Carnegie Market Blog

New Highs for Small Caps, Cord-cutting and Akron’s Hot Real Estate Market

Posted by Brent Luce on May 23, 2018 4:35:44 PM

SMALL CAPS AT NEW HIGHS

As you know, the stock market has been a bit weak this year, with the S&P 500 trading about 6% below its January high.  Interestingly, small- and mid-cap stock indices have diverged from the S&P 500 and are trading at all-time highs.  It would be very unusual for this condition to exist as the market enters a new bear market, so I would consider this to be a bullish sign.  In thinking about this unusual divergence, I suspect that the huge swing to ETF trading/investing is an influence.  The large cap companies are the constituents of the major ETFs.  When investors buy and sell based on shorter-term emotions, more than ever, they are using ETFs as their tools.  This, in turn, moves the larger cap indices while the smaller companies not in the major ETFs are less affected.  With this in mind, it may be that the new highs in smaller companies are reflective of strong business conditions/results while the weaker large cap stocks are reflecting the weaker sentiment and fears that have entered the picture this year.  MORE: Why Soaring Small-Cap Stocks Signal Bear Is At Bay

Divergence Between Small and Large Cap Stocks
Divergence Between Small and Large Cap stocks

 

Kids and Cable

Most of us have probably noticed our own migration from watching traditional television to absorbing information and entertainment from other sources.  “Cord-cutting” is becoming commonplace and the thought of having to plug a cable cord into the back of our televisions is starting to seem as archaic as actually depending on a landline phone.  Nowhere is this trend more pronounced than in young people who were born into the wireless age.  Just in the past year, viewership of Nickelodeon, Disney Channel and the Cartoon Network is down a whopping 20% and in the past decade (chart below), viewership is down 50%.  Take a wild guess where all these viewers are going – this is the poster-child of disruption.   MORE: Netflix-Loving Kids Are Killing Cable 

Youth in Revolt Chart

 

Akron Housing Market is Hot

 Whenever I go to Akron, it seems that the economy there weaker than its northern neighbor, Cleveland – maybe I am biased.  To my chagrin, Akron recently ranked number one on a list of “10 Surprising Cities Where Bidding Wars Are Booming”… READ MORE 

Akron's Hot Real Estate Market Could Be Forcing More Bidding Wars

 

Brent Luce

Written by Brent Luce

Brent Luce Senior Portfolio Manager Cleveland, OH. Brent serves Carnegie Investment Counsel as Senior Portfolio Manager. Brent manages custom portfolios for select clients and is an integral part of Carnegie’s investment selection and portfolio structuring processes. He is also author of the “Carnegie Market Blog”. Email Brent at bluce@carnegieinvest.com.

  • There are no suggestions because the search field is empty.

carnegie top 4 things 2021 version-1

Looking to hire a Financial Advisor?

Enclosed in our eBook are four questions we recommend you ask any prospective group you review. Plus, you'll learn: 

  • The difference between fiduciary and suitability standards
  • Learn how some advisors may not be required to work in your best interest
  • Be aware of various types of hidden costs
  • The importance of third party custodians
  • The difference between fee-based and fee-only

Download Now, It's Free

Recent Posts

Subscribe here for monthly blog updates!