Sigma Signals

Week of January 20, 2025 Commentary The ceasefire agreement between Hamas and Israel is a positive step in the short term, though violations remain a possibility. The past couple of weeks have been relatively stable from a news cycle perspective. By the time this is published, a new president will have been inaugurated. The early … Continued

Sigma Signals

Week of December 30, 2024 In an internal communication about equity market conditions, Sigma’s Director of Research, David Drogheo CFA, noted that “… some articles I have been reading lately have indicated that even if we are in a bubble, it may still have a way to go, as expensive stocks can get even more expensive. For … Continued

Sigma Signals

Week of December 23, 2024 A client asked why Trump wanted an increase in the US debt limit as part of the DC shutdown avoidance scheme. The rumblings in the Capital suggest DOGE will substantially reduce government spending but, as part of that process, employment buyouts are likely. This will temporarily INCREASE government spending. If … Continued

Sigma Signals

Week of June 24, 2024 The Sigma Signals turned 2 years old last week. Reminiscing on the investment landscape from two years ago compared to present day, items of significance include an increased yield on the 10 year US Treasury Note, a sharper focus on Social and Cultural issues and their effects on investment thesis, … Continued

Sigma Signals

Week of March 11, 2024 From the website www.goodreads.com: “We find that whole communities suddenly fix their minds upon one object, and go mad in its pursuit; that millions of people become simultaneously impressed with one delusion, and run after it, till their attention is caught by some new folly more captivating than the first.” … Continued

Sigma Signals

Week of December 18, 2023 The sharp rise in the Standard & Poor’s 500 stock index since the latter part of October has coincided in lock-step fashion with the equally sharp fall in the yield on the US 10 year Treasury Bond.  Inflationary pressures in the US have abated of late and this spurred the … Continued

Sigma Signals

Week of July 24, 2023 The Standard & Poor’s 500 stock index peaked at roughly $4,779 in October of 2021.  This past week it closed at $4,536, about 5% off of its prior high and roughly 25% above the lows reached in the summer of 2022.  As mentioned in recent Sigma Signals, the failure of … Continued

Sigma Signals

Week of March 6, 2023 Last week we referenced the revolutionary advances for humankind that will likely be advanced by the wonders of artificial intelligence (AI). This week we direct attention to an article in the Wall Street Journal dated February 25, 2023 entitled “ChatGPT Heralds an Intellectual Revolution.” Lead author Henry Kissinger (amazingly intellectually … Continued

Sigma Signals

Week of February 6, 2023 Given the myriad concerns that enveloped global capital markets during the past 12 months – Russian invasion of Ukraine, US midterm elections, China intimidation of Taiwan, a restive Fed committed to fight inflation – it is not unusual that volatility pervades. However, after touching an interim low last October, the … Continued

Sigma Signals

Week of January 30, 2023 It has been observed in tracking investment data by geographic sector and market capitalization over long periods of time that returns tend to converge (8%- 10%). When returns deviate in the short term, it is reasonable to expect that a regression to the mean will follow. For the last several … Continued

Replacing Motor Fuel Tax Receipts

Historically, motor fuel taxes have been a significant source of revenue, with most of the receipts committed to road construction and maintenance. Today, governments are aggressively promoting the development and purchase of electric vehicles (EVs).  As the number of EVs on the road increases, motor fuel tax receipts have started to dwindle.  Over the next … Continued

“You Have to Know When to Fold ‘em”

This line from Kenny Roger’s song “The Gambler”, summarizes the most difficult part of the investment process, admitting you made a mistake and taking your losses.  Many investors often tend to close their eyes rather than confront the facts. This problem is not limited to individuals.  The financial pages are littered with examples of some … Continued