Historically, small cap stocks are often more sensitive to economic cycles and interest rate changes than their large cap counterparts. Why are rate cuts good for small cap stocks. Small cap stocks historically have outperformed large caps by 2 to 3% annually, but recently they've lagged behind in the current economic environment due to high interest rates and economic uncertainty.The Federal Reserve's high rate environment since 2022 has weighed heavily on small caps, which typically rely on borrowing to f ...

Economic Principles - Productivity growth, driven by innovation and hard work, is the primary driver of rising living standards over time [1] - Credit's impact is more significant in the short term due to its ability to create economic swings, allowing consumption to exceed production temporarily [2] - Borrowing is essentially pulling spending forward, creating a future obligation to spend less than one earns to repay the debt, thus forming a cycle [5][6] Credit and Debt Dynamics - Credit differs from money; money settles transactions immediately, while credit creates an asset and a liability, representing a promise to pay in the future [7] - The total amount of credit in the United States is approximately $50 trillion, significantly exceeding the total amount of money, which is about $3 trillion [8] - Credit is beneficial when it finances productive investments that generate income to repay the debt, but detrimental when it funds overconsumption that cannot be sustained [10] Economic Cycles - Economic swings are primarily influenced by the availability of credit, not by fluctuations in innovation or hard work [4] - Borrowing sets in motion a predictable series of events, making understanding credit crucial for anticipating future economic outcomes [6] - An economy with credit experiences increased spending and faster income growth than productivity in the short run, but this is unsustainable in the long run [9] Example of Credit Amplification - An individual earning $100,000 annually can borrow $10,000, enabling them to spend $110,000, which in turn becomes another person's income [11][12]

Economic Cycles - Economic cycles typically last about six years from one recession to the next [2] - Central banks inject money and credit into weak economies, causing market increases and increased spending, eventually leading to inflation [2] - Inflation prompts tightening of monetary policy, causing economic recession [3] - Since 1945, there have been 12 and a half economic cycles [3] Debt and Income - Debts are rising relative to incomes in most countries [3] - High debt relative to income and expensive debt service crowd out other spending [4] - Investors may sell debt if it doesn't provide good returns, leading to a change in the big debt cycle [4] Big Cycle and Political Disruption - The big debt cycle typically corresponds with the big domestic political and social cycle [4] - Disruption to wealth and well-being leads to political disruption [4] - Increased fighting over wealth and power creates new conflicts and seismic shifts [5] - These periods of great change are periods of great risk for markets and society [5]

Core Viewpoint - The article highlights three Dow Jones Industrial Average stocks that present strong buying opportunities amid a significant market sell-off, emphasizing the historical trend of such downturns being favorable for long-term investors. Group 1: Market Context - The Dow Jones Industrial Average experienced a decline of 4,260 points, equating to a 10.1% drop from April 3 to April 7, indicating a shift into "crash" territory [2] - Historically, significant declines in the Dow have signaled buying opportunities for long-term investors, as resilient businesses tend to recover and grow in value over time [3] Group 2: Visa - Visa is highlighted as a strong investment due to its ability to thrive during economic cycles, benefiting from periods of expansion following downturns [6][7] - In 2023, Visa accounted for $6.445 trillion in credit card network purchase volume in the U.S., significantly outpacing other payment facilitators [8] - Visa has opportunities for growth in underbanked emerging markets, enhancing its long-term growth potential [9] - The stock has retraced as much as 17.6% from its all-time high, presenting an attractive entry point for investors [10] Group 3: Johnson & Johnson - Johnson & Johnson is positioned as a strong buy due to consistent demand for healthcare products, regardless of economic conditions [12] - The company's focus on pharmaceuticals has led to solid operating results, with brand-name drugs offering higher margins and growth potential [13] - The aging population is expected to drive demand for J&J's medical technologies, improving pricing power and margins [14] - J&J holds a AAA credit rating, indicating strong financial stability and ability to manage debt obligations [15] - The company has had only 10 CEOs in 139 years, ensuring continuity in leadership and growth initiatives [16] Group 4: Walt Disney - Walt Disney is recognized for its strong brand and storytelling capabilities, which provide a competitive edge and pricing power [18][19] - The company's direct-to-consumer segment, particularly Disney+, has achieved profitability rapidly, aided by brand strength and pricing strategies [20] - Disney benefits from the nonlinearity of economic cycles, with revenue typically increasing during economic expansions [21] - The stock is currently valued at a sub-14 forward price-to-earnings ratio, representing a 47% discount to its average over the past five years [22]