‘Twas the night before Christmas, when all through Wall Street
Not a trader was trading, no clients to meet
Portfolios were allocated with prudence and care,
In hopes that St. Nicholas soon would be there;
Investors were nestled all snug in their beds;
While visions of sugar-plums danced in their heads;
What a year for the markets! What a year for large caps!,
Markets finally arose from their long winter’s nap,
All year, all the doomsayers, raised such a clatter,
Now at Christmas I wonder: just what was the matter?
Stocks went up. Bonds went up. Rates came down in a flash,
This year pessimists missed out on big gobs of cash.Yet despite recent gains along new-fallen snow,
The same yahoos are telling us “Watch out below,”
Even now, what to my wondering eyes does appear?
But more C-N-B-C guests, all shaking with fear
With markets all moving so strong and so quick,
Could this big market rally be due just to St. Nick.?
Just as markets along with St. Nicolas came,
When he leaves after Christmas…will it still be the same?Inflation! And rate hikes! Great Depression renditions!
Elections! World conflict! Egg prices from chickens!! Is this the top of the market? Will we hit a new wall?!
Should we stow away cash? SHOULD WE HOLD STOCKS AT ALL?
Will stocks drop off next week? To the moon will they fly?
If we’re bound to meet obstacles, why hold them? WHY?; I cannot tell the future; only charlatans do
Good times surely may leave us; and St. Nicholas too—
Still, its faith to believe St. Nick’s up on your roof
But for long-term stock holdings? There’s historical proof!Some say Christmas eve night, if you don’t make a sound
You may hear, in your chimney, a fat man come down
He’ll be dressed all in fur, from his head to his foot,
Wearing clothes slightly tarnished with ashes and soot;
With bundle of toys flung across his large back,
It’s a heck of a story! But the PROOF’s what we lack
They say both his eyes twinkle—his dimples, how merry!
That his cheeks are like roses; his nose like a cherry
And all Santa believers who are “in the know”
Know the beard on his chin is as white as the snow; Yet again, I’ll remind you (this should be a relief)
Investing in stocks requires much less belief
Unlike Santa’s broad face and his big ole’ round belly
That shakes when he laughs, like a bowl full of jelly.
Your portfolio gains are not helped out by elves,
You just need to keep holding—in spite of yourselves;So, this holiday season: just get out of your head!
For a long-term investor? Why, there’s nothing to dread!
Just don’t panic, don’t bail, let your stocks do their work,
But, believing in Santa? …please don’t think I’m a jerk,I’d prefer some more evidence—is that too on the nose?
Like “the past 100 years, stocks consistently rose”Sometimes though, I suppose, leaps of faith are OK
Surely not for investing—but around Christmas day
I will tolerate Santa; I’ll assume he takes flight
Merry Christmas to all, and to all a good night!