Broker Check

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Omnicrom

December 06, 2021

Let’s talk about omicron.

(If you’d rather not, scroll right down to the P.S. for something beautiful.)

Since the first known cases of COVID-19 were detected in China, we've seen a number of notable mutations as the virus moved across the world. Some, like beta and gamma, didn’t end up being a huge deal.1

Others, like delta, spread rapidly and caused new waves of infection.

Now we have another variant on our hands: omicron. And it could be a serious one.

Unsurprisingly, markets reacted badly to the news last Friday and gave us our worst market day for the year.2

Why? The short trading day and lack of overall volume over the holiday break gave the selling pressure greater impact on the market than it might have had under normal conditions.

We’ve seen that pattern before and it’s worth keeping in your back pocket: bad news over a holiday often leads to outsized market reactions.

Is omicron dangerous?

Well, we don't know yet. And we won't know for several weeks until scientists can determine how the variant will respond to current vaccines and treatments.

If it's more virulent, it could have delta-level impacts on travel, hospitality, and other parts of the economy.

It could also turn out to be a tiny bump in the road.

We just don’t know yet.

The market is laser-focused on omicron news so we can expect rocky times until the uncertainty clears (or something else takes over the chatter).

So, what can we do?

Rather than try to predict the unknowable or speculate wildly without enough information, let's do something else instead.

Let's take a deep breath, step back, and focus on some ground truths:

Everyone is tired of this pandemic and ready to move on. But the pandemic's not done yet.

We will continue to see COVID-19 variants. Most will fade into the background. Some will be more serious.

New vaccines and treatments are continually being developed and released.

We have been adapting to the virus for nearly two years and we'll continue to get better at it.

Life is a gift and every day is extraordinary in some way. Let's cherish that.

Hopefully, we'll look back in a few months and forget omicron ever hit the headlines.

Until then, we wait, we watch, and we count our blessings.

I'll be in touch when there's more to share.

Be well,

John Carbonara, CFP®
NXT Phase Financial Services
(516) 719-0145
www.nxtphasefs.com

 


P.S. Can I share something uplifting with you? A retired dad (who already fostered 30 kids) adopted five young siblings so they could grow up together.3 How beautiful is that?

P.P.S. Want to learn more about happiness and how to get off the hedonic treadmill? Check out one of the very first TED talks on the science of happiness. Thoughts? Hit "reply" and let me know.

1 https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8342008/

2 https://www.cnbc.com/2021/11/26/stock-futures-open-to-close-market-news.html

3 https://www.cbsnews.com/news/foster-dad-lamont-thomas-adopts-five-siblings

Risk Disclosure: Investing involves risk including the potential loss of principal. No investment strategy can guarantee a profit or protect against loss in periods of declining values. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This material is for information purposes only and is not intended as an offer or solicitation with respect to the purchase or sale of any security. The content is developed from sources believed to be providing accurate information; no warranty, expressed or implied, is made regarding accuracy, adequacy, completeness, legality, reliability or usefulness of any information. Consult your financial professional before making any investment decision. For illustrative use only.

Securities offered through Securities America, Inc. Member FINRA/SIPC, John Carbonara CFP®, Registered Rep. Advisory services offered through Securities America Advisors, Inc., John Carbonara, CFP®. Investment Advisor Representative. NXT Phase and the Securities America companies are not affiliated. "Trading instructions sent via email may not be honored. Please contact my office at 516-719-0145 or Securities America, Inc at 800-747-6111 for buy/sale orders. Please be advised that communications regarding trades in your account are for informational purposes only you should continue to rely on the confirmations and statements received from your custodian(s) of your assets. The text of this communication is confidential and the use by any person who is not the intended recipient is prohibited. Any person who receives this communication in error is requested to immediately destroy the text of this communication without copying or further dissemination. Your cooperation is appreciated." Thanks!