Good morning.

Markets are up this morning and I am quite shocked.  After all, I expected the news of Kim Kardashian’s pending divorce would have had more of an effect on the mood of investors.

While the counting of votes in Georgia continues, it appears increasingly likely that there will be an evenly split Senate … in effect, giving power to the Democrats.  Sensing that this could have an inflationary result, 10-year Treasuries sold off … and yields jumped above 1%.  Ladies and gentlemen … in my view it really might be time to review the mathematics of mortgage refinance if you haven’t already.  Something tells me we could one day be looking back on today’s rates with either glee or regret.

While the celebrity and political news is certainly monopolizing headlines, we still have the virus to contend with … and it is surprising that a record number of hospitalizations and daily deaths above 3,500 are not getting more prominence … but I guess we have become quite immune to such sad news.  We are tired of hearing it.  We know things are not ideal on this front and remain hopeful there are better times ahead.

Speaking of hope, I was in awe of a comment made last night by Senator-elect Warnock who said about his mother:  “The other day, because this is America, the 82-year-old hands that used to pick somebody else’s cotton went to the polls and picked her youngest son to be a United States senator.”  My comment on this is not meant to be political, so please forgive me if it appears that way.  But his addition of “because this is America” gives me, personally, great hope for the future.

Getting back to the virus, I keep checking websites as I wait and wonder just when I will be able to get the vaccine.  Things have not gone as well as planned and it is not because of the amount available, but not having enough people to administer shots.

I have a solution.

Train all the Amazon delivery drivers to give the vaccine.  The entire population would be immunized by Saturday.

Thursday, if you are a Prime member.

Have a great day.

Joseph G. Witthohn, CFA
Vice President
Emerald Asset Management PA, LLC
610 Freedom Business Center Drive
King of Prussia, PA 19406
Direct: (610) 285-9905
cell: (856) 625-7915
wit@teamemerald.com
#flattenthecurve

… As of 11:31 AM today …

Quick Look at the News

• One of the things many Americans “discovered” during lockdowns … was videogames … as some wonder if they will continue playing them once the pandemic has passed (DNYUZ)

  https://dnyuz.com/2021/01/06/more-than-half-of-americans-turned-to-video-games-during-lockdown/

• … for, after all, it is a way to combat boredom. But quite a few of us don’t want to go back to the office … ever. And some claim they would quit if forced to go (USAToday)

  https://www.usatoday.com/story/money/2021/01/05/jobs-home-29-professionals-would-quit-if-forced-go-back-office/4142830001/

• A friend told me he would not even consider buying an electric car. Well, I don’t know what he is going to do down the road … as the days of gas-powered cars might be numbered (Slashgear)

  https://www.slashgear.com/massachusetts-will-ban-new-gas-powered-car-sales-in-2035-05653629/

• Do you want to increase the chances of living to a ripe old age? Just 11 minutes of exercise each day might do the trick (CNN)

  https://www.cnn.com/2021/01/06/health/daily-exercise-increase-life-span-study-wellness/index.html

• … but diet is also important. And what one is seen as the top one this year? While it is always up for debate, one group feels the “Mediterranean Diet” certainly fits the bill (CNN)

  https://www.cnn.com/2021/01/05/health/mediterranean-diet-2021-best-diet-wellness/index.html

• … as there are many ways to satisfy cravings … while reducing fat. And with the popularity of ice cream, dairy free alternatives might come to the rescue (CivicScience)

  https://civicscience.com/18-of-americans-have-tried-and-liked-dairy-free-ice-cream/

• If you don’t plan on being vaccinated, that is certainly your right. But be warned … there are certain things you might not be able to do (CNBC)

  https://www.cnbc.com/2021/01/06/what-people-might-not-be-allowed-to-do-if-they-dont-get-vaccinated.html