Trading Perspectives: An Economic Podcas‪t‬ Sara McPherson

Overall economic strength has a major impact on equity valuations. When trying to determine the correct valuation for stocks, several different criteria are evaluated. What is that criteria? This past year has been a roller coaster. When we look back on the year what is the driving factor and what can we expect to see post pandemic?

The COVID-19 pandemic has changed how we live our lives and conduct business. However, what businesses and economic sectors will have to change the most in order to survive? In order to thrive as consumer behavior changes? In this week’s Trading Perspectives, Sam and John review our predictions about what sectors could be impacted the most. Listen to this week’s episode to see how they did.

Many corporations have likely come to the realization that some people do not have to be in the office everyday.  Many have shown to be just as productive working from home.  But, does the remote work environment work for everyone?  What are the pros and cons?  Additionally, why are some on board with a full time remote work environment when other’s aren’t?

Will we ever ‘get past’ COVID19? When we do, what will the new normal look like for society as a whole? We get this inquiry several times a day, if not more, and we wonder: how have the events over the past year changed us? Obviously, everyone will answer the question differently.

Congress just recently passed a new COVID-19 relief package coupled with $1.4 trillion spending bill. When AOC and Ted Cruz are both in agreement in saying they have not had enough time to read the bill before voting, is a sure sign that something is amiss. How much of it is relevant to the COVID-19 pandemic? Is $1.3 billion to Egypt really benefiting those that have struggled through the lockdowns? And lastly, can we expect it to stimulate economic recovery?

The recent Initial Public Offering (IPO) market has been red hot, with valuations stretching the imagination. Are the good times here to stay? Can companies like Airbnb, DoorDash, and Snowflake grow fast enough to command these prices? Or is it déjà vu all over again, as in the dot.com bubble?