Last week, I wrote that in its quest to defeat inflation, the Federal Reserve wants to make investors like us poorer. The “wealth effect” says happy and bullish investors tend to spend more money than sad and bearish ones. So, as far as the Fed is concerned, plummeting portfolio values are a good thing. But that’s only part of the story…
Regardless of whether the stock market goes up or down, regardless of whether you’ve ever bought or sold options, it’s still crucial to keep an eye on this massive market. More and more investors are keeping an eye on options experts (like our own Clint Lee) to stay informed and one step ahead.
Because today’s options trades could potentially dictate how your stocks trade tomorrow.
Capitulation is a signal of mass panic among investors. It’s the ultimate washout and tends to precede some of the biggest gains in stock market history. But we just aren’t seeing it yet. Instead, since May 20 (after two consecutive months of losses for the major indices) … we’ve seen the complete opposite. Investors are ravenously buying the dip in the latest bear market rally. Yet, as Clint explains in today’s video, you should still keep your eyes out for capitulation. Because when it does come knocking, it will have a massive impact on the Fed’s next move.
Over the weekend, it sounds like Federal Reserve Chairman Jerome Powell also received a call to his principal’s office … this one belonging to President Biden. But I’m fairly sure that Powell isn’t being recognized as central banker of the quarter. Ahead of midterm elections, Biden is reaching for anything that can be done to tame inflation. And unfortunately for us all, there is only one thing Powell can do…
The theory of the “wealth effect” says that people feel more financially secure when asset values are rising. That makes them more likely to spend. Ergo, if you want people to spend less, asset prices must fall. That’s a risky proposition. But with inflation running at the hottest pace in four decades — and with the gridlocked federal government about as effective as a wet paper towel — the Federal Reserve is taking that risk. As I’ll show you in just a moment, this gamble could have devastating consequences for Americans’ hard-earned wealth. But you don’t have to take it on the chin. Here’s how to make your wealth increase … even if the Fed does its worst.
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