First, we want to send out our warmest wishes for you and your family as we enter
into the time of year where we spend time with those we cherish, reflect back on the
past year and look ahead to what comes next. We thank you for being part of
our extended family and are grateful to know you.
This will be the last update of 2021 barring some improbable calamity between now and year end.
We have shared a year in which we all thought life would return to normal, only to
learn we must roll with the punches and make the most of the situation we find
ourselves in. As it turns out, the American spirit is pretty good at turning lemons
into lemonade and 2021 has been no different. We have laughed, cried, comforted
and hopefully loved. Though there were a few treacherous periods of time, the
markets have treated us pretty well and we were once again reminded "this too shall
pass."
We will send out a more robust update for the first quarter of 2022 in early to mid
January, but in a nutshell the economy is resilient and strong. We will have to
weather concerns over interest rate increases and whatever else the world throws at
us as we move into 2022, but more on that in early January. Covid tried once again
to get the markets to stumble, but was once again met with the American spirit.
Incidentally, as the media undoubtedly ramps up its coverage of the Omicron
variant, know that it reached its peak in 25 days in South Africa before it started to
burn out. That gives it about two to three more weeks here. Fortunately, it doesn't
appear to be as severe as past variants. Additionally, new treatments are being
created and are coming to market as you read this. The stock market has seen
through this and it sounds like Santa is warming up his sleigh to deliver the almost
annual Santa Claus rally into year end.
For the time being the gauges below are a pretty good summary of where things
stand as we enter into the last few weeks of the year.
Thank you for your continued trust and confidence and we pray you are blessed
beyond measure in the new year.
