Sigma Investment Counselors

Sigma Signals - Week of November 4, 2024 On November 3, early Sunday morning, the top two queries on Google search were “How do I vote” and “What time does the time change.” Metaphorically, these two seem oddly related. It leaves one pondering. No change to our Signals. Bob Bilkie, CFA #SigmaInvestments #ThoughtfulInvesting

Sigma Signals - Week of October 28, 2024 After what seemed an indeterminate pause in the “what’s next in the Middle East”, Israel bombed selected military sites in Iran on October 26 as retaliation for similar strikes by Iran into Israel. The initial reports suggest this was a largely symbolic gesture. After what seemed an indeterminate continuation of meritless debate in the campaign for US President, neither Trump nor Harris appear to be gaining a significant edge. Symbolic gestures of character or lack thereof, will come to a close in a couple long weeks. Thankfully. Our Signals remained unchanged. Bob Bilkie, CFA #SigmaInvestments #ThoughtfulInvesting

“The Federal Reserve made headlines in the third quarter of 2024 by cutting interest rates for the first time in four years. In its September meeting, the Fed lowered rates by 50 basis points, setting the target range to 4.75% to 5%. This decision reflects a response to cooling inflation and a desire to support economic growth.”  Click below to read the entire Q3 market commentary in our October 2024 Sigma Summaries newsletter.

Sigma Signals - Week of October 21, 2024 The US Department of Commerce will provide an estimate of Q3 2024 GDP growth on October 30. We expect a continuation of the low single digit growth numbers posted over the last four quarters. Inflation has also continued to moderate while the unemployment rate has held relatively steady. With no clear signs of weakness, we are changing our US economy Signal to green. Bob Bilkie, CFA #SigmaInvestments #ThoughtfulInvesting

Sigma Signals - Week of October 14, 2024 Intelligence uncovered by the Israelis appears to provide credible evidence that activities by the terrorist groups Hamas and Hezbollah have been directed and funded out of Iran, something that has long been suspected, but lacked said evidence. Houthi rebels in Yemen have apparently similarly been funded by Iran. Changed leadership in Iran, assuming Israel addresses Iran's actions, could very well help alleviate the bubbling cauldron that is the Middle East and foment predictability in that energy important region of the globe. Such predictability could promote enhanced global economic conditions. Our Signals remained unchanged. Bob Bilkie, CFA #SigmaInvestments #ThoughtfulInvesting

Sigma Signals - Week of October 7, 2024 We are less than a month out from the US Presidential election on November 5th. Investors continue to parse through potential impacts of election outcomes as detailed policy proposals by each party become more clear. China’s broad policy reform aimed at stimulating economic conditions led to the Shanghai Composite Index returning over 20% last week. Our Signals are unchanged. Michael Mullenax, CFP® and Bob Bilkie, CFA #SigmaInvestments #ThoughtfulInvesting

Sigma Signals - Week of September 30, 2024 The local sports news has been overwhelmingly positive about the resurgent Detroit Lions and playoff-bound Detroit Tigers. However, when people think of Detroit, they often associate it with the “auto industry.” Most Sigma clients know that we’ve never purchased auto company shares directly in their portfolios. This is intentional and merited. According to ChatGPT, Ford Motor Company’s shares have returned only about 2% annually over the past 20 years, while GM declared bankruptcy during that time. They’ve underperformed global competitors like Toyota and the Standard & Poor’s 500 stock index. Our Signals remain unchanged. Bob Bilkie, CFA #SigmaInvestments #ThoughtfulInvesting

Sigma Signals - Week of September 23, 2024 Exploding Hezbollah terrorists pagers and walkie-talkie’s could be a “game-changer” in the cauldron that is the Middle East, one of our Signals. Arguably, the intelligence advantage apparently inuring to Israel - and promoting paranoia in Lebanon - might actually result in some type of angry truce. One cannot ignore that this assault required and relied upon the angry citizens of the host country to Hezbollah, Lebanon. Are the disaffected citizenry of Iran and Hamas next to turn on their oppressors? Our Signals remain unchanged. Bob Bilkie, CFA #SigmaInvestments #ThoughtfulInvesting

“The 2017 Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (TCJA) brought significant changes to income tax and estate tax planning for individuals. If congress does not act, many of the provisions of TCJA will sunset on January 1, 2026. The focus of this article is on the federal estate tax implications of a potential sunset.”  Click below to read the entire article in our September 2024 Sigma Summaries newsletter. #SigmaInvestments #ThoughtfulInvesting

Sigma Signals - Week of September 16, 2024 We have changed our Monetary Policy Signal to green. With inflationary pressures appearing to have abated, the Fed is poised to begin lowering interest rates to aid the US economy. All other Signals remain unchanged. Bob Bilkie, CFA #SigmaInvestments #ThoughtfulInvesting