Full of Sound and Fury...

7-7 Market Highlights (January 19 – January 25, 2020) 

Macbeth, Shakespeare must have envisioned the 'full of sound and fury' of the U.S. Senate impeachment theatre…  “…Tomorrow, and tomorrow, and tomorrow, creeps in this petty pace from day to day…  Life’s but a walking shadow, a poor player that struts and frets his hour upon the stage and then is heard no more.  It is a tale told by an idiot, full of sound and fury, signifying nothing…”

Chinese coronavirus, now, posits 41 death, 1,000+ sickened, Buhan City China quarantined, Chinese New Year celebration cancelled, 70,000 movie theaters shut, Disney Shanghai closed, and thrusts the world into a looming panic.  Let’s hope that like the past, history of SARS, coronavirus impact on markets be short-lived.  Meanwhile, the global luminaries pontificated and jousted economics, politics, moral aspirations in Davos Switzerland… Indeed, life’s struggle, suffering asseverated by Buddha, Jesus, Socrates, Nietzsche…, came alive this week. Hmmmm...

1/24/2020:  DOW-28,989; S&P500-3,295; NASDAQ-9,314; Gold-$1,570.70; Oil-$54.37; US 10-Year: 1.686% 

Here is the highlights of the 4th week of 2020:  

1.    Coronavirus from China. CDC confirms 41 killed in China by Coronavirus. It comes to human-to-human transmission of the viruses, often by contact with the infected person's secretions. There is no specific treatment. It causes respiratory problems but can also cause diarrhea, fatigue, shortness of breath, respiratory distress and kidney failure. Depending on the patient's age, the death rate with SARS ranged from 0-50% of the cases, with older people being the most vulnerable. Most of the time, symptoms will go away on their own.  The outbreak began in Wuhan, China, in December, and scientist Leo Poon, who first decoded the virus, thinks it likely started in an animal and spread to humans.  Coronavirus symptoms, like a common cold, include a runny nose, cough, sore throat, possibly a headache and maybe a fever, which can last for a couple of days. Coronavirus in pregnant women could be like more severe versions of MERS and SARS. Pets can catch coronaviruses and the infections can become severe. So, China quarantined Wuhan and shut down airport, closed 70,000 movie theaters and curtailing Chinese New Year celebrations. 

2.    Coronavirus Economic Impact.        Global carmaker and luxury brands hit as coronavirus shuts down Wuhan and curtailing Chinese New Year celebrations. Well, Renault, Honda and Peugeot owner PSA Group are among the global companies that have large manufacturing plants in Wuhan, China, the center of a coronavirus outbreak. Wuhan, a city of 11 million people, is now under lockdown after its airport, railway stations, and all transport services were also closed on Thursday as fear over the outbreak spread. 70,000 movie theater and Disney Shanghai are closed… The global auto industry is in a deep recession, which shows little signs of abating and French carmaker Renault stock closed 5% weaker on Thursday, shares dropped 12% so far this year amid the scandal surrounding former chairman Carlos Ghosn.  Honda's Wuhan joint venture is in serious jeopardy, accounting for much of its Asian automobile revenue. And, luxury firms falter as consumer spending over the Chinese New Year takes a hit this week. LVMH, Louis Vuitton and Fendi, has fallen 6% since Monday. Gucci and Balenciaga parent Kering is also down 6%, while Richemont, Cartier watches, has dropped 7%.  Travel restrictions could have a "significant impact on sales during this crucial two-week spending period, typically be expecting a windfall in sales to Chinese shoppers. 

3.    U.S. Senate Impeachment Hearing…           Dreadful theater ensues… The deadly dull parade of the radical Dems repetitious and redundant bleating goes on without apparent end on Capitol Hill Adam Schiff now Jerrold Nadler blathering on and on their disdain for American voters who they would so love to relieve of the burden of deciding who should be President with a vote in November. They blather on about their fascination with fictional accounts of the president's conduct of his duties as president of the United States and leader of the free world. If the radical Dems keep up this dirge voters of all parties and independents alike will give the party of hate a drubbing in November perpetuating decades of Republican dominance in America. Did anyone listen to the tedium of the Senate impeachment hearing…? So full of hate, cynicism, lies, vitriols, and malevolent pontifications…  What is the real motivation for the theatre? Tribal ritual, power grab, or genuine evil intent…? What say ye? 

4.    Davos 2020.         Swiss police reportedly believe Russian spies posed as plumbers attempted to bug Davos. Police told the Financial Times that the men claimed they had diplomatic protection, although they had not registered this with official Swiss authorities. The essence of Davos, a frontline of the 'war on nature'…? Key moments from World Economic Forum Annual Meeting at Davos are, but not limited to: Wuhan Coronavirus, How to Measure a New Economy, EU's Green 'New Deal, How to Tax the Digital Economy, Humankind declaration a war on nature and nature is striking back, and 1) Women leadership in Europe, 2) AI arms race, 3) What not to say to a blind girl, 4) Life in a geopolitical hotspot - the view from Iraq and Venezuela, and 5) Brief travel advice from an explorer… Anyone paying attention…? 

5.    Doom and Gloom, George Soros.        George Soros, billionaire and founder of Soros Fund Management LLC, warns Trump of potential economic doom before election. George Soros said that the U.S. economy could be headed for calamity as a result of President Donald Trump’s efforts to juice American business. “The stock market, already celebrating Trump’s military success, is breaking out to reach new heights,” he said. “But an overheated economy can’t be kept boiling for too long.” The longtime investor’s comment came on the heels of fresh record highs in the U.S. stock market and amid the longest bull market in American history. “Trump’s economic team has managed to overheat an already buoyant economy,” Soros warned his guests at an informal dinner at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland. 

6.    Highest-Paying Health-Care Jobs, Not MD.          The health-care industry is the largest and fastest-growing in the United States, according to the federal Bureau of Labor Statistics. From 2008 to 2018, the number of health-care jobs grew by 23% and is projected to increase by 17% for the decade ahead. Still, these jobs in the field that don’t require an M.D.  All have median salaries above $70,000/year, according to BLS, and some of them don’t even require a master’s degree. They are: 1) Nurse anesthetists, nurse midwives, and nurse practitioners (Median salary in 2018: $113,930/year), 2) Physician assistants ($108,610/year), 3) Occupational therapists ($84,720), 4) Radiation therapists ($82,330), 5) Genetic counselors ($80,370), 6) Speech-language pathologists ($77,510), 7) Nuclear medicine technologists ($76,820), 8) Dental hygienists ($74,820), 9) Registered nurses ($71,730). 

7.    Retirement Job…? Wondered about what the most rewarding part-time jobs would be you can do after retiring. Well, according to Frances Carruthers some people look forward to nothing more than to put their feet up in retirement. Yet for others, keeping busy and earning some extra income make the retirement attractive. And, if you’re after for a part-time job in your later years, look through following list of the most rewarding, flexible and generously paid occupations.  Consider: Freelancer or consultant, Working at a resort, Substitute teacher, Tour guide, Pet sitter, Dog walker, Bookstore assistant, Private tutor, Interpreter or translator, Librarian assistant, Sales jobs, Working in or alongside the clergy, Childcare worker, Writing jobs, Uber or Lyft driver, Artist, Park ranger, Model, Extra in TV or film, Dance instructor, Children’s entertainer, Run a bed and breakfast, Teach abroad, Gardener, Antique reseller. Income from this type of job massively varies dependent on how much time and effort you can put into it, but it can make some good money, and find satisfaction in your retirement.

These are my researches and analysis of the highlights of the week. Perhaps you should take a closer look at them, do additional research and analysis if these are interesting to you. This “7–7 Market Highlights” is presented for general knowledge, the resource for management, and perhaps as a tool for career development, and building wealth. As always, “Stay Curious” and “Think for Yourself” and you decide on your own terms. 

Mahalo. I welcome your thoughtful comments, “like” notes, and “share” of this publication. 

~ S. Vincent Shin

   www.dhirubhai.net/in/vshin

References and Image credits to Bloomberg News, The Wall Street Journals, Getty image, AP Photo, Reuters, CNBC..., and special thanks to Image & Visual Consultant @U.Y. All references, news, and images are from open source and public domain.