Introduction

I have a sad tale to relate.  After dodging Covid for the last three years, my wife Sari and I were at a wedding two weeks ago and the virus decided to crash the party.  Two days later, I tested positive and Sari tested negative.  I’ll spare you the grim details, since almost everyone has had a similar experience.  However, despite only mild and fleeting symptoms, I experienced a rebound and so I’m sitting alone, testing daily, and waiting for a negative so I can return to society.

Investors in 2023 have also been waiting for a negative.  Waiting to see if economic growth would turn negative.  Waiting for a well-established negative trend on inflation.  And waiting for the Federal Reserve to perceive enough general negativity to stop raising interest rates.  As the first half of the year draws to a close, the wait continues.  However, in rather sharp contrast to my predicament, there is plenty that investors can do while they wait.