@realmoney
Jan 12, 2021 | 12:30 PM EST DOUG KASS
'Schwartzy' Buys
* In March 'Schwartzy' sold out his entire stock portfolio
* Yesterday he bought back into the market
* Res ipso loquitor
I can't even...
Yesterday I received a telephone call from 'Schwartzy' who informed me that he has bought back into the market.
You all might remember my pal 'Schwartzy' back at the market lows in March when I wrote a column, "'Schwartzy' Sells", in which I described a friend's decision
to liquidate his entire (sizeable) stock portfolio...
Bottom Line
'Schwartzy' sold his portfolio out with the S&P Index at about 2200 - within a couple of days of the market's lows.
This week he has bought stocks back (10 months later) with the S&P Index at about 3800.
I may not be the smartest tool in the woodshed but, as a friend of mine would say - "this is a suboptimal" approach to investing.
Though anecdotal and maybe a "one off" I would nonetheless consider 'Schwarty' as a contrarian signpost during the current period of trading and
investing euphoria.
I am.
If you get a chance, reread David Rocker's contribution this morning.
While I nor anyone else knows the timing, traders and investors are likely going to get hammered. Margin calls will come. Portfolios based on home equity loans and other forms of
leverage will get wiped out as the SEC and the Exchanges, who make money on volume, do nothing.
Many market participants are currently getting drunk on speculation at the punchbowl as the music continues to play.
@realmoney
Jan 14, 2021 | 11:25 AM EST DOUG KASS
Now Hedged in Banks
With this morning's sharp move higher in bank stocks I have hedged out my entire long position (10% weighting) with an ($XLF) short.
I have shorted XLF from the opening on a scale higher. ($31.41 to $31.54).
I expect backing and filling from here over the next several months - but that is likely contingent on my market view being correct.
If I am correct I will cover XLF (down 10% or more) - moving me, again, back long.
I am trying to be as transparent as possible in this
explanation.
I find it interesting that some of the same observers who questioned my sanity in buying months ago are now questioning these sales.
Frankly, I did not expect the bank stocks to pivot higher in such rapid order - I had expected a more gradual and "orderly" rise
Capitalism has found morality and has come to the rescue of a political system that has taken a terrible turn over the recent period with Trump at the helm. Signature Bank, Deutsche Bank, scores of corporations and to the chagrin of Trump, the PGA has
jettisoned its relationship.
Worse than political carnage with be the swift decline of the Trump brand and his businesses. Who, besides his sycophants, want to be associated with the Trump brand? Companies look for safety, stability and confidence of its stakeholders.
If you still worship at his altar, look in the mirror. If you are a member of Mar a Lago, Trump golf clubs or frequent Trump resorts, look in the mirror. And ask yourself why did this revelation take so long? @jimcramer@tomkeene@SquawkCNBC@CNBCFastMoney@andrewrsorkin
I have spent the last year or so endlessly criticizing Trump's conduct, ethical foundation and policies on Twitter.
I was aghast that so many accepted (Trump Acceptance Syndrome? TAC?) his behavior and lack of a moral footing.
To all my haters who defended @realdonaldtrump
and repeatedly tweeted that I and others had TDS (Trump Derangement Syndrome) - I accept your apologies.
Today (one by one) the leaders in the Republican House and Senate are increasingly moving to support impeachment as they now are in favor of purging Trump from the Party.
To those who's views of Trump have not changed since the siege on Washington last week I think you should reassess-- you should recognize that the assault has been ongoing but you simply were unwilling to see with clarity.
It is time for the Republican party to regain the tenets
Trump Loses His Voice, Twitter Loses Its Meal Ticket
* Over the last four years Twitter has become President Trump's 'house organ' en.wikipedia.org/wiki/House_org… - a powerful, real-time tool for communicating his views and policy
* I shorted Twitter last
week after predicting, in my "15 Surprises for 2021," in late December, that the President would be banned from Twitter
* On Friday night, Twitter permanently banned President Trump from the platform cnn.com/2021/01/08/tec…
* @realdonaldtrump was Twitter's "mother lode" -
the importance of his Twitter account can not be overstated
* The ban on Trump's Twitter account will have profound ramifications for Twitter's usage, revenues and profitability
* Twitter's shares, which fell on Friday, are down by another -$4 (or -8%) in premarket trading
From My 15 Surprises for 2021 on @realmoney (Dec 2020)
Surprise #3 Former President Trump No Longer Remains A Dominant Political Force in the U.S. - The Republican party comes to the realization that Trump is a liability at the same time the Democrats realize that the far left
hurts their party. Trump proceeds with "Trump TV" (he is in "pre-production" already!). Launched in the spring, he recruits Sean Hannity, Roger Stone, Mike Flynn and Joe Kernen to become the enterprise's primary commentators. By year-end it is clear that this is but another
one of Trump's multiple business failures and "Trump TV" closes almost before it started. Facing numerous lawsuits and a sweeping State of New York indictment, Donald Trump declares personal bankruptcy by year-end. There is no cliffhanger this time and, disgraced,
With the PGA announcing a lifetime ban against golf tournaments on @realdonaldtrump properties - the anti Trump sentiment is rapidly advancing. Faster than many realize. The economic consequences are immense. Banks, advertisers and corporations will shun him and his entities.
In time, only his most rabid allies will remain at Mar A Lago and his clubs. For most it will be a personal embarrassment to admit membership.
Corporations (real estate companies and others) that he joint ventures with will seek to end their association.
This is likely the beginning of the end of the Trump real estate and corporate empire.
Impeachment may be the least of the Trump family's problems now.