The Cumberland Advisors Week in Review is a recap of news, commentary, and opinion from our team.

These are not revised assessments, and circumstances may have changed in the market from the time of original publication. We also include older commentaries that our editors have determined may be of interest to our audience. Your feedback is always welcome.

MATT MCALEER'S WEEKLY RECAP

As part of Cumberland Advisors' continuous effort to maintain strong customer relationships, we offer this week's short video discussing current market conditions and how we are positioning portfolios.

 

 

This week we talk about:
-The 10 & 30 year bonds - where they were and are now
-We like to look at the Utility Index - John explains
-We are playing "Defense" in Bonds
-John explains what it means for Cumberland to be defensive and our barbell strategy
-Different types of bonds have "life preservers" and John explains this
-Matt talks about the types of signals Cumberland Advisors pays attention to
-Leo Chen Ph.D.'s work is briefly discussed
-What are call buyers telling us?
-Is there too much optimism in the market?
-How about gold?

Watch in the video player above or at this link: https://youtu.be/b5zMJ62xwx4

Contact John Mousseau with any comments for him at: [email protected]

Have a great weekend and thank you for joining me along with John.

-Matt McAleer

Matt enjoys your feedback. You can reach him at:
-Link to Matt's Email: [email protected]
-Link to Matt's Twitter: https://twitter.com/MattMcAleer4
-Link to Matt's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/matthew-c-mcaleer/
-Call Matt: (800) 257-7013

 

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Farmers & Credit Issues

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Author: David R. Kotok, Post Date: November 30, 2019

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Opportunities in Japan for Global Equity Investors

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Author: Bill Witherell, Ph.D., Post Date: November 08, 2019

The Bank of Japan at its October 30–31 Monetary Policy Committee meeting kept its policy unchanged while indicating it was willing to lower interest rates further into negative territory from their current low levels if needed to maintain progress towards the 2% inflation objective. The decision not to cut rates at this time was based on the Bank’s belief that the Japanese economy is strong enough to get through the current period of weak global demand. The economy has indeed encountered a “speed bump” that can be attributed to the rise in Japan’s sales tax from 8 to 10 percent on October 1, the major typhoon Hagibis, and the global slowdowns in trade and manufacturing. In addition, economic growth across the Asia region has been weakened by the US-China trade war.

According to the Jibun Bank Flash Japan Composite PMI (Purchasing Managers Index) reported by Markit, the Japanese economy slipped into contraction in October. Manufacturing new orders declined at the steepest pace in almost seven years, while “the service economy exhibited a remarkable degree of resilience.” The consumer sector has been one source of support for the economy as wage growth has been supported by labor shortages. Retail sales surged by over 9% in September in anticipation of the sales tax increase but appear to have fallen off in October. The labor shortages together with capacity constraints have also encouraged business investment.

Continued: https://www.cumber.com/cumberland-advisors-market-commentary-opportunities-in-japan-for-global-equity-investors/

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Financial Literacy & Predatory Lending

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Author: David R. Kotok, Post Date: November 7, 2019

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Camp Kotok Conversations

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What the FOMC Said

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Author: Robert Eisenbeis, Ph.D., Post Date: November 1, 2019

Following the FOMC’s announcement of its third consecutive rate cut after its meeting this week, speculation immediately broke out among market participants about whether additional cuts or even rate increases might be on the horizon going into 2020. However, such speculation is probably more noise than substance at this point, since the Committee’s statement was fairly clear and became even more so during Chairman Powell’s press conference. Most commentators noted the change in language from the previous statement to the current one:

“September: As the Committee contemplates the future path of the target range for the federal funds rate, it will continue to monitor the implications of incoming information for the economic outlook and will act as appropriate to sustain the expansion, with a strong labor market and inflation near its symmetric 2 percent objective.”

“October: The Committee will continue to monitor the implications of incoming information for the economic outlook as it assesses the appropriate path of the target range for the federal funds rate.”

But more important than the differences in the wording of the statements were several things that Chairman Powell made clear during his press conference.

Continued: https://www.cumber.com/what-the-fomc-said/

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The Greater Sarasota Chamber of Commerce, along with nearly 500 business and community leaders, celebrated local small businesses by awarding five category winners and one Top Honor Small Business of the Year at the 29th Annual Frank G. Berlin Sr., Small Business Awards on June 14. Cumberland Advisors won in the "Professional Services Business of the Year" category. We're proud to display our award and this plaque at the office. Thank you Sarasota!

[caption id="attachment_50187" align="aligncenter" width="474"] Professional Services Business of the Year[/caption]

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