Unemployment, Republicans and the Market

Commentary March 08, 2012 at 10:08 PM
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We seem to be making headway in our soft recovery. Ford (ticker: F), for example, a member of the hard-hit auto industry, seems to be doing lots of things right.

My son Seth tells me that Alan Mullally's idea is to be able to eventually provide a car for every person, configured exactly the way he or she wants it. While GM cut or slowed production on the Volt, Ford continues to do well in multiple categories. The stock looks attractive at the current P/E, doesn't it? 

Toyota (TM is the ticker) also has been doing quite nicely; unfortunately, the stock and P/E are less attractive. 

Republicans are stuck in a bind, aren't they? On the one hand, everyone wants unemployment to decline and the economy to improve.  On the other hand, Messrs. Romney, Santorum, Gingrich and Paul must be saying to themselves: Not yet. After all, they want to remain electable, and if the economy, unemployment and housing starts improve dramatically, they won't have as much of an argument. 

The market has been humming along probably because of business financial health and baby-step signs that things are getting better. It doesn't hum every day, mind you, so pay attention, okay? And have a groovy week.  

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