Wow, this bull stock market has just headed due north since the election, hasn’t it? One record is broken and another set with regularity. I know this doesn’t sound too positive, but it’s starting to remind me a bit of the year 2000 when stock prices were receiving full benefit of a doubt.

The screen I include in my book, “Choose Stocks Wisely,” has not been turning up many stocks for a spell now. My book has sold well and I’m so appreciative to you for supporting my writing effort. The screen I’ve used personally for a lot of years was shared in my book and there could conceivably be some impact assuming there are others who apply that same screen. But I think it’s plausible that stocks are simply “picked over” in this lofty stock market where more and more companies are being rewarded with higher valuations now.

I’m sure you’ve read that several big names have contributed a disproportionate effect of the stock market’s overall advance. However, I noted that a lot of the smaller companies have been going up in share price, some substantially, of late. That is, I’m seeing a broader participation occurring at this time.

Many believe the Trump tax proposals, intended to be kind to corporations, are having a significant effect in current stock price behavior. That’s hard to argue with, in my view. In that vein of thinking, small companies might stand to benefit very significantly since the impact to their earnings could be notable given that big margin improvements can have a huge impact when you are growing numbers from a small base.

Meanwhile, we are witnessing global concerns that potentially can raise the level of uncertainty. I must admit that I find the current market situation to be a hard one to piece together. For now, it seems the broader sentiment is to extend the benefit of the doubt.

Have a great weekend, friends.