In a case of almost perfect irony, I have waited a long time to use this theme. However, with Google’s AI Overview informing me ”the play’s tone is absurdist and nihilistic,” it seemed appropriate at this point in the market and election cycle.
As we reach the midpoint of summer, the only thing rising faster than the thermometer has been the VIX, a widely followed measure of market volatility.
We are privileged to work with insightful people here at Formidable, and during a recent call one of our colleagues mentioned how the current market reminds him of Jenga. Accordingly, in the spirit of family vacation rainy day activities, we will use Jenga (and a few other games) as inspiration this quarter.
With the greater Cincinnati area in close proximity to the path of the solar eclipse, we look to the sky for inspiration for this quarter’s update and outlook.
“In case you haven’t noticed it, and judging by the attendance, you haven’t, the Indians have managed to win a few here and there, and are threatening to climb out of the cellar.” - Harry Doyle in Major League.
The weather has just now started to reach consistent levels of freezing temperatures, so hopefully soon we will introduce our children to the joys of skiing.
We were in Memphis for Thanksgiving and saw the musical Six, which is about the wives of Henry VIII. Though a polarizing choice in the Eagleston house, we will use it as inspiration for this month’s update. I am going to refrain from putting in links to the songs for the mental health of our readers.
The end of the year is always a hectic time, and although some argue turning the calendar to a new year is capricious and arbitrary, most people (not to mention Uncle Sam) do not look at it that way. To that end, let’s look at four things you may want to be discussing with your financial advisor before the clock strikes 11:59 on December 31.
Having only recently moved back to Cincinnati, I was a little unprepared for the autumnal gloom that can overwhelm the beauty of the foliage. This became apparent on a jaunt to Pittsburgh for our daughter’s soccer team where, unfortunately, the soundtrack was (and I am only being somewhat hyperbolic here) driver of GDP growth, inspirer of Halloween décor, and destroyer (or would-be savior) of American football, Taylor Swift. We will celebrate her entire catalog (as well as another, older Swift).
October Update - Key Takeaways • Bond vigilantes pushed U.S Treasuries into a historic decline in September. • The end of 2023 may be a crucible for investors. • Events in the Middle East are eerily similar to prior flashpoints that have devolved into wider conflagrations.
