BIBL News and Press, Inspire 100 From 04/05/21

Archegos provides yet another anecdote that the expansive global derivatives marketplace is at the epicenter of leverage and speculative excess. From numerous reports, it appears Archegos had fund equity of around $10 billion. Positions have been estimated in the range of $50 billion ...

Despite a weaker February, more forward-looking data remains robust and the economic growth outlook is strong. The concern that's developing is, of course, on inflation. We are likely to see a move higher in inflation in the near term. Strategas Chief Economist Don Rissmiller dive...

Consumer Confidence increased to its highest level since the onset of the pandemic in March 2020. The headline number of 109.7 was an increase of 19.3 from the final reading of 90.4 for February. This was above the Investing.com consensus of 96.9. For further details see: ...

The recent government bond yield spike has pressured tech stocks, yet we are still constructive on technology both on tactical and strategic horizons. The Federal Reserve made clear its intent to stay behind the curve on inflation, keeping short-term rates low for longer than they wou...

In the final accounting for real GDP for 2020, we're back to Goldilocks growth after a way-too-cold second quarter (-31.4%, annualized from the previous quarter) and a torrid third quarter (+33.4%). The fourth quarter was "just right," at +4.3%, up from February's 4.1% estimate. The m...

After a fire at a factory owned by Renesas Electronics, it will be at least a month before they can restart operations at their semi-conductor plant. As a result, Japanese auto manufacturers all sold off, since they will now likely have to further curtail production. The speed of Covi...

We just capped the first year off the Covid-19 bear market low, with the S&P 500 up ~75%. The best years for GDP and the economy aren't always reflected in stock market outperformance that specific year. Expecting great news on the economic front but more tepid market returns in t...

Political Calculations' initial estimate of median household income in February 2021 is $66,004, a reduction of $35 from the initial estimate of $66,039 for January 2021. This was the second month-over-month decline for median household income in the U.S. since the coronavirus recessi...

Stocks were more mixed last week, with large caps up and small caps down. Markets continue to trade on the expectation of a post-virus boom, but the economic data hasn't been on the same page recently. Perception is what drives markets. Through interest rates and exchange rates an...

In the latest report on February personal income and spending, January's 10% increase in income was followed by a -7.1% decrease. January's increase of 3.4% in spending was also partially reversed by a -1.0% decrease in February. Real personal income excluding government transfer ...