Turning the Page to 2024

Farewell and thank you to 2023 which exceeded almost everybody’s expectations after a dismal 2022 and predictions of a dire recession.  This blog was more positive than most, projecting a 5% to 10% gain for the S&P 500 vs. the actual price gain of 23.9%.  Now it’s on to 2024.  Let’s start with our quarterly … Read more

Reviewing the 3rd Quarter While Looking Ahead to Year-End

The third quarter of 2023 is now history.  The September effect overwhelmed mildly positive returns in July and August to submerge all six benchmark indexes we monitor quarterly into the red.  Although the order of best to worst varies among the six indexes, one commonality is having September as the worst historical month, both in … Read more

Re-Allocations of ETFs Under the Specter of Recession

With the S&P 500 now officially in bear market territory, a major specter hanging over the market right now is the prospect of recession.  Many experts say it is now inevitable.  Morningstar’s research legend John Rekenthaler explained in a column Thursday that this bear market does not necessarily portend a recession and I agree.  An underlying … Read more

How does DEF stack up against Consumer Staples ETFs?

About a month ago, this blog profiled the defensive qualities of the three largest ETFs representing the US Consumer Staples Sector.  One of our readers asked a logical question.  How did DEF, the Invesco Defensive Equity ETF, stack up against the sector ETFs?  After all, its objective of its rules-based methodology is to select companies … Read more

Defensive Sector ETFs for Turbulent Times

This week’s featured US equity ETFs, all focused on the US Consumer Staples Sector, are projected to outperform the market going forward. The similarities with last week’s blog end there.  These all get a more modest 4 (buy) recommendation.  Risk versus safety differentiate the last blog from this one. My last blog entry profiled ETF … Read more