Common Cents & Gift Horses on March 27, 2020

March 27, 2020, by John Norris

Everyone probably already knows the old expression “don’t look a gift horse in the mouth.” The meaning is pretty simple: don’t question or be otherwise be ungrateful when receiving something for free, as in a gift. It is extremely poor form, even if I am certain most people have been disappointed by a gift at least once in their life. My sister still thinks it funny to recall my obvious displeasure upon opening a belt...

Treasury, IRS and Labor announce plan to implement Coronavirus-related paid leave for workers and tax credits for small and midsize businesses

March 25, 2020, by Sara McPherson

Source: The US Department of Labor, March 24, 2020 WASHINGTON, DC – Yesterday the U.S. Treasury Department, Internal Revenue Service and the U.S. Department of Labor announced that small and midsize employers can begin taking advantage of two new refundable payroll tax credits, designed to immediately and fully reimburse them, dollar-for-dollar, for the cost of providing Coronavirus-related leave to their employees. This relief to employees and small and midsize businesses is provided under the...

Trading Perspectives Podcast #81: The Effect of COVID-19 on Businesses

March 24, 2020, by Sara McPherson

The Effect of COVID-19 on Businesses As the COVID-19 pandemic sets in the United States, many businesses are being forced to close their doors. How is the pandemic effecting the local pizzeria versus the Airlines? Outside of grocery stores and pharmacies, what qualifies as an essential business and who decides which businesses are worthy of a bailout package? Listen here: http://tradingperspectives.libsyn.com/ Don’t have an iOS device? We are also available on most major podcast...

Common Cents & The Cure for What Ails Us on March 20, 2020

March 20, 2020, by John Norris

“I’m recovering from a cold. I’m so full of penicillin that, if I sneeze, I’ll cure someone.” Tommy Cooper Maybe you have heard the expression “the cure is worse than the disease.” This is a way of describing a situation when the proposed solution to a problem produces a worse result than the problem itself. You can think of swatting a fly with a sledge hammer. Sure, you might kill the fly, but the...

Trading Perspectives Podcast #80: Coronavirus Chaos

March 17, 2020, by Sara McPherson

Coronavirus Chaos The markets didn’t respond well to the Federal rate cut on Sunday, schools are closing, major sporting events have been called off and toilet paper has become a hot commodity. Small shifts in behaviors have multiplied and people are in a state of panic. Realistically, we are probably looking at 2-3 weeks before the coronavirus really hits its peak in the US. Is that enough to derail the economy or will it just...

Common Cents & Public Speaking Engagements on March 13, 2020

March 11, 2020, by John Norris

Yesterday, March 12, I made a presentation to a group of people here in Birmingham about the macroeconomic impact of COVID-19. More correctly, I was one of three speakers in a brief morning seminar. As such, they gave me 25-30 minutes to make a few remarks and field a few questions. Obviously, this isn't my standard economic speech, which I can practically recite in my sleep after 20 years. So, I had to actually draw...

Episode 79 of Trading Perspectives Podcast

March 10, 2020, by Sara McPherson

Interest Rates & Crude Oil Prices Some market experts have long maintained you can predict future economic growth by looking at interest rates and crude oil prices. Are today’s low rates and crude oil prices building a base for growth in the second half of the year or signaling something much more sinister? Listen here: http://tradingperspectives.libsyn.com/ Don’t have an iOS device? We are also available on most major podcast outlets, including but not limited...

Common Cents & Hysteria on March 6, 2020

March 6, 2020, by John Norris

"When you live in hysteria, people tend to think emotionally." John Mellencamp While the stock market gets most of the headlines, the recent price action in the bond market has been breathtaking. To most people, the bonds are both boring and obscure. Bonds? Shoot, invest your money; collect your interest, and get your principal back when the thing matures. Right? In a lot of ways, I suppose that really is about it, at least...

The Coronavirus & Long Term Investing

March 6, 2020, by Sara McPherson

David McGrath Associate Managing Director, Wealth Management As the reaction to the coronavirus starts to have an impact on consumer and business spending, the expectation of 2020 S&P 500 earnings are falling, and no one has a good handle on exactly what the impact will be. “I don’t know” is not an answer the equity markets like to hear, but that is the best answer at the moment. Hence, the dramatic volatility of the...

Episode 78 of Trading Perspectives Podcast

March 2, 2020, by Sara McPherson

COVID-19 After an awful week in the markets and the worst few days in DOW Jones history, John and Sam give an update on COVID-19 and how coronavirus fears are impacting the stock market. How much longer will this continue? Listen here: http://tradingperspectives.libsyn.com/ Don’t have an iOS device? We are also available on most major podcast outlets, including but not limited to the ones listed below. Spotify Google Play Stitcher TuneIn