Broker Check

Another Week of Ups & Downs: Focus on What You Can Control

April 02, 2020

Following on from stimulus, the market is still looking for cues regarding containment.  As more states across the nation issue stay-at-home orders, we still do not know how long people will be away from their places of employment, and their favorite shops & restaurants. Investment markets hate uncertainty--and this is a huge short-term question for the economy

Below please find some items I found for some mid-week perspective:

Setting Expectations for the 2nd Quarter -- Cetera Investment Management 

  • The S&P 500 ended the first quarter down -19.60%, which was its worst quarter since the financial crisis

  • We still won’t have a good gauge on what the magnitude of the economic impact will be until we get a handle on the duration of the social distancing policies.

  • The 2nd quarter economic data will start to become clearer--No doubt it will be horrible, as markets have already priced in a lot of bad news.

Controlling Emotions in a Volatile Market -- Video

Calming Worries through Market Volatility

Dept. of Treasury Fact Sheet for Paycheck Protection Program (PPP)

  • While larger US Corporations will have access to major loans, the small business offering in the stimulus is also quite robust.

  • The link provides guidance from the Dept. of Treasury for the loans available to keep people employed.

  • When certain conditions are met, the loans can become extremely favorable (in some cases loans are converted to grants).

  • You should seek the guidance of your small business banker or tax advisor

  • Link to SBA (PPP resources)