Full steam ahead, Fools.The Aussie dollar is on the rise.
World stock markets have resumed their upward trajectory.
Individual stocks are hitting new highs, including a couple in my portfolio… more on them below.
Even gold — that shiny metal that looks good but is largely useless — jumped 3% overnight. Do wonders ever cease?
Welcome to the next bull market, and more "free money"
Mark Thursday October 17 2013 in your calendars. It was the day U.S. politicians finally came to their senses, clearing the way for what is already looking like the next leg upwards in this bull market.
Overnight in the U.S., the S&P 500 roared to a record high as markets celebrated the debt deal, and looked forward to continued money printing from the Federal Reserve.
There's nothing like "free money" to get markets moving. Add in market-thumping results from the likes of American Express and Google (Nasdaq: GOOG) — shares in the latter company jumping 8% in after hours trading — and it's not hard to see how the market surged higher, and could go much higher yet.
All of which adds up to more happy days for the Jackson portfolio. I'm a holder of Google shares, both personally and in my SMSF, and in after-hours trading, they have jumped to a new all-time high of $960 per share.
It's the dollars that count
At $960 a pop, I may not own many shares, but I do own many dollars worth of Google stock, and as we all know, it's the dollars that count!
(As an aside, Google's also a company we recommended to subscribers of Motley Fool Share Advisor. We realise the vast majority of subscribers focus on ASX stocks, but we put the U.S. recommendations in the service as an added bonus — together with a guide to investing in international stocks — for those subscribers looking to add a little more spice and diversification to their investments. For example, Netflix (Nasdaq: NFLX), another of our U.S. recommended stocks, is up a stunning 481% since we tipped it. Some bonus, hey?)
ASX hits a five-year high
Back in Australia, The Sydney Morning Herald reports today…
Yes Fools, we're breaking out the champagne here at Fool HQ.
And seems we're not the only ones who think it's clear air ahead for the markets…
In The Australian Financial Review, AMP Capital chief economist Shane Oliver is quoted as saying…
"…our assessment is that shares will have a solid rally into year end with further gains next year. Sharemarket valuations remain reasonable, monetary conditions are set to remain easy and profits are likely to improve next year as global and Australian growth picks up. Australian shares look they could hit 5500 by year end, with a little help from a Santa rally."
Look out, Fools. We could be in for a good run into Christmas. Now if only our cricketers could deliver the Ashes back to Australia before the Boxing Day test, I'd be one happy Fool! Dreams are free.
The ASX stock hitting a new high
On top of Google, the other stock in my portfolio hitting a new high today is Corporate Travel Group (ASX: CTD).
Investment Advisor Scott Phillips and myself both own shares in this fast-growing travel service company. We're both feeling rather pleased with ourselves, sitting on a 57% profit, but hopefully Motley Fool Share Advisor subscribers are sitting even prettier, given Corporate Travel has now more than doubled since we recommended it as a buy just over a year ago.
Corporate Travel Group is just the sort of stock we look for — growing rapidly, with a long growth runway ahead, proven and committed management, and trading at a decent valuation. The results — a 100%+ gain for Motley Fool Share Advisor subscribers — speak for themselves.
Calling Tony Abbott… hello Tony??
Last week Scott Phillips sent an open letter to Tony Abbott. It surprises no-one here at Fool HQ that we haven't yet heard back from our prime minister — we assume he's too busy sorting out his most recent expenses claim. But we're not going away.
We'll keep asking – this is too important to let go. Let's hope we get some good news soon.
The Australian Financial Review says "good quality Australian shares that have a long history of paying dividends are a real alternative to a term deposit." Get "3 Stocks for the Great Dividend Boom" in our special FREE report. Click here now to find out the names, stock symbols, and full research for our three favourite income ideas, all completely free!
More reading
Of the companies mentioned above, Bruce Jackson has an interest in Google and Corporate Travel Group.
