Written by: Mike Simonato, Ontario Presenter: “Investing for the Long Term, presented to the Feb. 6 2021 International Online Forum, you can watch by CLICKING HERE.
In my business, I meet a lot of people from all walks of life, income levels, and stations in life. I get to see the reality of the pandemic and when linked with news reports, a picture forms. What I’m seeing now is the toll that the following is taking on everyday people:
- The amount of stress and depression all are dealing with
- The number of unbelievably stupid and self-centered people there are
- How the above is shaping up and the picture that is forming.
The PICTURE: This is shaping up to be potentially the greatest catastrophe ever to face mankind Why? It doesn’t matter how nice you are, how smart you are, or how much money you have you are affected to one degree or another. Let’s paint a picture to show how this is setting up. Let’s look at India as an example:
Daily infections 346,789 Daily Death Count 2,624. The death rate is rising because of no oxygen so those infected are dying by suffocation therefore numbers are rising.
Every day we see numbers ie Ontario over 4,000 every day with more deaths (over 8.000 now) We must never forget that these numbers have meaning. Every person dying and infected are husbands, wives, kids, grandparents and workers. So for every infection or death there is a family going through great stress. Here’s where it really hits home. No one is allowing flights from India/ Pakistan as they don’t want more infections. How do we cope with stress, we go on vacation. USA has said it’s unsafe to travel to 80% of the world, including Canada. Can’t go on vacation. Canada was to allow flights to the tropics starting April 30th now has been delayed until June 30th. Some have their work but guess what many don’t have any work and the ones that do are so stressed all the good ones are quitting, including now doctors and nurses. For me in my business, I doubled my March income and I will do approximately double the number of houses normal and I’m beyond booked solid into July. At 68 years old it’s a little much. Plus every day I see the toll this is taking on families, including severe depression, turning to alcohol and drugs to suicide. I was told by one of the health care heads that this will by no means be over this year. With new variants rising, people are moving from hot spots to so-called safe areas however they are taking the virus with them and numbers are soaring everywhere causing extreme levels of rage to the point of businesses using social media to say do not serve anyone who isn’t a regular customer or someone you know. Another result Collingwood has stated no more building permits will be issued because the infrastructure is so overwhelmed. Another result is prices have gone insane. eg A townhouse that 5 years ago was bought for $325,000 just sold for over $900,000.
With the Suez Canal blockage, Chip shortages etc etc the Supply chain has been greatly affected and not in a good way. Now add in The Port of Montreal just went on strike so no ships will be unloaded or loaded thus affecting what we can get in store as well as blocking Canadian Manufactures ability to get their products to market. If Vancouver does the same then get ready for a long hot summer.
As I have written previously I believe the next 3 months are going to be extremely crucial for not only the economy but our way of life. Personally, I’m hoping for some kind of miracle but for now it’s bedtime. Another full day of work tomorrow.
As always nothing more than my 2 cents and I hope it’s of value and interest.
Now for the Mkts.
USA
Mkts like stability and calm however 4 out of 5 Mkts VectorVest covers could go into a C/DN next week. The only one a little better this week was the USA: Mon PW UP, Tues PW DN, WED PW UP, THURS PW DN, FRI PW UP
DOW JONES: Price went no where this week Hit Resistance 5 of last 6 trading sessions Vol right at 50 day moving average. RT Slight Bearish Divergence
NASDAQ: 6 touches at strong resistance last 2 weeks
S&P 500: Very tight channel the last 2 weeks
MKT TIMING: Just broke above strong resistance on Friday
READ Strategy. Earnings Indicator continues to rise
CANADA:
PTSE: Fell from last Friday then flat Tues to Fri RT Fell Vol Weak
VENTURE Continues to be very weak
MKT TIMING: Stuck at strong resistance. Bearish Divergence since the first of the year continues
READ Views, Strategy Earnings Indicator still at 1
BRITAIN: READ Views Strategy
EUROPE: READ Strategy
AUSTRALIA READ Strategy
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