Inflation, rising rates, new variants, recessions, war, what's there to be optimistic about? Well, the markets say, not much. Less than 20% of US investors are bullish right now. We need to go back to 2016 to see investors with such low levels of optimism. What's even more interesting than this, is that prior to 2016, we need to go back to 2003 and 1992 to see such levels of low optimism.

Each quarter we publish our Financial Market's Handbook which covers all things financial markets and global economies. From asset class returns, country stock markets, factor returns, valuations, hot topics, and coverage of major global markets and economies.

Apple recently set a deadline for corporate employees to return to in-person work. I hadn't realised that Apple, or in fact, so many employees were still working from home full time.

Look at the air, look at the hang time, look at the flying motion. The debate is an ongoing one. Michael Jordan or LeBron James - who is the greatest player that ever lived. For me, it’s Michael – hands down. Sure, I’m biased – I grew up in the 80’s. The shoes, the jersey, the shorts, the posters – I was obsessed with him. Watching highlights of MJ now gives me goosebumps each and every time. His skill, his talent, his style, his accuracy, his precision, that air time would not only have the supporters in the stands up on their feet, but also the game’s commentators yelling and screaming. Everyone was biased.

I distinctly recall the days leading up to it. We were in complete lock down. It was absolute manic. Huge daily swings in the markets. It was wild. I was loving it - weird, I know. We wouldn't know it then, but the market bottomed out on the 23rd of March 2020. Last week marked the 2 year anniversary of the COVID market bottom.

The stock market had increased six fold in just 8 years. And after prices peaked, economist Irving Fisher proclaimed: Stock prices have reached what looks like a permanently high plateau.