Afternoon Note
The market came out the gate with the kind of caution we have become accustomed of late. Growth was leading the way until news that the city of Washington, D.C. is suing Amazon over its business practices. It looked like Amazon (AMZN) was going to take off, but not anymore. The news is a reminder of political risks, but it’s not a major financial blow in of itself.
AMZN 5-day chart

Housing Boom Slowing?
This morning, more economic data releases missed Wall Street consensus. New Home sales came in at annualized rate of 863,000 from 917,000, which was a major revision lower from 1,021,000. Prices climbed to $372,400 from $310,100 a year earlier. 
Future Confidence Waning
Consumer confidence of 117.2 was below consensus of 119. Consumers appear to really be worried about where things will be six months from now.
|
Consumer Confidence |
May |
Apr |
|
Present Conditions |
144.3 |
131.9 |
|
Expectations |
99.1 |
107.5 |

Interestingly all these developments are positive for the stock market, as they chip away at the notion of an overheated economy beyond the inflation surge.
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| 1/2/2026 1:06 PM | Mixed Session |
| 1/2/2026 9:41 AM | DAY ONE - 2026 |
| 12/31/2025 9:38 AM | HAPPY NEW YEAR |
| 12/30/2025 1:17 PM | Investors Await FOMC Minutes |
| 12/30/2025 9:38 AM | FED MINUTES TODAY |
| 12/29/2025 2:11 PM | Holiday Continues |
| 12/29/2025 9:44 AM | LARGE STAYS IN CHARGE HEADING INTO 2026 |
| 12/26/2025 12:47 PM | Slow Session |
| 12/26/2025 9:30 AM | The Market’s Gift: New Heights |
| 12/24/2025 9:10 AM | HO HO HO, MERRY CHRISTMAS |
| 12/23/2025 1:35 PM | Just In Time For Santa |
| 12/23/2025 9:26 AM | STRONG START TO A SHORTENED TRADING WEEK |
| 12/22/2025 1:37 PM | Broad Strength |
| 12/22/2025 9:26 AM | GETTING READY FOR THE YEAR-END |
| 12/19/2025 1:40 PM | Is Santa Coming? |
| 12/19/2025 9:38 AM | DEAR SANTA |
| 12/18/2025 1:44 PM | Markets Enthusiastic |
| 12/18/2025 9:28 AM | ORACLE CONTINUES TO HAUNT THE AI TRADE |
| 12/17/2025 1:23 PM | Technology Slides |
| 12/17/2025 9:40 AM | SPRING LOADED |
| 12/16/2025 1:44 PM | Drifting Lower |
| 12/16/2025 9:41 AM | JOBS DATA ARRIVES (FINALLY!) |
| 12/15/2025 1:27 PM | Choppy Action |
| 12/15/2025 9:38 AM | LOOKING FOR A NUDGE |
| 12/12/2025 1:29 PM | Friday Fury |
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