Author: dredheadz

Earnings and Taxes

As we get closer to finishing out Q4 2012 earnings we’ve seen a pattern of growth, can that be sustained into Q1 2013?  With 429 S&P 500 companies reporting for the fourth quarter, 72% have reported earnings above estimates, which places them marginally above the average of 69% recorded over the past four quarters.  In regards of revenues, 66% of companies have reported sales above estimates which are well above the average of 50% recorded over the past four quarters.  There’s growth there and the increase in the growth rate can primarily be credited to upside earnings surprises reported by companies in multiple sectors.  This week the blended earnings growth rate for Q4 2012 is 4.2%, nicely above last week’s growth rate of 3.6%.  For perspective, on December 31, the earnings growth rate for the index was 2.6%.  Looking forward at Q1 2013 earnings, analysts and corporations are lowering earnings expectations unfortunately.  The fantastic performance we saw in January looks to have been made irrelevant as February has kicked the market and the overall economy in the shins, with help for our stellar Government performance. Some 72 companies have issued negative earnings per share (EPS) guidance for Q1 2013, while 23 companies have issued positive EPS guidance.  That gives me reason to pause and take a deep breath.  A collection of analysts have taken down their EPS estimates also, as the estimated earnings growth for Q1 2013 has dropped to -0.2% from an expectation of 2.4% on December 31.  The Doom and Gloom crowd are queuing up behind the proverbial velvet ropes, waiting for the party to begin.

The due date for 2012 federal income tax returns is April 15, 2013 so you’ll want to start dragging things together a.s.a.p. that includes collecting a copy of last year’s tax return, W-2s, 1099s, and deduction records.  If you’re unable to file your federal income tax return by the due date, file for an extension.  Filing this extension gives you until October 15, 2013 to file your return.

You have until April 15 to make contributions to either a Roth IRA or a traditional IRA for the 2012 tax year. Up to $5,000 ($6,000 if you’re age 50 or older) in one of these retirement savings vehicles is worth considering, since contributing to an IRA can have an immediate tax benefit. That benefit comes in the form of a potential tax deduction–with a traditional IRA, if you’re not covered by a 401(k) or another employer-sponsored retirement plan (if your spouse is covered by an employer plan, you’re considered to be covered as well), you can generally deduct the full amount of your contribution. (If you’re covered by an employer-sponsored retirement plan, whether or not you can deduct some or all of your traditional IRA contribution depends on your filing status and income.)  With a Roth IRA; if you qualify to make contributions to a Roth IRA (whether you can contribute depends on your filing status and income), the contributions you make aren’t deductible, so there’s no effect on your 2012 taxes. Nonetheless, a Roth IRA may be worth considering as qualified Roth distributions you take in the future are completely free from federal income tax.  In all cases, contact your tax advisor for complete guidance.

I remain optimistic.  February has been a very interesting month and I suspect that the remainder of the week will hold further drama from the economic calendar (housing, consumer confidence, unemployment rate and jobless claims) and Capitol Hill.  Caution continues to rule the day with a heavy dose of skepticism that our elected leaders will discover the definition of compromise. Have a wonderful week.

Sequester = Correction

The economic data continues to be generally positive across most sectors except manufacturing and industrial production, where it remains weak but improving.  To the Doom and Gloom crowd that’s confirmation that the sky is falling.  Apologies to those in Russia, where the sky actually did kind of fall unexpectedly when that little meteor slipped under the radar (brilliant YouTube videos are there for those who missed it).  The U.S. markets added a seventh consecutive week of gains overall, although the Dow Jones and NASDAQ dipped slightly from uninspiring trading situations.  Initial jobless claims continue to record lower than forecast, and January retail sales were slightly positive. Housing inventory is down 16% year over year and also showing higher prices in many states across the Nation.  I won’t call it as continued bouncing along the bottom, but optimism right now increases the plausibility that we are on the verge of a nice uptick. The Global markets ended the week mixed, with Germany showing some continuing weakness, which humbled the other European countries ability to perform.  The markets are looking a bit exhausted but the pullback I had expected hasn’t arrived yet, which is a remarkable circumstance.  I do expect it to arrive and I have a feeling that our sincere politicians are about to lend a hand towards more than just a 3% pullback.

I was mad the other evening when my friend’s dog passed gas in my living room and stunk up the whole house.  My buddy admitted that his dog is actually a U.S. politician. Like them, he’s expert at fouling up the place.  The sad reality is that we get the government we deserve.   The Sequester is coming.  The elected mongrels voted to go into recess until February 25th; the Sequestration is to begin on the 1^st of March.  If you’re expecting another eleventh hour reprieve from self-destruction, might as well stop now.  For all the positive attributes we have experienced this year, I’m convinced that these clowns are so entranced in their sophomoric visions, that they could largely care less what happens to the economy as a whole.  It’s about appealing to the narrowest, most ignorant, myopic electoral base they can, as proof that, they too have manure for brains and that no acknowledgement of responsibility needs to be taken to avoid our ruin.  The only people who can clean this house are those that want to clean house and the only way to do that is to vote out the idiots and destroy their good old boy network of organized crime.  It does no good to replace one piece of excrement with another.

I am optimistic in the market’s ability to recover from the utter absurdity of our elected morons.  Optimistic that the real acumen is held not in Washington D.C. but with the voting electorate.; they go to work day in and day out, striving for a better life for themselves and their families.  There’s no need for them to appease the Neanderthal Collective that piles lobbying cash and favors on the desks of our elected miscreants.  What Washington needs is an old-fashioned, medieval walloping.  A pox on all of their houses, I don’t discriminate, I’m an equal opportunity hater right now.  I believe in the American public, that’s what continues my optimism.

Politics and government, have they both gone mad?

It’s Earning Season and I’m getting the sense that the Doom and Gloom crowd aren’t as enthusiastic is some others may be.  Of the 334 companies that have reported to date for the fourth quarter (Q4 2012), 72% have reported earnings above estimates.  This percentage remains above the average of 69% recorded over the past four quarters.  After reporting a decline in earnings growth in Q3 (-1%), we are currently seeing reporting companies earnings growth of 3.0% for Q4.  So what does that intrinsically mean in the big picture?

The good news, the nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office believes the U.S. budget deficit as a percentage of the economy, will shrink in 2013 for the fourth consecutive year.  The estimated $845 billion deficit would come in at less than $1 trillion for the first time in five years, and symbolize 5.3% of GDP, approximately half of 2009’s numbers.  That’s outstanding news and it is a clear indicator of growth for the U.S. economy.  But wait for it…there is bad news.  Without (reasonable and necessary) tax and spending modifications, the CBO said that the total national debt will be at 77% of Gross Domestic Product in 10 years, largely because of escalating health-care costs and interest payments on federal debt.  And how do we achieve tax and spending reforms in our era of injudicious government?

That, unfortunately, depends upon the U.S. Congress and by the way, Congress is about to go on an extended “President’s Day Recess” starting Friday.  While some of our esteemed elected officials seem more than willing to allow the sequestration provisions to take effect,  the Budget Control Act of 2011, created by these same congressional persons, will basically use a chainsaw instead of a scalpel to resolve some of our over the horizon fiscal issues.  What’s really very important here to understand is that the automatic cuts will reduce expected economic growth by at least 0.7% according to the Congressional Budget Office.  That may not seem like much, but when you drill down into what will be most affected by this, 0.7% is very significant.  Per the Office of Management and Budget, the 2013 sequestration would impose cuts of 9.4% in nonexempt defense discretionary funding and 8.2% in nonexempt, nondefense discretionary funding.  A 2 % cut would hit Medicare providers, 7.6% would affect other nonexempt nondefense mandatory programs, and 10% would be applied to nonexempt defense mandatory programs.  Sequestration would emasculate investments vital to economic growth; compromise the safety and security of the American people; and wreak havoc on programs that benefit the middle-class, seniors and children.  And after 2013 what are we facing then?  The required defense funding cut of $54.7 billion in each year from 2014 through 2021 will require reductions in the annual statutory caps on defense funding that the Budget Control Act sets for each of those years if sequestration is triggered.  Queue the cheering section of the Doom and Gloom horde.

I remain optimistic.  We have been hearing about Jobs, Jobs, and Jobs for years now; the economy is growing and we are obviously in an expansion phase.  No, we’re not out of the fiscal depths to ensure rapid growth, but we are getting there.  Unfortunately, to me, we have a government that appears to thrive on chaos.  24/7/365 it’s all you hear and see.  The Chaos Theory hypothesizes that everything that happens affects everything that happens afterwards.  With the blunt force of the Sequestration, it would be a good time to reexamine just what it is that our Government is trying to accomplish.  The Congress and the White House are in deadlock as America’s watches in disbelief, with Obama in campaign mode and Republicans scrambling for some iota of leverage, James Madison, our fourth president and father of the constitution must be rolling over in his grave.  I remain cautiously optimistic.

What rhymes with Sequester?

Here it is, February 2013, yes, February. Time flies, when you’re having fun, right?  New month and guess what, the next self-created fiasco is upon us, the Sequester.  Why do we keep doing this to ourselves, again and again?   Maybe the Congress is actually composed of sadists and fetish lovers, who have some sort of bizarre need to inflict a festering wound at every opportunity.  Long story, short, the Budget Control Act of 2011 authorized an increase in the debt ceiling in exchange for $2.4 trillion in deficit reduction over the following ten years.  $1.2 trillion cuts in the spending for some specifically identified areas (defense and entitlements cuts that are currently in place now) and $1.2 trillion that are to be determined by a congressional super committee (super dysfunctional, more likely).  Sequestration is meant to reduce spending across the board (affecting all departments and programs by an equal percentage.  Failure of the Super Committee to propose and for Congress to put in place a plan to reduce the U.S. Federal Budget by $1.2 trillion, the Act sets into motion automatic cuts for core government functions and deep cuts to the national security apparatus. We just witnessed, last week, the effect reduced defense spending had on Q4 GDP, a -0.1% growth estimate.  Raise your hand, if you’ve seen this before. Do we really want to stare a recession in the face again?

Not to be outdone the stock market is sending, in my view, very obvious signals that implies a pullback of between 2 to 5% over the next few weeks or so, ironically leading right up to the March 1^st deadline before the Sequester goes into effect.  Some savvy, individual investors are already preparing for this market action by shifting out of the stock market (approximately $400 billion during this current bull market) while others are, to me, unfortunately buying at the current top.  It looks oversold to me, but conversely, markets that are in theory, overbought, can stay that way for some time.  It’s a tough call and I’ll defer to caution right now.  January gave us a fantastic run of nearly 6%, practically half of what the S&P 500 returned in all of 2012 and basically 80% of what the Dow Jones returned in 2012, it’s okay to take some money off the table and disengage the cruise control.

I remain optimistic.  Q4 earnings reports continue to beat on both the top and bottom lines. Employment continues to improve, housing continues to show consistent growth and personal income is showing some encouraging progression (albeit significantly weak historically).  All considered things are getting better on the whole; the world economy isn’t in free-fall either.  Globally it’s a slow growth period.  Yes, there’s the potential for it all to reverse, all the more reason to use caution, reassess your equity positions and move some profits to the sidelines at least until we get more clarity of the Sequestration. Call me the polyester sequester investor this month, I’m not willing to allow anything to stick to me while I remain cautiously optimistic.

Things haven’t gone as some had expected….

Ahh…the Davos Forum of 2013, held in Switzerland, where the oracles of all knowledge across world governments, economics, business and technology go to attend expensive soirees and bestow upon us Lilliputians what is going to happen in the year ahead.  The powers of divination concluded their self-romancing spectacle over the weekend.  To paraphrase the esteemed, economist and New York University Professor Nouriel Roubini, also known as “Dr. Doom” said that as far as the euro zone crisis was concerned the situation was “less worse than it was last summer.”  You don’t say?  European Central Bank President Mario Draghi, an actual player in the financial events of the world eluded towards positivity, saying the worst of the Euro Zone Crisis was probably over and that the situation is more favorable than it was at this same time last year.  Cheers for a few words of optimism.   Alas, Billionaire investor George Soros is predicting “riots on the streets that will lead to a brutal clampdown that will dramatically curtail civil liberties. The global economic system could even collapse altogether.”   Yikes, better make sure I have on clean underpants for that.

Here in the good ‘ole USA, we are in the throes of corporate earnings season.  Of the 134 S&P Index companies that have thus far reported earnings for the fourth quarter 2012, 69% have reported earnings above estimates.  In terms of revenues, 64% of companies have reported sales above estimates.  Both percentages are well above the average recorded over the past four quarters.  Which is quite remarkable and sends an abrupt shot across the bow of the Doom and Gloom crowd here, which unfortunately were actually ecstatic after a decline in earnings growth in Q3 2012 of only -1% mind you.  The S&P index is reporting earnings growth of 2.3% for Q4 2012 and six of the ten sectors are reporting earnings growth for the quarter.  However, not to be without the ability muck up a good thing, the naysayer cheering section over on CNBC and FOX Business will cite Hurricane Sandy and fiscal policy uncertainty as impediments to earnings and sales growth for Q4.  Yes there’s validity in that, but for those who actually live in reality and avoid the bloviating personalities, solid information indicates that companies are optimistic about renewed economic growth for 2013.  I’m sure the knuckle draggers will reappear for Q1 2013 earnings expectations in a matter of months.

I remain optimistic.  The reporting corporations are showing higher profit margins.  If growth continues at this pace, which I believe it will, those same profit margins will begin to decline with an increase in revenues and gross earnings.  Call it a re-balancing.  Interest rates will rise mandating more government expenditures and the byproduct will be more alternatives to the stock market.  The economic rebound led by employment, will continue to increase and business and consumer investment will grow as we move through the year.  That’s my assessment, granted I’m not an economist, media talking head nor politician.  I’m a cautious optimist with a bureau full of clean underpants.

To broke to pay attention

For the week, the U.S. equity indexes were all up marginally as the market continued along with the now waning New Year rally and its focusing look ahead to earnings season.  Expectations remain mixed for growth in corporate earnings.  Are the analysts too bullish on outlooks or has the data led them to leave expectations so low, that topping them is a dubious achievement?  The market appears to be again motivated on how low the bar has been set and the most expected result is that the “beat rate” as earnings trackers call it, will probably be higher than normal.  I agree that the markets are healthier and getting stronger, the strength within certain economically sensitive sectors will become more apparent and will be presented regarding the health of the continuing recovery.  Now, what could possibly throw a wrench into the spokes of the turning economic wheel?

Queue… Washington.

The penalties of not raising the debt limit in a judicious manner would have severe repercussions for not only the U.S. but the global economy.  Let’s get something’s clear right from the beginning; the debt limit does not prevent the Federal Government from spending more.  By the time we get to the point that we are now, Congress has long ago spent that money on things like military and health care outflows.  An argument against raising the debt limit becomes invalid if you fail to recognize this.

The federal debt limit was created during the First World War to give voters the credence that Congress is maturely managing the nations borrowing and spending.  Its reason for existence is so that Congress can retroactively approve the spending it has already passed.  To decline to pay for the things we have already purchased, the country would consequently default on its debt obligations, unless Congress raises more revenue by increasing taxes across the board.  We already know how that fight would play out, don’t we?

I remain optimistic.  Who’s seriously going to be irresponsible and use the debt limit as leverage?  And leverage for what?  The reality of a federal debt limit has never barred Congress from making ruinous budgetary decisions before and the new 113th Congress doesn’t appear to readily want to break that winning streak.  The actual argument on tackling the federal debt needs to be made much earlier in the budget process, when Congress originally approves the spending it eventually will have to pay for.  Unfortunately, the inmates have taken over the asylum and the debt ceiling conversation is being wielded like a baton to damage to the country’s financial security in this ridiculous era of ultra hyper partisanship.  Even within this turmoil, I remain objective and cautiously optimistic.

The January Effect

The first week of 2013 was quite a spectacular one for the stock market.  Gains ranged from just under 4% for the Dow Jones Industrials and to near 6% for the Russell 2000.  The overseas market place also took part in the rally and posted gains, with several hitting new 52 week highs.  Noise on the street has relayed that the gains are associated to the so-called January Effect, where stock prices, somewhat historically, increase in the month of January.  Call it an opportunity where investors bought securities before the end of the year (2012) for a lower price, and then sell them in January to generate profit from the price differences.  I’m not totally buying that theory, but hey, we are off to a nice start and I’ll let the punditry have their encyclopedic moment.

Not only have the markets begun anew but we’ve also started 4th quarter’s earnings season.  Positive earnings reports should help to keep the rally moving if all goes as planned.  It’s also been said that the best laid plans of mice and men often go astray.  Caution shouldn’t be thrown to the wind now.  Heaven knows our financial markets have shown a remarkable apathy towards the positive indicators in recent memory.

2012 was a year for safe havens in the Treasury bond market.  For all intents and purposes the flight to safety in the bond market proved worthy.  Now, at least to me, Bonds look unattractive technically.  Even with the 10 year note closing above 1.9%, the 30 year bond ends the week above 3% and the 5 year note closing at its highest level since April 2012.  Bonds have become a crowded safe haven trade. On the flip side, municipal bonds, which corrected severely in December, are up nicely at the start the year.  Caution, yet again, prevails.

I remain optimistic.  Hopefully I can now remove from my vocabulary the term Fiscal Cliff, making it a phrase that shall never be enunciated again.  Those that continue to moan and dwell can’t see the forest because of the trees.  The agreement avoided an economic tsunami.  It was good for the economy and absolutely a blessing for equity markets.  Yes, the attention should now rightful turn to our spending issues, and we can count on many in Congress to continue to issue sermon after sermon on our impending doom.  Their ferocity of argument is only going to get louder in the coming weeks.  Bottom line however, what is the U.S. going to do?  Not pay our bills? Congress holds the purse strings, they approved the expenditures and now the check has arrived at the table and has to be paid.  I won’t anticipate a meeting of the minds on Capitol Hill, as we all witnessed in the last few weeks; there is a significantly limited supply of brain power up there to get anything accomplished in a timely and efficient manner.  I continue to remain optimistic as companies begin to report.  January earnings season regularly includes full-year guidance. I’m expectant of good things in 2013 and this earnings season could provide a spark going forward.

Taking a step back to view the landscape…

We have traveled almost four years into the current stock market cycle that began in March 2009, with the S&P 500 up 114% since the bottom.  That in itself is significant as historically market cycles of this magnitude are not very common, 2003 through 2007 were the most recent examples and we all have seen how that one ended.  Current chatter about going off a cliff pale in comparison to 2008.  That was ‘Cliff Diving’ gone extraordinarily wrong and I don’t know of one reasonable individual who eagerly wants a repeat of that fiasco.

The general population, after witnessing a years’ worth of synthetic sparring and self-important posturing, acknowledge that the deadline has arrived for U.S. politicians to resolve the self-created debacle which has become the “fiscal cliff”.    Spectators around the world clearly view the U.S. as impotent to address our own major difficulties while readily available to offer plenty of advice to every other country (oh the hypocrisy) on their financial burdens.   This new reality, viewed from the precipice that we stand upon  is obviously uncomfortable to many, especially the political class having to decipher the new electoral reality.  A solution will require support from both political entities, which is historically consistent; however the sting of compromise is an unprepared punch in the face for at least one specific, recent majority.  The actuality of a resolution to the tax issues before any real economic impact occurs fills their veins with an icy cold.  It is only a matter of when and how the tax policy will be changed.  The opportunity to claim victory, albeit via compromise, still exists, but the clock is rapidly ticking away.

I remain optimistic.  On balance, global growth remains dishearteningly slow and the austerity budgets that have been utilized in Europe are a prickly outlier for the United States.  Austerity hasn’t solved the structural problems and the EU banking system continues to remain fragile.  Economic data here in the U.S. continues to validate that our economy remains vulnerable and struggling.  How am I so optimistic when weak macro factors dictate a bearish outlook?  I remain so, because I continue to view the U.S. as the most robust and utmost vibrant economy in the world.  This remarkable entity, where opportunity and freedom are unmatched and unrivaled in human history, decrees a positive outlook.  It is difficult to be bearish when the landscape invites accomplishment and chance, regardless of the political discourse.  If there was serious risk aversion in the global markets, the data would be critically worse (it can still turn negative promptly).  After all the analysis is done, the markets will tell us whether I’m right or wrong; I firmly believe our economy will strengthen in the coming year, our politics will ultimately release itself and become unbound to extremists both on the left and right, and globally, the economic rationality of conscience will assume actual responsibility.  2013 represents a future opportunity, 2012 represented the (cough cough) best laid plans gone awry, in the most justifiably, wicked way.   All hail 2013, for 2012, it’s time to put a tag on the toe and close the mortician’s drawer.  It’s all but dust in the wind.

Happy Holidays and I’ll see you again next year.

(To receive my free weekly U.S. and Global stock picks , send an email to dcherry@nelson-securities.com with subscribe in the subject line)

Get it Done Before 2012 Ends

Going down to the wire is business as usual in Washington D.C.  Given that the implications of the “Fiscal Cliff” decisions will set the course for years to come; it’s important to get it correct, although some elected officials fear that the base will have them drawn and quartered because of their decisions, the Nation as a whole has priority over a few individuals.  It’s not all about taxes either; Government spending absolutely has to be addressed as well.  It’s just as important.  A large number of Americans receive benefits of one sort or another.  You’re fooling yourself if these folks won’t rise up in rage if their entitlements are ‘adjusted’.  Again, the Nation as a whole has priority over the few.  With so little factual information being stated in the media about how this can affect you and your personal economy, I’ve assembled a few points that should clear some of the fog away for you.

Don’t leave Free money on the table
With a great deal of uncertainty regarding the current economic situation, many employees have put off contributions to their retirement accounts, thinking that they will make up lost ground when the situation improves.  Unfortunately, using that reasoning could result in leaving what is virtually “free” money on the table.  If you have a 401(k) or an equivalent retirement account where your employer matches your contributions always contribute enough each year to receive your complete employer match.  Taking full advantage of an employer match is the best no-risk return you will absolutely ever find.

If you are over 70 ½…
You must take a required minimum distribution from your traditional IRA account(s) by year-end.  Not doing so could result in a 50% excise tax on the amount required, but not actually withdrawn.  If you turned 70½ during 2012, you have some flexibility. You can take your 2012 distribution by December 31st or you could delay it until April 1st of 2013.  If you decide on the latter, you still must make your 2013 distribution by December 31, 2013, resulting in two distributions during the 2013 calendar year. Every year after that, the distributions must be made by year-end.

Converting your Traditional IRA to Roth IRA?
If you are considering converting your Traditional IRA to a Roth IRA and will be paying taxes to convert, make that conversion in 2012 while you know what your tax rate will be.  With the Bush tax cuts expiring and new taxes beginning to take effect in 2013, there’s a chance it could cost you more to convert next year.

Fund your self-employment retirement accounts!
If you have self-employment income and are eligible to set up an Individual 401k plan or Roth 401k plan, those plans must be established by December 31st, even though you will have until your tax deadline in 2013 to fund the account.

Planning on giving it away?
So you may think that you can give away your money as you please, unfortunately the federal government has a tendency to look at excessive gifting as estate tax evasion.  Currently, you can gift up to $5 million ($10 million for couples) over your lifetime without incurring federal gift taxes of 35%.  The maximum you can give one person each year without tax implications is $13,000 ($26,000 for couples.)  This may well change in 2013, but for now, if you intend to make non-charitable monetary gifts, do it before the end of 2012.

Tax Deductions
If you expect to be paying higher income taxes in 2013, you might want to look at postponing paying deductible expenses to push them into next year to reduce your taxable income. There’s the risk that what is deductible in 2012 may change in 2013.

Consult your tax adviser
Before the end of the year, we should have some clarity on some of the tax changes to expect in 2013.  That makes it principally important to talk with your tax adviser and find out if you are able to minimize the tax circumstances as much as possible.

A Bold Bluff

In my office on the wall, there are many items attached and displayed in the general per functionary manner.  Upon this wall there are licenses, shingles, and commissions, slogans, pictures and calendars. But the most significant and obvious is a print of Dogs Playing Poker.  Yes, dogs playing poker.  Several dogs sitting around a table, cards, chips, drinks and cigars abound.  The caption of this print is “A Bold Bluff”, by C.M. Coolidge, circa 1903.  Aside from the history behind this painting and it’s diagnosis as an example of “working class taste” (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dogs_Playing_Poker).  The more I study this picture again today I reflect upon how much it epitomizes, to me , the situation we are witnessing today in Washington D.C.

Congress is faking it.  On both sides, committed to the end, they are faking it.  A bold bluff indeed; Like Dogs playing Poker. Those at the table are at pause with curiosity and bewilderment as they witness the call, in play.  There will be a deal, we’ve seen these ‘children’ play this game before, it shouldn’t come as any surprise, they will posture, rant, point fingers, gnash their teeth and stomp their feet.  Both sides have already realized they have played their best hands, there’s nowhere else to negotiate to and there isn’t really any time left.  The past three Decembers have begot important eleventh-hour advancements on health care in 2009; tax cut extensions in 2010 and the payroll tax holiday in 2011.  As I said earlier in the year, a Pox on both of their houses (sorry Shakespeare), I’ll temper my rant, right there, for my sanity and yours.

For the week ahead, I expect to see the U.S. markets continue to tread water despite the political theater.  The markets have priced in a deal and regardless to what the mongrels in Congress are blabbering on about, a deal is coming soon and that it will be functional.  Europe is showing a holiday rally with the German and French markets cresting at 52 week highs and the Euro sustains a six-week high.  The Greeks announced terms under which they will (somehow) be buying their debt back, and Spain officially asked for European funds to recapitalize its banking sector.

I remain optimistic.  No if’s, and’s or but’s about that.  I’m also a horrible poker player and I couldn’t win a hand even if I had expert guidance whispering in my ear on which cards to play.  I accept that and respect that I know what I know and that poker simply isn’t my game. However, as a student of History, Politics and Finance, the risks of an impasse in the talks that leads to either a deal or no deal at all are quite real.  The great divide between the parties on how to proceed isn’t real; it’s imaginary and made for TV.   The Republicans and Democrats both feel empowered by the election, that empowerment is like a cheap poker chip you buy at the mall.  It’s worthless.  They both know that the cashier (the American Public) expects a transaction and the currency that Congress wants to utilize isn’t going to be accepted anytime soon.  Congress is expected to adjourn by the 14th, and the last thing the American Public wants to wake up to on Christmas day is a massive lump of coal hanging in a stocking above the fireplace.  That would literally entail a new Christmas Day massacre for Congress and they are well aware of it.  I remain cautious, slightly uncertain but completely optimistic.