It's the beginning of trading in the month of October and the markets have seen a steady decline. This is one of the more difficult market environments we've seen. Jonathan Ruffer, one of the greatest investors of whom you have never heard, recently wrote, “(i)n the forty-five years I have been an investor, I cannot recall a more dangerous period than today.”

We had some positive feedback on our myth-oriented update, which inspired one reader to ask we theme an update on Ulysses, the James Joyce classic, not the star of Homer’s Odyssey. So, I went to the library and checked out a 30-year-old edition that appeared to have never been opened.

Investors felt a little like Milhouse in July because despite a deluge of bad economic and inflation data, equity markets still posted strong returns. We will look at both the news flow and the market’s reaction; and where it might all go from here in this Milhouse-inspired update.

As referenced on our recent podcast, there is a modicum of excitement around Top Gun: Maverick. The original is iconic, in part due to its legendary soundtrack, including Danger Zone, by the unofficial king of soundtracks, Kenny Loggins.

As referenced on our recent podcast, there is a modicum of excitement around Top Gun: Maverick. The original is iconic, in part due to its legendary soundtrack, including Danger Zone, by the unofficial king of soundtracks, Kenny Loggins.

I said no camels. That’s five camels…Can’t you count? Before we get to the elephant, well, camel, in the room, which is a historically bad April for equities, let us look at one of the root causes: The Federal Reserve. More specifically, investors tend to view rate increases like camels: fewer is better. Going into the meeting, we were expecting over ten…by December. The Fed made good on two (2) at the May meeting, bringing the count to three (3) hikes so far, with eight (8) more anticipated.