February 22, 2022

Markets:

Wall Street is returning from a four-day weekend that began with diplomacy hopes, and ended with Russian President Vladimir Putin ordering troops into separatist regions of eastern Ukraine.  U.S. stock futures bounced back from overnight lows Tuesday morning but remained below the flatline to start the holiday-shortened week as investors continued to monitor tensions between Russia and Ukraine and await the Kremlin’s next move.

Wall Street was closed for trading on Monday in observance of Presidents Day, but investors will return from the long weekend to a series of new developments on the geopolitical front that are likely to extend the recent pressure on stocks.

Russian President Vladimir Putin authorized the deployment of Russian troops into two breakaway pro-Moscow regions in eastern Ukraine after announcing Monday evening he would recognize their independence.

The conflict creates an added headwind for markets already holding its breath in anticipation of the Federal Reserve’s next move as it looks to tighten monetary conditions to mitigate surging inflationary pressures. A war between Russia and Ukraine could exacerbate inflation and spur other economic disruptions.

Portfolio:

Beautiful new trading week set to begin!  We welcome the added volatility and all the opportunity this will create for us in the coming months.  We enter the new trading week holding positions in OSTK, VTRS, SLV, PBR, NOV, and hold itrm for it's updated release of test / progress.  A nice mixture of longs, shorts, and commodities for us.  We will be watching the open / price activity very closely.  Thus far futures trading has been extremely volatile with the swings.  We love to see this.  Be ready today for updates today potentially as a new trade.

Let's have a great session and end the month strong.