Good morning.

There are no new records for the three major indexes today … at least, so far … but each is showing gains and investors can sneak away to lunch feeling a bit relaxed over the present calmness of the markets.

Of course, all that can change at a moment’s notice … but we’ll enjoy the serenity while we can.

Venezuela? For the time being, at least, this seems like yesterday’s news … literally … though I did have a friend from New York just send me a text bragging that his local gas price is now down to around $2.49/gallon … and prices go with a possible increase in oil supply is anyone’s guess.

The reason I bring this up is that President Trump is running into the same problem his predecessor did … and this is pointed out in today’s Daily Shot letter as the publication broadcasts the headline: “Hard data and sentiment surveys tell a different story.”

While some indicators do point out speed bumps on the road to economic prosperity, GDP, industrial production, and retail sales have been better than expected … and yet, surveys are showing anguish over the economy.

Economy … holding its own.  Man-on-the-street?  Not happy at all.

What could be the cause of this? Maybe it is true that a small portion of consumers are, in fact, spending like mad … while another group … farther down the economic ladder … are falling further behind … borrowing from their future … just to catch up with the Joneses today.

While I didn’t attend this year, I am keeping a close watch on information coming out of CES (Consumer Electronics Show) and have friends filling me in on some of the exciting things they see there.

Attending is a drug for dreamers … as it is there where I saw my first flying car (now legal in some places), drones (which I bought immediately), VR experience and so many other things that could succeed and be part of our everyday lives … in the years ahead.  And yes, there are duds. I purchased two “personal robots” over the past years … made by companies that are now bankrupt. So maybe it’s good I took a break this year.  I might have bought another.

That about wraps it up for today as I have something for which I need to prepare.

A few years ago, a fortune teller told me that as I got older, I would travel more. She was right.

… what she didn’t tell me was it would be to doctor’s appointments.

Have a great day,

Joseph G. Witthohn, CFA

Have any questions? Please contact info@teamemerald.com

A Look At The News | January 6, 2026 As of 11:50 AM today … What is next for oil?  Will what is perceived as a present “glut” find even more supply coming to market … further driving prices down? (FinancialPost) https://financialpost.com/commodities/energy/oil-gas/oil-markets-glut-covid-prices-basement-new-forecast   While self-driving taxis have started, improvements need to be made … and Nvidia claims their chips can help these cars come quite close to being completely autonomous (CNBC) https://www.cnbc.com/2026/01/05/nvidia-plans-to-test-a-robotaxi-service-in-2027-in-self-driving-push.html   Many focus on exercise as they get older … but mental exercise may be even more important … and there are many ways to get this done (NPR) https://www.npr.org/sections/shots-health-news/2025/07/16/nx-s1-5468647/healthy-brain-aging-alzheimers-sleep-science   … for this is in addition to losing weight … a goal for many of us … as we learn the “pill” for weight loss has plenty of supply (NPR) https://www.npr.org/sections/shots-health-news/2026/01/05/nx-s1-5667020/wegovy-pill-obesity-weight-loss   The flu is starting to run rampant across the country, so many are advised to either get vaccinated or keep your distance from others … at least until this wave subsides (Independent) https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/americas/flu-cdc-tracker-h3n2-subclade-k-variant-symptoms-b2894927.html   Do you know that the morning cup of coffee is quite healthy for you?  What is important, though, is what time you drink it (Health) https://www.health.com/best-time-of-day-to-drink-coffee-11879052 The statements above are supplied for educational purposes only. The statements depict the viewpoints and opinion of the author and are not necessarily the views of Emerald Asset Management or its affiliates. The information described herein is taken from sources which are believed to be reliable, but the accuracy and completeness of such information is not guaranteed by us. Emerald Asset Management PA, LLC | 717-556-8900 | 3175 Oregon Pike, Leola, PA 17540 Want to change how you receive these emails? You can unsubscribe from this list. ———————————————————————————- The statements above are supplied for educational purposes only. The statements depict the viewpoints and opinion of the author and are not necessarily the views of Emerald Asset Management or its affiliates. The information described herein is taken from sources which are believed to be reliable, but the accuracy and completeness of such information is not guaranteed by us.