Thursday, January 15, 2026

The Morning Call---How deficits inflate profitability and valuations

 

The Morning Call

 

1/15/26

 

The Market

         

    Technical

 

            Wednesday in the charts.

            https://www.zerohedge.com/markets/bullion-bonds-and-crypto-jump-tech-dumps-amid-constant-geopolitical-chaos

 

Note: the S&P closed right on its all-time high. Recall that it broke above that barrier last Friday. Under my time and distance discipline, it needed to remain above it through the close yesterday. However, in a situation where it ends neither above nor below a boundary, the clock stops. It will restart today. So, if the index finishes back above the high, the break to the upside will be confirmed; if below, then the break will be negated. Where the latter to occur, near in support exists at the 50 DMA (~6816). I also note that breadth was decent despite the fall in the Average.

 

            Wednesday in the technical stats

            https://www.barchart.com/stocks/momentum

            https://www.barchart.com/stocks/sectors/rankings

            https://www.barchart.com/stocks/signals/new-recommendations

 

            The latest from Goldman’s trading desk.

            https://www.zerohedge.com/markets/room-run-tighter-leash-goldman-hedge-fund-honcho-reflects-highly-kinetic-start-2026

 

            Whispers of trouble.

            https://www.zerohedge.com/the-market-ear/range-highs-bite-back-ndx-triple-top-vvix-and-skew-whisper-trouble

 

            More than an excuse to sell.

            https://talkmarkets.com/content/stocks--equities/more-than-excuse-to-sell?post=550230

 

            Oil and silver tumble after report of no immediate US action in Iran,

            https://www.zerohedge.com/markets/oil-precious-metals-tumble-after-report-signaling-no-imminent-action-against-iran

 

 

    Fundamental

 

       Headlines

 

              The Economy

 

                        US

 

                          Weekly jobless claims totaled 198,000 versus estimates of 212,000.

                          https://www.zerohedge.com/personal-finance/initial-jobles-claims-plunge-back-near-record-56-year-lows

 

December existing home sales were up 5.1% versus expectations of down 1.6%.

 

The January NY Fed manufacturing index came in at 7.7 versus consensus of 1.0; the January Philadelphia Fed manufacturing index was 12.6 versus -4.

                       

                        International

 

November UK GDP grew 0.3% versus predictions of -0.1%; November industrial production was up 1.1% versus -0.3%; the November trade balance was -L6.1 billion versus -L3.5 billion.

 

November EU industrial production was up 0.7% versus forecasts of up 0.2%; the November trade balance was +E9.9 billion versus +E19.5 billion.

 

December Japanese PPI was up 0.1% versus projections of up 0.2%.

 

December German PPI was down 0.2% versus estimates of +0.2%; 2025 GDP grew 0.2%, in line.

 

                        Other

 

                          YoY retail sales could spell trouble.

                          https://bonddad.blogspot.com/2026/01/monthly-retail-sales-sharply-higher-in.html

 

                          Highest Q4 layoffs since 2008.

                          https://mishtalk.com/economics/2025-challenger-highest-q4-layoffs-since-2008-lowest-hiring-since-2010/

 

            Monetary Policy

 

              The Fed has missed its inflation target on ten different measures.

              https://mishtalk.com/economics/the-fed-has-missed-its-inflation-target-on-ten-different-measures/

 

            Fiscal Policy

 

              Credit card rate caps are bad news.

              https://www.realclearmarkets.com/articles/2026/01/14/credit_card_rate_caps_are_bad_news_for_individuals_and_businesses_1158562.html

 

              Blowback builds against Powell subpoena.

              https://www.nytimes.com/2026/01/13/us/politics/jerome-powell-investigation-blowback.html

 

            Inflation

 

              A long term look at CPI.

              https://www.advisorperspectives.com/dshort/updates/2026/01/13/inflation-cpi-since-1872

 

            Tariffs

 

              Here are Trump’s options if the Supreme Court rules against his tariffs.

https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2026-01-14/trump-s-supreme-court-tariffs-test-what-are-his-options-if-ieepa-levies-illegal?srnd=homepage-americas&sref=loFkkPMQ

 

 

     Investing

 

            Killing the goose that lays the golden egg.

            https://behaviouralinvestment.com/2026/01/13/killing-the-goose-that-lays-the-golden-egg/

 

            The confidence paradox.

            https://larryswedroe.substack.com/p/the-confidence-paradox-d7a

 

            Instability in the Market.

            https://www.ft.com/content/44adb246-ac64-4b56-9254-67f0f943d2dc

 

How deficits inflate profitability and valuations. John Hussman made this exact point in a recent post. However, it is so important that I am emphasizing it again. If you didn’t read the Hussman article, please read this.

https://www.researchaffiliates.com/content/dam/ra/publications/pdf/1101-financialization-how-deficits-inflate-profits-and-equity-valuations.pdf

 

 

            The Market premium for the 10 year Treasury near fair value.

            https://www.capitalspectator.com/market-premium-for-10-year-yield-holds-near-fair-value-estimate/

 

    Investor Alert

 

In my quarterly review of our Universe, Kroger (KR) failed to meet the minimum financial criteria for inclusion. Accordingly, it will be Removed from the Dividend Growth Universe and will be Sold from the Dividend Growth Portfolio at the Market Open.

 

    News on Stocks in Our Portfolios

 

BlackRock press release (BLK): Q4 Non-GAAP EPS of $13.16 beats by $0.95.

Revenue of $7B (+23.2% Y/Y) beats by $330M.

 

BlackRock (BLK) declares $5.73/share quarterly dividend, 10% increase from prior dividend of $5.21.

 

Automatic Data Processing (ADP) declares $1.70/share quarterly dividend, in line with previous.

 

Automatic Data Processing’s (ADP) board approved a new $6B authorization to repurchase its common stock.

 

What I am reading today

 

            The tyranny of complainers.

            https://marginalrevolution.com/marginalrevolution/2026/01/the-tyranny-of-the-complainers.html

 

 

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