2018 Predictions
Please find below my predictions for 2018, a collection of ideas involving markets, sports, culture, and whatever else comes to mind. You should be reminded that these are my opinions, and my opinions alone. Caveat emptor.
- The Eagles will play valiantly but will not win the Super Bowl. As much as it pains me, I fear that the football gods have dealt the much improved Eagles a big blow with the injury of all-star QB Carson Wentz. The local t-shirt vendor is out hawking Eagles shirts with “St. Nick” on the back, but Nick Foles cannot replace Wentz. Maybe 2019.
- The U.S. stock market will surprise investors in a way that reminds everyone that humility is a critical aspect of investment management. This may mean more volatility, more return, more sell offs, or something else that I cannot predict with any degree of certainty. But I can tell you that the market will reward some and punish others.
- At some point in 2018, Bitcoin will trade at less than $5000 per bitcoin. The global mania is coming to a crescendo. Trading at $15531 as of 3:30 pm today, it has doubled in the last few weeks and then descended into bear market territory (off 20% from top). You ain’t seen nothin’ yet, baby. That’s all I am going to say.
- The new tax law will have interesting and unintended consequences. Whether it is the repatriation of offshore dollars that sparks a mergers and acquisitions boom (tech and healthcare are the industries to watch here), or real estate in New England and California softening in price due to local tax limitations on your Federal return, this new tax law will impact the economy. To me, this new tax law seems to preserve more of the tax code than it reforms. Missed opportunity? Special interests still wield a great deal of power, I guess.
For more information, visit the Raymond James homepage to read an extensive report or watch a video on the new tax law. A link is below: https://www.raymondjames.com/wealth-management
- Americans will decide that it is time to read books and stop watching TV (or streaming on cell phones and iPads). Books offer us time to quiet ourselves, a chance to dream and digress from the hustle and toil of 21st century life. This prediction may be very wishful thinking on my part, but I think we could all use a healthy break.
That’s all for my crystal ball this year. Wishing you a healthy and happy New Year!
Ralph McDevitt December 22, 2017
Bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies are a very speculative investment and involves a high degree of risk. Investors must have the financial ability, sophistication/experience and willingness to bear the risks of an investment, and a potential total loss of their investment. Securities that have been classified as Bitcoin-related cannot be purchased or deposited in Raymond James client accounts.
Views expressed are not necessarily those of Raymond James & Associates and are subject to change without notice. Information contained herein was received from sources believed to be reliable, but accuracy is not guaranteed. Information provided is general in nature, and is not a complete statement of all information necessary for making an investment decision. Past performance is not indicative of future results. There is no assurance these trends will continue or that forecasts mentioned will occur. Investing always involves risk and you may incur a profit or loss.
