809. Sam says JUMP (the Market)

Sam isn't Simon, but when she says jump you might consider it. It's time for another pop up in the DJIA. Although the world is transitioning from mid- to late-business cycle phase where money tightens again, the US is on the border (no pun intended) and profits still seem positive. Cycle dynamics at this point of the cycle where Fed rates are still in neutral territory until next hike suggest time to buy chemicals & paper stocks (so claims Cramer in his book). and begin to shave medical and food stocks. These are long-term suggestions and it may just be these that pop toward their ending cycle highs if you play with the gamblers short-term. Transgressing through the business cycle has been a slow, slow process this time. We've seen the "ease" beginning in the Obama period when the Fed couldn't stop printing dollars. Now Trumps easing via tax cuts extended that period a few years. Get ready for the banks to make their last move up also. By "move" I am talking months to a year in the slowing moving cycle moves. However, if you are like me, you ride the diversified "mutual fund" you created and be an Alfred E. Newman ("What, me worry?", NO). So, there you go. Be a short-termer and get excited like popcorn kernals in a hot popping pot, or a long-termer and stay chilled realizing that that those currently lagging stocks from the past decade will now keep you afloat. In short (again a pun), Sam expects techs to remain strong and financials to feed the fire (actually everything looks promising real short-term); but, come fall (another pun?), be ready for the consequences when the cycle starts giving you a preview of what it has in mind when  "put-your're-one-foot-in" becomes a reality and the cycle gongs go off. Sam doesn't expect chaos -- except the gambler-marketeers will make it so over-selling the market by leaps and bounds. Play it, or absorb it. You're choice. My goals remain "what will I leave behind at 99" -- that's a catchy phrase. And morbid.  Yet, being a senior is making me lean (yet another put) towards more investing GRADUALLY and SLOWLY in more fixed income choices -- why give up the much higher returns long-term of other stocks now unless you need spare "gold" to set aside for the last rainy days of your "golden" years (right!).

"Don't worry be Happy" Bob Marley would sing -- now that's better.

808. Stephen King lost his muchness

Outsider - The latest Stephen King novel was a bit of a yawn when you compare it to previous works (like 10 years ago). The story is creative, but lacks the richness of Mr. King's horror imagination throughout, except for the cantaloupe and the Outsider's matter -- you'll need to read to understand. Stephen rambles on to make a short story into a novel with little that can't be predicted/anticipated. Sorry, but I have to give this only a 3 -- somewhat entertaining, but much too long for the end results. My special author can still be creative, but lost his muchness as did  the Mad Hatter played by Johnny Depp in the 2010 Alice in Wonderland movie. Oh well, it prevents a gap in my full collection of his works.