Thursday, finally, stocks were up yesterday. Even oil was back in positive territory.
FHFA home price index shows housing prices are still rising and mortgage applications are strong.
I participated in a conference call with about a dozen small business owners from around the state yesterday. The outlook is not positive unless the state ends the shut down-- soon.
So you have decided to invest in something other than traditional stocks and bonds. The most important issue, know what you are doing. The pit fall are numerous.
An update on oil.ock Treece Thursday April 23, 2020

Good news Wednesday, stocks did not comply.
The question Facebook friends keep asking is oil a good buy? If not oil what?
A new stimulus bill passed last night.
Netflix is one bright spot.
The attached article is the opinion of Bank of America (not necessarily mine). Another related sector that has done well lately is the precious metals mining sector.

Tuesday, stocks were down yesterday but that's not the news. Oil dominated the business news yesterday and I observed something I've never seen in 41 years in the investment business. Crude oil futures fell in negative territory, down 300%. Holders of crude oil futures were paying people to take their contracts. Lack of storage was the problem. You can't take delivery when you have no place to store it. Oil is a great indicator of economic activity. The attached article gives details.
I am reminded of Mark Twain's quote, "“It ain't what you don't know that gets you into trouble. It's what you know for sure that just ain't so.”
― Mark Twain
Two big companies reopen, two file for bankruptcy and three states in the south announce they are reopening.
National activity crashes to lowest level since 1970's.

Monday, stocks had a very good day Friday. The theory that Gilead Sciences may have a treatment for COVID- 19 encouraged investors. Over the weekend the reality hit that we have two problems. While the problems are connected one does not control the other. The two problems one is medical the other is economic.
There are widely differing opinions about where the economy is headed. Proceed with caution they are probably wrong.
I posted two articles Saturday, both are worth your time. The video with Kyle Bass, although long, is very interesting. I read a lot and Kyle is one of, if not the most, informed person I know about China. If nothing else watch from minute 52 on. It is shocking.
I think we may have entered a new 'cold' war. This time with China. You have to be over 50 years old to understand the implications.

Friday, the DOW was up a very small number yesterday. We were lucky stocks were not down given the reports that can out yesterday.
Jobless (new) claims rose 5.25 million, housing starts dropped 400 thousand and Philly business outlook dropped to the lowest level since 1980.
Funding is exhausted for the small business Paycheck Protection Program. Now what?
Ohio unemployment fund may be exhausted by June.
Now the good news. Overnight it was reported the Gilead Sciences has developed a drug that has shown to be very effective in treating COVID -19.

Thursday, stocks were down yesterday. Business news is thin but the attached article shows how hard the economy is being hit. Anyone who believes the economy and stocks will bounce back immediately once the shut down is over is ignoring history. NY manufacturing index, retail sales and industrial production reported some of the worst drops on record.
Smithfield Foods is closing 2 more pork processing plants.
I keep hearing arguments on social media about how many deaths were actually the result of COVID-19. This should not be hard to determine. Even a mediocre statistician should be able to arrive at a more accurate number than governments are reporting with a few hours of research.

Good news Wednesday and stocks come through. The DOW was up as some investors believe we've seen the bottom of the correction. This week is the beginning of corporations reporting earnings. The reports may be an eye opener for investors. The damage done to the economy by the shut down will become apparent.
The bailouts begin with airlines being first in line. The bailout rules were tougher than the airlines expected.
Other than the stock market rally and lower gas prices there wasn't much good news

Tuesday, stocks were down yesterday. Nothing major, markets are struggling to find support. I could only find one sector of the markets that provided a bright spot.
Politicians better find a way to get the economy opened up or Amazon is going to be the only retailer left. The attached article shows this shutdown has given Amazon a big advantage. They are hiring another 75,000 in addition to the 100,000 hired a few weeks ago.
The new daily cases of COVID-19 are declining.
The President had a smack down with the media yesterday. The media seems to have forgotten the in the new technology age everything is recorded.

Monday, a new week. Get ready this is the week that things start shifting. Nerves are frayed and tempers are rising. I'm not sure what the results will be but change is in the air.
Here are some examples: Trump retweets that Fauci should be fired, Trump in a no show at the virus update press conference, Cuomo says NY City Mayor Bill de Blasio has no authority to close schools for the year, churches defy state orders to close and Texas Governor says he is going to reopen Texas.
The shutdown may impact some unsuspecting institutions namely colleges and hospitals.
The only big business news is the big oil producers reached an agreement to cut oil output, crude oil prices promptly declined.
The attached article is a strong argument to get the economy going again.
The secondary article is about mass hysteria.
Has anyone receives a check form the CARES stimulus yet?

Good Friday, stocks were up yesterday but markets are closed today.
Anyone with any faith in government to do anything correctly need to take a close look at this crisis. The models are wrong, states sell their respirators before the crisis (and blame Trump) even the SBA is unable to process loan applications in a timely manner. See the attached article.
Not much news but I have several interesting articles. Including one article with an opinion on when stocks well hit bottom.