As we head into 2020, the big debate is how to find value after a monster year for the stock market. The year saw the wide distribution of gains across the S&P 500:

450 winners

55 losers

• 401 up 10%+
• 313 up 20%+
• 225 up 30%+

There’s no doubt momentum names will attract buyers, and crowded names will continue to see their bandwagons overflow, but now more than ever, individual investors need to understand underlying fundamentals while determining value propositions. Great fundamentals matter in all endeavors from sports to picking the right Santa Claus for special events.

The Best Santa

I read an article on the Boston Globe website about Jim Manning, who plays Santa year-round, and is considered the best in the state.  He is so good in fact, he charges up to $700 an hour. 

This was intriguing. I once hired a clown for a kid’s party. Not only was he awful, but he also was drunk. He even revealed all the secrets to his traditional clown magic tricks before I asked him to leave.

However, I suspect every parent and most children understand and appreciate a good Santa.

Other well-known Santa Claus impersonators include:

Brady White is called the Santa to the Stars and was once featured in “Lifestyles of the Rich and Famous.”  He commands up to $5,000 per appearance.

John Sullivan in the Chicago area has been rocking the Santa suit since 1993 and is in demand all year long.

The bottom line is there are going to be stocks worth paying up for because the story is improving faster than the share price. Ho Ho Ho.

Portfolio Approach

Last week, we took profits in a Materials name, and added a new position in Materials.  If you have any questions, contact your account representative or email research@wstreet.com

Today’s Session

It’s another holiday shortened week.  The major indices are relatively flat with a slightly downward bias.  The markets are trying hard to finish the year with the largest percentage gain since 1997.

On the economic front, the US Goods Trade Deficit Shrinks To Smallest Since 2016. The Advance report for International Trade in Goods for November recorded a deficit of $63.2 billion versus, estimates for $68.7billion.  October was $66.8 billion.  

-Imports declined 1.3% to $199.568 billion from $202.24 billion in October

-Exports increased 0.7% to $136.375 billion from $135.45 billion in October

Retail Inventories for November fell 0.7%, and Wholesale Inventories for November was unchanged. 

Comments

There's gold in them there hills ( and silver)! Happy New Year! Forrest W Byers on 12/30/2019 2:05:37 PM

The last couple of days I have noticed an ad on FBN saying that Trump is sending more than 50% of our jobs overseas, vote to bring them back. I am hoping that you and the other commentators on FBN will denounce this ad for the error it is trying to broadcast. Thanks Paula Holt on 2/13/2020 3:52:28 PM

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