12/26/2014
By Charles Payne, CEO & Principal Analyst

"To a surrounded enemy, you must leave a way of escape" 

Sun Tzu

Going into the New Year, I remain concerned about the wounded bear. Russia, or more importantly, Vladimir Putin, took a serious hit this year, but the net effect has been people rallying around their strongman and emboldened him to take more chances that could truly destabilize the world.

On January 1, 2014, Russia had the 8^th largest economy in the world.

On December 26, 2014, Russia has the 15^th largest economy in the world.

Over the last couple of weeks, the Ruble has improved dramatically against the US dollar although it’s still a fractured currency that can't be shored up with $56 crude oil.

Then there's North Korea which is struggling again today with internet issues. That nation has become a perennial time bomb in the news over a movie. For the record, I do not think North Korea hacked Sony, but I do think they're dictator is a loose cannon, but he could actually be a bigger problem for China than America as they try to control this petulant child. I'm not going to see the movie, although I’m glad Sony grew a backbone and I don't think Seth Rogan is our Salman Rushdie- but we could be onto something here with movie release models for the future.

Here At Home

People are feeling better. There is in fact the kind of momentum that could begin to have a self-fulfilling effect on behavior and the economy. It will be critical; that momentum shows up in January to set the mood. The latest poll to reflect this budding optimism comes from CNN.

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Charles Payne
Wall Street Strategies

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