Land prices seem to be holding or continuing to accelerate here. I'm not sure what effect stock surges may have on that, any insight?

Fuel prices(energy) are down cuz the US is recently back too recorded production,,,,, had Biden kept going with trumps plan instead of trying too appease the green crowd. Fuel prices would of never risen and we wouldn’t of had so much pain,,,,,

Election year coming up,,,,,

The pop yesterday was from them not raising interest rates and suggesting lowering rates possibly this upcoming year,,,,,, good for folks/companies borrowing money/paying debt

Buying land usually means borrowing money,,,,,

Crypto is up because of potential ETF as well as bitcoin halving sometime in the spring.April???maybe March???

The VIX is at 12 ish,,,,,very low

Lower rates will have a positive impact on real estate market

According to NewsMax this morning, the fed not raising interest rates had a lot to do with it.

VIX had an eleven handle a few days ago. Scary !!

Ok...what is Vix and what does it being so low indicate?

The VIX is a financial indicator = mathematical formula that measures price stability over a period of time. It's a past performance indicator used to predict future market trends.
Price stability = confidence in the market = level of stress/fear in the market.
It's been some time since school so may not have the numbers quite right; numbers under 20 indicates stability in the market = positive/good feelings. Numbers above 40? indicate instability in the markets = uncertainly/stressed feelings.

Of note, the markets are driven today by perception of current events on market price movements. And as the markets move, in general, sectors and individual stock prices move.

I predict 2024 will be an economic boom year. Got to insure Democrat victory in November.

I am not sure what Scott means by "price stability" but I THINK he is referring to STOCK price stability rather than the prices of goods & services.

I would differ a little bit from that explanation.

VIX is a calculation of the EXPECTED volatility for the next 30 days. As Scott rightly points out it is a complex calculation that you really don't need to do yourself. But that calculation is based on the prices of out-of-the-money put and call options on the S&P 500 index for the upcoming 16 & 44 day periods.

If the demand (from investors or speculators) for protection or hedging is low....then that will result in a lower value on the VIX calculation.

VIX is calculated constantly in real time and most everyone can see it on their broker's platform.


Generally, it gives an idea of how anxious or complacent traders are about the market actions over the next month. It can also give you an idea about how expensive or cheap the market may be at the moment.

It is often used as a contrary indicator. Low readings, such as now, may indicate a market top or close to it........but that condition can go on a long time without disruption.

There are a couple of 'old sayings' that often are applicable.

" When the VIX is high, it's time to buy" This is usually the case if the market is selling off or "crashing".

" When the VIX is low, it's time to go"..............meaning it's time to sell and take profits before the market tumbles.

So.......what is "HIGH" and what is "LOW" ?


That depends a lot on what is causing the market to do what it's doing and the magnitude of the move OVER TIME. Time is a critical part of volatility. BUT............the lowest I have ever seen was 10. something and the highest was in the 60's that I can recall.


When the market goes up, VIX will usually go down and vice versa


Angela, I know this stuff is not interesting at all to most people but, considering your interest in this subject, I have run my mouth a lot here.

Here is a good book on the subject of volatility and how it impacts pricing

https://www.amazon.com/Option-Volatility-Pricing-Strategies-Techniques/dp/0071818774

And here is a discussion of VIX on the CBOE website. CBOE created and owns VIX

https://www.cboe.com/tradable_products/vix/

Good to see a nice rise in the stock market. Opens up some options for planning.

lBryce

I guess I invested in the wrong stuff. A couple of years ago I took 5K out of my savings and put into the stock market as I hated seeing my money in savings lose value.
I'm still a negative in the market for what I put in.

Looking back, would have been better to invest that 5K in more equipment IMO.

Thank you for explaining it so that anyone can understand. I'll check out the links you posted. So, I think I'm understanding right when I surmise that your saying it being that low is very scary is due to the fact that you believe it may precipitate a crash or at least strong downturn of the market?

Oh, and I bet a lot more people appreciate reading your thoughts on these topics than you realize!

So why is Buffett pulling billions out?????

Looking at the big picture, I don't like what I see. So much smoke and mirrors. Our country has such weak leadership these days. 33 trillion in debt and our taxes can't pay the interest on it. Countries say they will nuke us before the next election. I have gone to CD's to park my cash. They pay 5.4% APY FDIC insured to $250,000.

Somebody that lives NW of me predicted a market crash under Joe Biden. One year left. Unless, we are real unlucky.

Some will say the market is up due to Bidenomics.

I predict a good year for the market and low fuel prices. Just my opinion based on nothing other than talk of lowering intrest rates and its an election year with the left in charge so they will want thing to appear going well. They know the average person has low iq and understanding with an even shorter memory. Late winter next year I wouldn't place any bets


Now ther could be a major event to attempt to stroke patriotism and possibly post pone the election entertainment event. But those are my 2 theories. Doesn't matter what happens I will still max out my 401 and a roth and do the same next year if I have a job and the funds.

There have always been those not trusting the stock markets since the great depression and before. So make other investments. Like said in land, maybe gold and silver, ect. And during that time Manny many more millionaires have been made investing in the stock market. Many I work with just in their basic 401 alone. It goes up and down but over time always up.

I have bought land and houses. May be buying moms condo before long. Everything I have bought had gone up in value greatly. My stock investments have also. My investments in ammo have probably had the best returns if I would sell some of it off.

Invest in what you are comfortable with. Make a budget stick to it and don't live beyond your means. It's simple yet so hard for many.

Everything you bought has gone up in "price", If you did not add value, chance are the values are similar to when you bought it.

Fascinating interview from tucker,,,,,,,

https://x.com/tuckercarlson/status/1740862759477162304?s=46&t=vnvuKC3m9pTsk7bV3BolKA