Resilient Markets

It has been five years since the collapse of the financial markets. Five years ago, the world financial systems were on the brink of collapse. For five years we have been crawling out of a deep hole. You can't get very far by crawling, but if one moves forward little-by-little for five years, how far we have come will look very impressive. Let's just look at the stock markets. Early in 2009 the Dow Jones Industrial Average bottomed at just under 6500 in reaction to the crisis. This year the Dow has topped 15,500 twice. That is a gain of approximately 140% in under five years. Even more impressively, the gain does not seem to be slowing much as the rally matures. Thus far in 2013, gains have exceeded 15%.

Every time the markets look like they are in the middle of a correction, they seem to bounce back nicely. This year, the market has been affected by rising interest rates and the situation in Syria. Each time there is a pull-back it is brief and then a comeback ensues. One has to ask if there is more room on the upside after such a run. The answer boils down to two issues. First, will the economy keep recovering at a decent pace? Second, will this recovery cause interest rates to rise high enough to slow down the train? The economic recovery is definitely stronger today paced by a recovered auto industry and recovering real estate markets. But it still has not been strong enough to create enough jobs to replace those lost in the recession, let alone keep on pace with population growth. The statement released after the meeting of the Federal Reserve Board last week echoed that concern. Growth that is too strong might actually turn out to be a recipe to slow the run we have seen.

Mike Ervin

Senior Mortgage Banker

NMLS # 282715

Cell: 650-766-8500

mike@mikeervin.com