Easter Week, More Record Highs...Economic Boom?

Easter Week will end today. The Liturgy of the Catholic Church celebrates every day of that week in a special way. The term used is "solemnity." The intention is to spiritually "extend" Easter Sunday. (I'm not a theologian, so don't quote me.) It allows us revel in the glory of this most glorious feast, and to reap the benefits of the graces that flow from God's infinite love and generosity.

So it was a good week. Despite the extra busy-ness at work due to end of 1st quarter/beginning of 2nd, it was good. What the world throws at us can't interfere with what God gives us. Frequently it does, but we should do our best to see that it doesn't - or at least minimize the distractions. 

As with all our attempts to live right, to sanctify our everyday lives, we don't always succeed. We slip and fall from time to time. Sometimes it's a BIG fail. That's just how it goes with us creatures, hampered by our fallen human nature. But if we simply get up and start over again, doing our best despite our falling and our failures, we'll get back on track. And if we acknowledge our weakness and ask for God's help, that's the best of the best.

Meanwhile, more record highs in the stock market came without much surprise. After all, we're in the final phase of an historic bull market. These pushes to the moon come with the territory. Records are broken. People get giddy. They flock into the market, driving prices up even further. And so it goes. How long it goes on is anyone's guess. 

Observing the mania of the crowd can be frustrating if you're not participating. But a recent report from one of the big investment houses claims there's a "new" generation of investors now tripping over each other to invest. These purported newbies consist of those who previously have not invested (or haven't invested for a long time) in stocks. They are spread over all age groups, but are heavily concentrated in Millennials. At least that's what the report claims. Along with that claim comes the inevitable ancillary claim that this new generation will drive stocks to even further highs. (Forever? It doesn't say.) Whooppeee!

Whatever the cause, stocks had a good week.

If you're watching any of this with a skeptical eye, join the club. And if you haven't already done this, it's a good time to read (or re-read as we do from time to time) Charles Mackay's iconic Extraordinary Popular Delusions and the Madness of Crowds. If you invest, this work should be required reading, especially as mania takes over markets. (If you don't think there's a touch or more of mania out there, skip it. Just pour more money in and...hope for the best, I suppose.)

Along with stocks soaring, we've seen a few predictions about the economy. The latest claim was that we're in the early stages of a huge economic boom. Why? Besides the "free" money being pumped relentlessly into the financial markets, we're going to see the greatest increases in GDP since - well, I'm not sure. It depends on who you read.

Surprised? Don't be. If you're looking around and not seeing all this frantic economic activity, forget it. If you're unemployed and can't get a job, or if you know people who are unemployed, that's just you - and them. "The economy" is booming and will be booming for - forever?

If you're skeptical about stocks rising forever, then maybe you are about the economy booming forever - or close to it. Maybe a good push up with all that Fed created money and Trillion $ government programs. But how long does that last?

In the midst of all this, the Easter Season will go on for some weeks to come. That's something that doesn't call for either skepticism or speculation. It's a fact. And if we observe Easter as we should, we'll benefit from the Season in some way. In the end it's up to God how and how much. But He's not going to ignore you're sincere efforts to give Him glory in a special way during His glorious Easter Season.

So if find all the chatter and blather about the stock market and economy boring, irritating, or downright ridiculous, stick with Easter. The experts can be wrong about markets and the economy. If you bet on their speculative projections, you could stand to lose as much as you might stand to win. With Easter, you can't lose. 

Stick with the winner: Easter.