OMG! Today at work is going to be a challenge. Think I'll take tomorrow off.

[woodsprite]

There are heavy political discussions going on in the DBA cubby. They talk loud and I'm right next to it. One (the gun humper) is totally trying to justify Trump and still spouting anti-Hillary rhetoric, another (a history major turned IT security guy) is talking calmly and trying to reason and talk sense into the gun humper, and a recent Russian immigrant (became a citizen 3 yrs ago).

So far, the Russian immigrant is making the most interesting point - all historical writing, regardless of what side the writer is on, can be considered propaganda since everyone writes from a point of self interest. What counts is what we're living through, and this is all going hell in a handbasket rather quickly. We are going to be held accountable to our children.

Gun humper ends the conversation (for now) by quoting the Dow is up to 1913 so Trump must be good for America. Said it's up because people are happy with what they're hearing. That's all the freaking ass cares about. He said as long as we have our ammo, our papers, and out canned goods, we can wait this out. He's f'ing insane!

If elections can be manipulated, I'm pretty darned sure markets can be as well.

[haele]

1. Markets are always manipulated.

Remember the Plunge Protection Team? The "London Whale"? Oil Wars?
Not only that, but just rumors on interest rates from the Fed (or other financial rumors) or a perceived buying/selling spree from any number of the major investment firms can trigger a rise or fall as other investment firms and day-traders follow suit. That's why many investors will buy both the stock and a hedge on the stock failing.

Stock and commodities markets are emotional metrics when it comes to investor confidence. They reflect very little in terms of what's really happening in the world.

Haele