by Jason Bodner

December 3, 2024

Thanksgiving was really nice this year. I was surrounded by people I enjoy.

It was also the last day I could celebrate being in my 40s. My 50th birthday came last Friday.

I don’t feel old, and I want to live a long time. As I age, I realize that life is less about accumulating stuff, and more about experiences, and who they are shared with. Living solitary works for some people, but most of us need to be around others. In fact, the secret to living longer turns out to be a simple formula.

  • A healthy diet
  • Regular physical activity
  • Mental stimulation
  • Stress management
  • Strong social connections
  • A sense of purpose within a community

This isn’t my own invention. There is a great documentary called Blue Zones by Dan Buettner. He investigates areas of the world where residents live significantly longer than everywhere else. Two such places are Okinawa, Japan and the Nicoya Peninsula in Costa Rica. Regions like these have the highest incidence of centenarians on earth. The “Blue Zone” keys to longevity are the six points listed above.

This can of course, be achieved by people from vastly different socioeconomic backgrounds. But we live in a modern world. If you’re reading this, odds are you’re not part of a small farming village on a remote island. In our modern urban lives, we have modern needs, stressors, and digital lives that create isolation.

This leads me to think about money. Is having money one of the six keys to a long life? For me, financial success means I get to focus on what really matters: Enjoying the time I have – until it’s gone. I have found that a great way to get what I need to fund the life I want is by being a successful stock investor.

This is normally where I would launch into all the key insights my data provides about the stock market. I will indeed do some of that in a moment, but I want to stay focused on our philosophical excursion first.

Why do any of us work?

Naturally we want to provide for our families and have a better life. I am fortunate in that I do what I love to do for work each day. Many don’t, so they wish their work time would be as short as possible. Some also work just to pay for the things they love. Some love objects, like watches, big homes and cars. That brings joy and a sense of accomplishment. Me, I prefer spending my money on travel: making memories.

Whatever the motivation, the fact is, to quote a Police song: “We are spirits in the material world.” Money is a fact of life, so why not have as much as possible? A lot of people think that way, and it’s totally fine, but I try to focus first on the stuff that really matters – family, friends, making connections, having a sense of purpose, and staying healthy to enjoy all of that, since we can’t take it with us when we are gone.

I often think that when I am facing my final moments, I am certain I won’t ask someone to wheel in my watch collection, or my favorite car, so that I can see it one last time. Instead, I’ll want to see my family.

My dad once asked a gardener why he worked so hard for so little pay. He said: “I love that sun on me, and I ain’t never seen no hearse followed by an armored car.” Wise words from a happy man.

So, while the purpose of my work is to focus on how to make money in stocks, it also accomplishes all six parts of the six-point long-life checklist above… work is my (#3) mental stimulation. I love it. I also try to stay active (#2), riding a bike 4-5 times a week. I also try to eat somewhat healthy (#1). I also see friends often (#5), and times like Thanksgiving remind me of the power of family (#6).

Does it mean I will live longer? Who knows, but it does mean I have better stress management (#4).

So, take some time to call that person you’ve been thinking of. Take that scenic walk with a loved one. Take a chance and make a memory. Because, in the end, that’s all we will take with us: the memories.

In the meantime, we need to pay for our lives. Work is a must for most of us. (But investing can help).

So now, let’s dive into some data. From an investing standpoint, there is much to be thankful for…

  1. We are in the seasonally strongest time of year. October through April has provided a historically stunning run for stocks in my data base, going back to 1990.

Main Index Table

Graphs are for illustrative and discussion purposes only. Please read important disclosures at the end of this commentary.

  1. Stocks are at all-time highs: All 4 of the major U.S. indexes have recently made that milestone.
  2. Unusual institutional buying and selling of stocks is in a blue zone – that means the Big Money Index (BMI) is rising after some volatility:

BIG Money Index Chart

Graphs are for illustrative and discussion purposes only. Please read important disclosures at the end of this commentary.

  1. To take that idea a little further, buying is important, but I also want to look more specifically into selling, so I looked at our 25-day moving average of selling, and I found the 34-year average was 39%. Today’s value is 32% and falling. In the chart, the closer it gets to zero, the higher stocks go. As this chart shows, we are now in the blue (green) zone:

25Day Moving Average Chart

Graphs are for illustrative and discussion purposes only. Please read important disclosures at the end of this commentary.

  1. Despite plenty of talking heads warning of higher rates, both long- and short-term interest rates continue to fall, and economic data continues to be encouraging. This is great for stocks.
  2. I am thankful for being able to identify the top stocks of tomorrow using my systematic data-driven stock picking method. There are many new exciting names, many small caps capable of exploding in value over the coming months and years.
  3. Lastly, I am thankful for you, for without you, I wouldn’t be writing my research for others to follow.

I wish you all a wonderful December holiday season.

As for wealth, I try to remember that it’s a tool for what really matters: better living.

“Wealth is the slave of a wise man, the master of a fool”. — Seneca

All content above represents the opinion of Jason Bodner of Navellier & Associates, Inc.

Please see important disclosures below.

Also In This Issue

Global Mail by Ivan Martchev
The Biggest Move Last Week Was in Bonds

Sector Spotlight by Jason Bodner
A 50-Year-Old Investor’s Thanksgiving Checklist

View Full Archive
Read Past Issues Here

About The Author

Jason Bodner
MARKETMAIL EDITOR FOR SECTOR SPOTLIGHT

Jason Bodner writes Sector Spotlight in the weekly Marketmail publication and has authored several white papers for the company. He is also Co-Founder of Macro Analytics for Professionals which produces proprietary equity accumulation/distribution research for its clients. Previously, Mr. Bodner served as Director of European Equity Derivatives for Cantor Fitzgerald Europe in London, then moved to the role of Head of Equity Derivatives North America for the same company in New York. He also served as S.V.P. Equity Derivatives for Jefferies, LLC. He received a B.S. in business administration in 1996, with honors, from Skidmore College as a member of the Periclean Honors Society. All content of “Sector Spotlight” represents the opinion of Jason Bodner

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Jason Bodner is a co-founder and co-owner of Mapsignals. Mr. Bodner is an independent contractor who is occasionally hired by Navellier & Associates to write an article and or provide opinions for possible use in articles that appear in Navellier & Associates weekly Market Mail. Mr. Bodner is not employed or affiliated with Louis Navellier, Navellier & Associates, Inc., or any other Navellier owned entity. The opinions and statements made here are those of Mr. Bodner and not necessarily those of any other persons or entities. This is not an endorsement, or solicitation or testimonial or investment advice regarding the BMI Index or any statements or recommendations or analysis in the article or the BMI Index or Mapsignals or its products or strategies.

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