"Maximum Uncertainty"

Financial commentators have plenty to muse over given the current financial, economic, and geopolitical environment we are in.  Though the markets are ALWAYS wrought with unknowns, this period of time does seem to be more tenuous.  Following are a few notable thoughts from noteworthy thought leaders:

  • Kevin O’Leary, of “Shark Tank” fame, is a well-known investor and financial commentator.  He was on CNBC a few days ago and proclaimed that this is a period of “maximum uncertainty".

  • Jim Cramer, another CNBC contributor, recently tweeted about the three things he needs to see resolved before he sees a better environment including the Chinese taking the Moderna vaccine, Putin out of Ukraine, and the Fed goes on hold.

  • Michael Gayed, notable portfolio manager, recently tweeted, “The hell isn’t the bear market in stocks.  It’s the interaction against Treasuries, the risk-off asset, that makes it hell.”

The list could go on, of course, but these few ideas highlight the difficulties facing the financial markets as it strives to normalize and resume an upward trend.  No doubt, this market is painful!  But, at the risk of repeating myself from my Three Thoughts blog post in July and numerous other posts, here is a closing thought:

“you have all heard it from me many times to hold tight since no one can time the market, no one rings a bell when it is time to get back in, and based on history, long-term investors will be rewarded for sitting tight.” 

Note:  This is another post without a “downward sloping trend line”!  We have seen enough of those!