StraightLine Finance

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[StraightLine Finance @StraightLine_RJ]

Despite economic headwinds from tariffs and Iran, Raymond James expects earnings to grow 21% this year...stay bullish.

[StraightLine Finance @StraightLine_RJ]

Over time, prices follow earnings. Research from First Trust shows that not only are 2026 earnings expected to grow, all 11 sectors have expected growth. Stay bullish.

[StraightLine Finance @StraightLine_RJ]

While "income inequality" exists, American Enterprise Institute research shows over the last four decades, the largest percent of the middle class is moving UP, not down.

[StraightLine Finance @StraightLine_RJ]

Two charts from Carson Investment Research showing earnings and profit margins. Both are "up and to the right" - stay bullish.

[StraightLine Finance @StraightLine_RJ]

Two different charts from FactSet showing oil shocks back to 1973. The short term (chart 1) looks negative, but when viewed over time (chart 2) seems inconsequential. Stay bullish.

[StraightLine Finance @StraightLine_RJ]

Whenever headlines on Iran/oil recede, worries about debt will retake the narrative. This graph from Ritholtz shows household debt has indeed grown over the last four decades, but assets have grown far faster. Stay bullish.

[StraightLine Finance @StraightLine_RJ]

Iran, oil, government shutdowns, AI fears, a tapped out consumer, etc. - the news is all bad, all the time. But this chart from Macrobond shows worldwide business lending growing. Ignore headlines and stay bullish.

[StraightLine Finance @StraightLine_RJ]

Two charts today - the first from Ritholtz, shows each year's earnings differing from each year's stock prices. The second, from S&P Global, shows how prices follow earnings in the long run...stay bullish.

[StraightLine Finance @StraightLine_RJ]

As a newly minted financial advisor, I stood on the floor of the NYSE in 1995, when the S&P 500 closed at 485. that index just hit 7,000...stay bullish.

[StraightLine Finance @StraightLine_RJ]

Data from First Trust shows the incredible growth in space launches last year - 6% of which were by China, and 87% of which were by the U.S. Stay bullish.

[StraightLine Finance @StraightLine_RJ]

This chart from FactSet shows 70 years of stock prices following earnings. Wall Street analysts expect earnings growth of 15% this year and next...stay bullish.

[StraightLine Finance @StraightLine_RJ]

This chart from FactSet shows lumber prices near 12 month lows, which should be positive for homebuilding activity. Stay bullish.

[StraightLine Finance @StraightLine_RJ]

Final post for the year - this from YCharts shows 50 years of stock returns versus "safe" investments, both against inflation. Stay bullish.

[StraightLine Finance @StraightLine_RJ]

This chart from First Trust shows the expected growth of U.S. natural gas exports through 2032. If this occurs, it will cement America's role as the world's leading supplier. Stay bullish.

[StraightLine Finance @StraightLine_RJ]

This chart from First Trust shows that since 2016, when the U.S. moved beyond only pipeline exports of natural gas to Mexico and Canada, total exports have more than tripled, to over 21 billion cubic feet per day. Stay bullish.

[StraightLine Finance @StraightLine_RJ]

Despite the negative tariff headlines, this IMF chart shows sustained global growth this year and next. And, the World Trade Organization says global merchandise trade volume will grow 2.4% this year, up from its earlier prediction of 0.9%. Stay bullish.

[StraightLine Finance @StraightLine_RJ]

The popular news narrative is growing income inequality, which is true, but the fact that's overlooked is more Americans are moving UP from the middle class than down, as this chart from Bloomberg shows. Stay bullish.

[StraightLine Finance @StraightLine_RJ]

This chart from FactSet shows mortgage rates near the lowest in 3 years. With more rates cuts likely coming soon - this is good news for the housing market. Stay bullish.

[StraightLine Finance @StraightLine_RJ]

With gold at all time highs - is it a good idea? The Standard & Poor's chart below shows 45 years of gold compared to stocks...it's not even close. Stay bullish.

[StraightLine Finance @StraightLine_RJ]

As we turn to the 4th quarter, this graph from Bloomberg shows profit expectations increasing over the next 6 quarters. Stay bullish