doing so in the “format” you see below (which follows the template from the old “COVID and Markets” days for you nostalgic types – be safe, be well, be free – and has been the Monday template throughout the history of DC Today). I enjoy doing this. I use a lot of weekend morning time pre-sun to do the writing. And Mondays before our weekly Investment Committee meeting commences don’t have the morning workload other days do. I will continue to make the time Monday afternoons to record the DC Today podcast and video, as well. So Monday stays as is and you’re stuck with me.

Links mentioned in this episode: TheDCToday.com DividendCafe.com TheBahnsenGroup.com

Today's Post - https://bahnsen.co/47Xsqk9

The Federal Open Market Committee of the Federal Reserve met this week for their scheduled meeting and announced that … wait for it … they were not doing anything with interest rates. The market knew this was coming – futures have had a 100% chance of no increase or decrease in the Fed Funds rate at the January meeting for months – but markets went down -300 points after Fed chair, Jerome Powell, gave his customary press conference. The bond market went way up as yields dropped. And sure enough stocks caught up to bonds the very next day as the Dow jumped +370 points.

Maybe this sounds to you like a lot of drama for one or two market days when everyone already knew what was going to happen, and you would be right. But the question that many are asking is – if it doesn’t matter, why does it matter? In other words, why is market volatility so high and press attention so high about when the Fed will begin cutting rates? Maybe traders do dumb and speculative things but why do traders care about this so much? Why not focus on more important short term betting odds, like whether or not Travis and Taylor are going to get married?

In this week’s Dividend Cafe we explore the question of, “well, does it matter?” And to understand if it matters or not what the Fed does, we may want to understand what they do, exactly.

This is a good one. So jump on in to the Dividend Cafe.

Links mentioned in this episode: TheDCToday.com DividendCafe.com TheBahnsenGroup.com

Today's Post - https://bahnsen.co/3SoXYtv

Welcome to the first day of February, and a 29 day leap year one at that. The Dow completely rebounded from yesterdays sell off in stocks, and the bond market has now had two big day of gains in a row with rates moving significantly lower across the curve. The Fed holding rates unchanged yesterday was expected, but the comments of a March rate cut not being the Feds base case until they see more supportive data is what moved markets.

Two quick points: The dot plots of where the FOMC sees rates by year end was unchanged following the meeting and 2-Yr treasury yields moving lower by 17 basis points in two days rather than higher isn’t a vote of confidence from the bond market its buying it at all. The reality is that economic data continues to be stronger than expected which is allowing them to take their time on easing policy, but markets are pricing it in advance anyway (as they always do). Speaking of stronger than expected economic data, there was a fair amount today with both productivity and ISM manufacturing data both beating expectations

Links mentioned in this episode: TheDCToday.com DividendCafe.com TheBahnsenGroup.com

Today's Post - https://bahnsen.co/4bhe01g

The Fed today did as expected, which was nothing, leaving rates in tact for what has now become a six-month pause. Chairman Powell reiterated the unlikelihood of a rate cut in March (more on that in a moment). Markets sold off with the Nasdaq especially getting pummeled (but it was already down over -1% on the day before the announcement. BUT, bond yields COLLAPSED, with yields dropping significantly making it a rare day (in the last year or so) where bonds rallied huge and stocks sold off quite a bit.

The Fed futures moved down to 35% for a rate cut in March but I have to say that is shocking. I would have thought they would go to 0% (okay, more like 10%) with the Fed Chair kind of saying they are not cutting yet. My best guess is enough actors in the market just believe the inflation data will come in so improved and economic data will come in so questionable between now and March 20 that the Fed will change their minds.

Links mentioned in this episode: TheDCToday.com DividendCafe.com TheBahnsenGroup.com

Today's Post - https://bahnsen.co/3HB81Xw

A pretty boring day in markets with the Dow up and Nasdaq down.

A lot of eyes are on what is coming next in the Middle East after the horrific murder of American lives over the weekend. Oil prices so far are not responding with any panic.

Microsoft and Google each release results after hours today. They are big companies, you may have heard.

Earnings growth of +4.9% (year-over-year) is expected this earnings season from an expectation of +2.7% y/y revenue growth. We are barely at 25% of companies having reported so far so we will do a better assessment of how this is tracking after each of the next two weeks.

Links mentioned in this episode: TheDCToday.com DividendCafe.com TheBahnsenGroup.com

Today's Post - https://bahnsen.co/48OKdeA

Ask David “What is the best argument for why the distributed independent decisions of individuals, families, and businesses create more beneficial outcomes for most people than the top-down, centralized decisions of government, especially the federal government?” ~ David K.

My argument is one of incentives and one of knowledge. These are two different arguments, even if they do overlap at points. Fundamentally, I believe better outcomes take place when the decision-makers reap benefits from their decisions and when decision-makers feel pain from bad decisions. I do not believe “disinterested third parties” (Thomas Sowell’s term) have the incentives to allocate and adjudicate risk and reward the way those with “skin in the game” do.

But beyond the classical incentive argument, I am very much a believer in what Friedrich Hayek referred to as the “knowledge problem.” Knowledge is widely dispersed throughout a society and no central entity possesses the knowledge needed to properly steward the affairs of a diverse economy. I read the masterful essay, The Use of Knowledge in Society, by Friedrich Hayek while in high school. It was the beginning of a lifetime journey for me through Hayekian thought, particularly around Hayek’s thesis of the “fatal conceit” of central planners.

Links mentioned in this episode: TheDCToday.com DividendCafe.com TheBahnsenGroup.com

Today's Post - https://bahnsen.co/3OkKhL0

I did something fun today …  I just picked random topics from various things on my mind, in my daily reading, or across my research feed – sort of stream of consciousness – and wrote about them.  Therefore, I suspect there will be a little something for everyone today.  Hopefully, each portion is “bite-sized” enough to make it all succinct and readable, and I certainly appreciate any feedback you have to offer.  In fact, I am considering something like this in the daily DC Today (where I would write my own piece every day on whatever topic I am so inspired by that day, and let Brian run with the daily data recap).  It's all a work in progress and your comments are welcome.

And in the meantime, let's jump into the Dividend Cafe - bite-sized variety and all ...

Links mentioned in this episode: TheDCToday.com DividendCafe.com TheBahnsenGroup.com

Today's Post - https://bahnsen.co/48LulK1

An overall positive trading day without a lot of volatility behind what was a pretty decent batch of economic data. The Dow was up well over 200 points, and the S&P 500 notched a sixth day of gains. We had the first read on Q4 GDP come in significantly higher than expected at 3.3%, with the consumer powering almost two percent of it. Both durable goods orders and jobless claims came in just enough below expectations that bonds also rallied, with the 10 YR down six basis points.

Links mentioned in this episode: TheDCToday.com DividendCafe.com TheBahnsenGroup.com

Today's Post - https://bahnsen.co/48MsRiD

We experienced positive market sentiment throughout the morning until approximately 10:30 AM, driven by better-than-expected PMI data in both services and manufacturing. It’s noteworthy that typically, indications of economic expansion don’t lead to a decline in stocks. However, despite four days of gains on the Dow, the news of improving economic data led to a loss of some early morning momentum. This occurred on a day of relatively uneventful trading as interest rates edged slightly higher.

One key metric closely monitored by the Federal Reserve, The Taylor Rule, suggests that the Fed Funds Rate should currently be approximately 1% lower at 4.5%. Looking ahead, futures indicate a balanced probability for a rate cut in March. However, there is a significant amount of economic data expected between now and then that could influence this outlook. As previously mentioned, it wouldn’t be surprising if there were more discussions in March about the conclusion of Quantitative Tightening (QT), potentially easing financial conditions and essentially resembling a rate cut.

Links mentioned in this episode: TheDCToday.com DividendCafe.com TheBahnsenGroup.com

Today's Post - https://bahnsen.co/47R5iUm

A short and sweet market recap today as earnings season launches further.

Small cap seems to have bounced well since its rough patch to start the year. Bitcoin has dropped -20% since its peak in the midst of ETF approval.

I was on set at Fox this morning with the chair of the House Ways and Means Committee, Jason Smith. The 40-3 vote on this tax bill was shocking to me, and it sure seems to foreshadow a comeback of some of the most stimulative parts of the Trump tax bill that previously went away.

Links mentioned in this episode: TheDCToday.com DividendCafe.com TheBahnsenGroup.com

Today's Post - https://bahnsen.co/42bAxYY

Earnings seasons gets a lot more intense this week (and next). All the info around the horn on the normal categories is here in today’s DC Today.

Links mentioned in this episode: TheDCToday.com DividendCafe.com TheBahnsenGroup.com

Today's Post - https://bahnsen.co/3O8BRpX

I love these “question and answer” editions of the Dividend Cafe. I should say that 100% of the questions that appear are always completely real, from actual readers, reflecting different things on your mind across a variety of topics related to markets and the economy. Today, we get to talk about what it means for markets to “price things in,” about gold, about government debt, about dividend growth, and so much more. It is digestible, succinct, easy, comprehensible, and it is about as much fun as one can have in weekend reading.

Let’s jump into the Dividend Cafe …

Links mentioned in this episode: TheDCToday.com DividendCafe.com TheBahnsenGroup.com

Today's Post - https://bahnsen.co/3vIRb6n

A positive morning of trading in markets gave way to losses mid-day, only to gain it all back and then some as we headed towards the close, ending up 200 points. Interestingly, the correlation between rates and stocks today actually moved together with both rising, where the opposite has been the case much of this year. 10’s are moving further into four handle territory up to 4.14% as rates crept back up today with a stronger jobless claim number. We are at about a 54% chance on futures for a March rate cut at this point.

We are still early in earnings season, but it has been notable that while 92% of companies reported thus far have exceeded expectations, 58% of them have actually traded lower on the news. A combination of some exuberance over lower rates this year coming out of markets and just some general consolidation after the year-end run-up seems to be at play. I find this consolidation healthy, and with an advance decline ratio only back to -3:1, I doubt we have seen the last of it. More in the link below.

Links mentioned in this episode: TheDCToday.com DividendCafe.com TheBahnsenGroup.com

Today's Post - https://bahnsen.co/47HzpgS

Markets have stayed in what is pretty much a buyer’s strike this month, as no violent sell-off has been forthcoming, but down days have piled up in advance of the heart of earnings season and with several Fed governors trying to modestly re-frame expectations. Odds of a March rate hike have come down a bit but still remain the most likely view in futures markets. This noise was, if you recall, a highly predictable and overrated theme as discussed in our Year Ahead piece for 2024.

China’s economy grew +5.2% annualized in Q4 vs. +5.3% expected. The jobless rate sits around +5.1%. Most importantly, they indicated their third consecutive quarter of consumer price deflation (longest streak in 25 years). Did I mention this, too, was a huge theme in our Year Ahead piece for 2024?

I was intrigued to see this morning that about 60% of BB and B+ rated high yield bonds are now trading above par value (it was around 20% just six months ago). That is an extraordinary rally in credit that is clearly a by-product of improved financial conditions (i.e. expectations for greater liquidity and easier access to and cost of capital).

Retail sales for December exceeded expectations (shocked!) as core sales jumped +0.8% month-over-month. Online sales closed the year up +7% from the year prior, and across food/beverage/clothing there was meaningful increase on the month and year, even above what had been forecast.

I expect the biggest public policy issue over the next thirty days to be a Ukraine deal tied to U.S. border security and likely tied to Israel support funds as well. The challenges to getting this done are immense.

Links mentioned in this episode: TheDCToday.com DividendCafe.com TheBahnsenGroup.com

Today's Post - https://bahnsen.co/3vEgA0Y

Ask David “What is your view about investing in the Indian economy since it appears to have the potential for considerable growth and is not hampered by the regulations of the CCP?” ~ Al

On one hand, India is the highest country allocation in our emerging markets strategy. On the other hand, that is not really “investing in the Indian economy” as much as it is investing in “companies that happen to be based in India.” The domestic market strength is a huge factor, but it is really more of a bottom-up than top-down decision. We are not looking for good countries but rather good companies.

Links mentioned in this episode: TheDCToday.com DividendCafe.com TheBahnsenGroup.com

Today's Post - https://bahnsen.co/48Sg4um

Before I get into this week’s wild fun Dividend Cafe on the subject of government debt, I want to make sure I do one final push around the Year Ahead, Year Behind White Paper that we published last Monday. Because of its depth and length, I imagine some of you printed the chart-filled PDF and plan to digest it this weekend. So don’t worry – if today’s Dividend Cafe is coming on top of your white paper reading, I assure you the data I cover this week about our fiscal position in America will not be going stale in the days ahead!

But now we re-dive into the standard Friday routine of our weekly Dividend Cafe. And this week’s is a very cheery one, if you are cheered up by massive government spending and debt (hey, “we’re all Keynesians now,” right?). A fundamental component of our macroeconomic view going out ten years and longer is a belief in an internal tension in the American economy – that is, the extraordinary engine of growth and innovation that the greatest Western democracy the world has ever seen is and has been for 250 years, VERSUS the significant headwinds for growth created by excessive government indebtedness. The story is more nuanced than that, and I will get into those nuances and more in this week’s Dividend Cafe.

Don’t think of this week’s Dividend Cafe as a position paper on how to solve for the national debt. It is not a policy paper, but rather a reaffirmation presentation of the state of affairs. Let’s jump into the Dividend Cafe!

Links mentioned in this episode: TheDCToday.com DividendCafe.com TheBahnsenGroup.com

Today's Post - https://bahnsen.co/3NYiJuG

Volatility came down and markets were flat as a pancake as we got inflation numbers that were in line with Core CPI and then just barely above on Headline by a tenth for the month. Rates moved higher initially but came off during the day with 10’s down six basis points and the curve steepening a little.  I have more on CPI below and in the podcast, but markets feeling better or worse over a tenth different than expected on CPI each month is one thing but the trend is so blatantly going in the right direction with annualized CPI over the past three months now below the feds 2% target at 1.77%,  I just don’t think it’s material at this point.  Fed futures by the way agree and were unchanged on the day still at a 65% chance for a March rate cut.

Links mentioned in this episode: TheDCToday.com DividendCafe.com TheBahnsenGroup.com

Today's Post - https://bahnsen.co/4aN8tiB

An up day for markets across the board.

The drama on the SEC/bitcoin ETF deal moved today. Yesterday it was that they had approved a bitcoin ETF as expected, and bitcoin prices fell. But then they announced that, no, they had not approved it (yet), and the announcement was from a “hack.” Uh-huh. Then the chairman of the SEC took to Twitter to announce that people investing in crypto should “be cautious” due to “serious risks involved.” And today they approved the ETF exactly as had been reported yesterday.

I was on Varney this morning talking wealth tax, Wall Street’s view of government spending, and dividend thoughts.

Links mentioned in this episode: TheDCToday.com DividendCafe.com TheBahnsenGroup.com

Today's Post -https://bahnsen.co/4aPFc6P

Yesterday we released our annual white paper recapping all that was the year behind and all of our perspective and themes for the year ahead. We welcome you to send it far and wide, distributing it anywhere you’d wish. It is an important part of our annual process and I am proud of this year’s product, and grateful to all in my production and design teams who helped make it happen.

Because we devoted Monday to this special Dividend Cafe white paper I have run today’s Tuesday edition as if it were Monday, except, you know, with Tuesday market info (I’m not that dumb as to use yesterday’s market data).

Off we go …

Links mentioned in this episode: TheDCToday.com DividendCafe.com TheBahnsenGroup.com

Today's Post - https://bahnsen.co/41UHaPl

Over the numerous years dedicated to this annual project, it has been a rewarding journey and continues to be one of my most cherished endeavors. I derive great satisfaction from the research, narrative crafting, and the sense of responsibility it instills. I sincerely hope you find value in this year's retrospective and prospective white paper. Brace yourself for an exciting year ahead!

Links mentioned in this episode: TheDCToday.com DividendCafe.com TheBahnsenGroup.com

Today's Post - https://bahnsen.co/3Oe52YT

Generally positive markets this morning lost momentum throughout the trading day with the Dow closing completely flat and both the S&P 500 and Nasdaq down a pinch. Yields were up on the day, with the 10-year back to just under 4%, and Fed futures starting to show a little less conviction on a rate cut in March (albeit still at a 64% chance). We had some better-than-expected payroll numbers today, and with slightly lower new Job openings yesterday are slowly but surely seeing a supply imbalance normalization in employment. We have roughly 162MM people currently employed in this country, with another 8.8MM new job openings posted, so call about 171MM on the demand side. The current US labor force is roughly 168MM, so while not perfectly matched (still more demand), it is getting there and what the Fed wants to see.

Links mentioned in this episode: TheDCToday.com DividendCafe.com TheBahnsenGroup.com

Today's Post - https://bahnsen.co/3RMxbqz

A second down day in the new year, and of course two days isn’t a trend but frankly after nine consecutive positive weeks in markets, some consolidation and back filling is healthy and welcome. I do hope you all are feeling as refreshed and recharged after your Holiday time with family and friends as I am, and while there was less Christmas snow in Utah then I would have liked, there is plenty of fresh market data for us to go through today.

While 2023 saw an outperformance of growth over value, as it essentially just recouped what it lost the year prior, its interesting to note the recent shift the other way. From the lows of late October, the SP500 rallied 17%, but the equal weighted index outperformed large cap tech by a shocking 5% with a rotation to value. As David mentioned this morning on CNBC, starting point valuations can be critical for investor outcomes. With an average estimate for earnings in 2024 at $244 a share, the SP500 trades at 20X earnings. Equal weighted, you get something closer to 16X and some of this recent rotation appears cognizant of those other sectors offering better relative value. Could this continue? Well, while markets were meaningfully higher last year, the largest flows still went to money market funds at +$1.34T, which now hold a stunning $5.87T of cash (aka dry powder).

Links mentioned in this episode: TheDCToday.com DividendCafe.com TheBahnsenGroup.com

Today's Post - https://bahnsen.co/3NNxO27

This is a tough DC Today to write because I have to resist every temptation to start doing my “year behind” review or “year ahead” projections now. I am deep into the writing and preparation of that annual endeavor and I am really hopeful that the final product will be informative and profitable for all of you. In the meantime I am back from my Christmas week away with my family and excited that 2024 is here. This annual “white paper” I am in seclusion working on will be out this MONDAY, the 8th, as a special release Dividend Cafe. As I read, research, and write over the next three days in between sessions of hanging upside down in my closet, Brian Szytel will take on the Wednesday and Thursday DC Today task.

2024 started off with more of a 2022 vibe than a 2023 one as the Nasdaq dropped -1.63% and the Dow rose a tad.

Links mentioned in this episode: TheDCToday.com DividendCafe.com TheBahnsenGroup.com

Today's Post - https://bahnsen.co/41vu6Qo

It is the end of 2023 and we are entering the Christmas weekend. I am off to a land far away with my family and am looking forward to spending the holidays in the snow. The calendar year for markets still has a week to go (with the exception of Christmas Day on Monday), and by this time next week we will have brought 2023 to a close. I will avoid saying anything else due to the never-ending superstition that us money managers live with regarding our ability to make things worse by daring to say something prematurely. Let’s put it this way … I went to the Duke game at Madison Square Garden with my son on Wednesday night and Duke (my college basketball love since 1990) was up by 11 points with eight seconds to go. My 13-year old son was celebrating the win and I scolded him – “it’s not over, son!” You know – that famous 11-point play – what can I say. Better safe than sorry.

Anyways, I thought it appropriate as we approach the end of the year to reaffirm some of the truly evergreen realities of dividend growth investing. Not only am I committed to dedicating one Dividend Cafe per quarter to this subject (minimally) but I also believe this final 2023 edition ought to address some really important realities in the present state of markets and our investing philosophy brought to life. It is incomprehensibly fun for me to write on this subject. This subject is embedded in my being.

Links mentioned in this episode: TheDCToday.com DividendCafe.com TheBahnsenGroup.com

Today's Post - https://bahnsen.co/41AnBfi

Markets rallied today after their sell-off yesterday, moving up +322 points on the Dow. Some of yesterday’s heightened downside does appear to be related to zero-day option expirations, something so silly, stupid, and complex that I will spare you all the details.

Links mentioned in this episode: TheDCToday.com DividendCafe.com TheBahnsenGroup.com

Today's Post - https://bahnsen.co/47gk0nS

A quiet day of trading as markets head towards the Christmas holiday on Monday and things slow down.

The US is one of many countries where inflation readings and projections are being reduced. The UK had a much lower-than-expected November inflation reading yesterday at 3.9% y/y versus a 4.3% expected and down from 4.6% the month prior. Not surprisingly, Gilt yields moved dramatically lower, and futures were priced in 150 bps of BOE rate cuts next year.

PPI data in Germany today was also below expectations. While the ECB noted it would maintain rates where they were last week, I expect that narrative to change next year if we continue to see numbers like this, especially once the US starts cutting. Global central bank policy, as does trade and currencies, tends to be tethered—this and more in today's video podcast.

Links mentioned in this episode: TheDCToday.com DividendCafe.com TheBahnsenGroup.com

Today's Post - https://bahnsen.co/47VBffb

Today saw risk assets rally yet again with the Dow closing at another all-time high.

It is interesting to see health care as the sector holding the defensives and lower beta names down. Consumer Staples and Real Estate have broken out a bit and Utilities have at least awakened, but Health Care has been the laggard.

The Bank of Japan extended its policy of negative interest rates (it has been seven years now, for those counting), though most believe they will hike the policy rate up to 0% in 2024. The Yen remains quite weak against the dollar.

Oil is down $20 from where it was in September (note, that was before the Hamas attack on Israel on October 7). The VIX is at $12.50, pretty close to the lowest it has been in five years, Credit spreads have tightened by 60 basis points just in the investment grade side, with high yield spreads tightening a full percentage point (and that is basically since Halloween). It would be hard to make up a series of data points that reflect a more favorable sentiment for risk assets than this.

Links mentioned in this episode: TheDCToday.com DividendCafe.com TheBahnsenGroup.com

Today's Post - https://bahnsen.co/3NuO33W

When one buys stock in the secondary market they are buying from Mr. Jones and Mrs. Smith, and the money is not getting to the company – that is correct. But there is a very important thing being missed when one concludes that therefore no money is being productively deployed. Namely, the existence of a secondary market is why a public market can raise money to begin with for primary productive purposes. When investors buy equity in a company that does go to the company for growth capital, productive use, etc., they do so with the knowledge, intent, and awareness that the money is going into a liquid, secondary market. That reality impacts the attraction of capital and it impacts the valuation of capital. Take away the ability for Mr. Smith to sell to Mrs. Jones, and you take away the marketplace for BIG INVESTOR to invest directly in BIG COMPANY.

Supplementally, many times companies are doing secondary offerings in the public market where money is coming straight to the company. And finally, dividends are paid to investors who often do directly productive things with them. Where do these dividends come from? The productive profit-making activities of the underling company. Rinse and repeat.

Links mentioned in this episode: TheDCToday.com DividendCafe.com TheBahnsenGroup.com

Today's Post - https://bahnsen.co/3TrUXux

I did a Dividend Cafe exactly six months ago about housing, focusing then on the duel economic and cultural reality of what was going on in the housing market. I think another six months gone by is a pretty good amount of time to now re-address this vital subject in American life. Housing is, for some, a crucial part of their economic story. Even for those smart enough not to think of their house as a “retirement asset” it is still a crucial economic consideration. Almost everyone I have ever met needs a place to live, and the ones I met who did not had very odd theories on the JFK assassination. Very few people own an asset with as much leverage attached to it as their home (assuming one puts 20% down they are 4-to-1 levered on the purchase; imagine buying $1 million of stock and only paying $200,000 for it). Housing costs (monthly) from rent or mortgage to property taxes and maintenance and insurance are the highest percentage of the monthly outflow of nearly every single family in America (even many who do not have a mortgage).

Beyond the economic reality of housing, from the silly (it is an “investment”) to the practical (it cost money to live somewhere), there is a deeply personal reality to housing, including for yours truly. People make memories in houses, they associate periods of their life with where they live, and they form families and social connectivity around houses. And even with all the suburban model has done in a postmodern culture to undermine community, many people’s “houses” are also part of their “neighborhoods” – a Tocquevillian concept we’d be wise to re-affirm. This subject matters.

So today in the Dividend Cafe I want to “check in” on the subject.

Links mentioned in this episode: TheDCToday.com DividendCafe.com TheBahnsenGroup.com

Today's Post - https://bahnsen.co/4aigyM6

Well, and there you have it – coming out of a global pandemic where the world shut down and reopened and supply chain disruption and pent-up demand caused 9% inflation, the Fed raised rates 525bps in one year, inflation fell back down without rising unemployment, the economy still grew, and as of yesterday, the Dow closed at an all-time high. I really don’t think, in all humility, there was anyone out there (including yours truly) that would have predicted all that. Now, there is still more time to go before I think you can officially fly the soft landing flags, but we are getting close after yesterday’s Fed meeting and statements.

Adding to that narrative, we had some encouraging retail sales and jobless claims data today that had markets higher again. Also, the good ole three handle 10yr is back! We closed below 4% today down another 11 bps at 3.91% on 10’s for the day. Does all this sound too good to be true? I assure you there are still plenty of things in the world to worry about, but my sense at this point, with a dearth of large economic data coming out before the year-end, is that we will head into the holidays feeling a little more merrier than we did last year. =)

Links mentioned in this episode: TheDCToday.com DividendCafe.com TheBahnsenGroup.com

Today's Post -https://bahnsen.co/46RNNmw

This may have been the least anticipated Fed Day in nearly two years, with the futures market serving up a 100% chance of no rate change ever since the last Fed meeting. That said, the Fed chair talking after a rate announcement always has the possibility of moving markets. Today, he moved markets. That he didn’t even remotely push back against market expectations for rate cuts next year was a surprise, but the dot plot actually showing three rate cuts in 2024 was a huge surprise. Now, I have been saying it for months, and fed futures have been forecasting it, so maybe this market response seems overdone – but for Jay Powell to just say it? Today was like reading a future history book.

I think it is important to note that the Fed Funds Futures are currently pricing in a 100% chance of a 100 basis point reduction (1%) in the Fed Funds Rate by this time next year. There is a 24% chance of it being down 1.25%, a 37% chance of it being down 1.50%, and a 26% chance of it being down 1.75% – all by next year. The most “hawkish” expectation is a 100 basis point cut.

All stock market indexes were up the SAME. And I am pretty much sure this was the biggest bond rally of my career in a single day, as the 2-year yield dropped THIRTY BASIS POINTS and the 10-year dropped EIGHTEEN BASIS POINTS. Ay yi yi.

Links mentioned in this episode: TheDCToday.com DividendCafe.com TheBahnsenGroup.com

Today's Post - https://bahnsen.co/3Nr4A93

A consistently positive trading day on this inflation-day-Tuesday. Both core and headline CPI came out largely in line with expectations and markets were constructive with stocks modestly higher and built on gains into the close and rates down just a few basis points. These numbers are coming out right in time for the December FOMC meeting to end tomorrow with a rate decision (which is at a 100% chance for a continued pause), Fed statement update and Powell presser following.

Continued broadening out in markets with more non mega cap technology names participating. Yesterday by the way, was the first time in over 10 years we had markets up broadly (including a positive Nasdaq) with all seven of the largest technology names (aka Magnificent Seven) all closing lower. Today we had more participation those names, but worth noting the subtle shift in leadership, particularly with Industrials.

A positive dynamic we have spoken about for years but particularly post the Russia/Ukraine conflict continues to play out in energy markets. For the month of November, 68% of all US LNG exports were sent to Europe which has now over taken Asia as the number one destination for US LNG exports. Just as tensions between US/China has begun to permanently shift supply chain manufacturing destinations globally, the EU shifting its reliance on Russia for its energy and heating needs isn’t likely to be temporary and is quite positive for the US energy dynamic.

Links mentioned in this episode: TheDCToday.com DividendCafe.com TheBahnsenGroup.com