Broker Check

Want to be Smarter With Your Money?

Join our mailing list and get news and info to support your financial goals.



Thank you! Oops!
Midweek Report: Employment Numbers Continue Ugly Trend

Midweek Report: Employment Numbers Continue Ugly Trend

May 07, 2020
Share |

More bad news on the employment front did not hamper continued incremental advancement by investment markets. Most would scratch their heads on how markets could interpret depression-like employment figures to positive outcomes for securities. It can be hard to remember that markets are attempting to distill where the economy is going--not where it is today. Perhaps the figures were "not as bad" as what asset prices currently have "priced in." Time will tell.

My reading for the week:

5 ways the world could change: An investor watchlist -- BlackRock Blog

  • Beyond BlackRock's weekly market update, the article looks at how COVID-19 may impact our world going forward.  These include:
    • Technology's impact on a low-touch society
    • Global vs. Local debate
    • How we think of a business's financial health
    • An acceleration of focus on a company's social governance & environmental record
    • Easing back into travel & leisure
  • A video summary is also posted here:

<iframe width="500" height="281" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/jXVTPKMf3go" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen></iframe>

Navigating a new landscape for dividends -- Capital Ideas

  • For income investors, stock dividends remain an important piece of the puzzle. The article looks at dividend sustainability coming out of the crisis.
  • Dividend-paying stocks face pressure on many fronts today.
  • Fundamental research and diversification are the keys to investing in income-oriented companies.
  • Given ultralow interest rates, dividend payouts remain a crucial source of investment income.