* Senate OKs short-term funding bill to avoid government shutdown
* Fed governor Quarles says rate hikes needed to cool inflation
* Worldwide computer chip shortage lifting inflation will persist ‘deep into 2022’
* China’s modest growth eased in Nov, according to Composite Output Index
* Eurozone growth strengthened in November via PMI survey data
* Chinese ride-hailing giant Didi will delist from NYSE
* Apples reports waning demand for its iPhone 13
* US jobless claims rose last week after reaching 52-year low
* 10yr-3mo Treasury yield curve narrows to 2-month low:

The expected risk premium for the Global Market Index (GMI) ticked lower in November, but remains elevated relative to recent history. Today’s revised estimate is 6.0% annualized, down slightly from the previous forecast.

Continue reading →

* Government-shutdown risk is rising again as Congressional negotiations stumble
* First US case of Omicron coronavirus variant detected
* Does Omicron pose a risk to the economic recovery?
* Is OPEC’s power over oil prices rebounding?
* UN gauge of global food prices near record high, boosting inflation anxiety
* Global mfg continues to expand at moderate pace amid supply shortages
* US ISM Mfg Index increases in November, signaling stronger sector growth
* Execs of major cryptocurrency firms called to testify in Congress
* OECD forecasts inflation will peak in late-2021:

Red ink swept over monthly results for most of the major asset classes in November. The two exceptions: US investment-grade bonds and inflation-indexed Treasuries. Otherwise, losses dominated global markets last month, based on a set of proxy ETFs.

Continue reading →

* Fed prepared for quicker end to stimulus program, Powell says
* Omicron raises uncertainty around inflation risk, warns Fed chair
* Russian President Putin warns West on ‘red line’ for NATO, Ukraine
* Could oil surge to $150? It’s possible, says analyst at Jefferies
* China mfg activity expanded slightly in November
* Eurozone mfg output stabilized in November at solid growth rate
* UK mfg grew at strong rate in November as input prices surged
* US home prices continue to run hot, but growth rate eased in September
* Chicago PMI reflects softer growth in November
* US Consumer Confidence Index slipped to 9-month low in November:

Yes, at least sometimes, and this is one of those times – big time!

Continue reading →

* Biden says Omicron lockdown unnecessary, at least for now
* Fed Chair Powell: Omicron poses threat to US economy
* Moderna CEO says vaccines will struggle with Omicron
* Pandemic unleashes historic burst of entrepreneurship and self-employment
* Eurozone inflation reaches record high in November: 4.9% year on year
* China Mfg PMI in Nov posts growth for first time in 3 months
* Dallas Fed Mfg Index continues to indicate strong sector growth in November
* US pending home sales up sharply in October, pointing to strong market ahead:

Was Friday’s selling wave overdone? Too early to tell, but the damage from last week’s sudden bout of risk-off left all the major asset classes in red – except US bonds, based on a set of ETFs as of Friday’s close (Nov. 26).

Continue reading →

* Will vaccines stop Omicron? Scientists are looking for the answer
* Omicron Covid variant symptoms described as ‘extremely mild’
* Omicron variant vaccine could be ready in early 2022, says Moderna
* Global markets set for anxious week of digesting Omicron news
* No deal in sight as US nears Dec. 15 deadline to raise debt limit
* US Dollar Index fell from 16-month high on Friday:

● The Allocator’s Edge: A modern guide to alternative investments and the future of diversification
Phil Huber
Interview with author via Morningstar
Our guest this week is Phil Huber. He is chief investment officer at Savant Wealth Management, a fee-only registered investment advisor. Previously, Huber worked for Huber Financial Advisors, which Savant acquired in 2020. Huber is active in the financial blogosphere with his blog bps and pieces.com. He has a bachelor’s degree in finance from the Kelley School of Business at Indiana University and has earned both the Certified Financial Planner and Chartered Financial Analyst designations. Huber is also the author of a new book, The Allocator’s Edge: A Modern Guide to Alternative Investments and the Future of Diversification.

Continue reading →