Crew Capital Management Thoughts on Investment

Welcome to the Crew Capital Management Thoughts on Investment blog. At Crew Capital, investment education is key to how we work with our clients. We hope our conversation and analysis entice you to think further on your investment strategies and planning. For further discussion, please contact us at rjung@crewcapital.com

Thank you!
Robert F. Jung, CFA CPA*

*CPA inactve

Monday, June 8, 2009

VIX - Update

After a rocky ride during which the VIX Volatility Index shot up toward 80 and has averaged 45 over the past 10 months, the popular measure of market volatility has moved back below 30 (barely) for the first time since the bankruptcy of Lehman Brothers. The markets have reacted positively to the monetary and fiscal stimulus plans enacted across the globe. The trend is pointing toward a quiet summer in terms of volatility, but investors would be wise to monitor their portfolios closely. One of the side effects of the numerous stimulus plans is likely to be an increase in pricing pressure over the next two-three years. We think hardasset based sectors such as Energy and Materials may be poised to benefit, as well as the Tech sector, which works to keep productivity high and costs low. We expect to see the VIX volatility index move within a range of 25-35 over the next several months as the market works to conclude that the recent rally is a secular move, not a cyclical swing in a long-term bear market.

I'm not sure I agree with the last sentence. I think this is more of a cyclical (short-term) rally in a secular (long-term) bear. I am very concerned that the US Bank are moving the way of the Japanese Banks in the 90's, which create "Zombie" Banks. For the US to have growth capital MOST be invested, currently the bank are not investing.

Source Argus Research, Market Watch, 6-8-2009

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