--- title: Kensington Analytics - Commentary description: A widespread uptick in COVID-19 cases in the U.S. and elsewhere is triggering more severe lockdowns as the year-end holiday season approaches. image: https://blog.fulcrumeq.com/hubfs/ManagerCommentary_Blog-1.jpg --- [![Fulcrum-Logo-White-1](https://blog.fulcrumeq.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Fulcrum-Logo-White-1.png?width=250&height=63&name=Fulcrum-Logo-White-1.png "Fulcrum-Logo-White-1")](http://fulcrumeq-8809078.hs-sites.com/v2) - [Insights](https://blog.fulcrumeq.com/insights) [![Client Portal](https://hubspot-no-cache-na2-prod.s3.amazonaws.com/cta/default/8809078/e61666c3-099f-4e48-854a-4c0ce5443fa0.png)](https://hubspot-cta-redirect-na2-prod.s3.amazonaws.com/cta/redirect/8809078/e61666c3-099f-4e48-854a-4c0ce5443fa0) [![Advisor Portal](https://hubspot-no-cache-na2-prod.s3.amazonaws.com/cta/default/8809078/974ea95f-199e-4ec5-81c4-86b6b82411c5.png)](https://hubspot-cta-redirect-na2-prod.s3.amazonaws.com/cta/redirect/8809078/974ea95f-199e-4ec5-81c4-86b6b82411c5) [![Fulcrum-Logo](https://blog.fulcrumeq.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Fulcrum-Logo.png?width=200&height=143&name=Fulcrum-Logo.png "Fulcrum-Logo")](http://fulcrumeq-8809078.hs-sites.com/v2) - [Insights](https://blog.fulcrumeq.com/insights) [![Client Login](https://hubspot-no-cache-na2-prod.s3.amazonaws.com/cta/default/8809078/c7b6705d-896d-4927-8005-eb1fdcff5316.png)](https://hubspot-cta-redirect-na2-prod.s3.amazonaws.com/cta/redirect/8809078/c7b6705d-896d-4927-8005-eb1fdcff5316) [![Advisor Portal](https://hubspot-no-cache-na2-prod.s3.amazonaws.com/cta/default/8809078/974ea95f-199e-4ec5-81c4-86b6b82411c5.png)](https://hubspot-cta-redirect-na2-prod.s3.amazonaws.com/cta/redirect/8809078/974ea95f-199e-4ec5-81c4-86b6b82411c5) **Menu** [![Client Login](https://hubspot-no-cache-na2-prod.s3.amazonaws.com/cta/default/8809078/c4655de3-d9ca-4758-9b28-bcaf2e724b3b.png)](https://hubspot-cta-redirect-na2-prod.s3.amazonaws.com/cta/redirect/8809078/c4655de3-d9ca-4758-9b28-bcaf2e724b3b) [![Advisor Login](https://hubspot-no-cache-na2-prod.s3.amazonaws.com/cta/default/8809078/e6d436f0-f2aa-4df7-be59-d8cae469522f.png)](https://hubspot-cta-redirect-na2-prod.s3.amazonaws.com/cta/redirect/8809078/e6d436f0-f2aa-4df7-be59-d8cae469522f) - [Insights](https://blog.fulcrumeq.com/insights) ![Background 2](https://blog.fulcrumeq.com/hubfs/Background%202.jpg "Background 2") # Insights & Manager Commentary # Kensington Analytics - Commentary by [Craig Love](https://blog.fulcrumeq.com/insights/author/craig-love), on December 10, 2020 A widespread uptick in COVID-19 cases in the U.S. and elsewhere is triggering more severe lockdowns as the year-end holiday season approaches. Ordinarily, one would expect markets to be under pressure in response to suppressed economic activity but that is certainly not the case now. Investors instead appear to be focused on a return to “normalcy” once vaccines are made available. Such enthusiasm may be getting ahead of itself, though, at least in the short term. From a fundamental perspective, widespread access to vaccines is not likely to occur before the middle of next year. Even so, investor sentiment readings are reaching extremes as the major stock indices surge into new all-time high ground.  One example is the record amount of call option buying (leveraged bets on higher stock prices) which indicates investor sentiment is approaching a bullish extreme.  Consequently, caution is warranted as a short-term pullback may be in the offing. Regardless, the outlook for markets over the mid- to longer-term remains constructive. Although the transition to a new administration has not been finalized, investor anxiety stemming from political uncertainty has certainly abated. And despite Congressional gridlock and posturing, another round of stimulus relief appears likely as lockdowns threaten to dramatically slow economic activity once again. The recent stellar performance by high-yield bonds further supports our positive outlook. The Fed has made it clear it will backstop any widespread weakness in these bonds, although Fed policy could change with a new incoming chairperson. The much higher rate these bonds pay versus more conservative alternatives remains appealing, despite the recent slight uptick in interest rates. At times like these, it is important to keep in mind that markets are a two-way street. Investors are getting rewarded now by stepping up their risk exposure, but there will come a time when prices will reverse. Only a few short months ago, markets were getting pummeled. Now that prices have more than recovered, there are multiple signs caution is being thrown to the wind. Kensington’s philosophy is to be always on guard for the unexpected, especially in an environment like today. When markets do decline, Kensington’s focus will remain the same as it always has—seeking to preserve investor capital during times of market volatility. Best regards, Bruce P. DeLaurentis Source: [Kensington Analytics](https://blog.kensingtonanalytics.com/commentary/markets-continue-to-advance) Topics:[Manager Commentary](https://blog.fulcrumeq.com/insights/topic/manager-commentary) - [Recent](https://blog.fulcrumeq.com/insights/kensington-analytics-commentary#recent) - [Topics](https://blog.fulcrumeq.com/insights/kensington-analytics-commentary#topics) - [Archive](https://blog.fulcrumeq.com/insights/kensington-analytics-commentary#archive) - [Athena (3)](https://blog.fulcrumeq.com/insights/tag/athena) - [Brookmont (4)](https://blog.fulcrumeq.com/insights/tag/brookmont) - [Churchill (26)](https://blog.fulcrumeq.com/insights/tag/churchill) - [Kensington (22)](https://blog.fulcrumeq.com/insights/tag/kensington) - [Little Harbor Advisors (1)](https://blog.fulcrumeq.com/insights/tag/little-harbor-advisors) - [LMCG Investments (1)](https://blog.fulcrumeq.com/insights/tag/lmcg-investments) - [Manager Commentary (79)](https://blog.fulcrumeq.com/insights/tag/manager-commentary) - [Manager Spotlight (1)](https://blog.fulcrumeq.com/insights/tag/manager-spotlight) - [Optimus Advisory Group (1)](https://blog.fulcrumeq.com/insights/tag/optimus-advisory-group) - [Thompson Capital (1)](https://blog.fulcrumeq.com/insights/tag/thompson-capital) More... - [May 2023 (5)](https://blog.fulcrumeq.com/insights/archive/2023/05) - [June 2023 (5)](https://blog.fulcrumeq.com/insights/archive/2023/06) - [July 2023 (5)](https://blog.fulcrumeq.com/insights/archive/2023/07) - [September 2023 (5)](https://blog.fulcrumeq.com/insights/archive/2023/09) - [October 2021 (4)](https://blog.fulcrumeq.com/insights/archive/2021/10) - [November 2021 (4)](https://blog.fulcrumeq.com/insights/archive/2021/11) - [September 2022 (4)](https://blog.fulcrumeq.com/insights/archive/2022/09) - [October 2022 (4)](https://blog.fulcrumeq.com/insights/archive/2022/10) - [November 2023 (4)](https://blog.fulcrumeq.com/insights/archive/2023/11) - [March 2021 (3)](https://blog.fulcrumeq.com/insights/archive/2021/03) - [April 2021 (3)](https://blog.fulcrumeq.com/insights/archive/2021/04) - [September 2021 (3)](https://blog.fulcrumeq.com/insights/archive/2021/09) - [February 2022 (3)](https://blog.fulcrumeq.com/insights/archive/2022/02) - [November 2022 (3)](https://blog.fulcrumeq.com/insights/archive/2022/11) - [April 2023 (3)](https://blog.fulcrumeq.com/insights/archive/2023/04) - [August 2023 (3)](https://blog.fulcrumeq.com/insights/archive/2023/08) - [October 2023 (3)](https://blog.fulcrumeq.com/insights/archive/2023/10) - [December 2020 (2)](https://blog.fulcrumeq.com/insights/archive/2020/12) - [February 2021 (2)](https://blog.fulcrumeq.com/insights/archive/2021/02) - [July 2021 (2)](https://blog.fulcrumeq.com/insights/archive/2021/07) - [August 2021 (2)](https://blog.fulcrumeq.com/insights/archive/2021/08) - [March 2022 (2)](https://blog.fulcrumeq.com/insights/archive/2022/03) - [May 2022 (2)](https://blog.fulcrumeq.com/insights/archive/2022/05) - [June 2022 (2)](https://blog.fulcrumeq.com/insights/archive/2022/06) - [July 2022 (2)](https://blog.fulcrumeq.com/insights/archive/2022/07) - [August 2022 (2)](https://blog.fulcrumeq.com/insights/archive/2022/08) - [January 2023 (2)](https://blog.fulcrumeq.com/insights/archive/2023/01) - [February 2023 (2)](https://blog.fulcrumeq.com/insights/archive/2023/02) - [March 2023 (2)](https://blog.fulcrumeq.com/insights/archive/2023/03) - [May 2021 (1)](https://blog.fulcrumeq.com/insights/archive/2021/05) - [June 2021 (1)](https://blog.fulcrumeq.com/insights/archive/2021/06) - [December 2021 (1)](https://blog.fulcrumeq.com/insights/archive/2021/12) - [January 2022 (1)](https://blog.fulcrumeq.com/insights/archive/2022/01) - [December 2022 (1)](https://blog.fulcrumeq.com/insights/archive/2022/12) - [December 2023 (1)](https://blog.fulcrumeq.com/insights/archive/2023/12) More... ### Subscribe to Updates ![Fulcrum-Logo-White](https://blog.fulcrumeq.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Fulcrum-Logo-White.png?width=150&name=Fulcrum-Logo-White.png) 5465 Legacy Drive Suite 650 Plano, Texas 75024 Toll Free: [888.304.6942](tel:1-888-304-6942) Direct:[214.317.4293](tel:214-317-4293)   **[Form CRS](https://blog.fulcrumeq.com/hubfs/Regulatory/Form%20CRS%20Document.pdf)** [Disclosures](https://blog.fulcrumeq.com/hubfs/Regulatory/Website%20Disclosures.pdf) ### Connect with us Copyright © 2021 | Fulcrum Equity Management, LLC is registered as an investment adviser with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), and only transacts business in states where it is properly notice filed, or is excluded or exempted from such requirements. 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